As promised here are some photos that got entangled in my lines as I fished the River Cam for.....well, what do we hope to catch? I've heard it said that many spend their whole lives fishing without knowing that it's not fish that they're really after.
Maybe photographers are the same; maybe we hope to capture something more than mere pictures...
Might we one day get lucky and preserve forever that moment of recognition, that instant where we leave ourselves and become part of the bigger picture?
...or perhaps we'll learn to just accept things as they really are, in all their imperfection and weariness.
Or see whole worlds in the wildflowers and weeds of the riverbank, planted generously and wisely by chance breezes and currents.
Or maybe the hand of man can place things just so, without any real plan or intention. Do things the way they do, just because they're the kind of people they are.
But there be pirates, lad, swashbuckling and rough-handed. Best keep moving and steer well clear!
If you cut free and cast your fate to the seasons you may run aground and be forever becalmed among the willows and reeds. Pleasant enough in summer but what of autumn, what of winter?
A little dock and a shed for the harbourmaster, a toytown gate and a place to sit down.
Or could you build, outlandish and patchwork, with a rickety fence to keep the floodwaters at bay?
But in the end all will return to the rolling river. Floods will wash away the vain, impermanent and eccentric and return everything once more to green, rampant vegetation and the ever-flowing waters. A place for nature alone...
....and, of course, fishermen.
Take care.
Hi there - very good post. I've said a number of times that if all you like doing is catching fish, then you won’t enjoy most of the time you spend fishing. Even on those very good days, most of the time is spent getting ready to catch fish, getting organised to catch the next one or wondering why that one got away. I think it’s the same with photographs.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Australia
I use to fish. In time I realized it wasn't for the fish that I fished. It was for something else. Now I leave the fish alone.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between "fishing" and "catching fish."
ReplyDeleteA very reflective post here today John and many wonderful images along the way leading back to the start. I understand and agree that no matter how much you try to change some things inevitably they remain the same in the long run. Some very beautiful river views and reflections here, whatever happens images of the moment will always be there to reflect on.
ReplyDeletePoetry, John; both in prose and pictures.
ReplyDeleteAh, this is a vintage John post, replete with wise commentary, insightful images, and fascinating subjects! You sir are a treasure :^)
ReplyDeleteDon't know why, but these posts on River Cam have me humming The Old Folks by Foster: Way down upon the Swanee River,
ReplyDeleteFar, far away
There's where my heart is turning ever
There's where the old folks stay.
And I guess we're all fishing for something.
Photographers and fishermen - I liked that comparison. Hoping for the perfect fish or the perfect photo. But what we really enjoy is the road there.
ReplyDeleteVery philosophical. I'm sure if I ever made the perfect photo (whatever that might be) most of the fun of my hobby would disappear - it's the quest that is at the heart of it.
ReplyDeleteThe reflection shot is amazing ....clever you to capture it.
ReplyDeleteFood for thought John! A delightful post with images taken that I perhaps may overlook! I will be more alert in future.lol!
ReplyDeletesearching for the perfect photo .... I guess we'll never find it ... but it's the challenge that leads us down paths we would otherwise never have bothered to tread.
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous series of river life snaps.
I enjoy chatting to the fishermen along Regents Canal a place where they look for calm in the heart of a busy city
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely caught more than just pictures here. You have also collected many thoughts... As for the perfect photo? Hmmm. We can dream.
ReplyDeleteThat clouds in the water photograph is absolutely exquisite John.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful view in that place!
ReplyDeleteMy experience of fishing is very crude - it normally involves chucking a lump of meat into the sea and get an empty hook back - I've really not bothered for several years. River fishing and river banks in general seem gentle restful places - all very Zen (that is if you don't think too much about hauling the poor fish out it's natural enviroment without as much as a by your leave)
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for those gorgeous pics!!!
ReplyDelete