Off-stage Character Goes Onstage

In ancient times, the theater had me only in the wings—either as a stage manager or assistant director. Most of my classmates at the Art Institute of Chicago, Goodman Theater, chose to be onstage, but I eluded the limelight by remaining off-stage, like a character mentioned in the play but never seen.

Decades later, during our last vacation in the USA this year, my daughter-in-law, G, requested me to be the subject of her lighting test shots for her next photo shoot (when she took up photography as a hobby, one day she found herself  doing it professionally).  I thought it was about time I went onstage to experience the glare of spotlight.     

“From all the photos we will shoot today, you can pick a head shot for your next book,” she said.

“But I already love the photo you took of me with your cellphone in the Chinese restaurant,” I countered.

“Oh, no, no, no!” she said vehemently. “That wouldn’t do!”

So we trekked to a farm, rustic and full of charm, reminiscent of my birthplace, except for the brrrr California spring weather. Click, click, and click.

“That’s good, very good, Mommy!” she’d encourage me.

We headed next to a Japanese garden—serene and quiet, disturbed only by the cawing and chirping of birds and the whispers of wind. Click, click, and click.

She took a total of over 400 shots (more than all the photos in my whole life combined!), but which she reduced to only 80 after fierce and merciless editing.

These are the photos G posted later to her Instagram account. 

 

Looking at them, I was drawn to how she captured the magic of nature—how softly it hovers over the subject, like grace lingering even with shifting shadows. A good photographer is blessed with eyes to see the subtle nuances of light, resulting in photos that delight the beholder.       

As for the cellphone head shot I wanted (left) for my new book, I agree that G’s choice (right) deserves the space.

Going onstage for one morning did not hurt—I enjoyed it in fact—but I think I was born to be an off-stage character and so I am back to that role.