21 Comments
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Eugenio Levis's avatar

Beautiful story, and you can tell your father had an eye for photography.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you Eugenio.

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Ralph Turner's avatar

A great story. Such a shame your Dad wasn’t more communicative about his passion, particularly in light of yours. Those first two scanned images of the trees are simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing both word and picture.

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Ralph Turner's avatar

Regarding the Flexaret, have you thought about having it serviced and taking it ‘out ‘n’ about’ for old times sake? I did this with my Dad’s old Spotmatic. He took it on from my late older Brother, who’d had it since the late 70s, so it’s something of an heirloom. It doesn’t get used that often, but it’s always a pleasure when I do, not just for how well it works, but for that sense of family history, of continuity.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thanks Ralph. I have thought about it, but optically it was really poor, even when he had it in the 60’s.

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scott norton's avatar

Really appreciate you sharing this story. Lovely images to go with the memories.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thanks Scott.

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Troy R. Bennett's avatar

I too started with my Dad’s camera, right about the time he lost interest. I was maybe 15 at the time and still have his camera now at age 54. It’s on a shelf, as well. In my case, it was an early 1980s Canon AE-1. I don’t think he ever took photography seriously. The camera was just a gadget to mess around with — but it certainly changed my life.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for sharing this story with us and your dad‘s photographs. The last one made me laugh!

Btw. Youtube recommended the little docu that was made about you and I really enjoyed watching it.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you Susanne.

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Wow, what a personal and interesting story. I feel mixed emotions at the end, I think. There’s the wonder at some of those old negatives giving rise to such nice prints (that one you printed for him is really lovely indeed) as well as the sadness that the passion you two shared wasn’t ever outwardly shared. And now it’s too late. But I am very glad to have read it and thank you for sharing with us.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you.

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Lin Gregory's avatar

This is such a great story Andrew - I love the print you made of the corn and that first one of the trees in snow…it’s clear your dad had a sense of humour too from the last image! So much of our parents work gets filed away in boxes never to be seen - it’s great you’re bringing it back into the light of day once more!

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thanks Lin. I may make a self published book of his best images.

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Lin Gregory's avatar

Now that’s a great idea.

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Luz Mendes's avatar

Beautiful. How wonderful is it to have a father who’s also a photographer? I think, very wonderful! I think we take it for granted and as usual do with so many things. We always think back at what we could have done when it is not possible to do it anymore.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you Luz.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Clearly it runs in the family. Well done dad and son! I do like the dog…. 😀

Do show us when you print more of your dad’s work.

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you.

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Evander Warheiser's avatar

Nice writing and very interesting history. Sorry you didn't get that valuable advice. We should learn from them while they last. Good pics especially the signed landscape. I love that shoot. Would share but I don't have subscribers. Subscribed

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Andrew Sanderson's avatar

Thank you Evander.

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