It was the kind of cold you feel at depths you don’t forget.
I was struck by the clever wallpaper on this non-descript storefront window in Lake Geneva, WI that was being remodeled inside.
I loved that the proprietors were poking fun at all the inquisitive pedestrians stopping to take a closer look.
My fingers half frozen, I pressed the shutter just once and moved on.
As I walked away, the reluctant eye contact made with one of the others behind me insinuated I had just wasted my time.
Or at least that’s how I took it.
I smiled meekly and thought to myself “We’ll see...”
“Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see.” — Trudy Symeonakis Vesotsky
I deliberately seek shots that aren’t always self-evident.
Sometimes blurring the line between subject and shooter.
I call it looking through an image.
And while I prefer to be “invisible” when shooting, this street scene required both my and the passersby participation to pull off properly.
Because… we reflect.
Outwardly, to others.
Inwardly, to ourselves.
Reflecting positively is a deterrent to reacting negatively.
To best understand who you really are, you must better understand what you let in and allow yourself to see, experience, and feel.
Critical thinking requires courage to embrace the new and unknown.
It’s not for the faint of heart which is why its practice is so rare.
Because “seeing things” is not only my philosophy; it’s therapy.
Stay tuned-in…
Behind the Shot: A collection of photography shorts sharing an image’s backstory, a relevant quote, and some useful ideas inspired by each to hopefully inspire you.