TEXERE: fabric of life
Self Portrait: Take Nothing for Granted
Posted by Ron (Saint Louis, United States) on 29 October 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
This is the face I see every morning as I stand before the mirror to brush my teeth and shave my face. I inherited the square jaw line and elongated facial shape from my father. The hazel eyes are a gift from both of my parents: my father's baby blues mixed with my mother's passionate browns. Through these eyes I am blessed with the incredible gift of sight ... the amazing ability to see light and shadow and contrast and detail.
The senses through which we encounter the world are often taken for granted ... we assume these gifts are ours for a lifetime. This is not necessarily so. A little more than three weeks ago I went to bed one Monday night and awoke Tuesday morning to discover that I had lost my ability to hear in my right ear. Actually, the audiology examination placed my hearing loss at 80 percent. Since that initial exam, I have taken a 12-day course of steroids. A subsequent audiology exam has shown some improvement ... enough to be hopeful that additional treatment may restore more of my ability to hear.
Take nothing for granted, my friends ... take nothing for granted.
Thanks to Isao and DJ for making the self-portrait challenge!
Andrew Gould from Sydney, Australia
A really strong portrait, Ron. What a great idea this is, having the self portraits day.
I hope you get some more improvement with your hearing. I know what you mean about not taking anything for granted. I have fluid behind the retina of my left eye, and distorted vision from this. Fortunately, with both eyes together I can ignore it, but it's not exactly what you want when photography is your passion.
29 Oct 2008 5:24am
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Hi Ron, pleased to meet you.... I hope the hearing improves.
29 Oct 2008 5:41am
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
Wow, look at you, lovely to meet you Ron and put a face to the name! A wonderful and strong self portrait, I love this, but mostly I love the reminder not to ever take what we have for granted. This is the third reminder I have had of this in 24hrs, so it's a very strong message for me. Thank you so much for showing us you and for letting us into your world. I hope your ear and hearing recover really soon! Thank GOD it's not your eyes, but scary nonetheless, get well soon!
29 Oct 2008 5:59am
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Happy to meet you, Ron, and I love your writing to take nothing for granted. Your situation is certainly a strong message. I pray your hearing will return and in the meantime, we'll be thankful God gave us TWO ears, right? Blessings...... jc
29 Oct 2008 8:38am
lisa v from Gawler, Australia
A timely reminder. Good luck with it. very nice portrait, i love your processing.
29 Oct 2008 8:53am
Betty from New Jersey, United States
A very handsome self portrait, Ron! And I, too, pray that your hearing will improve! Your message is very well taken, thank you.
29 Oct 2008 9:57am
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Hello, Ron. I'm very pleased to meet your portrait and also your reflexions about the gift of the senses.
Cheers.
29 Oct 2008 10:31am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Hey Ron, where have you been? lol You look very handsome :)
29 Oct 2008 10:41am
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
You're right ... sometimes we forget how a amazing it is having our senses! I hope your hearing will recover in time and meanwhile ... nice meeting you Ron, I like your portrait, your father and mother did a great job creating you!
29 Oct 2008 11:01am
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
I like the sensitivity in your face and portrait. A fine image, Ron.
29 Oct 2008 11:54am
MJ from Delaware, United States
great portrait... and it is really nice to meet you.... keep using those hazel eyes and see the beauty of the world around you and keep sharing it with others....
29 Oct 2008 12:06pm
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Hello Ron - and very pleased to meet you at long last! I also wish you the very best with getting your full hearing back.
29 Oct 2008 12:12pm
Isao from isère, France
Property beautiful eyes, and the bottom is quite original ;-)
Happy to see you Ron,
thank you very much for participating !
De biens beaux yeux , et le fond est assez original ;-)
Contente de te voir Ron,
merci beaucoup d'avoir participé !
my misty self-portrait :
http://isao.aminus3.com/image/2008-10-29.html
29 Oct 2008 12:45pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
Powerful portrait and commentary. You are so right.
29 Oct 2008 1:47pm
Chris from South Jersey, United States
Very nice portrait - simple and well done. Great commentary - and I will pray for your ears.....
29 Oct 2008 2:37pm
Francesc B. from région parisienne, France
Hello, Ron... Happy to meet you... you are a little mysterious here... like a movie actor ... impressive color on your eyes... I hope that your health problems are going to improve...
29 Oct 2008 2:56pm
PD from Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Nice to meet you Ron. You have some amazing pictures on this site.
29 Oct 2008 3:14pm
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
Hey Ron, nice to put a face to a name. This is a great shot, and you are so right about taking nothing for granted. Lovely words.
29 Oct 2008 3:18pm
Marcie from United States
A wonderful self-portrait. Am particularly impressed by how you managed to break down the parts and pieces of your face and attribute to your parents.
Sorry to hear about your loss of hearing...you are so right. Take NOTHING for granted!!!!
29 Oct 2008 4:34pm
JJ from Jersey City, United States
wonderful self portrait, nicely composed, good advise not to take anything for granted, hope your hearing recovers fully
29 Oct 2008 4:42pm
Rags from Plano, United States
my hope is that your hearing will get better. I will take heed to your words.
29 Oct 2008 4:46pm
kerfendal from Paris, France
Nothing is ever acquired to the man Nor his strength
Nor hisweakness nor his heart. And when he believes
To open his arms his shade is the one of a cross.
And when he believes to tighten his happiness he grinds it
His life is a strange and painful divorce
Translation from a song-poem of Georges Brassens, one of the most famous 20th century singer poet in France
29 Oct 2008 5:20pm
Melissa W. from Warsaw, Indiana, United States
Nice to finally see you! :) Great self-portrait and processing. Loved your commentary...so very true. Hope your hearing recovers.
29 Oct 2008 5:57pm
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Hello there Ron, it's a great pleasure to meet you at last. :)
I'm so sorry to learn that you are having problems with your hearing, I hope and pray that it will improve for you very soon.
29 Oct 2008 6:25pm
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
That's a great intense portrait - hope your hearing gets better! Your words are so true.
29 Oct 2008 6:50pm
danthro from Suburbia, United States
Very nice to meet you Ron! Excellent portrait. interesting you usually go with such vibrant colors, but you chose the desaturated look for your self-portrait. very well-written description as well. the first paragraph made me smile, and the second paragraph, well, i'm very sorry to hear about your hearing problem. you're right about how much we take for granted. that sounds so scary to go through. i wish we knew how to prevent something like that, but truth is it'll never be totally in our control, just have to appreciate it while we have it.
29 Oct 2008 7:40pm
Lilly and Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United States
We like the sincerity of this portrait . . sorry to read of the problems but, you are right, we must enjoy the generous gifts while we have them. Sure hope things improve for you along the way.
29 Oct 2008 8:08pm
Krisu from Tampere, Finland
Hi Ron, nice to meet you! Like your portrait very much, it's simple but effective. hope you'll hear perfectly again very soon.
29 Oct 2008 8:19pm
Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Panama City, Panama
There's a lot of intensity in your portrait and a deep way of looking, take nothing for granted, clever and deep words, nice to meet you!
29 Oct 2008 8:40pm
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Nice to finally meet you Ron. Through those eyes you take fabulous pictures. I am so sorry about your hearing loss and I just hope and pray that you will regain some of your hearing ability back. You are so right when you say take nothing for granted. God bless.
29 Oct 2008 10:15pm
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Hi Ron, nice to meet you !! What a dark handsome glance...
29 Oct 2008 10:28pm
lasiate from Philippines
mystère et lignes courbes plus un petit air amusé, un portrait plein de subtilité
29 Oct 2008 10:44pm
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Thats a cool portrait. I hope your hearing gets better, that must have been a shock.
29 Oct 2008 10:55pm
Sammi from New Jersey, United States
I loved reading about that. I can feel the passion you have, and how grateful you are for what you have. I wish everyone could come to terms and understand that as well...
Meanwhile, I love your eye color. They are a beautiful blend, indeed.
29 Oct 2008 11:29pm
Shirin Moosavi from Tehran, Iran
Let us hope that the lost fragments of connection come alive again and leave you with pure happiness.
Great self-portrait. I'm honored to meet you :)
29 Oct 2008 11:42pm
Jeffster from Long Island, United States
Terrific self portrait. I couldn't agree with you more. Things that are here today can be gone tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting my site. It's nice to meet you too.
30 Oct 2008 1:17am
Disoriented from Grinnell, IA, United States
A fantastic self-portrait and I take your thoughts to heart. It's always a pleasure to enjoy your spirit and wondrous eye.
30 Oct 2008 2:37am
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
A very strong face... a very strong portrait.
Profound and true words... take nothing for granted. Here's to your hearing MAKING a full recovery.
30 Oct 2008 3:22am
DarkElf from Perth, Australia
a great and mody self-portrait Ron - nice to meet you! good title and story too - something that we should always keep in mind... you never know what may come to pass tomorrow...
30 Oct 2008 4:17am
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
HELLO RON!!! :D I am embarrassed but i actually forgot you -- and i am so SORRY!! Thank goodness i checked the home page -- saw the comment from gene (above) and realized!!! :D Someone must be smiling down on me today!! This is a FAAABULOUS shot of you! Moody, Enigmatic, Intense -- but all very BEAUTIFULLY so!! I am sorry to learn of your hearing problems -- but hope that you will recover the majority if not all of it back through medicine. Thank you for the warning -- it is duly noted!! I do try to live most days as if they could be my last -- and i am thankful for everything that i do have! THANKS HEAPS fr joining in the self portrait fray today!!! What a blast!! So nice to meet you too! I still remember your Lotus series -- one of the best series i have seen on AM3 hands down!! So BRAVO to you mate!! Cheers!! :D
30 Oct 2008 4:37am
lissa from New York & Seattle, United States
beautiful eyes, hazel is such wonderful color, nice a beautiful self-portrait, I like the subtle colors and not too bright lighting
now if only I was brave enough to show myself...
30 Oct 2008 2:02pm
Mary from Richfield, United States
Wonderful self portrait, Ron. Beautiful choice of color. Nice to put a face with the comments. Appreciate your words....I've learned that lesson in other areas of my life. Will be praying for you.
30 Oct 2008 3:38pm
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
This is great Ron! The tones and colour are very cool...strong and fantastic image!
Nice to meet you!
31 Oct 2008 4:31am
willow from Chelsea, United States
I love your portrait and your message, Ron. Your eyes are captivating - my sons have similar eyes and I could get lost in them. You are so right, though, in that we should take nothing for granted. Change is the only constant we can count on. Hope your hearing continues to improve.
31 Oct 2008 1:14pm
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
So serious :) Pretty cool image thought.
31 Oct 2008 8:15pm
Tilala from Bordeaux, France
Bravo ! Un portrait très personnel et ô combien original !
1 Nov 2008 4:33pm
zOOm from Paris, France
Ron, I'm very glad to put a name of your face. I'd like to thank you very much for the trust you give and share with us. Hope you'll recover hearing very soon...
What an intense glance you have... remarkable !
1 Nov 2008 5:01pm
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
What a delight to meet you finally, Ron, the artist and poet of digital photography! You'll right... no one knows what'll happen next. Anyhow, just try our best and never give up hope. Look forward to hearing the good news from you soon!
2 Nov 2008 6:01am
Canon EOS 40D
1/5 second
F/10.0
ISO 100
110 mm