“Wanna Stop For Pictures?”

Over the past 10 days as Brian & I have driven these men around Scotland, eventually we ask if anyone wants to pull over to take pictures.

From my front row seat I watch as Chandler will snap one or two with his film cameras and maybe one with his phone, then promptly dart back to the van depending how cold he is. Shivering dramatically for comedic effect he might say something like, “This is crazy” or “Can’t believe we’re here”. He is of course correct. This IS crazy and I CANT believe we are here. Happier in warmer climates, the youngest of us spearheads his moments in the cold wind to extract the photo he wants within seconds.

Brian is usually next to make it back to the car with a huge grin across his handsome face. He’s managed to take equal parts video and pictures with efficient speed and quality. If he hasn’t beat Chandler back to the van he’s usually close behind. With the same speed he has taken his photos he then has them posted and organized online for our friends and family to observe in real time. Somehow he also manages to post a blog entry on this site with a detailed account of the day complete with photos or videos, again with the efficiency of a live news reporter.

Stephen‘s journey to document his experience through photos takes a different approach. Depending on the wind/rain his dismount from the van may take a moment or two as he at times struggles with his jacket. In fact once or twice Chandler has nearly returned as Stephen is making his approach to the photo spot. Once there he stares into the distance, committing the sights to memory. In his own words he “wishes to take it all home” with him. Capturing as much or as little that he deems worthy to reignite the thoughts/emotions from this particular moment, he will again take a moment to stand, soak it in and then depart to the van. Here he again might have a moment with his jacket as it’s being removed, return to his seat, sigh with either contentment or exhaustion, and then stare into the distance to be left alone in his silence.

Lastly Daniel. At times it feels as if I‘ve not actually taken Daniel on this trip rather than his camera. As soon as his feet hit the ground he has the red camera he has carried with him for nearly 10 years, up to his eye and clicking, looking at the screen, clicking, looking at the screen, clicking, looking at the screen, clickin-….well you understand. Running to and fro by way of his characteristic fast baby steps to grab a shot. Dropping to a knee, squatting, standing on a rock, laying on the ground, and at times…carrying a tripod. Several times I have beheld him trip over his own feet, as is his way, and yet not lose sight of his photographic target. More times than not he’s the last to arrive back to the van landing in the backseat like a storm of arms and legs who aren’t too sure how to operate together. But…he got the shots. On many occasions pulling out his laptop as we drive to another destination and begins his “editing” process.

I sit, watch, smile, and start the van when we’re locked in. Three years ago when I spent a month here for the first time…I was doing all of the same things.

Well, minus the parts where Chandler is too cold, Brian is grinning from ear to ear, Stephen is sitting in silence, and Daniel is tripping.