Lazy Man's Photography

Lazy Man’s Photography

or

Cherubs, Chair, Camera, and Coffee
Noel Laflin
4-6-19

I joke with my good friend, Jay Spring, that most folks think that in order to get a decent picture of any kind of wildlife one must first venture into the wild. And that is certainly true for the most part. As it’s getting harder and harder to find actual wild lands nowadays, however, I usually just stick to parks close at hand. God knows I have become a fan of Irvine Park since retiring a few years back. And as it’s only a ten minute drive from where I live in Orange, I am there frequently. It’s also my excuse for getting in a good walk multiple times a week.

But sometimes I have the best luck in getting a fun shot just by wandering the backyard garden, front walkway, or standing on the balcony – camera in one hand, coffee mug in the other.

And from a really lazy perspective, sometimes I get a good shot or two from the comfort of my favorite chair – camera on one side, coffee mug on the other.

When my old mate Tom bought the sleek looking Eames chair some thirty-six years ago, it set him back a considerable sum. But he got a decent discount on the piece as he worked in the furniture department of Robinson's-May as a salesperson at the time.

The chair, along with a new couch – also obtained via the employee discount - were the only two new pieces of furniture purchased for our new condo back in 1983. I did not even own a camera of any sort back then. But there was always a coffee mug at hand sitting by that chair.

The couch bit the dust decades ago, but I still have the Eames chair. And from this chair I have a direct view of our balcony. And on that balcony sits a small cherub bird bath. And to that bird bath come both birds and squirrels. And occasionally I get a shot of them as they perch, drink, or bathe there. It was one of the reasons I shelled out fourteen bucks for those little angels – enticement.

And so the investment of the chair by Tom, so long ago, has definitely paid off, as has the relatively inexpensive one sitting on the balcony. And never once have I confused the coffee mug for the camera. But I bet it’s bound to happen one of these days.