On my daily commute to work some time ago in the Netherlands, I used to pass a building where I could see a man working in his house. It seemed to me that he was a jewel or watchmaker, because of the bright light above his head and the magnifying loupe he wore.
One day my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to ring his doorbell.
This friendly old gentleman greeted me saying, good morning young man what can I do for you?
I replied my name is Omar and I have been passing by your house for a couple of months. Since I could not quite make out what kind of work you do sir, I wanted to ask.
He said, I am a Watchmaker and asked me if I wanted to look inside?
He showed me around, there were watches and wall clocks everywhere! Do not mind the clutter he said as there were tools and parts all over the place. I can find my way in here even if I was blindfolded. He seemed like a mad scientist to me at first, but I saw his passion for the craft.
I proceeded asking him some questions, do you fix watches and clocks or make them also?
My specialty is to repair them, though in my training I have also learned to make them.
How did you become a watchmaker? Well it was a long time ago, and in those days, you either could afford to go to school or you joined a craftsman and learned over the years. I did the latter.
Sadly, young people are not interested in crafts like mine anymore. I am part of a dying breed and unfortunately, most of the new luxury watches are being mass produced, and are becoming harder to repair because of closed systems.
I asked do you have a website and how do people find you?
I have no need of such things, I have been repairing watches and clocks for the better part of my life. People know how to find me and I have more work than I can handle because I am one of a few left.
I told him that I was a photographer and would love to photograph him working his craft.
He seemed happy that someone had taken such an interest in his work and suggested I come by tomorrow in the morning.
The next day when I arrived he asked what photo’s would you like to make? And what should I be doing? I said please just do work as you would if I was not here, and the next 45 minutes I took these photographs.
As a photographer with my camera sometimes feels like being an explorer with a passport.
Though he would have been happy if anyone had taken an interest in his work regardless!
I understand that for most people these are boundaries not easily crossed, but I can tell you guys experiences like these are worth it!
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