Waiting DT11559

Time Marches On 

What a curious thing it is to be a photographer at times.  We rise so early and we stay out so late.  We move about, endlessly, in pursuit of moments that matter.  How ironic it is that we invest so much of our time, and ourselves, in hopes of freezing time.  Every photographer desires to capture images of beauty, emotion, or drama with each press of the shutter but, time marches on.  Time waits for no one.  However, when we are fortunate, we do manage to capture a true vision of time. 

A few weeks ago I was with a workshop class at Old Orchard Beach in Maine on a crisp, cool Friday night.  Most of our attention was on the obvious:  the ocean side setting.  As a group we stood out on the beach and made images of the famous pier and the moving surf.   One thing we stress to our workshop attendees is to always be looking around and paying attention.  There is so much more to a scene, at times, than what you see. 

I turned, at the suggestion of another photographer, and saw this young man checking his phone.  The whole scene seemed frozen.  He sat, alone and still, despite a very busy and bustling night at the beach all around him. The historic ferris wheel loomed above him silently for the night and the season.  His expression was caught in a pensive moment by the light from his cell phone.  For a moment, time did stand still.  Seconds later it all changed. 

Pay attention. Moments, people, and time can slip away if you let them.

Photograph What You Feel

Waiting

Fuji XT1

Fujinon 18-55 lens

ISO:  640

APT:  f4.5