I've never been much of a picture guy. That is to say, while I obviously like sharing pictures and video, I have always preferred to fully immerse myself in the nice things I see and do rather than distract myself with taking photos of them. For this reason, leaving a video camera running on my helmet is perfect, since it is passive and requires nothing from me while it is running. I get to capture stuff and immerse myself in the good moments. This approach, however, is not without its shortcomings.
Today was the first day in London Ontario when some snow accumulated and stayed. The bike path along the river was beautiful on my way in to work, with snow seeming to top even the most delicate of branches. It was like riding through a poem.
Eager to share how great it all was, I brought up the video a few moments ago, hoping to grab a snippet or a still image that might show why I was so blissed out.
What I saw however, was a grey wet snowy morning from a bicyclist's point of view. The trees looked nice, sure, but the grey sky and slushy sounds made it all seem kind of cold and miserable. My reality in the ride was anything but; I was warm and comfortable and having a wonderful time, on my way to work of all things!
I probably won't change my approach, but I'm gaining an even greater respect for all the careful photographers out there. You are trying to capture things such that you convey as much of their wonder and beauty as possible... thanks for that. This morning I wish I had stopped to try and do the same, since so much was lost in translation.
The Snow Has Arrived! Yay!
R A N T W I C K 
12 comments:
Sometimes words work better.
I think you just demonstrated that a few words can be worth more than a picture. I wanna ride through a poem, darnit!
Don't feel bad, it snowed last night here in North Texas so I've got careful photographs up. Of course, I don't claim they were all taken this morning...
Thanks all!
Keri, don't be too eager. Poems are a major cause of cycling accidents due to spaced-out artsy reverie syndrome.
Steve: We are first snow day brothers! Now give me my ten bucks.
Rantwick, you are fortunate to live in Canada where the GEICO commercial that shows a genie granting someone's wish for a million bucks is not shown. Some of the critters looked pretty large. Besides, what would Mrs Rantwick say about ten bucks roaming about the back yard?
We had snow last Thursday night/Friday morning. I didn't realize there was a first snow thing going on. It was not enough to create really nice light effects along my commute, so I did nothing with the videos and said nothing about it. I had hoped to get some sun-dazzle on the snowy branches, but the snow was falling off as the sun was getting bright.
We have more today, turning to hypothermic rain.
Hmmm...I guess then I'm the only guy who read the post and immediately looked for the video documenting the grey, slush to contrast with the words, eh?
Right on! Got plenty of snow a little south of you and I went out to play in it!
With some crazy editing you could turn that gray slushy slog into unicorns and rainbows to better express your inner vision.
=)
Patrick,
I would love to see some photos, whenever you feel like.
I truly wonder if one can convey more than what the eyes see - the true scene is something else, if you ask me. No camera can bring it to us...
Your videos rock!
Peace :)
Sadly, the video was deleted as soon as I decided not to use it, so I have nothing to add Unicorns to OR show Chandra. Hmph.
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