A touching story of family, memory, and art unfolded at The Seattle Light Room in November 2024, when Bill Tinney and his father David Tinney spent their final day together in a darkroom before David's move to a memory care facility. The father-son duo worked side by side, carefully sifting through boxes of old 35mm film strips and enlarging them into photographs at the darkroom and gallery located in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood.
The November session held profound significance as it marked the last time the two would share their passion for photography before David relocated to a memory care facility in Vancouver, Washington. Despite the progression of dementia that had gradually erased many of David's memories, his decades of darkroom experience remained embedded in his muscle memory, allowing him to continue the intricate process of photo development with remarkable precision.
In the dim red light of the darkroom, David's weathered hands moved with practiced expertise as he rocked the developing trays back and forth, carefully submerging photographic paper in the chemical baths. His attention to detail remained unwavering, ensuring that each print achieved perfect clarity and sharpness. The contrast between his physical competence and cognitive decline created a poignant moment that Bill would later describe with deep emotion.
"His body knew what to do, but his brain didn't," Bill explained, capturing the bittersweet nature of watching his father navigate the familiar darkroom routine while struggling with the progressive effects of dementia. This powerful observation highlighted the way certain skills and memories can persist even as the disease advances, offering brief glimpses of the person who remains beneath the condition.
The photography session at The Seattle Light Room represents more than just a shared activity between father and son—it serves as the foundation for Bill's efforts to honor his father's legacy and artistic vision. Through this photo exhibit, Bill aims to preserve not only his father's photographic work but also the memories of their time together, creating a lasting tribute that celebrates both David's artistic contributions and the enduring bond between them despite the challenges posed by dementia.
