Monday, May 30, 2011

One Beautiful Thing ~ twenty.seven



I don't take landscapes very often. I think it is because my eye sees the same places all the time, so I have a hard time finding something extraordinary enough within the scene that entices me to photograph it. But when I come across a scene like this one, it's hard not to find the beauty. I couldn't help thinking about my dad today as I captured this old boat.

My dad is an artist. He looks for things like this to paint. When I was younger, every time we took a road trip, we would often find ourselves parked on the side of the road while my dad got out to photograph something interesting that he could work with in a future painting. He was, and still is, drawn to old collapsing barns, battered old roofless shacks and abandoned boats. Sometimes I would get out of the car to watch him... and I could never understand why it took him so long to take the picture. He would stand there for what seemed like eons, looking through the lens before I would finally hear the shutter click. And I must say, to this day, I have never heard a better sounding shutter than what came from his old film camera. I wish my camera sounded like that. I think I used to stand next to him more to hear that sound than to see what he was photographing.

But now I know better. Now I know how long it can take sometimes to find the right composition. To find just the right angle. To make sure my settings are right before I take the picture. While most of the time I am snuggling in, getting close and personal with my subject, today I learned that sometimes it's best to step back a little and take in the whole scene. And I am learning to be more patient.

I had no idea back then, watching my dad, that I was taking my very first photography lesson, and that he would be my first teacher.

12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post. It's funny how we don't often realize these lessons at the time.

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  2. The brilliant eye, the artistic gift, it's all in the genes, eh? That is a great picture and lovely story. An abandoned boat? I've never seen one. Very interesting.

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  3. Such a wonderful memory Jaime! It sounds like creativeness runs in your family.

    I totally get what you mean by the sound of the shutter. I don't like the sound of the shutter on my new camera. It sounds like two garbage can lids knocking together. What's up with that? :(

    Lovely post my friend!
    xo Catherine

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  4. I love these photos and how wonderful to have that memory of your father.

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  5. What an incredible gift. To have learned that, even without realising it at the time...

    Glorious photos once again!

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  6. What a wonderful story about your father. I love that memory you have of the "click" of his camera. I wonder if I am affecting my children at present with my obsession with photography. I didn't grow up with my father but I do know he has always loved photography. I do wonder if that is one of the few bonds we have.

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  7. I always wonder about the story behind the scene.... how did that boat get there? who did it belong to? what on earth happened? ...... more curious than a cat, me........

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  8. Of course your Dad is an artist. I bet your Mum is, too. All that talent you have and that incredible eye had to come from somewhere. I loved this story.

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  9. how blessed are you to have your father as a mentor/teacher...so early in life... i think should each of us think back to times in our childhood each of us will notice moments that we were taught by a parent...whether we want to know it or not..heehee....mmmmm.... your dad must be so proud of you! miss you, Linni xx

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  10. It's amazing what we learn thru osmosis..from just being with and observing our parents. What a lovely post and tribute to you and your father!

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  11. am i the only one who thought of gilligan's island when i saw this boat......

    love it and the story !!
    xo

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  12. What a beautiful post. It's funny how we don't often realize these lessons at the time.

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