I think we all know how peaceful it is to be near water. Recently I sat on this bench, swinging my feet and soaking in the beauty of Lake Carlton in the San Bois Mountains in Oklahoma. When I first sat down it was dark and chilly, but as time passed the sun began to rise behind the mountains. It wasn't a beautiful sunrise. The sky was full of dark rain clouds and occasionally a light mist fell. As the sun rose I watched a large flock of geese land on the water and slowly glide across the lack. I watched a father and son fishing from their kayaks. I looked across the lake and noticed autumn colors just beginning to show. I was calm, content, and happy.
This pictures looks peaceful, doesn't it? What you don't see in this picture is what was behind me. The fact is, a fall festival was happening behind me with thousands of people wandering around, carnival rides, food vendors, live music, and an antique automobile show. We were there taking part in the automobile show and were fortunate to be able to park our car near the lake. This was perfect for me. I was able to find peace in a situation that certainly wasn't quiet or peaceful. As photographers we can tell the story we want by what we allow in the frame of our camera.
"Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame.
When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts."
~ Garry Winogrand
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Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.
So true, how we can capture what we chose to share and the assumption is that what we see is what is happening all around. That's a lot of control we have and only we can decide how much of the reality we want to share.
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly decided the scene you wanted to focus on, Cathy! I would have done the same! Such a lovely peaceful view from that bench! The quotation is excellent for the story you tell here!
ReplyDeleteSuch true words. I never would have guessed that a full blown carnival was happening right behind you. It is how we frame the world isn't it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, peaceful scene! You’re correct, I would never know about all the busyness behind you! This is a wonderful illustration of how a photographer can tell their own story.
ReplyDeleteA bit of creative cropping and you created your own peaceful scene! It is beautiful. I hope you enjoyed the fall festival too. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise! It seemed so nice and calm and then you tell what is going on around the scene. A super way to look at life!
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling the “back story” Cathy! Glad you could unwind by the lake.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of talking about what is not seen in the photo. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Cathy! There I was, mentally sitting on that bench with you, enjoying the peace and quiet, when suddenly in your next paragraph a great bustle and noise erupted. It was a shock, but a fun one. It's so true what you said here: "As photographers we can tell the story we want by what we allow in the frame of our camera." I love the Garry Winogrand quote, too.
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