Human beings have been using shadows to measure time for thousands of years. Before we ever built obelisks and sundials, the sweep of a shadow cast by a tree, a rock formation or even from a person gave early humans a sense of meter, of rhythm, of time more incremental and accurate than just the rising and setting of the sun. Those first steps were exciting but I think they also marked the first moments we became aware of time’s fleeting nature.
I feel time accelerating now. My parents are always remarking about how much faster time flies in their old age. I guess that makes sense; as we get older, each division of time is a progressively shorter percentage of our existence. Whatever it is, I feel it acutely now: this weekend seemed shorter than the one before, my hair seems to be following some sort of logarithmic scale of graying, yesterday my children were babies and today they seem very nearly grown up. Time screams by me and leaves only swirling eddies of reminiscence in its wake.
28 Comments
wow Chis this one is indeed awesome, sapient use of balance between light and shadows, perfect also in contrast, nicley done my friend
Gorgeous edit – I like the contrasts and tones.
And yes, time flies. Make the most of it while we can.
Excellent image Christopher! I love the repeating patterns of light and dark, and the swirling feel of the center of the image. Ouch, and time is flying way too fast it seems these days. Agreed.
nice contrast and good use of shadows!
Love how the image transforms when processed in b&w. And – it’s true…time passes too quickly now. Always wishing to slow it down..
I love the shadows and the textures of this photo… but the writing even more. Lyrical today.
I’m with Corinna. You always suck me in with images and then I’m left thinking and smiling at what you’ve written. I feel the same. Let me know if you find a way to freeze or even slow down time. I’d like to just bask in some moments a little more while I have them.
Une lumière magnifique.
De belles textures sur ta photo.
Et de belles formes géométriques…
I can certainly relate to the feeling that time just waves and then speeds on by. As age has progressed, I have learned how special even the most mundane events of life are. I tend to try to cling to all of it a bit more tightly now. Your photo is a nice representation of how the times of our lives unfold so continuously. Good thoughts and good photography, Chris.
Very succinct thought pattern you’ve shared and one I can certainly identify with. Great pairing with this image. I like it greyscale.
Superb, nice choice of B&W
Most excellent image..the transition is incredible.. the tones in BW are so crisp..nice.
Hello Chris….this is my first visit and i am glad that i found your link….i love your presentation of light and shadow and the way that it changes from B&W to colour…..i have read your prose and i have been in most of these places in my 65 years…..peter:)
I am also very pleased that Osama will no longer cast another shadow on this earth!!!
love the b/w here, great shot!
That’s why i do my best at the moment (with some good zen readings
to inhabit the very Present time. This one never runs, it is the immobile constant change that is so soothing (when you succeed to breathe at its pace, mhh, not always get the result expected but hey let’s try 
Superb mono with depth and inner shadow. Have a superb week, enjoying each 24 hours per day of it, Chrisdear*
Wondeful, nice day to you.
Though it is true that in B&W you see the shadows and shading more, I still prefer to live in a world of colour!
nice shot… i love in BW, amazing!
The pattern of the leaves mixed with the shadows is crazy. I really like this.
Very cool
Time, slow down – please!
It may go fast, but the trick is to enjoy every second of it.
the harsh lighting adds drama to the pic, cool shot and processing
Obscured visual interest just waiting to be extracted. Great work!
Good transfer to BW – turned out beautifully and impressive
Excellent job
Oh so true, Chris…
Ahhh what a great transformation in b&w
beautiful in mono.. the shadows.. perfect! nature’s sundial
A terrific B&W rendering. Love the way the lines on the leaves are accentuated. Wonderful connection too to your interesting reflection on the passing of time. Nice post.