Resident Reflections: Through the Camera Lens with Bob Lane

When we handed St. John’s Home Resident Bob Lane a new Polaroid Flip Camera, one of the first things he said was “I had one of these a long time ago, it was much clunkier then.”

There is something nostalgic and perfectly imperfect about a Polaroid camera and picture. The bright flash, wiring sound of film moving, and slow gratification that comes with the wait of seeing how your picture came out — it can transport many of us back to a simpler time.

A Tangible Memory

Cameras and film have been a big deal in Rochester for over a century. With the Eastman Kodak Company starting in 1888, portable cameras became a tangible object for many Americans and camera companies.

In 1947 the Polaroid Land Camera was released to the public, manufactured with Kodak film. However, in the following decades, the companies parted ways as Kodak entered the world of instant film cameras as a competitor. Throughout the years both companies faced highs and lows — but one thing remains: the love of capturing a moment.

With a resurgence of newer Polaroid cameras in recent years and what seems like endless overstimulation from social media, St. John’s decided to take a more physical and nostalgic approach to how we can capture residents and employees embracing life.

The project for the day: capture a day at St. John’s through a resident’s eyes. Bob was excited and more than willing to take on such task. It also happened to be Bob’s 87th birthday.

The U.S. Navy Veteran can oftentimes be seen roaming the ground floor and courtyard of St. John’s, which he has called home for five years.

“I like to take pictures,” he says in reference to his tablet that he keeps on his person at all times. Bob likes to take pictures, play music, and videochat with his family on his tablet.

A Day with Bob

A typical day for Bob at St. John’s Home starts with breakfast and a chat with the employees on Hastings 2. “I chat with everyone,” he says. He also makes a point to check in with a member of the St. John’s Social Work Department frequently.

Throughout the day, Bob will have his vitals checked, enjoy meals in the dining room, and have his other clinical needs met by the St. John’s staff.

In the afternoon, promptly at 1:30 p.m., Bob and other residents will head down to the Ice Cream Shop for a treat.

Bob will typically make his rounds to offices and visiting family members while playing music and enjoying his ice cream.  He is an avid enjoyer of the concerts held at St. John’s so he makes sure to take a picture of the visiting musical guest.

He ends his afternoon conversing with fellow residents, a stop to see the artwork on display, and making note that he had a “nice birthday.” Bob says he is looking forward to sharing his Polaroids with his family and hanging them in his room.