Taking it with you

In a pub in Galway, Ireland – The King’s Head, I believe – I was at the bar reloading my camera, a Leica M6. 

The fellow next to me remarked what a nice camera it was and said, “I’ve a lovely camera too, and I’ve had it for thirty, forty years now. When I die, I’m leaving it to my grandson. Maybe he can get a little money for it.”

I thought about that over a sip of Guinness, and said to him, “If it’s about money, then take the camera with you when you pass. Send back pictures. He’ll get a lot more for those.”

That’s the thing about photography, if you could take one thing with you when you die, most folks would choose a camera.