July 2006 Vol. 25. No. 7

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Inspirational octogenarians: Three photographers leave a legacy
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Don Mahler, standing, Vic LaBolle and John Becker, seated. Photo by Murline Georgeson.

Meet three impressive gentlemen, all born in the early 1920s - John Becker, Victor LaBolle and Don Mahler. One common thread these men have through the years is their interest in photography and their desire to provide pleasure to others through this medium.

They have lived through broad and dynamic changes - from the introduction of electric refrigerators, color movies, high fidelity sound and permanent press clothing to personal computers and cell phones. Through these changes and more, including a severe economic depression and several wars, they have demonstrated a commitment to their hobby. Despite interruptions of marriage, family and jobs, they continued to pursue their passion. Their perseverance has continued to the age where some might consider them too old to learn - but age has not been a problem. All three began their hobby in their youth, and they continue to demonstrate an ability to adapt to and embrace new technology, even into their eighth decade.

Providing an inspiration to others to pursue their own hobbies and offering a pleasurable viewing experience, they are presenting an exhibit of their more recent photographs at the Corridor Art Gallery at Mad River Community Hospital from July 8 through the end of August.

John Becker

John Becker was born in 1921 in Illinois and had his first taste of photography in his junior year of high school as one of the school photographers. He learned to develop the film and make contact prints. "I started out taking pictures, which is boring. I finally started making pictures, which is more of a challenge," said Becker about his early days.

He managed to weave his love of photography into his military and family years. John incorporated photography into his career with the Port of Stockton District. Always learning, he attended San Joaquin Delta College, College of the Pacific and later HSU's Over-60 Program for more classes in photography. He had his own darkroom for more than 16 years.

Becker has always liked scenery and travel photos, and one of his trademarks is capturing people in these scenes. John has kept up with the evolution in photography and currently uses a Nikon D70 digital camera as well as his traditional Nikon 35 mm camera. He is now perfecting digital printing.

Becker said, "The new color printers are all slanted to make good color prints. It is a lot more of a challenge to make a good black and white print. I've slowed down the last six years but I still like to look at good photography."

Victor LaBolle

Detroit can boast of having Victor LaBolle as a native son. He got his first camera, an 89-cent Kodak Baby Brownie, at age 12 after persuasive recitals to his parents. LaBolle seemed always to find an income from photography, whether being a camp counselor in photography, making yearbook photos, or working in a photo finishing plant. After college and military service, LaBolle's work took him to Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Colorado and finally California.

He, too, attended the Over 60 Program at HSU, studying photography. LaBolle likes bold images in his photography and humor and geometric patterns in his images. He has worked with a wide variety of cameras including large format (4x5-inch), medium format and 35 mm cameras. He has retired his darkroom after having one for most of his photographic years and now uses a Minolta DiMage digital camera. Aside from trying to learn the new technology and the low cost of "film," LaBolle says "a major difference between digital and film cameras is the instant feedback that is available from digital cameras."

Don Mahler

Don Mahler's participation in photography began with borrowed cameras while attending elementary school during the mid 1930s. He set up a basement darkroom and later converted a large junior high school closet to a club darkroom. His activities were interrupted by the entry of the United States into World War II and his entry into naval aviation after graduation in 1942, which precluded serious photography for the next 35 years.

Delays included helping his wife raise their five children, vocational and residential changes plus three terms of active military service. Mahler's return to active participation in photography began in the late 1970s after he and his wife moved to Humboldt County and he completed several documentary and educational films.

Don articulates his objectives in photography: "These sometimes consist of personal exercises. Sometimes they are attempts to capture, retain and reinforce a particular mood or relationship; sometimes to share an impression; and sometimes to stimulate more careful, unhurried observations by others." He applies the Japanese concept shibui - astringent beauty, simple, quiet and austere in its effect - to his compositions when possible.

See the exhibit

As part of sharing their legacy, a narrative located with each photographer's exhibit will discuss each of their perspectives on their years of photography and the photographs displayed.