odespinner

This photograph shows a young man contemplating the beauty of nature. He is untroubled by the cares of the world as the river flows at his feet in timeless fashion. Our affinity with water has a calming effect and this particular river has oaks and willows along its banks that add to the serenity and peacefulness of a sunny day in the country.

He faces slightly away from the camera with arms folded for warmth as the evening sun casts its shadows behind him. He is totally absorbed in the river’s flow over rocks and pebbles a few inches below the surface. We are invited to speculate on who he is, how he got there, what will he do next; but none of that matters because we have in front of us the image of a captured moment. One carefree, idle speck of time . No sounds to distract, no slideshow or moving images, just a picture for the spectator to observe.

The observer might share in the feelings evoked or pass judgement on the composition and lighting. What did the photographer intend? Is the young man’s presence in the photograph necessary for its ‘carefree’ title? Such thoughts are for you to mull over, or not, as you see fit.