These Things I Need to Know

Oh, how I love this man, Dr. Nix. My Photography 101 professor. I didn't intend to pursue photography as a career at the time, but was intrigued with it enough to take the class as an elective en route to my BFA. Dr. Nix taught me how to make a pinhole camera with balsa wood to emphasize the importance of learning to control light with the simplest of tools. He taught me how to develop film and make prints in the darkroom. But beyond all the technical stuff, he encouraged me. And hearing him say, "you've got a great eye" is (to this day) one of the best compliments I've ever received.

We reconnected a few years ago when I realized that he lived just 30 minutes from my door. Spending time with him in his home with his wife is such a gift for me. Last Friday, we talked about the start of his photography career as a photojournalist and the excitement of being called in the middle of the night to capture news in the making. "Have you ever seen an ole' 4x5?" he asked. I hadn't. And so my lesson began. Within minutes he returned to the sofa with a black box, pieced together his Crown Graphic 4x5 press camera (weighing in at a hefty 8 pounds), and demonstrated the very manual process of making images "on the fly" back in 1953. And giving a sweet glance in the direction of his beautiful wife, he even told me about the time he had to change his film under a sorority girl's lengthy skirt.

I'm grateful for this time with him. The wisdom of his life. He gives me a window into a past I'll never know. Share a portrait of wisdom with us today, or make it a point to seek it out.


Comments

[shehani]

Great post! Teachers like your Mr. Nix are so instrumental in shaping lives!

I posted a portrait a couple weeks ago I'd like to share with you about an irrepressible woman. She is an HIV survivor and an inspiring example of someone who gets knocked down repeatedly but never allows tragedy or hardship to beat her. She gets back up, she plays with her 4 little doggies and she keeps on laughing. Her name is Carmen and she used to be my neighbour.

http://shehanikay.blogspot.com/2010/02/gente-de-lavapies-portrait-carmen.html

[Diane]

incredibly inspiring -- Yes, I will seek it out!

[summer]

Everything I know about photography and a ton of what I know about life has come from my father.
The statement you made:
"Dr. Nix taught me how to make a pinhole camera with balsa wood to emphasize the importance of learning to control light with the simplest of tools. He taught me how to develop film and make prints in the darkroom. But beyond all the technical stuff, he encouraged me. And hearing him say, "you've got a great eye" is (to this day) one of the best compliments I've ever received."
I could write these exact words about my Dad...and to this day knowing he thinks I have an eye is just about all I need.
Thanks for sharing this.
Here's my Dad...can't ever seem to get a picture of him when he isn't loving on one of my girls...not such a terrible thing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/4033958224/in/set-72157615660951708/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/4049094176/in/set-72157615660951708/

[Marcie]

So inspiring!! Love the old camera..and how you captured the man behind it. Perfect!!!

[Stephanie]

This isn't the conventional "wisdom" shot but sometimes I see wisdom in the actions of strangers. For example, so many times we're afraid to be alone, yet there is a wisdom in knowing how to enjoy your own company. This man was out for his afternoon stroll, alone, on a rainy day and I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com/2010/02/solitude.html

[Kathleen]

This shows the former principal of my school and a retired-and-moving-away teacher of 33 years. Both of them fonts of wisdom about children and learning and being a fully-developed human...this picture of them shows how completely playful and joyful they are! http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3657199048/in/set-72157605262729995/

[kosenrufu mama]

here mine....http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2010/02/daphne.html

[Valerie]

Oh, this brought tears to my eyes! I'm currently living far from home near San Francisco, but I grew up in Athens and was fortunate enough to study pinhole photography under Dr. Nix and Ms. Mary Ruth Moore. Dr. Nix is not just a great photographer and a great teacher, but also a fantastic human being. I'll always be deeply grateful for all he taught me about writing (graph) with light (photo). Thanks for the photo of such a dear face.

[Jill]

Love this portrait of Grandma teaching her grandson to play solitaire.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4382837975_f69d0f690b_o.jpg

[Sara]

My father-in-law gave my husband his first guitar lesson this weekend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spelliott/4385365800/

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

Valerie, I'm sure Dr. Nix would love to connect with you. Email me at littlepurplecow (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll put you in touch with him.

[Corrina]

Thank you!! Your post pulled me into the past as well. I didn't have the pleasure of studying with Dr. Nix, but his name was frequent and honored in the photography classes I did get to attend in Athens. I miss the town, and I miss shooting more often, and I miss the darkroom. Thank you for helping me remember!