Twenty five years ago I was taking a photography class at UCR and a good deal of what I was studying at the time was the work of Ansel Adams. And boy, did I have a case of hero worship! During this same period of time we took off for a trip to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We went to San Francisco first and then over to Yosemite Valley.
We were hiking when we happened upon a small lake and someone photographing at the water’s edge. Suddenly I realized it was the man himself ! My heart about jumped out of my chest! We wandered on down and he called out to me. “How are you finding the light ?” And then begin to discuss the scene as if I were a peer. I will never forget how humble he was and how kind. And while I somehow managed not to ‘gush’ I did get the chance to tell him how much I admired his work. And I took a snapshot…that while not up to Ansel Adams quality…meant the world to me!
How was that for ‘just the best’ anniversary gift ?