Every so often I take a picture with hints of something really special. And then I load the picture from camera to computer and no matter how hard I try, I cannot bring my vision forward. In this case, I decided it just wasn’t meant to be and sent the file directly to the trash can. Then today I was reading a post on Don’t Take Pictures—Weekend Reading: Robbie Lawrence. The article featured a book of images and poetry, A Voice Above the Linn. A few of the photographs really pulled me in and I went searching for more images from the book, settling into the work and studing the subtle treatment of the photographs. It’s always the tones that I fall in love with. In looking at the work of Robbie Lawrence, I came across a photograph similar to my image of leaves on the water (image 17/25) in the Fredericksburg Canal. Robbie’s photograph inspired me to take another pass at my own picture. I restored the folder from the recycle bin and tried again.
There is so much in this life I have been wrong about. Tapes that have played in my head that have hurt me and the way I think about others. Biases and beliefs. All turned upside down now. I love it. The chance to start over, to try again. To make it better.