The camera lay around the photographer’s neck at the ready as he traversed the paved path through the cities park. His sharp eyes had spotted nothing of interest thus far. Once or twice he’d put the camera to his eye and snapped a picture just see if anything came to light once developed. But, today, the subject matter along this path fell short of what he deemed worthy to capture along his daily hike.
He gazed up at the sky and wondered if rain would fall from roils of brooding grey clouds above him. Dismal, that is what the day was. This park was dismal and empty as well – no subject matter or maybe; he was just bored of the same ol’, same ol’.
His mood was beginning to match the atmosphere – dark and foreboding, such a waste of his efforts thus far with his camera. This path, a tried and true one, was a bust. Perhaps if he were to deviate from this path and take the detour ahead toward the water’s edge, it would scare up something interesting to photograph.
He stepped on the narrow dirt trail and followed it as it wound downward toward the river’s edge ducking wayward branches and stepping over deadfall as hiked toward the water. Not far in the distance, he could see an opening in the trail that opened to the river. Not a great photo but he knelt and snapped a picture which depicted how opposites can sometimes enhance one another. It was a serene entrance guarded by what appeared to be atmospheric turbulence in the distance. It should have a sign posted that reads, “Enter at your own risk,” he thought crassly.
The disturbing and depressing inner revelation of his own mind surprised him. No matter, he shrugged. Darkness can be corrected. Lightness and color could be added via filters which would enhance beauty where nature lacked it.
He continued forward with renewed purpose, that is when he spotted a target worthy enough to freeze in time.
If only he could capture the moment!
Quietly, he slid into position. First kneeling and then adjusting himself into the prone position.
He reached for the camera and removed the lens cap while he stalked the target with his eyes.
She belied beauty as she sat unaware of his presence on a felled tree, mesmerized by the lapping, flowing water at the river’s edge.
The frailty of the target in a moment of serene strength had him awe struck. Her beauty glowed against the angry, brooding clouds in the back-ground and portrayed the mood which this picture would encapsulate. It was perfect. She was beautiful.
He’d call this potential award winner, “Moody Blue.” He could see this infamous picture framed in gold.
Slowly, deliberately, he moved the camera to his eye, first playing with the focus then readying his finger to snap the shot. He could feel the excitement build; his heart pounded and his breath quickened as he fought to steady it in this moment where perfection lingered at his finger-tip. It wouldn’t do to ruin this picture with a shaky hand. A photographer, like any good hunter, needs a steady hand to shoot its target – breath control is everything. His breath eased slowly from his lips as his index finger hovered ready for action.
“Steady,” he breathed as a clap of thunder erupted above him and a wisp of wind drove a raindrop into his eye. Jerking in surprise, he snapped the shot.
When he opened his eyes again, his target had vanished as had the perfect moment in time.
Years later, the photographer admits to pulling out the discarded, wayward snap shot. He says it still makes him feel moody and blue. Yet, he continues to wonder what would have happened if he’d had the courage to talk to the beauty on the river’s edge that day instead of trying to freeze her – unaware – in a moment of time.
His only award from that day is in a still memory. What might have been a picture perfect moment gilded in gold is now only something locked away in his personal memory bank for no other but him to admire.
And, ‘Moody Blue,’ that’s the depression he feels on days with roiling grey clouds devoid of a picturesque beauty. They remind him of the gloomy rain day when he missed a moment meant to be frozen in time only to re-live a harsh lesson from time to time – when you live your life through a lens, don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Loved this read, Nadine! It was fun and intriguing to Ty to figure out what the photographer was trying to capture. At first I thought it might have been a deer, then I thought maybe a blue jay, then maybe a beautiful young woman. I’m still not sure, and that’s the fun of it!
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Thanks Terry! I thought about divulging what the target was then decided to leave it for the reader to imagine! And, being a wonderful photographer yourself, I am so very thankful for your comment! ❤️
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Thank you, Nadine! What a nice compliment to start my day. I think not divulging the target was a good choice. It keeps the reader engaged and guessing right to the end. Have a fab Tuesday!
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You as well Terry!
I’m a little behind on my reading but your next post is about to be read… 😉
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I enjoyed this story because my son is a photographer and we have gone on photo adventures (where we go to a new place to take photos). So the whole situation hit close to home to the adventures with my son.
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Thank you so much for reading! I enjoyed writing this photographers adventure! I’m very happy to have reminded you of some quality memories! 😊
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I guess an empty picture is worth a thousand empty words. It reminds me of a few shots I’ve missed, due to being too slow, or too careful, and then the moment passed. All part of the fun of photography, I suppose.
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A thousand empty words… what a great description of an empty picture! ❤️
Such is the life of a photographer, I believe that is why I choose to write, I can at least try to use 1000 descriptive words to tell the story! 😄
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Yes, and the subject can never escape, when you write about it.
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You had me captivated as he prepared his shot and I think I may have slightly jumped at the thunder clap and thought Oh No! for the poor photographer. Great job and love your point at the end. 💕
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Thanks so much! 😃 😊
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Most welcome! 🙂
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