[Leica] Power of B&W?

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Tina Manley asked:
>>> Are you writing a book? (I hope)<<<

Hi Tina,
Well yes sort of. ;-)  I thought some folks might find in a rough cut sort 
of way some of the anecdotes I've put together over the years. Some 
interesting and some informative in a "how to" sort of way. Here's one. :-)

Oxygen.

=======



Over the years many assignments have placed me in first time situations,

shooting a birthing was one I'll never forget..



I had worked in operating rooms before, but this was the first time for a 
birthing

So I was apprehensive as it isn't every day you are at the arrival of a new 
human

being.



Arriving at the hospital early to meet the "mother-to-be" I discovered she

was already in labour and this was a first for her also. We sure were a

nervous pair.



When it came time to move her to the delivery room I became so hyper I

wasn't sure I could cope with the situation.  As the nurses and doctor

got into action I became immersed in shooting and the apprehensions 
disappeared.



There was the usual breathing and pushing routine and then a quick few

words between doctor and mother and suddenly there was a brand new baby. I

was so surprised by the quickness of everything I very nearly missed it.

A little wrinkled, more old looking, than new baby. But it was blue!



I thought "My God it's her first and it's a blue baby!"  I was thinking as a

problem with the child in a medical sense. But as I continued shooting, the 
baby

started hollering and changing colour becoming  a beautiful pink!  Look at 
that

wow, there was no problem after all, it only needed those first gasps of 
oxygen.



And each new birth brings a wonderment as much as the previous, but not as

much as the first!


ted