Nice photographs as always.
None of my business, but if you give up now ALS has won.
Take pictures till you can't. Prepare but don't give up. We hardly ever know what life has in store for us so enjoy life and make the most of it.
Don't give up on what you love, be strong and take plenty of photographs with you and your love ones so memories can be seen and remembered.
Good Luck
Albert Camus once wrote these immortal words,"In the midst of my winter I found within me an invincible summer." I pray that those encouraging words will give you inner strength to bear this infirmity. Your very fine photographs will be very much missed.
I can find no words better than those already expressed by so many of your "extended family" here on FM.
I, like so many others have enjoyed your wonderful images and I hope that you can continue with your photography, even if sharing them isn't something you can continue to do.
Like many others on this site Colin your photography has been very inspirational technically excellent and artistically beautiful. I hope after a period of adjustment you will find the joy in your photography again
aboutthelight wrote:
I love what you do with these photos. Such a cool and different perspective.
Also I am so sorry for the personal situation you are going through. Such devastating news. Hopefully you will be lucky and have many more years with your wife and your camera.
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Bobg657 wrote:
As always Colin these are spectacular!
None of us know what the future will bring, we can only live each day fully and with as much joy as possible. I wish you and your family many good days to offset the lousy ones as time passes.
Take care,
Bob
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sathsy2017 wrote:
Spectacular shots Colin. 2,5,6,7 are my favorites.
Thoughts and prayers Colin. I agree with aboutthelight, may the almighty be with your family (in whatever form) to pass through these tough times.
Your unique style of photographing birds made me a fan of yours (instagram and Facebook). I hope you feel better.
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RobAmy wrote:
Beautiful set Colin. Very sorry to hear of your diagnose. Hopefully you will feel like picking up the camera again. If this is truly your last post then I wish you and your family best wishes through the tough times.
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morris wrote:
I'm terribly sorry to learn this Colin. Your photography is spectacular and this set a continuation of your beautiful work. Photography can be great therapy for what ails the mind. Possibly picking up your camera and taking more stunning would distract you from your situation.
Morris
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harshaj1 wrote:
Beautiful set Colin and I hope this is not your last post.
My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Harsha
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deiwegian wrote:
Colin,
Just said a prayer for you. Love your work.
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gcooke0522 wrote:
Beautiful set! So sorry about the diagnosis, Colin. I agree with Morris, photography can be great therapy. Photography can't change what happens, but at least it can ease your mind temporarily. I really enjoy your work. You have great talent.
Gordon
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torobouk wrote:
Colin,
Such a bad news, prayers for you and your family, hope you will have few years ....
Always a beautiful work.
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AGeoJO wrote:
Excellent images, Colin and I am sorry to hear about the diagnosis…
Joshua
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Rimpson wrote:
Ahhh man Colin. I always look forward to seeing your work....always the "Cream of the Crop".
Praying you defy the odds Colin and do so in a way that you can enjoy your life and maybe see purpose in picking up the camera again or maybe some brushes to paint some of your top shelf photography.
Ricky
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
Sincerely hoping this is not your last post Colin. Not so much that we will be missing out on the joy of viewing your images, but more so in hopes that you'll once again find solace and joy in something that you've obviously been so passionate about. Speaking for myself, your work has been an inspiration. So sorry to hear the news.
Gary
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Tom In Arizona wrote:
Hi Colin...
What tragic news for one so young. I wish you and your wife much peace and serenity as you both face the days ahead.
Your photography has always provided me with something to strive for in my personal efforts. Thank you so much.
Tom
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dallvr wrote:
Beautiful images, I hope this isn't your last post. And I hope you will be one of the lucky ones with very slow progression of the disease.
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bs kite wrote:
I feel the devastation of your ALS dignosis. We feel the sorrow, and the diffiulty of your decisions.
We all can understand the diagnosis taking away your will to pursue nature. At the same time continuing to pursue nature may be therapeutic for you in ways you cannot see now.
I should have told you this before: I could never see how a photographer of your talent could improve on their work. It’s that good.
Maybe that is why you and Geoff hang together on those waters. All the best!
We’ll be watching you, thinking of you and praying for you now Colin.
Dragonfire wrote:
The Colin Franks "look" will live forever.
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birdied wrote:
Colin, your work is an inspiration to me and many others. I don't have the words to adequately express my sorrow for what you and your family are going through. May you find the strength and comfort to sustain you through these most difficult of times.
Birdie
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golfnphotog wrote:
Very sorry to hear the news. Your images are always unique.
Please see if this link is useful as you can see what the biotechs are pursuing in terms of novel therapies of ALS. There was a recent news from Biogen as well.
kdacharya wrote:
Colin, as always stellar work. Thanks for sharing your art and I have enjoyed each and everyone of your photos. Glad that I could see your vision and live vicariously through your eyes. So proud of you and privileged to say that you got my vote.
Sincerely.
KD Acharya
Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. Impossible times.
dldecker wrote:
Nice photographs as always.
None of my business, but if you give up now ALS has won.
Take pictures till you can't. Prepare but don't give up. We hardly ever know what life has in store for us so enjoy life and make the most of it.
Don't give up on what you love, be strong and take plenty of photographs with you and your love ones so memories can be seen and remembered.
Good Luck
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fingerda wrote:
Your photos are exquisite!
Colin, you are in our prayers and we wish you and your family well.
DaveF
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dalite wrote:
Albert Camus once wrote these immortal words,"In the midst of my winter I found within me an invincible summer." I pray that those encouraging words will give you inner strength to bear this infirmity. Your very fine photographs will be very much missed.
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louie champan wrote:
Excellent work Colin. The impact of such news is obviously devastating but you have an extended family here and we're all behind you.
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saaketham wrote:
Sad to hear that, but praying that the decline happens extremely slowly.
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bwalwork wrote:
I can find no words better than those already expressed by so many of your "extended family" here on FM.
I, like so many others have enjoyed your wonderful images and I hope that you can continue with your photography, even if sharing them isn't something you can continue to do.
Bryan
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n.v.m. wrote:
very sorry to read this.
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psharvic wrote:
Colin, your work has been inspirational for many of here. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Dave_E wrote:
Like many others on this site Colin your photography has been very inspirational technically excellent and artistically beautiful. I hope after a period of adjustment you will find the joy in your photography again
Dave
Thanks for the kind words all. I recently came across this individual on YT. I've sent him a message so we can have a chat:
Colin, I have been enjoying your work for many, many years, you are among the best. I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have lost a family member to ALS so I'm very familiar with it. I cannot imagine what you are going through. As you can see your work has touched many so many of us and has given us great pleasure. From the deepest part of my being I wish you and your family Peace.
I have no words that will convey any better the respect and admiration that we all have for you and your works than have already been said. Just know that you are stronger than you think so keep your family and friends close and continue your passions until such time as you absolutely can't do so any longer. Your work is part of your legacy and we will not forget.
I am truly, truly sad and sorry to hear this, Colin. You are a brilliant bird and people photographer. Definitely one of the best photographers on FM, if not the best. I wish you well and hope that they will find a cure/treatment for this disease.
Colin, I do not spend much time on FM to much any more, but have always followed your posts when I do get on and enjoyed them. So sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and wish you and your wife the best in dealing with it. I have had a few health issues recently and understand your feeling about what is the point of taking photos. Just getting out in nature is still very helpful . Bruce
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Colin, I have been enjoying your work for many, many years, you are among the best. I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have lost a family member to ALS so I'm very familiar with it. I cannot imagine what you are going through. As you can see your work has touched many so many of us and has given us great pleasure. From the deepest part of my being I wish you and your family Peace.
Tim
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Danpbphoto wrote:
Spectacular photography Colin!
My prayers are with you!
Dan
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soupy wrote:
I have no words that will convey any better the respect and admiration that we all have for you and your works than have already been said. Just know that you are stronger than you think so keep your family and friends close and continue your passions until such time as you absolutely can't do so any longer. Your work is part of your legacy and we will not forget.
Sue
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bobbytan wrote:
I am truly, truly sad and sorry to hear this, Colin. You are a brilliant bird and people photographer. Definitely one of the best photographers on FM, if not the best. I wish you well and hope that they will find a cure/treatment for this disease.
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B Benson wrote:
Colin, I do not spend much time on FM to much any more, but have always followed your posts when I do get on and enjoyed them. So sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and wish you and your wife the best in dealing with it. I have had a few health issues recently and understand your feeling about what is the point of taking photos. Just getting out in nature is still very helpful . Bruce
Thanks for the continued comments of support everyone.
Not knowing if I’m going to be physically able to use my kayak next summer, I forced myself to get out for a paddle last night given that it was calm and warm. I managed to get a shot of this Rhinoceros Auklet. These birds are very shy and difficult to get near. I’ve captured images of these before with needlefish in their beak, but not with what appears to be a nice big herring! Does that count as a lifer?
As it conveniently ties in with the theme of this thread, I thought I’d add it in here…