Reflections
“In order to reflect, think and plan, you must quiet yourself. You can't see your reflection in churning waters. Water must be still to see your reflection.”
Karen Hantze Susman
In thought and in photography, stillness is an integral part of reflection.
In case you’re wondering, Karen Hantze Susman won three Grand Slam women's doubles titles, all with Billie Jean King. She also won the 1962 women's singles title at Wimbledon.
The Shot
This year’s trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) featured overcast skies and intermittent rain. That combination makes for wonderful waterfall images. But reflection photographs require sunshine and still air. I waited and waited, but the weather just didn’t cooperate to create reflections.
Last year was different. In 2020, the sun made multiple appearances during my visit to the UP’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. One of those appearances occurred when I was exploring the Sand Point Marsh area. After a short hike, I came across a beautiful viewing area near the shoreline of a small pond.
As the sun set and the wind abated, I cleared my mind to capture this reflection. And I paused frequently to reflect on my good fortune at being in the path of such beauty.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus