NikonGear'23

Introductions => We Will Remember You => Topic started by: simato73 on December 29, 2023, 17:53:47

Title: RIP David Paterson
Post by: simato73 on December 29, 2023, 17:53:47
Dear NikonGear Friends,

I haven't been on NG for quite some time, hopefully some of you still remember me from the first of the Scottish gatherings organised by David Paterson.

Unfortunately David's health deteriorated in recent years, and it is with great sadness that I am now bringing you the news that he has passed away peacefully on 21st Dec 2023.
His wife Mayumi and son Sean were with him.

Mayumi asked to tell you that the NG gathering at Loch Tay Highland Lodges was one of his recent highlights.

David's funeral will be on Monday, 15th January '24.

Peace,
Simone
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Fons Baerken on December 29, 2023, 18:16:37
Oh no! So sorry to hear, all my condolences!!
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Birna Rørslett on December 29, 2023, 18:35:20
This is unbearably sad. Just sad.

I always have him in my heart. And his fantastic Maiko girl picture printed large and signed, on my wall.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Birna Rørslett on December 29, 2023, 19:27:58
From my first meet-up with Dave. Lofoten 2011. Dave being phlegmatic as ever. We met on several occasions later, mostly in Scotland. I stayed over night several times as well, so came to know Mayumi, his adorable Japanese wife, Sean, the son and family, and of course Sally, the dog.

Last time was on our return from Skye in 2022, together with Frank Fremery. Dave and I spent an afternoon discussing his images, shared a lively critique session with lots of talk and whisky, and he asked me which ones I preferred. As I already had fallen in love with his Maiko girl portrait, I pointed at a preprint he had made. Dave then said, 'OK, I'll print it large and send you -- what's the address?' I thanked him and some time later a big print arrived by mail. I had it framed and hung on the wall where Ruth and I see and enjoy it daily.  This image will for ever be the embodiment of Dave to me..
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: armando_m on December 29, 2023, 21:07:49
I do rememebr the posts from the get togethers of some of you with him

May he rest in peace
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: golunvolo on December 29, 2023, 21:33:13
Such sad news. I didn't know him in person but here in NG. Always enjoyed his work and contributions, so inspiring. My condolences to the family. 

  May he rest in peace.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on December 30, 2023, 16:02:34
Very sad indeed, we have fond memories of our NG meeting in Scotland 2019, where David had arranged a nice house for us. He was a very nice guy and a great photographer, will be missed.
Best regards from Gunver and Bent
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: John Geerts on December 30, 2023, 19:28:26
Very Sad news. Condolences to the family.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Bruno Schroder on December 30, 2023, 23:01:36
What a sad news. I only knew him from the 2019 meet up he organised in Scotland.
A few memories from the week:
•   Most days, I woke up early to photograph a dipper’s nest close to the lodge.  Every time, I thought I was first but Dave was always gone already, to catch the first light up a mountain pass.
•   Despite the disease, whose symptoms were already obvious, I saw him jump over a barbed wire fence to reach a little wood on a hill. I’ve been here many times, I know there is a photo here, he said, but I can’t find it and I keep coming back.
•   We were driving through the mountains when he told us to stop right there. Out of the car, and with a big smile, he showed me a spot and framed a picture with his hands and said: I sold this picture 5000$, twice.
•   The best advice of the week was from him: you have a great sky, find something to put under!

I will always remember his recollection of a trip back to UK from an assignment in Japan. As a young photographer with no contract awaiting him, he decided to come back by train across Russia. At each stop, he was interrogated by the police and/or the KGB. They could not figure out why someone would choose to go from Japan to UK this way. With his photo gear, the only explanation that made sense to them was that he was a British spy, so he was closely monitored during the whole journey. The funny thing is that back to UK, he was also interrogated by the secret service, because they could not figure out why he would choose to spend so much time in Russia. The only explanation they had was that he was a Russian spy :)

I keep very fond memories of our discussions. I’ll miss you, Dave, rest in peace.

Condolences to his wife and son and family.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Mikes on December 31, 2023, 04:14:56
I was very saddened to hear about Dave's passing. I have fond memories of Dave from the several NikonGear meetups in Scotland that he hosted, and from a couple of visits he made to Japan while I was living there (mini meetups with Akira). He was a wonderful landscape photographer who travelled extensively, and was an accomplished mountaineer with some spectacular photos as documentation. He loved Japan, and met his wonderful wife Mayumi there.

Dave was a devout Scotsman, and retired to a beautiful location on the shores of Loch Tay where he continued with his photography until his illness constrained him physically. I admired his ability to create something special from otherwise (to me) pedestrian scenery. He was very frustrated by his increasing physical limitations as his illness progressed, but was stoic about it. He was generous with his time and photography tips, and with his prints, of which I have a couple.

I stayed with Dave and Mayumi in Killin a couple of times - he was usually up at first light to wander around the shores of nearby Loch Tay with his camera and his dog Sally, and Mayumi was up early to tend to their large, rambling garden.

Vale Dave Paterson - I will miss him and the wonderful images that he posted on NikonGear.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Akira on December 31, 2023, 04:31:11
Simone, thank you for taking your time to tell us this sad news.

I was shocked to know about Dave's passing.  Dave, Mike Selby (Mikes here in NG) and I have enjoyed small meet-ups in 2015 and 2017 when Dave came to Japan with Mayumi-san to visit her family near Tokyo.

https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=2057.0

https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=6828.0

The meet-ups seem like yesterday.  My sincere condolence.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Akira on December 31, 2023, 04:34:56
I was very saddened to hear about Dave's passing. I have fond memories of Dave from the several NikonGear meetups in Scotland that he hosted, and from a couple of visits he made to Japan while I was living there (mini meetups with Akira). He was a wonderful landscape photographer who travelled extensively, and was an accomplished mountaineer with some spectacular photos as documentation. He loved Japan, and met his wonderful wife Mayumi there.

Dave was a devout Scotsman, and retired to a beautiful location on the shores of Loch Tay where he continued with his photography until his illness constrained him physically. I admired his ability to create something special from otherwise (to me) pedestrian scenery. He was very frustrated by his increasing physical limitations as his illness progressed, but was stoic about it. He was generous with his time and photography tips, and with his prints, of which I have a couple.

I stayed with Dave and Mayumi in Killin a couple of times - he was usually up at first light to wander around the shores of nearby Loch Tay with his camera and his dog Sally, and Mayumi was up early to tend to their large, rambling garden.

Vale Dave Paterson - I will miss him and the wonderful images that he posted on NikonGear.

Hi, Mike, good to see you here.  Although it is rather a sad opportunity, but I believe Dave made us see each other again.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Mikes on December 31, 2023, 07:00:21
Hi, Mike, good to see you here.  Although it is rather a sad opportunity, but I believe Dave made us see each other again.

Hello Akira - thank you for your note. Yes, it was a shock for me too, and a trigger for me to post a message here.

I haven't used my camera for quite a while, but I took a spur of the moment decision to fly to Japan for a few days in early December (business trip for my wife) and I blew the dust off my camera and took it with me. I'll post a couple of images.

We are planning to come to Tokyo again (and other parts of Japan) for a longer stay next year (2024), and would love to meet up with you. I will let you know as soon as we have dates.

Cheers,

Mike.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Akira on December 31, 2023, 07:39:10
Hello Akira - thank you for your note. Yes, it was a shock for me too, and a trigger for me to post a message here.

I haven't used my camera for quite a while, but I took a spur of the moment decision to fly to Japan for a few days in early December (business trip for my wife) and I blew the dust off my camera and took it with me. I'll post a couple of images.

We are planning to come to Tokyo again (and other parts of Japan) for a longer stay next year (2024), and would love to meet up with you. I will let you know as soon as we have dates.

Cheers,

Mike.

Hi, Mike, it's nice to know that you are taking pictures again now.  I'm looking forward to your posts here and seeing you in Japan next year!
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: chris dees on December 31, 2023, 09:56:51
One of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on December 31, 2023, 16:40:35
My deepest sympathy for the family.
He exerted an unobtrusive but lasting influence. I sometimes leaf through his books to get grounded.
Take care Dave, the light in landscape is differently without your shadow.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Anthony on December 31, 2023, 17:49:28
This is very sad news. I first met David in 2011 in Lofoten, and subsequently at Killin, with Mayumi. He was a great guy and a terrific photographer.  My deepest sympathy to Mayumi and Sean, and his other family members.

Here he is with an improvised wooden monopod in Lofoten.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: ColinM on December 31, 2023, 20:08:08
I never met David, but could always see the high regard many NG members felt for him.

It is really moving to see pictures of him and hear the recollections some of you have of the previous meet ups - thank you.

Here he is with an improvised wooden monopod in Lofoten.

And I have to ask, is David using a Pentax 645 here?
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Birna Rørslett on December 31, 2023, 21:13:11
Yes, he did.
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Akira on January 01, 2024, 02:03:42
Does anyone know that Dave once worked for a prop manufacturing company for the cinema industry?  He told me and Mike about making the "Monolith" for Stanley Kubrick's "2001"?
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 01, 2024, 18:52:57


https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=10415.msg183353#msg183353 (https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=10415.msg183353#msg183353)


Yes, the late Dave was sick and also a tad depressed about his life condition.


But he was still a great person to hang out with.


Birna and me met him twice in 2022:
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 01, 2024, 19:01:08
https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=10415.msg183027#msg183027 (https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=10415.msg183027#msg183027)


2019
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 02, 2024, 00:04:44
and 2016:  https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=3494.msg51853#msg51853 (https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=3494.msg51853#msg51853)

Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Erik Lund on January 02, 2024, 08:46:24
So sad to hear this. 
He was an immaculate host and a great travel companion on several of our trips - A true inspiration as a man and photographer.
Condolences to the family!
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: HCS on January 08, 2024, 11:37:15
That is sad news. My condolences to his family but certainly also to many of his friends on this forum who had met him personally.

While i never got to meet Dave in person, i was part of the last trip to Scotland that he helped plan and arrange, but couldn't join due to his illness. Unfortunately, i wasn't in the position then to join Birna and Frank to visit him and Mayumi.

Rest in peace, Dave
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Wannabebetter on August 29, 2024, 15:50:00
Allow me to extend my deepest condolences to all here at the Nikon Gear community, for the passing of your dear friend and mentor to the rest of us. From the first, I enjoyed reading David Paterson's comments and greatly appreciated the standard for civility and mutual respect that has been the benchmark of Nikon Gear and for which he in no small way inspired. Well done, Mr Paterson! And thanks!
Title: Re: RIP David Paterson
Post by: Bruno Schroder on October 09, 2024, 14:07:54
Dave liked to take photos of oddly shaped lichens; this one reminded me of him.