ALLOWING

When I see the still-mostly-bare trees silhouetted against the sky, it’s the writer in me who itches to describe the feeling and the feast for the eyes.

But he never quite gets it right.

Saying the branches of one are like a thousand petrified snakes and the Oak like a cluster of broccoli might have come close. But more is always felt needed and in the end a book of words would not truly satisfy or capture what seeing those trees stirred up inside. And yet the writer tries mostly to allow what he observed to repeatedly wash over him, hoping, of course, to find more words, better words, to convey more accurately what was seen and what was felt.

The photographer just wants a capture. I say just, but not in a bad way. The photographer knows he must move quickly and tries not to think too much about what he is after. He responds to the moment knowing full well a change in direction, or the light, can alter and even lose completely, the moment. He’s the one willing to yank the wheel, slam on the brakes, spill the coffee if necessary, and grab the camera to show you the magnificence of those trees. After all, isn’t a picture worth a thousand words?

But if you are both, a writer and photographer, you would think you’ve got it all covered. But not really. You might record a good representative of the actual scene, but how do you describe it? How do you convey how it makes you feel?

The photographer lives in the moment; for the moment. The writer lives in his head. Is one better? No. Both, I think, are trying to burrow down to what cannot ultimately be explained---the Mystery itself AND the need to rub hearts with the rest of creation.

So when I try to tell you that a thousand petrified snakes waved slowly against a buttermilk sky while the sparkle of multi-faceted diamonds from the sun filled my eyes---I may as well just say: i was humbled to tears. And yet….I’ll keep trying. I’m ultimately trying to satisfy myself; reveal my own emotions. I try to do it for you as well, but in the end, you’re on your own. You have the same dilemma. I can only hope I’ve allowed us both another trigger, another way in.

Comments

[jim Lynch]

ahhh. nice nice nice. but this photographer lives in his head!! sheesh. it is a much more fun place most of the time; although it doesnt seem to be on mapquest or google earth if you catch my drift(ing).