On today’s date I have written 6644 blogs. I never have a writer’s and with all the spare time I now have living alone with two cats I sometimes write 3 bogs per day. Of late I have been looking into my author files. Today I spotted an 8x10 with a handsome man called David Guterson. I did read his Snow Falling on Cedars. Instead of placing here my 8x10 or a very nice 6x7cm transparency I am opting to for a scan of part of the article written by Christopher Dafoe which he wrote for the Globe and Mail and appeared on Ma6 6, 1999.

When I worked with Christopher Dafoe I was always allowed to be at the interview. It gave me time to note his subject’s movements and to learn about them. I also could choose a spot somewhere in the usual hotel room to set up my lights and my heavy tripod with my large Mamiya RB-67.

Had I not delved into my files I would have never remembered this man’s name or face. That seems to be a pity. I am lucky that my mother wrote with white ink the dates and the names of all our ancestors. One of the earliest is from Barcelona in the 1880s. I believe that when one no longer knows who that ancestor in the family album is, that ancestor is finally dead.

I am sure now that if I were to run into Guterson I would see that almost smile of my photograph on his face and I would greet him warmly. He is alive.

When I looked at the 8x10 that the Globe and Mail did not use I decided to place it here. It is a better portrait of the man.