The light goes out for Spotlightkid

I write this Journal entry, in a most saddened state of being.

My good friend, colleague and kindred spirit, Paul Lindenberg, aka: Spotlightkid passed away today: 13H00 GMT+6 27 MAR 2011, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

On 19 FEB 2011, Paul was riding his Mountain Bike to the Roodepoort Bike Park, w/ his usual riding partners, when he suffered a stroke and fell from his bike. The fall caused a severe head trauma, in addition to the damage caused by the stroke.

Paul was rushed to hospital and remained there since the accident.

His wife, sister and brother were constant – as they were able, under unbelievably strict visiting prohibition by hospital staff (do not get me started on that issue!) at his bedside.

Over the weeks, Paul showed improvement. And even as of my last update from his sister on this past Saturday (26 MAR 2011), it was apparent Paul was slowly improving. He was expected to be released to home-care this coming week.

His passing on Sunday 28 MAR comes as a total surprise and a horrible shock.

Paul was a consummate professional in whatever he took on to do. His photography was tight, thoughtful, engaging, informative and down-right enjoyable. His skills as a computer programmer were second to none.

Paul loved the bush. His love for wildlife and the wilds were shown throughout his photographic work.

A tour of Paul’s Red Bubble account shows the level of his photographic prowess. Whatever he pointed his lens at was presented to the viewer in a most pleasing manner.

Also Paul maintained an active Flickr account, too as the SpotlightKid. Filled with numerous images of his expanded technique and experienced photographic eye.

Paul was also well known among the aviation community in the Johannesburg region. His capture of all manner of aviation transport, has been admired for years. His absence from that community is now sorely missed.

Paul and I met through Flickr in January of 2007. I was searching for images of trout and fly-fishing. A return on my search turned up a screen shot he had of a database for fly-fishing. I contacted him on the program. One thing led to another and we were off-to-the-races.

Paul and I shared a keen interest in so many of the same things in life. Yet, growing up in the areas of the world we did, could not have had us on more juxtaposed paths. Our life experiences were vastly different. Yet, none of the differences mattered. We had far too much alike to let any out-lier bother us. Almost immediately we hit-it-off. I shall forever miss Paul and his quick uptake on any idea I would present.

We scoured the Internet together for new ideas and activity in the digital world. Paul introduced me to the photo/image site, out of Australia, called Red Bubble. Paul was my first ‘watchlist friend’. In December 2009 I met another Red Bubble member, by the name of Pieter Zaadstra. We, too hit it off, but the development of our friendship was held off until April of 2010; Pieter was off into the bush for several months – on assignment- and out of contact with the digital world.

Once back together, I introduced Pieter to Paul and we became a trilogy of ideas, collaboration and projects. Paul and I had formed eDIGImag and Pieter joined in with his Zaadstra Studios. We had hatched an idea called ZaadTrek. Pieter hit South Africa in November of last year (2010), spending 3 weeks visiting and collecting data for his work on our planned book and eMags about the area. Pieter, at least, got to meet Paul. I did not get that luxury.

Paul and I were kindred spirits. We shared so much in common that any difference was rendered, invisible. Such a kinship of mind and kindred of spirit does not come along often. If one experiences this but once in a lifetime, then consider yourself blessed. I do. But it does not keep me from feeling robbed of further years of sharing such a unique time with such a unique person. That truly hurts.

_What am I to do now…?_ This is a question I keep asking myself. The void is deafening.

Please remember Paul’s family in your thoughts and prayers. This is a very difficult time for them.

As well, don’t forget Paul. Visit his RedBubble, Flickr, and many other sites across the Internet ( a list of them will be on the eDIGImag site ..). Keep the Spotlightkid alive in your hearts and memories. Keep Harry Black running through the brush and engaging his audience with excitement and life.

And do not forget to keep all those others, whom all of us have lost – to whatever tragedy before their time … or in their due time. Keep them alive in your hearts, your memory and tell others of how much you care for them. Share their stories and importance – in your life – with others.

Pass on their lives and legacy to the future. Keep their ‘Spotlights’ burning bright.

Thank you Paul. I WILL keep your Spotlight burning. It will tremble for a time. But I do hope and pray, that, in-time, I shall be able to hold your memory steady.

Till another time and place. I will remember. I will tell. The story of the Spotlightkid and Harry Black. The man who was, is and always will be – Paul Lindenberg.

Your bru … les