2017 Photochallenge Week 25 – People We Love

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I’m writing this post with a heavy heart. As many of you probably know, Trevor Carpenter – the founder of photochallenge.org – passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. We want to dedicate this challenge to him, and say a few words about our friend.

“Trevor Setting Up” by Jeremy Brooks

I met Trevor because of our shared interest in photography. He announced that he was going to challenge himself to shoot only in black and white for a month, and I thought he was crazy. At the end of the month, I was blown away by the results. Shortly after that he started challenging others to take their photography to new levels by shooting specific themes which were posted on a web site he started called photochallenge.org. Participating in these challenges really helped me grow as a photographer, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I will always be grateful to Trevor for that.

After participating in the challenges for a while, I began to assist with writing the posts for the site. In 2009 Trevor had the idea of doing a different challenge every day for a year. Writing a post a day is a lot of work for two people, but we managed to do it, and it was a lot of fun.

Trevor was an inspiring person who touched the lives of many people. I am honored to have counted him as a friend. He will be greatly missed.

— Jeremy Brooks

 

“Night Photowalk” by Gary Hegenbart

 

Photography is a hobby for me. It’s something I love, and do just for fun. It’s also what formed a bond between Trevor and me. Trevor was part of my inspiration about 10 years ago when I started participating in photo challenges. I can honestly say that Trevor inspired me to be a better photographer, and pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. We become who we are through our experiences with other people. The part of me that is a photographer was shaped in part by Trevor. That means he’s part of me, and he lives on in the photos I take and share. When Trevor asked me to help reboot PhotoChallenge in 2012, I didn’t hesitate. I found great joy in participating, and like Trevor, wanted to share that with others.

Photochallenge was only a small part of Trevor’s life, but it’s the part that I know. I saw glimpses of the rest of his life through social media. What I saw there was a man devoted to his faith and his family. What I saw there was something I respect and admire. Thank you, Trevor, you will continue to inspire me and challenge me.

—  Gary Hegenbart

 

So, on to the challenge: People We Love.

“Mom & Dad” by Jeremy Brooks

This week, we would like to challenge you to make a portrait of someone you care about. It could be a family member or a friend. Take a few minutes to think about the people in your life. Do you have someone you are close to, but have not made a portrait of? Now is the time to change that!

“Litre Lunch” by Jeremy Brooks

This challenge is less about technical perfection or technique. This challenge is about getting in the habit of making photos of people you love before it is too late. We would like to think that this challenge would make Trevor smile, and then go out and point his camera at his kids and his many friends.

“The Bride” by Jeremy Brooks

***

Trevor and I had so many differences in our cultural upbringing and our beliefs, but Law Enforcement and photography brought us together. Our differences were shared with one another with great respect and propelled us into entertaining debates and amazing adventures. The Trevor I knew was just, fair, kindhearted and generous. An intelligent individual with an amazing curiosity for the unknown, constantly evolving and learning. He stood true to his conviction and showed empathy for those in need. Even when thousands of miles separated each other, we never stopped learning from one another. I truly miss you Trevor…

—  Steve Troletti

 

I first met Trevor when I joined this challenge a few years ago. While I wasn’t fortunate enough to get to know him in person, I’m forever grateful for the PhotoChallenge group that he started. I’m truly amazed that he was able to bring together such a great group of people, from all around the globe, connected by a love of photography. In addition to the fantastic photos created week after week, I love the great camaraderie and warmth of the group. None of this would have happened were it not for Trevor.

— Eric Minbiole

 

I didn’t know Trevor very well since I joined the Photochallenge after he had gotten sick, but I will always be grateful to him for starting the Photochallenge. The challenge (and by extension Trevor) came into my life when I was desperately seeking something to light my creative spark. I appreciate that he set a tone of exploration and learning for the challenge – something I will do my best to continue in his memory going forward. You’ll be missed Trevor!

— Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero

 

I INVITE EVERYONE TO LEAVE A WORD OF SYMPATHY FOR OUR FRIEND TREVOR BELOW ON THIS BLOG. THANK YOU…

Our friendly community guidelines are pretty simple:

  • Post one original photograph (Your Image) shot each week per theme posted on this blog to Google+, Facebook, or Flickr (or all three). Tag the photo #photochallenge and #photochallenge2017
  • The shot should be a new shot you took for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
  • Don’t leave home without your camera. Participating in the 2017 PhotoChallenge is fun and easy.

 

 

Now retrieving an image set.

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Now retrieving an image set.

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About Jeremy Brooks

Professionally, I’m a senior software engineer. In my spare time, you can find me tinkering with microcontrollers, electronics, and gadgets of all sorts, and of course shooting and processing photographs. My photography is mostly urban, with a special focus on neon signs, both vintage and modern. I have lived in the San Francisco Bay area for the last 10 years. I have been playing with cameras for as long as I can remember. My mother always had a camera with her (as evidenced by the massive collection of photo albums in her basement). I started shooting with an old 126 film camera, moved up to my parents 35mm cameras, and finally ended up with my own Vivitar 35mm SLR. This camera served me well for many years, and is still in my possession. In the early 1990’s I started shooting with a digital camera, and gradually got more interested in carrying a camera with me all the time. This led to the purchase of a Panasonic FX3 in 2006, a great little point and shoot which has since been replaced by a Canon XTi. In early 2007, I discovered the idea of photowalking and joined up with Thomas Hawk for a walk through Chinatown. I was hooked, and began shooting on a daily basis. In 2007, I also discovered photochallenge.org. I wasn’t sure if I could keep up with the challenges, but decided to give the December 2007 challenge a try. This challenge was to take a portrait of a different person every day. Portrait photography was not something I was comfortable with, so this was an ideal way to challenge myself to try something different. It was difficult, but I ended up more comfortable with portrait photography, met some interesting people, and really enjoyed the experience. Buoyed by the positive results of the December Challenge, I jumped on the 2008 Challenge, and I have been addicted to the challenges since. Each one has been a great learning experience. Committing to shoot something every day really makes you think about what you are shooting and makes you plan to get out and shoot every day. I encourage you to try it. Even if you miss a couple of days, you’ll still grow as a photographer from the experience. I joined Trevor as an author here on photochallenge.org at the end of 2008. I’m looking forward to working with him and all the other photographers out there who have become part of the photochallenge community.