documentary – JENNY JACOBSSON

The Light That Shines – by Sue Bryce

This is a beautiful and important documentary, made by film maker Hailey Bartholomew and photographer Sue Bryce. A film about Jill, a young woman struggling and fighting cancer, but still finds beauty in herself and in the world. Jill says on her Facebook:

“I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful doco that we all worked so hard to make. When you watch it please share it with everyone you know. I truly believe that It will be able to help women and men all around the world. I watched it tonight live with my frineds and family and there was not a dry eye in the house. I just wish that I would of been able to watch it with my mom. She has been such an amazing mom and friend to me throughout my entire life, especially going through Cancer. If you are having a bad day or you are angry with a loved one, please remember not to sweat the small stuff because you can get through anything if you have LOVE. I hope I dont sound cheesy but I am speaking from my heart. I am so blessed to have such a loving family, husband and friends. Thank you all for taking the time and watching this and writing to me telling me your stories that have already touched my soul and heart. If you are going through or know someone that is going through Cancer please dont stop fighting.”

MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING

The Westgiotha Gustavianer. A trip to the 1700’s

As an assigment at Fotoskolan I got in touch with the Westgiötha Gustavianer (WG). The WG is a cultural association based in Gothenburg (Göteborg) with the purpose of their activities to bring the city of Gothenburg and the Garrison in the late 1700’s to life and to preserve the heritage from the Gustavian period.

Westgiotha Gustavianer, 1700's, 1700-tal, Göteborg,

In early December I got the chance to join three very nice members of WG on one of their hikes in which they were staying out overnight. One of the purposes of the hike was to test some of their newly handcrafted gear and see if it worked accordingly to expectation. This day happens to be one of autumn’s absolutely worst weather wise, with cats and dogs raining constantly at close to freezing temperatures. Not only was this testing the limits of my photographic gear and ways to handle such extreme conditions, but for the guys it sure was a true test for coping the outdoor life and what the gear and clothes made for the 1700’s really could do for you (no Gore-Tex there!).

Even though the circumstances could have been better (!) I sure had a marvelous time and it was really interesting to study such whole hearted interest from the group. Here are some shots from when the camera lens wasn’t completely covered with icy water:

A huge thank you to Andreas Gustafsson who came with me this uncomfortable day, elevating our spirits, assisting in wiping the lens and carrying heavy gear.

As a bonus I also got to join the WG’s for a gathering down in the city center from where they walked to Skansen Kronan, a redoubt in central Gothenburg, for some Christmas celebrations and 1700’s dancing. Moving around town together with these guys sure was an extraordinary experience, with people turning around just about everywhere to have a curious and closer look. The beautiful and carefully crafted clothing and equipment sure is a joy to watch. And so is the joyful and well practiced dance, characteristic to the period they all are so fantastically fascinated by. And after having spent some time with them, who can resist to be?