So sorry to read all about your bad luck. You are lucky to be alive. So sad to live in a world of violence. My thoughts and prayers for you. I do have the same symptoms that you had and it does feel like a heart attack.

So sorry to read this and hope that you recover fully. I am also sad to think that you might not be able to replace your gear. You are too talented to not have the gear you need. I did post a link to your blog on dpreview retouching forum. Maybe as a community we can help you to replace what you deem absolutely essential. I can’t imagine having to think about carrying some sort of protection going out shooting, but I guess it has come to that. I will think twice now about going hiking by myself. I guess some mace might be in my kit in the future.

NGG

Dear Steve,
I and the art community think the world of you. I am soooo sorry to hear this. I am crushed. Now maybe people will understand why I will not go out alone. I am a 68 year old small woman with about the equip as you have. I love wildlife as you.
I love your art and have a cd I got a few years ago which I still refer to.
I a littleblue heron shot about like yours as well in the tutorial watercolor.
Thank you for all you have done for the art community.
You will be in my thoughts and heart.
Get well soon
Sincerely
Gale Bizet

Very sorry to hear about this Steve. Someone at DPR just told me about this. Hope they catch the b@$tards involved. Wish you well and and full recovery soon.

So sorry to hear about this lousy vicious attack by a couple of degenerates !
I had the same medical problem as you after shoulder surgery here in New Zealand. The tube damaged my throat. I couldn’t breathe. At first asthma was diagnosed. Then heart. Then after a couple more days it was finally diagnosed as aspiration pneumonia caused during the operation. I have suffered bouts of reflux ever since.
You take care. Smudge.

Am so very sorry to hear about this Steve. I do hope you recover quickly and are back to your old self as soon as possible.

Take care,
Diane

Oh, gentle man, how horrible to be the victim of such sick people. Please do not let this stop you from being open to strangers. I hope your spirit heals along with your body.
Speedy Recovery,
Veronica

Trimoon…you don’t know me, but I have followed so much of your work on pbase, dpreview as well as your site. You have always been a big inspiration and I’ve admired your talent so much. What terrible news to hear of this series of truly unfortunate events. I wish you a speedy and full recovery but also would like to say, please don’t let such horrible people ever keep you away from something in life that you do better than most. It is a gift that I don’t want you to ever loose.

Warmest Regards,
Carol

Steve,
I’ve been following your work for some time now, always impressed with your ability to get that right image, and knowing when you have it. I live well into the country and have had a similiar experience (which also involved a young girl and an older guy). My ending turned out a bit better due to the fact I found them in the act by surprise (I was armed) and nothing bad happened to me like the cowards that attacked you. You have a talent and you’ll come back. There are far more good people on this planet than bad. . . . remember that. I wish you the best old friend. :)

Hi Stephen,
I’m sorry to hear about the horrific experiences you’ve had over the past month. I wish you all the best in your recovery and hope that you believe that you will overcome the obstacles that have been placed in your path.
My warmest regards. Derrick.

Hang in there Mr. T ! Lucky for all of us there are more good people then bad in this world. Don’t loose Hope! This comes from someone who’s suffered through nervous break downs, Migraines,back surgery,a heart attack, and cancer. Best Wishes And Healing Thoughts! Viva La Vida Loca!
Cesar

Trimoon i wish you well and hope that you make a good recovery and are able to somehow replace your camera gear, as without your photographs and art work the world will be a sadder place.
And hopefully some people will get there just rewards ! ! ! !

Palms

Unbelievable!! As Lyle said, I hope they catch the little “b@$tards”. I do a lot of traveling alone when I go to take pictures and this kind of thing has always been a concern. Hoping you have a speedy recovery.

Skip

I want to thank each and every one of you for your comments and support. I am at peace with what happened and wish no harm to anyone. When caught and they will be caught this I am sure, I hope that they will get the help they need. My concern is with my gear. It is my life; it is what I live for. Going out and photographing nature has kept me healthy and alive even though occasionally I have accidents. I wouldn’t I could not stop because I am happiest when I get that great shot, the one that I’ve been waiting for all day and finally I’ve got it. Now that is what I call living. Again thank you everyone. Steve

Steve, I sure hope they catch the couple that did this to you!! Put them under the jail! Will your auto or household insurance policy cover any of your loss? Our auto policy covered theft from two cars (we were moving and towing the second car packed to the gills) that were broken into in a motel parking lot.

Take care, and I hope you are feeling better real soon.

hugs…swampy

Steve, I have followed your contributions online for years and have always valued your presence in places I frequent. This news deeply saddens me, I am so sorry for your ordeal and really hope they catch them. You had every reason to fear for your life they could have killed you like that. I will be thinking healing thoughts and sending energy your way.

Like others, I know you though your early days on dPreview…bought all your instructional products and enjoyed the inspiration you provided. I have a Canon 10D that I could spare and a lens if that would be of interest as a loaner just so you have something to use during your convalescence. Maybe some other gear. If interested, email me. All the best to you…Brad Meyer, bmeyer@hcnonline.com.

Steve, you won’t know me, maybe remember a post or two at DP Review, but my God..I just had to say hello and wish you some amazing better luck in the very near future! I feel so bad for you…please know you have tons of friends out there who only wish you the best and strangers on the street too! I have an Oly E500 body I would give you…maybe not what you want but I seriously would send it out if you wanted it.

Dear Steve,
I am so happy to see the art and friends community come to you with well wishes.
I have a camera and lens you can use if you like.Let me know. I can’t shoot two of them at the same time.I live in fla also. KSC side:>))
Want a little blue Heron. I can give you one of those to..lol:>)))
I just know how much pain and therapy it is going to take to heal this.
Take care and get well soon.
Best Always
Gale
techwish@netzero.com

Oh, my goodness, what terrible news. I just read about this on DPReview–not that you know me from a hill of beans, but I’ve admired your artwork for years. I hope you are well on the road to recovery (again) by now and your gear is recovered and returned. Best wishes.

Steve,

This is terrible news. What a string of bad luck and really sloppy medicine. I still use your CDs and hope you produce more when you get back to your photography.

Dick

Hello,
I wish to echo the good wishes that have already been expressed for you. Most of us would have been as trusting as you were and met with the same fate so their was nothing you could have done. The physical damage will heal soon enough but the mental damage will take longer. Good luck.

Tim

Thank you again for all your comments and well wishes. Reading your comments helps me a lot. It shows me that I am not alone. I am suffering from deep depression since the incident and am having trouble dealing with it. Whenever I get an e-mail that says there’s been a comment made I rushed to read it. And guys I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your offers of the use of your equipment. If something were to happen to your equipment I would not know what to do.

The thing about photographing nature is the hunt and being out in the woods and rivers. I spend 4 to 5 days a week out shooting. Two years ago I bought a small John boat. I think at this time I could do without it. Maybe I’ll get enough to replace what I’ve lost. I still haven’t ruled out my homeowners insurance. Right now they’re not too happy about paying out I’m sure.

Thank you all again.
Steve

It’s unimaginable that such a boatload of misfortune could happen to someone who has given so much to so many.

They may have gotten away with you gear, but they could never take away your character, creativity or the respect you have earned over the years from fellow artists and photographers.

Like it says on my coffee mug, “Don’t let the b@stards get you down. If they do, they win.” Take it one day at a time. You WILL be back. I know it.

Many, many prayers are with you, Steve, including mine. Take care of yourself.

Danny Raphael

Thank You Danny. That means a lot to me.

You have my heartfelt prayers for a swift and satisfying resolution to ALL of the troubles. Hopefully, the camera gear will show up in a pawn shop or still be in the possession of the muggers when they are caught. AND they WILL be caught. Take good care of yourself physically as well as mentally; and you will be able to make a great comeback.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Prayers to the great Almighty to give you strength to carry on.

I’m so sorry about this. Scary for sure, and dang it, I always talk to everyone.

Will keep you in my prayers for a quick physical recovery as well as the mental/emotional one.

Thought I saw that you lived in Silver Springs, were you just shooting in Alachua?

I’ve seen your name so many times and admire what you’ve done.

Very sorry to hear about this cowardly attack. I also live in Florida and am out a lot by myself. Thanks for sharing this as it has help me to make my mind up to get a concealed weapons permit. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

I hope you get well soon, and are able to put this horrible incident behind you.

I am reminded of a story about Baba Kharak Singh, a benevolent and learned ascetic. He had no worldly possessions except a horse whom he loved and was very proud of. A dacoit heard of the magnificent horse and decided to steal it. He lay moaning in the ascetic’s path, disguised as a disabled beggar. As expected, the holy man took pity on him and put him on the horse. When the dacoit revealed himself, Baba Kharak Singh made just one request of him – to not reveal to anyone what had happened, not because of any ego issues, but because people would hesitate to help the needy then…

Steve,
There are people who are below base–animals, actually. I’m sorry you had to suffer at their hands. I’m going to send you a little money through paypal as soon as I can. Hang in there, you have many friends and we’re all pulling for you.

So so sorry this happened to you. Try not to forget that the majority in the world are good people. There is no explanation to make sense of the pond scum thugs that did this to you. I hope your pain eases quickly. Do look into your homeowners insurance, that is why you pay your premiums. You hope you dont have to use it but when you do, its there. Take care!

I am so sorry, glad you are alive…I hope insurance replaces all your camera gear…Get well soon…Henry j

Dearest Steve..

Haven’t been online for couple of months…just read about the terrible stuff you have been experiencing of late!

You, truly are very lucky to be alive!! Take care and you are in my prayers that your health and all lost be restored, better than new.

Dear Steve,
I was so sorry to hear about your misfortune.
FOR ENCOURAGEMENT:
You have been so instrumental in introducing me to the wonders of digital art and photography. You led me to the innographx site where I have had so much fun in the last year. You truly have been the inspiration and the prime reason for my favourite hobby which is now turning into a full time business. Thank you for impressionist and all your wonderful tutorials.
UNSOLICITED PRACTICAL ADVICE:
Acid reflux is a bummer, especially if it is the silent type. I recently went through so many tests for the same reason. Doctors suspected gallstones, ulcers etc etc. Have yourself checked out for heliocobacter pylori infection. This was the cause of all my “heart” attacks and gastro problems. One course of antibiotics and it was all over!
I live in South Africa where violent crime is a common occurrence. As the victim of an armed car hijacking (with my daughter) I can tell you the best therapy is to talk and write about your experience. Don’t bottle it up! You will get through all of this.
GOOD WISHES:
I hope you recover soon and get back into the saddle as quickly as possible.
From
Gerry Comninos
Johannesburg
South africa

Danny posted this URL on RetouchPro.com and I had to come and wish you a speedy recovery. I also hope that when they catch them they will put them under the jail.

I also wanted to thank you for all you have given so freely to our community.

gunnerholmes
Austin, Texas

When you go into the wild carrying wealth – also bring what it takes to protect thine ass!!

Regards

ChuckL

P.S Relux disorder is easily remedied by tilting the bed 9″ – Put a couple bricks under the head of the bed. This keeps the “reflux” from reaching the throat – results in two days!!