"okay"

[JB88]

well.  a good friend of my has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  

pretty aggressive.  long shot.

he has asked me to document it photographically from start to finish.  

so. i began working on it this evening (shortly after he asked me) and i will be present for his first dose of chemo tommorrow afternoon.

when i think about art, i think about all of the things in this world that are true...or at least strive to be true...i've always thought of that as a part of the job.  but i never imagined this...and i have to say, it's a bit scary.  but that's the easy part...i can't possibly imagine what he is going through right now.

so he's a friend.  of course i said yes.  not a moments thought.

it's just that this is a long way from shooting portraits and i can't possibly imagine yet how to do this justice.  but i guess there isn't a moment to think so...i must just do.

any words of wisdom here?

voices from the ether?

[moot]

You only live once..

[Airscrew]

thats a very heavy responsibility.  make sure you keep a diary

[Ripsnort]

I've always thought about how photographers out in battle can shoot crying children, or people in the process of dying such as bleed to death, or starving 3rd world nation children.  I think they separate themselves emotionally and put themselves into a "3rd person perspective". This allows them to continue using their artistic talent to frame the shot just right to show the maxium emotional feelings at the time of the capture without becoming overwhelmed with the moment. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure they do this.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

[DiabloTX]

Man.

This is about as serious as it gets.

I mean, what are friends for, right?

Are you a photographer or a photojournalist?  Didn't Peter Jennings do the same thing after his diagnosis?

Reminds me of one Kathleen McGrath.  My ops boss on my ship, USS Concord, from about '89 - '90.  She went on to become the first female CO of a surface combatant in the history of the US Navy.  Total workout/health nut.  Diagnosed with lung cancer, the aggressive form of it, and died very quickly.  

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/kmcgrath.htm

This is both an opportunity and a horrible thing to have to go through.  I don't envy you 88, but do what you feel you must.

[MORAY37]

Originally posted by JB88
well.  a good friend of my has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  

pretty aggressive.  long shot.

he has asked me to document it photographically from start to finish.  

so. i began working on it this evening (shortly after he asked me) and i will be present for his first dose of chemo tommorrow afternoon.

when i think about art, i think about all of the things in this world that are true...or at least strive to be true...i've always thought of that as a part of the job.  but i never imagined this...and i have to say, it's a bit scary.  but that's the easy part...i can't possibly imagine what he is going through right now.

so he's a friend.  of course i said yes.  not a moments thought.

it's just that this is a long way from shooting portraits and i can't possibly imagine yet how to do this justice.  but i guess there isn't a moment to think so...i must just do.

any words of wisdom here?

voices from the ether?

I doubt anyone can prepare you for what you are about to go through. I have seen what you will, and it's definately a crappy hand to play.  I, personally don't think I could do what your friend asks of you.  You must be able to distance yourself from your feelings and detach from reality in a sense.  I would also be a little unsure of why he would ask this of me, were I you.  I'm a little unsure if he has completely thought about what a task such as this might do to you, emotionally.  

Otherwise, steady hands, hope for the best, and prepare for what could be.  You must always stand tough next to him, and don't crack.

[B@tfinkV]

make your friend smile somehow everytime you see them and you will not fail the task requested of you. good luck and my sympathy for what is to come for you.

[SteveBailey]

88, I'm sure you'll do fine.  I bet the comfort you give your friend and the time you spend with him will end up being what really matters to him.
You're a true friend for stepping up.

[LePaul]

Ted Koppel did a journalistic piece on his best friend's fight against cancer.  I think it was on the Discovery Channel last year.  Last I knew, the guy is still battling the cancer.  But it was quite an insight, seeing the chemo process, etc.

You have a grim task ahead of you.  I do not envy you.  Good luck.

[BlueJ1]

Good luck 88 sir. Pain now for peace in the future.

[REP0MAN]

I've seen your photographic art 88, just do what you do.

My father-in-law was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in January 1999. He was 64. This man was a career plumber-pipe fitter. He worked at the Motorola plant here in Phoenix for 30 years taking care of their pipes. He was a hardworking, honest, trustworthy, genuine Korea Navy veteran. He had a keen sense of humor and knew just how to make you feel good about yourself. I watched cancer destroy someone who was bigger than life in my eyes. He had all of one lung removed and partial removal of the other. He had radiation done, no chemo. The cancer, we thought, was gone. Then in June (ish), he started having headaches and some light vision problems. Come to find out, the cancer had spread to his spine and traveled to his brain, mostly behind his eyes. He was completely incapacitated by early November. He passed peacefully in his sleep the day after Thanksgiving 1999.

I share that with you so that you can foresee a possible avenue that this venture may take. Not to drum sympathy for myself or my family (we know he is better off now) but to give you a possible window into your friends future. I would also think of your friends request as a silent, man-style communication that he would like you to be by his side while he endures this rough time in his life. That sounds like an honor.

Enjoy this time with your friend.

[SD67]

Man, suck to in your shoes right now.
My youngest sister was diagnosed with a Hotchkins lymphoma  on her 21st Birthday. Fortunately it was treatable.
Al I can say is be honest, don't let your lens hide the hard stuff. Your work is exemplary and if anyone can do justice to a request like this, it is you.

[Rollins]

I'd say if it's his wish, then do it.  That being said, don't do it with anything but the most focus and perseverance you've done with anything in your life.  Nothing else compares.
-D

[SD67]

Rolex.
I'm sorry if I offended you.
What I was trying to say was don't lie about it. Don't let the pictures show only the brave battler fighting the losing battle. I've seen so much sugar coated crap turned out on behalf of cancer sufferers it makes me angry.
I remember the fear of my sister when she was first told. I can still see her reduced from a fit competitive lifeguard to a mere shadow of herself by the chemo and radiotherapy. We were lucky she recovered to regain most of her former condition, though she still suffers from some side effects of the chemo years later and will now never have children.
If you are going to do something on request, give them every moment as it was.
People will remember the good times. Sometimes it takes a photograph to put that into perspective.

[culero]

I'd say the work would be best as a journal with images. Ask your friend to contribute to the project by writing a journal entry each day. You contribute a photo taken that day. Put together, this could be quite compelling.