Playing around with various efforts to add small revenue streams, I decided to try my hand at sales of small technology goods online. It was an education researching products in China, contacting and conversion with Chinese factory representatives, and the like.
To start small, I identified a unique USB cable that had actual springs at each end for strain relief. This cable was also on of the earliest ones to use higher gauge wires so that it supported faster charge times for phones.
I chose the name “Skadget” and convinced the Chinese supplier to engrave my logo on the cables even though I was only ordering a small quantity (I think 100-200 total, in 2 colors)
I wrote up a great product listing, including a technical article on the benefits of the higher-gauge wires, and listed them for sale on both Amazon and Ebay.
I quickly discovered that selling on Amazon was only useful if you had products that could move in very large quantities — the fees involved were just not worth the effort for low-priced items in limited quantities. But Ebay became my focus, and I did manage to see all my stock over several months — and got some great feedback about the cable quality!
However, I quickly decided that this was not a venture I really wanted to pursue, because I simply didn’t have the capital to invest, and to do this properly meant having dozens of products and ordering significant quantities. Once again, it was a great learning experience even if it didn’t pan out as I had initially hoped.
In 2016 I was contacted by JEM (Jewish Educational Media) to ask if they could hire me as a photographer to take some pictures for an upcoming book. The book was a compilation of first-hand stories of encounters with the Rebbe, to be called “My Story.”
The stories to appear in the book were based on live interviews, however they wanted to do a story from Rabbi Levi Bukiet in Chicago, and they had been unable to get together to do the video interview.
Levi Bukiet was a friend of mine, and it sounded like a worthwhile project, so of course I agreed. Since they had already interviewed him by phone to get his story, what they really needed were just some pictures of him that looked like they were taken during an interview, one of which would appear with his story.
So on the day that Levi was going to come over for the photo shoot, I arranged a section of our library, moved a plant into the corner by the bookcase, and set up my lighting.
Since Levi was not a professional model, I suggested that he should just tell me his story and let me shoot as he spoke. My feeling was that this would give the most natural appearance of photos taken during an interview.
Although I expected that he would tell me the story he had told JEM, the amazing story he chose to tell me was one that he would have liked to have published but was not the story that JEM had chosen to publish.
A few of the photos from the photo session are below, as well as the officially written up story that Rabbi Buckiet told me that day. As far as I know the story was not published, mainly because it was second hand, as told to him by somebody else. It is, nonetheless an amazing story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
When I sent the images to JEM, they asked me what they owed me, and I told them that I was glad to contribute these images and thus somehow participate in this valuable book. When the book came out, I was surprised to find that they had actually acknowledged me as assisting them, something I did not expect, but definitely appreciate.
In August 2017 I was asked to photograph a shluchim event taking place at Chabad Aventura South. The following is the article, with my photographic images….
When we moved to Florida in 2017 my intent was to slowly move towards retirement, but to always keep busy with some work. Photography was still a possibility, but no one knew me in Florida and breaking in to a new market takes time and considerable effort.
A friend who owns a large Judaica store in the area offered me a job selling in the store. Although I had never done retail sales before, I was ready to try. Although there were aspects of selling that I enjoyed (mostly the personal interactions with customers), it was a bit much for me, so I decided to work there only part-time.
A few months after I started there, I was asked if I could take over the store’s bookkeeping. Aside from the simple bookkeeping that I did for my own photography business, and some more significant exposure while working for JET, I really wasn’t a bookkeeper. But why not? I was always up to trying new things.
So I found myself becoming more versed than I might like with Quickbooks, while still helping out on the sales floor as needed. During the busy seasons (before Pesach, Sukkos, and Chanukah) I would spend many more hours on the floor — becoming something of an expert in tying lulavim (about 200 per season), matzos, menorahs, and mezuzahs.
Not a career thing, but a small aspect of my “retirement” years that I enjoy… When I moved to Florida and started attending the Chabad Aventura South shul, there was an older man who was known as the “candy man” because he gave out lollypops to the kids during services. We often chatted during the weekly kiddush lunches, and a couple of times when he was going to be out of town on a Shabbos, he asked me if I’d take over the candy man role, which I gladly did.
Sometime in 2020 he unfortunately passed away. I quickly determined that I would take over, and thus became the shul’s official candy man. I keep a big bag of lollypops with me during shul, and kids come over to me to get one. Since I like kids, this was a natural for me.
I also noticed that it was rather unusual for there to be “mashkeh” by the kiddush lunches. Sometimes one table had a bottle that someone brought. I decided that it would be nice to make sure there was always something, and I started bringing a large bottle once a month and going around pouring a l’chaim to anyone who wanted. Not only did this help me meet a lot of people, I believe it helps build a bit more of a sense of “community” among the people at different tables.
So now I am the “candy man” and the “mashke man” at my shul!
Many years ago I undertook an examination of the ways that my father’s death when I was an infant affected me. A result of this introspection was that I wrote a simple book about it.
About 20 years later, I decided to actually format and print the book — primarily for my family. What I realized was that this book had actually become not only the grieving that I had missed out on, but also the “shiva” type of healing that I had craved for much of my life.
Although the book is available in print (a very small private printing run), I present the full pdf version here as well.
My father, Leon (Aryeh Leib) Lipsonj SelfieMy grandparents, Freida and Shaya Lipson My great-gandparents (Freida’s parents) Levi and Hasia Sherman My uncle, Mac Lipson
In 2018 I attended the annual conference of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America). After being inspired by the various speakers, I thought about developing a different “brand” for a new photography venture.
What I chose was a very high end, concierge model of portraits for senior citizens. I had always felt that there was a lack in that area — I had experienced people scrambling to look for a good photo of a loved one after they had passed, for example, and often finding that the last professional shot was from some even many years prior.
I spent almost two years developing this concept, including sourcing a supply of museum-quality hand-carved frames, and obtaining various pieces of equipment best suited to my business model.
I had just completed the web site, and was about to start marketing when COVID-19 struck. And here I was with a business proposal geared exclusively to people 75 years and over! So everything went on hold for what I hoped would be a few months. Unfortunately, as we enter 2022 I have not launched Goldleaf Portraits… but I am hoping to start in the first quarter of 2022. Time will tell if this concept will be successful, but the nice thing about semi-retirement is that I do not need any specific success level — if I sell 10 per year I will be quite happy.
Consider this just a geeky log of most of the photo gear I’ve owned or used over all these years… Mostly for own interest but may be an interesting photo-technology history.
1) CAMERAS
Like many kids, I had a Kodak Brownie camera when I was young. No adjustments or ability to focus, just point, shoot, and hope you get something!
My mom’s Kodak Vigilant 620 which I started using sometime around 1960. This camera took 620 roll film and was used primarily by holding at waist level and using the tiny viewfinder near the lens. There was also a fold-up “sports” viewfinder but it wasn’t too accurate.
My Agfa Super-Silette 35mm camera. This was a great piece of German photo engineering, with smooth focusing and a split screen focus viewfinder. I bought this used, and had it for many years
My Minolta SR-7 (came out just before the SRT-101) that I purchased with money from my bar mitzvah in 1966-67. Wonderful handling, great lens and a built-in light meter (not through the lens). Great micro focus screen in viewfinder. I still have this manual film camera!
My Mamiya Pro C22 dual lens reflex camera. Also purchased with my bar mitzvah money (and some added help). This was a great film camera. Dual lens assembly was removable, although I never did obtain another lens for it. I used this camera for landscape and portrait photography. (The scout troop portraits in my work blog were taken with this camera)
My Mamiya C22 in action taking scenics out at our cottage on Battle Lake, Quebec
I never owned this, but borrowed it a few times in 1968 from the Nepean High School camera club. This was a Graflex Crown Graphic view camera, the sort you will see being used in 1940’s and 50’s movies. It took 4″ x 5″ sheet film, so could only take one shot at a time, after which a light-blocking slide had to be inserted into the fim carrier, which could then be swapped for another single shot. The huge negative size and great lens quality made for some great, detailed shots. My “gingerbread” house photo was take with this Crown Graphic…
My first greatly upgraded 35mm reflex camera, a Nikon N80, which I purchased circa 1993
My first digital reflex camera (DSLR), the Nikon D70, purchased circa 2001. I started doing my pro photography with this camera, shooting child portraits.
Within a couple of years shooting professionally I realized that I need a more capable, professional grade camera. The D200 DSLR fit the bill for some years, and allowed me to transition from just portraits to events.
My pride and joy, the Mamiya RZ67 studio portrait camera. Always drooled over this and finally decided to treat myself. Film based with excellent optics and control; bellows focus and vertical viewfinder (albeit mirror image which took some getting used to.) I had a couple of lenses and different film backs for this incredible camera. I used it for portraits primarily. The large 2.25″ square negative gave superior results. As everything started to quickly move to digital, I expected that I’d get a digital back for it and extend its life. But, alas, when a digital back was finally released, it was priced at about $40,000, so was out of the question. I sadly decided to sell it while it still had decent value.
As I started shooting more events, including many more weddings, I had to upgrade my DSLR to keep up with lastest advancements in speed and light handling. The D300s was a great step up from the D200 (which I kept as a backup body).
By 2018 I was in need of another upgrade. Although my D300s was still a great camera body, newer models had greatly improved in speed and low-light capabilities with less noise. The D500 fit the bill perfectly for me even though it was still a DX format camera (not “full frame” FX).
2) OTHER GEAR
One of my earliest purchases was this Sekonic passive light meter. I purchased it on a layaway plan from a local Ottawa camera store, making monthly payments until I owned it. I was very proud to have purchased this entirely on my own, at about 14. For some reason I still have it although it has not been used in over 50 years!
Early on I had an old folding reflector bulb flash, the kind that gave one flash per bulb… My first electronic flash purchase was this Kako Super Elite, which I used for several years. One day a friend asked to borrow it for a shoot and when I got it back it didn’t work! After that I decided never to lend out my photo gear!
My next electronic flash unit was similar in build but much more powerful. The Ultrablitz Meteor SP-GH served me very well for many years. Although the rechargeable battery is long gone and no longer made, I still have the original flash (and it still works when plugged in!)
This was the school enlarger that I learned on… Used it almost daily for over a year, learning all the nuances of printing black and white photos in a darkroom.
After a year or so of using the school darkroom, I decided that I had to set up my own. I bought this inexpensive but quite capable b+w enlarger, the Meopta Axomat II, made in Czechoslovakia. A great feature for me was that it could be quickly broken down and stored in its carrying box. Since my home darkroom was a windowless basement bathroom, I had to be able to pack it away. I also took this with me when I went to graduate school in Montreal (1974) and set up a temporary darkroom in my apartment bathroom.
Once I was doing more studio and in-home portraiture and weddings, I needed real studio strobes. I chose these Paul C Buff White Lightning Ultrazap units. Two 800 watt units and one 1600. These served me flawlessly for over 20 years. As of 2022 I still have them but will probably sell them as I am no longer shooting studio portraits or indoor events.
Of course, in order to use studio strobes properly, one needs a light meter that is able to measure strobe flash light. I chose this Minolta Auto meter, which I still have but rarely need to use.
As I progressed to shoot weddings and bar/bat mitzvah I needed fast action on camera flash. My first unit was the Nikon SB-700, next was SB-900. I still use both of these as of 2022.
In terms of other equipment, I used a Manfrotto tripod and preferred Manfrotto and Calumet light stands. Lenses were Nikon and Sigma.
At some point when I was in high school, probably about age 14, I took a photo of the photo gear I had at the time (I was quite proud of it all!)
A screenshot of Shaya’s portion of my family tree…
SOME HISTORY:
Born July 15, 1897 in Brusilov (Russia/Ukraine) near Kiev (Kyiv)
He was called Sasha in Russia.
Had 4 brothers: David (Yankel) Polsky (Memphis and Little Rock) Grisha (Hershel) Lipovrovsky (Russia) Avrohom (Avremchik) Polsky (Chicago) Boruch Lipovrovsky (Russia) 3 sisters: Freda Brenner (Rovno, USSR) Idassia (Edith) Greenspon (Chicago) Kuhntzya Kleidman (Kiev, USSR)
Shaya standing, his brother Grisha (Herschel) sitting
Occupation : Tailor (as was his father)
Joined Russian army Sept 1916, age 19 Engaged in battles at: Moshuriv, Ukraine Olyzanka, Ukraine Zaboika, Ukraine Tarnopol, Ukraine
Badly injured in WW I at Tarnapol Aug 25, 1917 Expanding (dum-dum) bullet shattered the thigh bone in his leg. He spent a year in Crimean hospital on the Black Sea Doctors wanted to amputate his leg but he wouldn’t let them. It did heal (some shrapnel was never removed), but one leg remained shorter than the other. He himself modified his boot (built up inside) so he could walk without too much of a limp.
Married Freda Shusterman Mar 2, 1921 (age 24)
Freda is in her wedding dress in this photo
They had a son, Leon (Aryeh Leib, my father) born Jan 5, 1923:
They left Kiev Oct 22, 1925 by rail, passing through Latvian border at Zilupe Oct 23, 1925; Stopped in Riga, Latvia Oct 26, 1925. Continued via ship to Liepaja on the Latvian coast, arriving Oct 29, 1925. Then traveled by ship to Southampton, England, arriving Nov 4, 1925.
When they arrived in England there was some issue with their son Leon’s eyes. No one remembers exactly what it was, but this is why they were delayed in England for 2 years as they treated him.
They stayed in an open dormitory called Atlantic Park Hostel, Eastleigh, England (near Southampton.) It was a huge, crowded open dorm with no privacy, stone floors, damp and depressing. Shaya said it was a terrible place to be trapped in transit, but they wouldn’t let them continue until Leon was ok.
Atlantic Park Hostel, Eastleigh, England
It seems that while in England he managed to work as a street tailor…
The following two photos show them in Russia just before they left, and in England. Note the similar, classic portrait poses, but also the great contrast in clothing — from Russian peasant to modern.
Another portrait they took in England:
They were finally allowed to leave England Sept 24, 1927 Freda was pregnant with Max when they left; Leon was 4 years old.
They arrived at the port city of Montreal, Canada Oct 2, 1927. Soon after went to Ottawa. (They may have briefly stayed in Toronto first)
Freda gave birth to Max two weeks (!!) after they arrived in Canada… she had to hide her pregnancy with a bulky coat during the voyage or they might not have let them leave England.
Shaya, or Samuel (Sam) as he called himself professionally, opened a small tailor shop in a rented apartment on Bank Street in Ottawa’s Glebe area. The shop was in front, and they shared two rooms in back. After a few years, they managed to save enough to buy a 3-flat house nearby, at 15 Arlington.
Here is a portrait taken in Ottawa (date unknown):
A photo of my Uncle Mac horsing around with his father in front of the 15 Arlington tailor shop (and home). Shaya appears to be holding a shovel, probably clearing snow from the walkway…
Shaya Died: Nov 2, 1977 Ottawa, Canada of lung cancer (smoked all his life)
Having a son in the media business (Mac, Radio personality and writer) helped get some newspaper articles about Shaya… this one has some great anecdotes!
Obituary – a great read for more interesting facts!
As mentioned in the newspaper article, the British tailor Hicks & Sons often referred clients to Sam Lipson to have their high-end suits worked on. After his passing, my grandmother received this letter from them:
Also received was this brief note from the Governor General of Canada, Jules Leger…
A condolence letter from one of his regular customers from Rockliffe, the wealthiest section of Ottawa…
SELECTED PHOTOS and observations:
My zaidy Shaya had a wonderful sense of humor. He was always joking, tickling kids, making fun of TV ads… As kids, my sister (Robyn) and I loved to visit and play in his tailor shop at the front of his house. He would give us boxes of exotic buttons to play with, which he dubbed “kikis” for us (pronounced key-keys).
He played a very simple life. Most thought he was illiterate as he had no real schooling to speak of after elementary school. However, just before he passed I visited him in the hospital, where my friend Rabbi Berger blew shofar for him (it was just before Rosh Hashanah). He cried a bit, and said “I think that might have helped more than the doctors.” He then asked for a tehillim. My grandmother mocked him, saying “what do you want it for? You can’t read it!”
He then shocked us all by reading beautifully! I asked him where he learned, and he said that when he was little there was a Rabbi who used to walk to all the small villages to teach kids. His father paid this Rabbi something like a quarter a month to teach my grandfather.
Shaya was always interested in outer space. He believed that there were other civilizations — in fact, he thought there were beings on the moon! Again, though, because of his perceived illiteracy, we all thought he didn’t know much about it. However just before he passed he gave me some magazine clippings all about space and the solar system. He had made some notes on them. He even had in his tailor shop a mounted “picture” he made, depicting the planets of the solar system including all the distances between the planets!
He was a very avid fisherman; fishing was one of his biggest passions. He went often, in later years friends would take him. He never failed to come back with a catch! He would take them to the basement to clean them, then my Bubby Freda would wrap them in newspaper and freeze them. Her pan-fried fish was delicious! He once took me on a fishing trip with him… I observed how he loved the quiet of nature. He pointed out various birds, frogs, and fish. If he snagged a catfish he would promptly unhook it and throw it back. Sometimes he would even go ice fishing with some friends — they would go out on a frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice, and drop their lines in.
Standing in front of 15 Arlington with his fishing rodUndated, but probably from his earlier days in Ottawa, in a rowboat — which is often how he went fishing
Shaya was also very inventive. There seemed to be no challenge that he couldn’t find a solution to! He had a device that he claimed to have built (unverified) that allowed him to quickly thread a needle by dropping it into a cone and moving a lever which would pull the thread through the eye of the needle instantly. Although I watched him use that device, I cannot prove that he invented it.
