Local photographer

On Friday at 10.25am the receptionist at the retirement centre phoned me. It was Anna, a resident's, 90th birthday party and would I come and take photos. At first, I said it was too short notice and she said she'd take photos on her phone and would I submit them to the newspaper. Once I'd put the phone down, I thought better I take the photos and then I know I have them in time. 

So I grabbed the camera and went down there. 

I arrived in the hall while a niece, Izelma was paying a tribute to her aunt. I was a bit peeved as it looked as though I, the photographer was late  and that I never am. Nevertheless, I crept around taking spontaneous photos while Izelma spoke.

Once the formalities were over and people made their way to the laden eats table, I greeted dozens of residents as well as visitors from town. My MIL was also there - she's never had it so good since moving in there two years ago today.

I then wished the birthday "girl" and took several photos of her. A couple of younger  (70-somethings) ladies approached me and asked if I'd photograph them with Anna. With one such request, I realized there was something wrong with my camera. I kept getting light spots on the image showing on my screen. 

A friend poses with Anna, the 90 year-old birthday girl. 

I noticed light spots on the screen - you can clearly see them here

 I eventually used the flash on the auto function which slighly improved the image

Back home I took several random photos to see if I could work out the problem. When I saw the streaks on the photo below, I turned the camera towards me and checked the lens. It was smeared with something - not sure what! But this made me realize that I should speak to people arranging special functions ask me timeously to take photos for the newspaper. In a small town like Marquard, you know everything going on - when there's a 40th birthday bash; when there's a child's church christening or like above when there's a major birthday reached. But the organizers and family need to ask me to attend personally - so that I can be comfortable performing this labour of love (no payment!) 

The state of my camera lens when I took the all-important photos for the newspaper last week! 

Tomorrow I will choose a photo of Anna and write a little story and send it to the paper. It appears in Friday's edition!

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!