Blast from the past

[sury]

I agree with Andy. Especially the second one. Interesting angle and the back of the soldiers
shows anticipation and waiting but mystery as well (to be taken away or relived to be taken away?).
I thought the weapon of choice was gun in that group and what were you doing shooting off your
camera Henry?

Sury

[bakubo]

Some very interesting shots there Henry. What were you doing with an M-16 and a radio?

We were out in the boondocks on a multi-day Marine Corps training exercise. I recall that it was early in the morning and it had rained heavily all night. We slept in the mud and just tried to keep our heads out of the puddles that were forming. It was late winter and cold too.

Here are a couple of my buddies. I took this also while lying on the muddy ground that morning. My pack with radio gear was heavy so all of us who carried radios were lying down during the break. You can see a couple of other radio guys doing the same in one of the earlier photos. You can see their muddy boots. Anyone without heavy radio gear had the sense to stand up in this muddy field and not lie in it.



We had arrived on a C-130 in the middle of the night and landed on a dirt runway in the dark. The next photo is a few days later after the exercise was done and we had taken trucks to a proper airfield to head home. We loaded up on the C-130 in the background.

[bakubo]

I agree with Andy. Especially the second one. Interesting angle and the back of the soldiers
shows anticipation and waiting but mystery as well (to be taken away or relived to be taken away?).
I thought the weapon of choice was gun in that group and what were you doing shooting off your
camera Henry?

I had taken my tiny Olympus XA with me and kept it in my pocket. I had very little time to take photos though and just got a few during the down times. The 35mm lens on it also was sort of limiting since it was mostly good for close subjects. I took a few snapshots though, but wish I had more. Actually, during my whole time in the Marine Corps I have almost no photos of the people I worked with, the workplaces, base, etc. I also have almost no photos of the many people I have worked with at various jobs. I just almost never carried a camera to work. I sure regret that. For the last few years I have tried to always keep a small camera (currently a Canon S95) with me though. I have found that people at work often don't feel comfortable with someone taking photos of just normal workdays though. An office party or something like that is okay, but otherwise not so good and I was always busy too. I wish I had some photos now though.

[sury]

Wonderful narrative Henry. I am sure those photos offer a wonderful nostalgic trip down the
memory lane, however few they may be, when counted.

Sury

[Birma]

Very interesting Henry. I think cameras on phones mean that people are starting to take pictures in more mundane places, but perhaps not so much at work. It is still an unwritten taboo where i work. In some work places of course mobile phones are banned as the powers that be are worried we'll run off with 'secrets'. I have worked for clients when I've had to go back to paper and pencil while onsite.

[Dr. Harout]

Did you say "Blast from the past"?
Here's one shot with Nikon F3hp + 28/2.8 AI-S Nikkor + Fuji 200
July 1997

Manhattan by Dr. Harout, on Flickr

[sury]

Doc
I did not get that right away.... Tugs my heart.

Sury

[Birma]

Fantastic view Doc. You can't help but be moved by that sky-line now.

[bakubo]

Very interesting Henry. I think cameras on phones mean that people are starting to take pictures in more mundane places, but perhaps not so much at work. It is still an unwritten taboo where i work. In some work places of course mobile phones are banned as the powers that be are worried we'll run off with 'secrets'. I have worked for clients when I've had to go back to paper and pencil while onsite.

Yes, these days that is a consideration. Back in the '70s, '80s, and '90s that was not nearly as much a problem though. It was just that when I was at work with other people I was usually busy and didn't think much about taking photos. I wish I had taken some though.

[bakubo]

Doc, thanks for posting the old NYC skyline photo.

Here is a photo of the 2 World Trade Center towers in 1989:



And some views from the top:

[bakubo]

Oh, and here is one of the Statue of Liberty from the top of the WTC:

[sury]

Wow. Good ones Henry. I think Doc has opened a pandora's box here.

Sury

[Birma]

Fantastic views Henry. I'd never realised the Statue of Liberty was on an island.

[Wildieswife]

Some excellent past shots here. The twin towers is especially sad......... and considering todays events as well

Pat

[mvanrheenen]

Great shots from the past here gents. Especially like the portraits of the soldiers and somewhat abstract view of the first image of the Twin Towers. Looks kind of peaceful this way.

Mark