Cancer sucks!

"Uncle Dan"©Susan Komer

My older brother was diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer a few months ago…needless to say, this has rocked my world inside out.  I went to see him yesterday (its a 3 hour drive both ways) and began shooting photos like I always do…when everything I saw began to take me to a place with him.

My brother is a phenomenal self taught musician, and his passion for it exudes onto everyone around him….as we pulled away from his house in the dark & rain…my son looked back as Uncle Dan waved goodbye and said, “I miss him already…”

Cancer really sucks people…if you’ve had it; or have been close to someone who has, that’s all I need to say.  If you haven’t…I hope you never do.

I love you Danny!

Life is changing:

So my life is insane right now.  My youngest, the twins, have started high school...holy cow! My second born is moving down near me after being away for over 3 years....and my oldest is about to relocate for work to California...the exact opposite side of the country!  

I'm engrossed in my junior year of college...learning color film & studio lighting...along with a bunch of other must do type classes, such as art history & color studies.

It's crazy...and I never know what is going to change from one day to the next.  For example...my older brother was diagnosed with bladder cancer a month ago...it was give & take there for a few weeks as he underwent 2 surgeries within a two week period of time....but he's up for chemo now...he'll start that in a few weeks, he lives 3 hours away from me, so seeing him is hard since I'm back to school....but he's worth it...I'll find a way...somehow...

So to keep myself sane I'm engrossing myself in film...not so much digital...though I do play with it all the time...its the darkroom time that allows me to disappear...and that's what I'm doing.  

But for today...I want to post some pics of my brother...my love for him goes beyond reality...cancer just SUCKS!  We've seen so much of it in our family...but I don't think it ever occurred to me that it could hit one of my siblings...my heart is in torment...the selfishness of my own...as I can't bare to live in a world where I can't call him and know that he's going to be just who I need him to be....and my thoughts of his son, wife & grandbaby who are his world....and I consume myself in pain over how Danny, himself, must feel.

Please forgive the rant...and soak in my big brother...an amazing man, Father, husband, son; and the most EXCELLENT big brother a girl could ever ask for...I love you Danny!

Youth

While visiting my brother recently, I found myself consumed with the idea of being young and how just being in the presence of youth can make one feel young....but also the way I feel young again just by being around my siblings...confirming that age is just a number!

Stealth

I love to photograph EVERYTHING...squirrels may seem everyday, until you sit & watch them...those little guys are quite amazing!

A new photo manipulation

I took a bunch of shots of my brother over the weekend.  I've been messing around with them for days...hope you all enjoy!

Image Manipulations

I spend lots of time manipulating images...thought I'd post a few.

My big brother Dan 'gettin' his jam on'!

Love to sit and listen to Danny play his guitar for hours!

MIA

Whoa! Where I have I been!?!

So its not that I've truly disappeared...just been really busy getting things done.  Over the past few months I've been busy, busy, busy doing art & acclimating myself to life in the city.  

But for the few of you who do follow my work, here's a few shots of what I've been up to!

So yes, I'm still working & going to school...life is busy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I also have joined tumblr and can be found there under http://susankomer.tumblr.com/ where you can find me almost daily!