Grandpa’s Workshop
ISO800 21mm f/3.5 1/40sec
This is an image I’ve seen in my head for some time now. I’ve been wanting to create it and wanting to create it, and finally had my opportunity this weekend.
As I mentioned in a previous post, this Easter the family took a trip out to my Grandma’s house for the day. Before we took off I ventured down into Grandpa’s shop to capture this one scene. I knew exactly what I was going for, as I tried this shot once before on our last visit but didn’t like the end results. Ive been extremely picky on this shot as I wanted to ensure it did the scene and idea justice.
A few years ago my grandfather passed away. He was such a wonderful person, kind, caring, intelligent and quite crafty! He was an outstanding wood worker as you can probably gather from the cabinets and benches in this shot. He was always working on one project or another and had this awesome work shop in the basement that any handy man would undeniably drool over. Ever since his passing, the workshop has remained mostly untouched. Even the images he had taken out of magazines as inspiration for his next project were left on the work bench.
As I mentioned, I have been excited to take this image as a way to pay respect to my loving grandfather! In my mind its a celebration of the kind of man that he was, and the constant enjoyment he found in doing something he absolutely loved. Every time we visited grandma and grandpa when I was a kid, a good portion of the day was filled with the men in the family moving their conversations to the basement while grandpa showed off his new badass creations.
We all miss him dearly, and I am happy to have captured this shot in a positive memory of one of the greatest men I have ever known.
You did indeed capture his essence in that chair. What a wonderful tribute. It made me smile.
Thank you George! I truly appreciate that 🙂
Love it – especially that green chair – great angle
Thanks so much!! 🙂
Gramps would be proud. Or more likely he’d think you were on drugs. 😊
I guess I don’t get the drug reference lol. But I think he would be proud as well. Thanks Debbie 🙂
Nice shot – the colour of the chair is wonderful amongst all that wood.
A wonderful post and tribute to your grandfather. Great photo, too. 🙂
Thank you Earl 🙂
You got the light on the chair just right. It practically glows. What a lovely tribute to your grandpa.
Thanks Carissa, I had envisioned exactly that, and am glad to have someone comment on it 🙂
love it – taken from child-height too I see, to add to the memory
Wow! I hadn’t even thought of that, could be another reason on why it impacts me so much. Thank you for pointing that out 🙂
The subconscious is a powerful thing!
Agreed!
Oh wow! How lucky you were to have such a great grandfather. Love that workbench. It’s gorgeous! Indeed an excellent capture. Thanks for sharing Nick. 🙂
Thanks so much Sonel! He truly was a great grandfather 🙂
This is lovely in both the writing and the photo. I would have loved to have captured a moment of my Grandfathers work – he loved taking Photos of ships and sunrises. The ability to capture this moment and share a little of who this man is? Is so wonderful and speaks in volumes of your love for him.
Thank you Jen! I am truly grateful to have had the grand opportunity to shoot his work station the way he had it! Im glad you enjoyed it 🙂
What a touching post! Your grandfather sounds like he was a wonderful man and a very important part of your life. You have great memories, and I’m so glad you finally got this perfect shot! I love the perspective 🙂
so many memories of my own woodworking grandfathers workshop, which was in the process of being moved to my fathers home when he passed away. He never saw his new workshop recreated but it’s there now as my fathers workshop and still remains true to the original.
That’s cool that your dad keeps it true to the original. I’m curious to see what will happen to my grandpas shop as time goes on. Thanks for sharing your story Rob!
Reblogged this on Mr Bunny Chow and commented:
I wanted to reshare this fantastic photograph by the talented Nick Mayo.
It brings to life so many memorys of being in my own grandfathers workshop.
Thanks for sharing Rob!!!
I just had to Nick, this picture really really moved me.
What a lovely shot!
Thank you so much 🙂
This picture tells the storry. I could imagine him working there. Good job!
Thanks Christine 🙂
I absolutely love this shot, and the story it tells. Good work Nick. I think you definitely succeeded in giving justice to this scene. The view is very reminiscent of a child looking up at his grandpa… love the vantage point, love the colors!
Thanks so much! I truly appreciate that 🙂
Nice shot and nice narrative Nick! I truly enjoyed it!
Thank you Kolman 🙂
What a sentimental shot and tribute to your grandfather. I know others have said it but I noticed too the angle you shot it, from a child’s perspective…you when smaller. A photo to treasure by you and your family for sure.
Thank you for your kind words Donna!
Beautiful shot! What a special way to honour your grandfather. 🙂
Thank you Zelmare! 🙂
Your best post so far 🙂
Thanks again Paula! I appreciate the bold compliment 🙂
Awesome work. I can feel your grandfather’s presence and can imagine him rubbing his hands over the wood, the way woodworkers do. I also noticed the shot from the eyes of a little kid sitting on the floor. Probably playing with scraps. 😀
Well put Shez! Thank you
The angle is so perfect. A child’s view, the view of admiration.
Thank you. I appreciate that 🙂
Very nice Nick. Thank you for this. Brings tears to my eyes to see this shot and to read the comments you wrote. My father, your grandfather would have been very touched.
Thank You Dad! This I would have to say has been my favorite comment on the blog yet, it brought tears to my eyes reading your thoughts and seeing a comment from you brought a smile to my face! I love you and thanks for you continued support!
This image is perfect. The cabinetry, the tools, the green stool, the lighting. You clearly show your connection to your grandfather. What a fantastic tribute.
Thank you so much Mona, your kind words mean a lot to me!
🙂
cool perspective!
Thank you Candida! I appreciate that 🙂