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No photograph that is displayed and posted on this blog may be reproduced, copied, stored, manipulated or used in whole or in part of a derivative work without the prior written permission of the Copyright (c) Owner & Photographer: Trevor David Betts BA (Hons). All rights reserved.

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Monday 3 January 2011

PHIL FISHER




I heard the sad news this morning that Phil Fisher had passed away aged 94 years old. I knew Phil from my time photographing D-Day and Normandy Veterans from the Hull & District Branch of The Normandy Veterans Association for my documentary project (1998-2002).  Phil was a tall, quiet and modest man, in short a gentleman. He and his late wife Ena lived in a Bungalow opposite my eldest niece. Ena used to give football magazines to my nieces young sons. I visited Phil and Ena a number of times, Ena was always quick to put the kettle on, whilst Phil sat in an arm chair smoking his pipe.

Phil and Ena married in 1937, they had 5 children, 16 grand children and 13 grand children. Phil served in the Coldstream Guards during WWII. He was in a Reconnaissance Platoon (and often found himself behind enemy lines). He also did sentry duty outside Buckingham Palace (he remembered it getting bombed once whilst he was on duty). He was a very tall man who for many years acted has the Standard Bearer for the Hull Branch.

Sadly Phil and many others like him from this 'Special Breed' are now fast fading away. It was my pleasure and honour to have known him. Rest in Peace Phil.

A Special Tribute to a British WWII Veteran, and a Gentleman.

Copyright of all images and work displayed upon this blog spot are the exclusive property of Trevor David Betts. All rights reserved.
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5 comments:

  1. nothing profound5 January 2011 at 00:35

    Sounds like he had a rich and purposeful life. Somehow, the boundaries of right and wrong were clearer and less confusing then.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Christine H.5 January 2011 at 04:51

    What a wonderful tribute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown5 January 2011 at 16:15

    Thank you both both for posting a comment. Yes I guess he had a happy and purposeful life, and in that era things were much more clearer (and to a greater degree a lot better in many aspects). I like to think that is a worthy tribute to one old soldier (from a younger one).

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Divorcee9 January 2011 at 17:59

    Hi Trevor

    Do you have any more pictures? this was my grandad and i was always too young to watch the paraids. anything you might have i would really be greatfull.

    Kat Fisher
    Angel_loci@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown10 January 2011 at 16:13

    Hello Kat, The photos I uploaded here as a tribute to your Grandad I came across in three boxes of prints I have at the 8" x 10" size. I have other photos of the Hull Branch of the Normandy Veterans. You can have copies of any photos I have of Phil (your grandad). I will get in touch with you to arrange a meeting (so that I can hand you some prints over). My Deepest Sorry at such a sad loss. I hope you have many fond reminders of your Grandad. Thank you for getting in touch.

    ReplyDelete

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HELLO AND WELCOME

To my Photo Blog,

All my monochrome photography is darkroom produced. This portfolio consists of photographs from several of my projects, assignments, personal and course related work. Some of these monochrome photographic prints are then selectively toned.

Take a look at the slide show, or the popular posts. Click onto some of the many excellent blogs that I have listed in my blog roll. I welcome constructive feedback (post a comment).

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Yours sincerely

Trevor David Betts BA (Hons)

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

All the photographs featured on this blog spot were taken on Canon analog 35mm SLR cameras which included: Canon A1, Canon AE1 (non-programme) and Canon T90. The Canon A1 was rendered useless after prolonged exposure to salt spray residue, and the AE1 suffered a malfunction, and one of my T90s just packed up on me during a photographic shoot.

Most of my camera equipment was initially purchased brand new, then as the years have past I have purchased second-hand equipment. But the vast majority of equipment I currently possess is well over twenty years old.

Canon FD lenses used were: 28, and 35mm wide angle, 50mm standard, 35-105mm short telephoto zoom and a 70-210mm large telephoto zoom lenses. Also used was a loaned Mamiya 645 with 50 and 80mm lenses. My favourite combination is a T90 fitted with the 35-105mm lens with an Hoya orange filter. I use Hoya orange, red, neutral density, and skylight filters. Hoya and Canon lens hoods. A Canon remote cable. I have used a great Metz 45 CT-4 flashgun for many years. I used this for the bounced and fill-in flash for some of the documentary and portraiture work.

Studio flash used was Courtenay brolly flash (just two heads fitted with soft boxes) at Hull Community Artworks studio (sadly this excellent local arts facility closed in 2001). Billingham and Tamrac camera bags (the Billingham is a old model that I have had for years - wonderful bags). The Tamrac one is a medium sized back pack type bag. Slik Black Diamond 88, and 500 DX Pro tripods. A Cullmann touring set (which consists of a light tripod, ball and swivel head, all-purpose clamp, suction cap, and a ground spike). I presently have three Canon T90 and one A1 SLR cameras.

Film used was mainly 35mm (with some 120mm). Ilford Delta monochrome negative print film, 100 asa (a few rolls of 400 asa as well). Ilford HP5 and FP4 (400 and 125 asa respectively). Fuji Neopan 400 asa. Various Fuji colour film. Photographic chemicals: Ilford ID-11 and Microphen film developers. Agfa Rodinal fine grain film developer, and Ilford Hypam fixer.

Photographic paper: Ilford Multigrade IV VC paper, Fibre based VC paper including warm and cool tone. Kentmere Velvet Stipple and Art Document papers. Kodak selenium toner. Barclay and Fotospeed sepia toners, and Colorvir blue toner. Durst M60 and Meopta 5 enlargers fitted with 50 and 80mm Schneider lenses. Kenro negative sheets and Jessops negative folders.

Most of my photography involves the use of the camera being securely mounted onto the tripod, with the shutter set to the 10 second delay. I bracket my exposures (relying on the excellent Canon in-camera meter). My aperture settings are usually between F5.6 and F22. In the vast majority of cases the very first exposure I take is usually the correctly exposed one.

Finished photographic prints (spotted if needed). At the 10 x 8 inch size are then scanned on an Epsom 1660 photo perfection scanner using Adope Photoshop CS2 at the 5.5 x 3.5 inch image or canvas size, 150 dpi and at the 750 x 550 pixels size, and saved as for the web. The only thing that is manipulated is the brightness balance and contrast levels.

DON'T FORGET

"It is the soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair protest.

It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

From: "Fighting for Queen and Country,
by Nigel 'Spud' Ely. Blake Publishing London, 2007."