Glassy surf
Delray Beach, FL, December 31, 2009
I was looking for peace on this cloudy-ish final afternoon of the year when I waded into the surf and pointed my lens back toward shore. The weather, with intermittent cells of dark clouds meandering inland, was questionable enough to keep the beach delightfully free of the kind of crowds that make this sort of reflection impossible.
Anyone who's read me for any length of time knows I have a thing for this place, the spot on the beach where waves go to die. It's a constantly changing, visually and aurally rich spot, a place for folks looking for something come to contemplate what it all means.
As always, though, I didn't seem to find the answers I sought. Standing at the edge of the planet, after all, is no guarantee of an epiphany. But with some creative use of manual exposure - hint: underexpose to avoid blowing highlights on transitionally reflected surfaces like this - I at least came home with a way to remember a quiet moment when, after months of seemingly floating through life, I found a way to haltingly begin enjoying it again.
We'll leave the near-dousing of the camera in salt water story for another day.
Your turn: Where do you go to reflect?
One more thing: This photo wraps up our extended exploration of glassy (click here to submit your own. Thematic Photographic launches a new theme (our 100th!) tonight at 7 p.m. What will it be? Pop back in after 7...and feel free to leave a suggestion here, too. I'm always on the lookout for things you'd like to explore.
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6 comments:
yip. the ocean is one of those places you can stop and reflect. Love your reference to the place where waves come to die... (was the terminology there)???
Wonderful!
I have a very similar picture, taken just yesterday. Being able to capture the moment is sometimes worth the risk :)
I have a very similar picture, taken just yesterday. Being able to capture the moment is sometimes worth the risk :)
I can think of relection areas similar to yours. The sand of Hawaii, the Mayan ruins in Mexico. But to be honest, when I sit back, gaze and reflect, I picture the ice at Maple Leaf gardens the first time I skated on it. It was and still is, a magical time.
My place of reflection? The mountains. Water is definitely a close second.
Looking forward to the new theme!
i need some salt water about now... guess i could boil some pasta...
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