honorable mention
Whalen Elmore united states
Photo © Whalen Elmore
title
Predawn Ponds
But I think ponds shape the character of a city as much as its architecture, bridges, and well-designed parks. Nestled into neighborhoods, ponds offer a quiet reprieve from the strains of every day life.
Oceans are anonymous and rivers transitory—but ponds offer intimacy. And in the predawn, they reveal their essence to those who cherish the solitude of darkness. To the fisherman and photographers who make the effort.
These photographs are meant to honor the beauty of ponds in those quiet moments.
It’s a true pleasure when timing, preparation, artistic vision, and often times luck, all weave together for a successful image. Though, at times, that pursuit leaves me too eager, disappointed, elated, frustrated, proud, or insecure to see beyond the image itself. I fail to recognize the value of making an effort.
When viewing my work with a critical eye, I try to remember that no matter how amateurish or flawed, how undeveloped the vision or misguided the intention—on that day—in that moment—I chose creativity above all else. I went out into the world and 'made the effort'. The importance of that lives beyond the image.
I appreciate you taking the time to explore my photography. Thank you.
Choose creativity.
Make the effort.
And cherish the joy in both.
back to gallery
entry description
Without the grandeur of an ocean, the serenity of a river, or the recreation offered by a lake . . . ponds are often ignored. Seen as having little more value than a parking lot.But I think ponds shape the character of a city as much as its architecture, bridges, and well-designed parks. Nestled into neighborhoods, ponds offer a quiet reprieve from the strains of every day life.
Oceans are anonymous and rivers transitory—but ponds offer intimacy. And in the predawn, they reveal their essence to those who cherish the solitude of darkness. To the fisherman and photographers who make the effort.
These photographs are meant to honor the beauty of ponds in those quiet moments.
about the photographer
Unlike most photographers, my journey did not begin in childhood. Or even adolescence. Fifty-two years passed before I started to explore the world through a lens. Now I can’t imagine my life without a camera.It’s a true pleasure when timing, preparation, artistic vision, and often times luck, all weave together for a successful image. Though, at times, that pursuit leaves me too eager, disappointed, elated, frustrated, proud, or insecure to see beyond the image itself. I fail to recognize the value of making an effort.
When viewing my work with a critical eye, I try to remember that no matter how amateurish or flawed, how undeveloped the vision or misguided the intention—on that day—in that moment—I chose creativity above all else. I went out into the world and 'made the effort'. The importance of that lives beyond the image.
I appreciate you taking the time to explore my photography. Thank you.
Choose creativity.
Make the effort.
And cherish the joy in both.
back to gallery
