Leica Q2 Monochrom and my child's cancer

[Jimbbobb]

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Hi all

 

I wanted to share with you my Leica journey and how it has been the source of some creative outlet during a very difficult period. 

 

My daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at 5 weeks old and we have been fighting it for the last 2 and a half years. We’ve just recently found out she’s relapsing again so her treatment will be starting again shortly.

 

Photography has been my main catharsis for me as I can always keep a camera near by. As a camera geek I have been through many many cameras. In Leica land I’ve gone from SL to M9 to Q to M240 to finally setting on the Q2 Monochrom.

 

I struggled for a good few months to pull the trigger on the Monochrom because of the restrictions of black and white but after reading and watching many many reviews I just felt it was the right fit for me and my life right now. I’m so glad I made that decision. 

 

I would say from the outset that there is a chasm in the mindset between taking a picture in black and white and taking a picture in colour and turning it into black and white. It has been a completely transformative experience. The restrictions are like a school, I feel like I paid for an education in photography when I bought this camera. The fixed lens only added to this. 

 

My life is in an incredibly challenging and emotional place at present and I feel genuinely grateful to Leica for having the courage and vision to create such an incredible camera. With all the tech desire and GAS, this camera is the ultimate antidote if you are passionate about black and white.

 

My intention is to use this thread to upload photos from this ongoing journey both in and out of hospital. 

 

If you would like to learn a little more about being a parent of a child with cancer or if you are a parent who would like share your story then please check out my new channel ‘The Parents Kitchen’.

 

https://youtu.be/7O-AqqfKoyU

 

Thank you for reading. I will upload some photos shortly.

 

PS

 

If you have any questions regarding the Q2 Monochrom please feel free to ask.

 

Thanks again. 

 

Jamie

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[Jimbbobb]

The photo above is Emily playing around the room. There's a loo that she would run into, look at and then run back to the bed. We are waiting for a line insertion. 

 

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[MaticB]

15 minutes ago, Jimbbobb said:

The photo above is Emily playing around the room. There's a loo that she would run into, look at and then run back to the bed. We are waiting for a line insertion. 

 

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You and your wife are courage, brave people. Your little girl even more. I'm MD, surgeon, and treatment of the cancer patients is my every day practice. To deal your the most important life experience with audience could be liberating, but certainly deserve all the respect. I wish you all the best.

Matic

[hansvons]

That's a heartbreaking story. There are so many reasons to get into photography. I absolutely see the getting-something-out-of-your-system side in photography. A painter friend of mine is convinced that creating stuff is always therapeutic, hence the necessity to do things. I've worked a significant chunk of my life as a cinematographer. I never felt the urge to take stills, didn't own even a stills camera. I quit the industry a few years ago and started a new professional life. But I couldn't live without a camera. Taking still photos opened up a new universe. I explore this universe now professionally, but it's still therapeutic.

Hope your story will end well!!

[malligator]

I don't know what to say so I'll just say...thank you.

[Franka373]

What a great idea and I look forward to following this.  I know all too well.  

[Olaf_ZG]

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Hi Jamie, sorry for your struggle. That said, I look forward to see your journey captured on camera. However tough a journey might be, there are always some nice moments and memories and it is up to us, photographers (pro or amateur) to capture this.

 I think you are doing the right thing: capturing life as it flows. Brave to share.

[Jimbbobb]

6 hours ago, MaticB said:

You and your wife are courage, brave people. Your little girl even more. I'm MD, surgeon, and treatment of the cancer patients is my every day practice. To deal your the most important life experience with audience could be liberating, but certainly deserve all the respect. I wish you all the best.

Matic

Thank you very much Matic for those words and thank you too for the incredible work that you do. 

 

6 hours ago, hansvons said:

That's a heartbreaking story. There are so many reasons to get into photography. I absolutely see the getting-something-out-of-your-system side in photography. A painter friend of mine is convinced that creating stuff is always therapeutic, hence the necessity to do things. I've worked a significant chunk of my life as a cinematographer. I never felt the urge to take stills, didn't own even a stills camera. I quit the industry a few years ago and started a new professional life. But I couldn't live without a camera. Taking still photos opened up a new universe. I explore this universe now professionally, but it's still therapeutic.

Hope your story will end well!!

Yes I don't know what I would do sometimes without photography. A large % of my life over the last two 1/2 years has been lived in hospitals and I find the camera almost acts like a shield. I'm very careful what I photograph and I find it helps me pay attention to fleeting moments which could so easily be forgotten. 

 

6 hours ago, malligator said:

I don't know what to say so I'll just say...thank you.

thank you for your words.

 

4 hours ago, Franka373 said:

What a great idea and I look forward to following this.  I know all too well.  

Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that it is something you know all too well. Take care.

 

2 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Hi Jamie, sorry for your struggle. That said, I look forward to see your journey captured on camera. However tough a journey might be, there are always some nice moments and memories and it is up to us, photographers (pro or amateur) to capture this.

 I think you are doing the right thing: capturing life as it flows. Brave to share.

Thank you. This thread is certainly not guaranteed to last, such is the nature of this situation, but I will carefully continue to share some moments if I can.

[Jimbbobb]

Of all the pictures I have taken so far with the Monochrom this is the one that really speaks to me on so many levels. I think I will probably do a big print of it one day. This is Emily on the walk that we often do together when she is out of hospital. She is the giant, the Stoic.

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[ruskkyle]

@Jimbbobb this is an exceptional image, congratulations. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I send you my very best wishes.

[Xavier]

This image in the woods is fantastic and immensely powerful!

I wish the very best for you all!

[Alan Friedman]

Poignant and beautiful storytelling... thank you for sharing.

[Jimbbobb]

51 minutes ago, Alan Friedman said:

Poignant and beautiful storytelling... thank you for sharing.

Thank you very much. 
 

23 hours ago, ruskkyle said:

@Jimbbobb this is an exceptional image, congratulations. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I send you my very best wishes.

Thank you, I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter. 

 

23 hours ago, Xavier said:

This image in the woods is fantastic and immensely powerful!

I wish the very best for you all!

Thank you, that’s very kind of you. 

[Jimbbobb]

Anyone who has been 'involved' with cancer will probably tell you that there is a waiting game element to it. Sometimes, we still might manage to get away before a long stay in hospital. Here is Emily getting to grips with her new buggy for Dolly. 

I find the Monochrom to be perfect for these moments. Quiet and unobtrusive. 

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[Boojay]

My heartbreaks for your struggles.  Emily seems to be tackling this situation as other children I have seen in similar circumstances, taking it all in her stride just as your wonderful image capture in the woods portrays.  Thank you for sharing this journey, and hoping for the very best outcome for you all, we have some friends going through much the same and I will make them aware your channel.

 

[Jimbbobb]

9 hours ago, Boojay said:

My heartbreaks for your struggles.  Emily seems to be tackling this situation as other children I have seen in similar circumstances, taking it all in her stride just as your wonderful image capture in the woods portrays.  Thank you for sharing this journey, and hoping for the very best outcome for you all, we have some friends going through much the same and I will make them aware your channel.

 

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

I'm very sorry to hear that you have some friends going through something similar. How very cruel. If they ever feel like they want to share their story or would like to get in touch, my contact details are on the channel. 

Please send my very best wishes. 

[Jimbbobb]

I find this particular image challenging. She seems wise and calm beyond her years here and she is. I still have to remind myself that she's been going through this since she was 5 weeks old. I still can't actually believe it but photographs like this make the experience crystal clear.

The medical team always comment on her calmness and stoicism.

Emily is a teacher.

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[vedivv]

Jamie, so sorry to hear your experience.  For the subject and reasons of your picture taking, monochrome is perfect, and color would feel wrong.  Thank you for being so brave and sharing your pictures, and best wishes for your family.

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[Jimbbobb]

10 hours ago, vedivv said:

Jamie, so sorry to hear your experience.  For the subject and reasons of your picture taking, monochrome is perfect, and color would feel wrong.  Thank you for being so brave and sharing your pictures, and best wishes for your family.

Thank you very much, that is very kind of you. 

I think I agree with you on the Monochrom. I started taking photography more seriously awhile back in the early 2000s with a Rolli and did the usual self development at home etc and then carried a Nikon  F mount for more convenience. When digital really came of age I moved away from black and white and did the usual shoot in Raw and then manipulate to suit in post. 

The first picture I ever took of Emily was with the original Q and I had it with me for the first few weeks in hospital but then went on a massive camera changing expedition because I just couldn't find something that 'felt' right. I toyed with portrait lenses and then a combination of DSLRs/mirrorless and M240.

I think ultimately I just felt uncomfortable taking pictures in most situations and so it has continued to take a major backseat during admissions. I can go for many weeks not taking photos in hospital especially because it really has to feel right to press the shutter. I'm also not thinking about photography much in hospital so often it just becomes about luck/finding the energy or the want to pick it up.

The Leica Q2 Monochrom has certainly helped. There's nothing remotely invasive about it and I love the way it forces you to think hard about what you're doing at the time of capture. It makes the experience incredibly therapeutic. 

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[Franka373]

This speaks volumes.  Wrapped in a medical device and so what because I have a game to play. We should all learn to focus on the good.  Great shot.