I don’t enjoy having my photo taken and I could probably count on my fingers the number of photos of myself I could stand looking at, much less liked. So I was somewhat surprised when combing through my archive of photos I came across the above photo taken by Bonnie at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. Seeing it, I realized I like this photo. Of course, that unexpected reaction immediately prompted me to ask myself what about it that I liked.
Some of the noticeable things in the photo are it’s just before sunset. I’m sitting in a relaxed yoga type position and I clearly remember the coolness and silky smooth feeling of the ultra-fine sand. The air temperature was very comfortable. It was a good time with two of my loved ones nearby…Maggie in the photo and Bonnie taking the shot from just on the other side of Maggie. I was looking off into the distance, probably at the sunset, with a natural smile on my face, fully lost in the moment rather than trying to capture it with my camera (of course I’d been taking a lot of photos.)
So, I like this photo…it takes me back to that moment and those feelings. I’m far from being a professional photographer and while I enjoy sharing many photographs on this blog I take photographs mostly for myself. If a few of them have the power to let me experience part of those original moments again then that alone is reason enough to be a photographer. I’ve also found that moments reexamined from the perspective of a few more miles on the personal odometer often share a few secrets not realized initially.
Yelp, life’s short and you never know how long you’ve got…gotta live it like you stole it! :-)
That’s a beautiful part of the world and a very peaceful scene. You certainly seem very content. And yes, life is short but it’s still the longest thing we ever undertake ;)
Cedric, probably more content in this 2016 photo then at the moment but things have a way of working out. No doubt I’ve recently become a bit cynical about the human cause…the current social/political situation here in the U.S. is trying and discouraging. #notmypresident :-)
This is a “keeper!” Seems, I am a bit more comfortable in front of the camera. Some of that was the self-portrait Friday project I joined on pbase.com a few years ago.I like this one also as it shows you in that place of contentment and enjoying our world with those you loved.Something tells me Maggie is also enjoying the moment and time with her humans.
I should learn to be more comfortable with it. I was “informed” after posting this I should allow more photos of myself so the kids would have something to remember me by when I’m gone. I won’t say who “Informed” me but their first name begins with a “B.” ;-) No one else was around when we were there so Maggie got to run free and had a blast on the sand.
Kudos to Bonnie for capturing this. Not that every moment should be preserved in a photograph, but it is nice to have these every once in awhile to help rekindle the memories of how this moment was at the time. I think dogs also like the cool sand on their aching joints as they get older.
When Bonnie has a camera I have to keep an I on her or else I end up the subject. She does have a good eye for shots and I agree, kudos to her if she can make this old man not look too awful. ;-) Maggie was running like crazy over the dunes and surprised me with her energy and endurance. At the end of the visit, when this image was taken, she was tired and happy to just lay on the sand. Agree…not all moment should be preserved in photos! lol
Well, every once in a while, ya gotta break with tradition and a fine photo to do it with, Earl! I’m a huge fan of White Sands and am feeling the urge to go back again. I like to go as early as possible and seem to have the park all to myself. All one needs to do is walk out about a mile from the road and you WILL have the park to yourself. People don’t seem to “hike” that far. A fine, peaceful moment Bonnie captured there.
We arrived a few hours before it closed and did some walking. By sunset, almost everyone had left and we had it mostly to ourselves. It’s a favorite of mine as well and I would like to return one day. Thanks, Paul.
The best portraits often come when the photographer knows their subject well. In this case I’d say that Bonnie captured your “essence” as only she could..