This photograph means more to me than a mere snapshot of a sunset. My son is responsible for this image being captured yesterday. This is what makes it special. I will now try to explain. Today is my birthday and he does not realize he gave me the best gift ever. Last night,Β my 9 year old son ran to me with an excited voice. “Mommy come see this amazing sunset! Look at the color!” This is the special part…..Many times I have blabbered on and on to my children about the sunsets in the winter and have drawn their restless eyes over to the window, where they looked and wandered off. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was that he brought this sunset to my attention. It’s a personal goal to make my children aware of natural beauty and encourage their desires to be creative. (Recently discovered video games have become a challenge with this goal. They talk about them even when they are turned off.) Capturing my attention, he commanded that we take a photo from his room so that it would be from high up with a better view. Acting quickly, in order to capture the changing brilliant reds, I went auto mode on my Canon. The screening presented a challenge. By covering the flash,Β just enough light captured the color without creating reflection from the screen. So as simple as it seems, I have already received the best birthday gift ever. It reminds me of how important my influence is on his short time of childhood. Discovering nature and art is just one small part. Spending time together sharing thoughts and solutions is major. This photo has not been enhanced.
Photography with Meaning: Beyond a Pretty Sunset
beautiful!
I am glad you were able to experience such a wonderful moment with your son. And thanks for so eloquently sharing it with us.
Wow!!!
It’s wonderful to hear of parents introducing their children to art and the beauty of nature. In all too many homes video games and TV shows dominate!
Great photo!
Happy birthday!
I know the feeling. Isn’t that great? I had the same experience recently when my daughter asked me to make her a painting for Christmas… I had no idea she liked my work that much! http://zorgor.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/painting-fairy/
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, very cool photo! Freaky sunset!
Thanks! And thanks for sharing, I will check out your link.
Happy Birthday Jennifer and I love the image!!!
Thanks and thanks! Enjoy your weekend!
That’s my kind of gift. Happy Birthday
Thanks! I agree, his eyes lit up when I mentioned there had been kind comments on our image.
That is truly a gift, and a gorgeous shot. Kill the video games. π
Great story Jennifer! And well done conveying such an important lesson!
Times like that make up for the occasional frustrations of raising a child. He inspired a great photograph! I like the abstract quality of the shot.
Happy Birthday! A beautiful image and a touching story.
Thank you, for the birthday wish and the nice compliment.
What a wonderful birthday gift, Jennifer. π Nothing better. And I love this image too. π
Beautiful! And loved the emotions in this post. Lovely. How amazing is this gift. Great! π
I saw it to but didn’t have my camra with me. Happy Belated Birthday! Hey boys keep up the great work!
The photo is doubly nice having the story to go with it. It’s hard to find a nine year old interested in any of nature’s beauty.
What a wonderful post! Thanks for taking the time to inspire your kids about nature and art, so very important. And happy birthday to you Jennifer!
Thanks Noel, I hope they pass it on to their kids.
What a great story! That must have been a very satisfying moment, knowing that all of your “blabbering” has had a positive effect.
And, not incidentally…Happy Birthday!
Satisfying indeed! Thanks!
This is so beautiful! Happy Birthday (o:
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice weekend!
amazing photography and insight!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Mom-is that you?
Happy Birthday !
Your son will become a great photographer !!
His photograph is wonderful !
I’ll pass the word on. He’ll be delighted his imagination is well received.
Cool photo and story! Thanks for sharing π
Thanks for stopping by to read it!
I don’t know which is better, the image, or your accompanying story. You have written a beautiful piece here, I have read it twice now, it has quite touched me.
As to the image, you have captured a moment in time, its stunningly beautiful,
Thanks for sharing it.
That’s quite a nice complement, thanks! Have a nice weekend!