One of the definite advantages about being a father and
grandfather is that it has enabled me to have many years of closeness with
young girls. First they were my two daughters, Ale and Hilary and now I have
the pleasure of the company of my two granddaughters (one is 18 so not so
little girl), Rebecca and Lauren, 13.
This was most evident last Saturday. Lauren came over and I
showed her Rosemary’s Queen’s University beret. I put it on her and she smiled.
Then I thought about it (knowing that French sailors have a red pompon on the
top of their hats) and went to our family memorabilia armoire in the piano
room. There I took out my summer whites
(I had subsequently cut the long sleeves, in later years after finishing my
conscription). Lauren put them on. I then told her, “On some other day we can
photograph you in that.” She instantly said, “Let’s do it now as your studio is
ready and you will not have to put your equipment away as you did in the
Athlone house.” Lauren was right as I had a provisional studio between the
living room and the dining room and I always had to pack up and take the stuff
to the basement.
I took one Fuji Instant Colour print and the four exposures
you see here. I used my venerable Mamiya RB-67 Pro-SD with a 90 mm lens.
 |
| Scanned peel from Fuji Colur Instant Film (alas! discontinued) |
I am sure that a couple of weeks ago I threw the summer
white top into a carboard box. But my Rosemary (who always knows) took it out
and placed it in the armoire. Bless her! And bless that Lauren who is still a
little girl.