Congratulations to James Markus for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 2 votes - View Previous Winners
This series was shot with a Nikon FM, and the 35-105mm f3.5 ais. It isn't up to today's standards, but I just came across the Fuji 400 slide film and thought you all have met people like Max in your lives.
When I was a boy in northern Michigan's woods in the 1960s I met this amazing veterinarian named Max. Max had more cats and dogs than anyone I knew. He loved to build things, and problem solve. His hands were all balled up and crooked from arthritis, and Max smoked pipes constantly. Max loved his wife Beryl, and out of his massive workshop she requested he make something practical like plates. Instead of more things for the shop or other people.
Max's tool shop was two stories high measuring 30' x 60', and he had built solid cherry cabinets to hold his tools. It smelled of smoke and wood as did Max.
I wasn't there for his reaction, but I am sure he had a twinkle in his eye. A challenge, and a problem to be solved. "How could I make identical oval plates?" His quest began.
I'm voting for this not because of the photography, but because of the storytelling! What a visual display showing how we got to where we are as a nation. Max and Beryl were my mom and dad, my uncle and his wife and our neighbors down the block. Amazon didn't ship, we made it at home! Thanks for the photos.
Thanks for all the comments. When I shot this in 1992 it was the first time I found him not surrounded by cats and dogs - even in his workshop. He always had a half a dozen of each - some healthy - some missing limbs, eyes etc. However, they always watched every move he made, and talked to him, and stayed very close.
James Markus wrote:
Thanks for all the comments. When I shot this in 1992 it was the first time I found him not surrounded by cats and dogs - even in his workshop. He always had a half a dozen of each - some healthy - some missing limbs, eyes etc. However, they always watched every move he made, and talked to him, and stayed very close.
They are "eyes into the human soul" James! God Bless him!!!
Dan
And I just hope someone in the family carries his ingenuity! Having done a few years of woodworking I can surely appreciate all the jigs and handmade tools and clamping devices.
Just a wonderful pictorial of someone pursuing their passion, what a great couple
The images are a great representation of the time period, nice work and glad you posted them, they made me smile
This is a great story. I was around my father who was similar with his ingenuity and talent with his hands. He always was telling us kids, "if it doesn't exist, make it". This story and shop brought back some cool memories for me. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the additional comments and votes. It confirms to me that all of us meet and remember the creative, selfless, and wonderful people in life. I hope that in some small way I honored Max.
I am late to the party, but I wanted to say thanks for sharing. Wonderful set of images that really drive the story. Great job and congrats on being the featured thread!
