An Ode to my Dad, and to all Fathers everywhere.

By Ibraar Hussain

7 June, 2026

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Photos & Projects

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Portrait Photography
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I was raised in your arms; the youngest of your children, and you left the world in mine, leaving an emptiness I cannot comprehend.

Above: One of the last portraits I took of my dad, in his bedroom.
27th March 2021
Sony A900 Minolta 50mm f1.4 @ f3.2

Corporal (Naik) Hussain, Rajputana Rifles, 4th Para Battalion. Delhi, British India 1945 He was just awarded his wings for passing the Parachute Jump training. After partition he joined the Baluch Regiment in Quetta and Lahore.

 

Dad watching TV, with that thoughtful look and the distinctive protruding bottom lip when deep in thought or concentration. Contax G2 45mm Planar T* f2.8 Ilford HP5+ @ 3200 asa
Dad after sharing a joke with me.
Olympus OM2n Zuiko 50mm Ilford HP5+ @ 3200
Dad looking over
Contax G2 45mm Planar T* f2.8 Fuji Neopan Across 100

I took many many photos of my father over the decades and documented his life on VHS Tape and Smartphone Video, I miss him every day.

It was my father who introduced me to photography, the top photos was shot with a camera he had at the time, though I’ve no idea which, I can’t ask him now.
He did have a Yashica Minister in the 60ies and a Yashica SLR in the 70ies and 80ies. Naturally, my interests in photography, boxing, the outdoors, philosophy, wristwatches, bicycles and motorbikes were acquired from my dad’s influence, I guess he made me who I am today.

So a little tribute to him, and to Fathers everywhere who have crossed the River Styx and are no longer with us, until we meet again.

Dad, 31st of December 1928 Vil. Dandi Nazam, District Gujrat, British India – 27th of December 2021 Leytonstone, London England.

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About The Author

By Ibraar Hussain
Ibraar aka Ibbs formerly from London, but now a long way from home in the Suffolk border in East Anglia England. I have a liking for photography, especially travel snaps in both film and digital. Contax, Zeiss-Ikon, Voigtlander, Minolta (35mm) and Olympus E1/E3 DSLR’s and a Casio ZR 800 Compact are my go to shooters.
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Comments

Bob Janes on An Ode to my Dad, and to all Fathers everywhere.

Comment posted: 07/06/2026

Lovely. Many thanks for sparking some personal memories. There are distinct parallels between our fathers - mine was born in March of 1928 and died in December of 2022 - at an age he never expected to reach, as his father had died aged 58 and his grandfather at 49. Our fathers were born over 4000 miles apart, but died within 6 miles of each other and seem to have shared similar interests. Theirs was an amazing generation of men, but I think they should have smiled more in photographs...
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Walter Reumkens on An Ode to my Dad, and to all Fathers everywhere.

Comment posted: 07/06/2026

The article lives up to its title, and the photos are brilliant too. It seems you didn’t learn how to skydive from your father, though. You can be happy and proud, Ibraar. My father never spoke to me much; he was a soldier in the Second World War and came home with injuries that prevented him from pursuing his dream career. Perhaps it was because of his unhappy marriage; I don’t know. He didn’t even tell me when I was looking after him and he fell asleep forever beside me in our double bed one night. A very loving article.
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jem on An Ode to my Dad, and to all Fathers everywhere.

Comment posted: 07/06/2026

Sorry for your loss. Extraordinary portraits mate, nice work.
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