Where it takes you…

Dawn of the last day of 2008, 20 degrees F and a gusting wind clocking near 25mph. Wisps of cloud break loose from the horizon and dash pinkly overhead through an otherwise clear blue sky. Looming in the East, an all but unbroken wall of gray slips past the edge of the Earth and promises flurries on arrival.

And I’m photographing a water park.

After the first few shots to get the eyes going, I notice that the main building will present a bit of shadow until the sun gets above it, so I’m basically hanging out, thawing my fingers on the heater vents in the truck, keeping an eye on the line of light as it crawls downward.

This would seem to be a project right in my wheelhouse. I mean, an empty water park in the dead of winter is a dead-on crop of my world view, and while I do get some in my “style,” someone else is footing the bill for this shoot, so I’m after promotional images.

All those years ago, when I first decided to follow a camera around, I didn’t predict this. I don’t know if I predicted anything other than a willingness to invest in film stock and a million bad photographs. Oh, and to cart around enough camera equipment to stagger a pack mule, frequently through weather that would make a mule stay home. But you know, you go where it takes you.

About a month and a half ago I had my fiftieth birthday, a milestone that sort of got lost in the baby drama. I had mentioned it earlier, though, so I thought I should announce that I did indeed grow a year older.

All those years ago, when I first appeared on the planet, nobody predicted this. The savvy investor could have gotten long odds on me making it out of my teens. Every year past that has been a combination bonus and borderline waste, so you can imagine my on-going state of bemused confusion. But you know, you go where it takes you.

And where it’s taken me on this particular day is where I want to be. Not necessarily a water park, but rather the place where I can forget that I just turned fifty, where I can forget the tremors and the limps, the social retardation and the mysteries of familiarity; I am again behind the camera, and I’ve found that I’ve missed being here.

My fingers warm up and the sun gains its place. I put aside my tendency to overthink long enough to see, and I say show me, show me, the vapor of my words blowing into the cold, the lens leading the way, and I am glad to follow.

Because you know, you go where it takes you.

Posted on January 13, 2009 at 12:58 am by cog ยท Permalink
In: life

5 Responses

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  1. Written by Badger
    on January 13, 2009 at 9:28 am
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    Oh, well, this was just lovely. Even when you don’t have a camera, you paint pictures with words.

    And hey, happy belated birthday to you!

    Badgers most recent blog post..Like a bee

  2. Written by cog
    on January 13, 2009 at 1:25 pm
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    Thanks, Badger. How’s the ankle?

  3. Written by Stephanie
    on January 13, 2009 at 11:45 pm
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    There’s a part of me that wants desperately to see the images you captured… and another part of me that feels as if I already saw it in what I just read. Thank you for sharing.

    Stephanies most recent blog post..You should also know I have a slight obsession with all things Disney.

  4. Written by Irma perlman
    on January 14, 2009 at 12:10 am
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    Isn’t it nice to see everything so clearly at 50. It will get even clearer later on. Happy birthday!

  5. Written by cog
    on January 14, 2009 at 12:24 pm
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    Thanks, Stephanie. Does this mean you’ll let my comments through now?

    How about if I promise to be nice?

    Miss Irma, clarity can be harsh. It’s something to be used in moderation. Thanks for the birthday wish.

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