When I go to Deerfield, its usually to visit this location. It looks beautiful any time of year, but winter happens to be one of my favorites. The small red shed on the property has had my eye for a long time. Actually, its been several years. Metaphorically, it may be because it looks up to it's much larger sibling. That got me thinking. On the first day I shot this barn, there sat a large tree off to the right side of the property. As time went on it slowly died and was removed. A small sapling was planted not long after. It certainly has grown quite a bit. As I look at the image, I can't help but get a strong sense of family. You already know what trees represent to me if you've been on this page for a while. The little red shed and its larger sibling are just part of the story. They are flanked by the two large trees, and the smaller tree to the right. They, to me are all connected in some special and unique way. There's that happy thought I was looking for. Enjoy!]]>
Our lives are shaped by the events we experience, as well as how we cope with them. Recently a young man I knew took his own life. Heartbreaking story. He, at least on the outside loved life. He captivated the many that new him with a smile or a silly joke. He got the biggest kick out of making those around him smile and laugh. He was always clowning around, even on the job. That's where I met him. He just wanted to have fun, all the time. Sadly, as we've come to know, he wore a mask to hide tremendous pain. I can't imagine how dark it must have been for him. He is free now, though those that knew and loved him must carry the burden of his passing. He's taken off his mask and walks free from the chains that bound him. Suicide is preventable. It knows no age limits, as it affects people both young and old. RIP Dylan! If you need help or know someone that does, PLEASE call 1-800-273-8255.
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Old forts have so much history and incredible stories to tell. Fortunately we have several in the New England area. Having visited several of them already, Fort McClary remained on my bucket list for several years. I finally made it over there this week. Snow was a factor but I made the trek anyway. They say in order to know where you're going, you have to know where you've been. I tend to agree, don't you? New things can be a little scary. The path may seem uncertain, much like the murky water pictured in this image. The steps may seem slippery and difficult to climb, especially with no railing for safety. Keep on climbing those steps my friends. Be sure footed and confident you're on the right path. Climb out of the darkness and into the light! In the end, you'll be glad you did.
When processing this image, I felt it would be best presented in black and white. The light becomes critical as does the different textures. I cropped and straightened the image slightly. I also adjusted the clarity, highlights, and sharpening. I exported the image to NIK and added some detail and contrast. Enjoy!
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