Thursday, 6 January 2011
Silhouette
There is something stark about the turn of a year, the way it throws the last year into focus as the sun sinks below the horizon on December 31. For some the new year comes in the winter, for some it happens in the spring – but we all start the year with so many new plans, dreams, ideas, and goals. As that last sunset throws the shadow of our dreams back at us, we see more clearly the outline of the new year in front of us.
Our fresh start stands clear in front of us, without the light of day illuminating all the details of our silhouetted future.
I love silhouettes in photography. I suppose it has something to do with the light, the way it creates the picture around the black. It reveals the outline of a thing to us, leaving the rest to our imagination – or to our faith. Most of the time, we know what is in the shadow, but the silhouette offers such a delicious sense of mystery, we can’t look away for the glory of the light behind it.
This year, I’ve been given three words to be the shadow in front of the light, to outline the dreams of the year that cast their shadows back as the light comes in. I’ll have to follow the light to find the rest of the story, but for now, all I’ve got is that silhouette of something that promises to be very good.
I hope you’ll show us your silhouette photos today. We want to see your shadows in the light.
No. 1 — January 6th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Beautiful Kelly. The photo & words. I hope to be able to participate this year.
No. 2 — January 6th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Kelly, the idea of a silhouette is a beautiful metaphor for the coming year and that which we cannot yet see!
Last March we visited my son in Tucson at grad school. We took a trip together to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This photo is a silhouette of a tree at the edge of the canyon. So much to see there, yet so much hidden that morning as the sun was rising.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vreez/4724378745/
The trip we took to visit my son was also a new beginning for us–with so much unknown at that time. That week with him was he introducing us to his world for the next 5 years.
No. 3 — January 7th, 2011 at 10:21 am
I agree that the silhouette metaphor for the new year is a great one. And Bill, your photo is beautiful too. I want to practice some silhouette photography this year.
No. 4 — January 7th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Bill, that sunflare through the craggly old tree is amazing.
No. 5 — January 7th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
I've just added a post to my blog – including a silhouette straight out of the camera that looks to me like God's glory falling. Find it here http://hisfirefly.blogspot.com/2011/01/glory-in-s…
No. 6 — January 10th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Love this prompt! I recently posted a silhouette from a wedding shoot on my blog. Here's the direct link to the photo: http://jeannedamoff.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/d… and here's a link to the post: http://jeannedamoff.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/tis-…
A silhouette is a lovely metaphor for a new year, and so is a wedding. :)
By the way, this is my first visit to High Calling Focus. I'm exploring all things High Calling and hope to participate in your photography prompts on a regular basis. Thanks for encouraging me to live my faith behind the lens.
No. 7 — January 16th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
A silhouette photo that emphasizes the importance of numbering our days http://openmyearslord.blogspot.com/2011/01/life-is-but-glance-out-window.html” rel=”nofollow”>:http://openmyearslord.blogspot.com/2011/01/life-is-but-glance-out-window.html
Janis