“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”–Oscar Wilde
I love the dawn. Aside from the fiery glory of the moment I find great peace in its banality. Every day it happens; our little globe spinning through space gives each of us a chance at first glimpse of our star. Every day, over and over, on and on it happens without fail; the cycle is comforting. It’s symbolic and a little bit trite but what can I say, it means something to me.
This weekend, following a really rough week (thank you, by the way, for all the messages of support) I got to spend some time with my family and, like the dawn, it lifted me. The weekend was momentous really; I taught my son how to ride a bike! We went through it all. He watched on as I tweaked his new bike to fit him perfectly. He listened intently/impatiently as I explained the finer points of momentum. He cried a little bit and Daddy comforted him after a few minor spills. He smiled one of his biggest smiles when, for the very first time, I took my hand off his back and allowed him to ride on alone as a true bike-rider.
Thirty-seven years ago I shared a similar moment with my dad. He jogged beside me as I rode atop my new red bike on a long country road outside my grandparent’s home. Dad kept me safe with one hand on my back but then in an instant he let go permitting me to pedal furiously and freely into the future. Thirty years or so from now I’m betting my son will be holding his little one’s back as he paces a shiny new bike. He’ll watch for wobbliness and signs of distress but eventually he’ll know what my dad and I both knew–it’s time. At that moment, even though he won’t know whether to laugh or cry, he’ll let go.
36 Comments
You make me feel like waking up earlier but it sure is more powerful by the ocean, beginnings of all kind are so precious jewels & full of hopes. Each day is one. Glad you’re back to yourself with this soft image & colors, Christopher*
—
Thank you very much k@–these days are better indeed!
wow Chris……. this one is not only a photo, is a wonderful materpiece – perfect in its totality – wonderful color and control of light – then a fantastic feeling inside – really compliments
—
Thank you so much for the kind words Fabrizio!
First of all, absolutely incredible colors and silo. BUT. The story! Makes me smile and cry at the same time. And I also remember very clearly pedaling my red bike furiously along a country road only to realize my dad had let go and I was doing it all “my byself” (as my 2-year-old says). I guess it’s one of those moments both you and your son will remember for a lifetime.
—
I went bed happy with the post but sniffing back tears. Parenthood has made all of these nearly forgotten moments from my childhood much more touching. Thanks so much Corinna!
great contrast and atmosphere, great processing …
—
Thank yo so much Klaudia!
I don’t know which I like better – the image or the insight. Something about the color orange at dawn and dusk that I can’t resist.
And what a great milestone! I have 1 down and 1 to go on the bike riding. This is very encouraging.
—
Big day indeed! Thanks so much Michael!
I rememer too this moment when my dad let me ride alone
Your beautiful dawn shot should force me awake a little bit sooner, but I’m a bit lazy these days!
—
Much appreciated PixeLuz–thank you!
Such an awesome picture… it doesn’t really need anything done to it as it is already perfect… except the part where the bird got swept away
You bring me back to my memories where my dad taught me how to ride a bike. The feeling of flying free was amazing.. and i remember going real fast.. too fast for the next few days.. until i fell.. hahaha.. but i survived
thanks for the memory reminder Chris.
—
Really appreciate that Anny–thank you! It really took me back too.
Absolutely beautiful picture and a perfect fit for the story! You really have a gift, my friend!
—
Thank you so much for the kind words Nathan!
lovely ,,totally loveable scene that u capture so beautifully ,,,it make me your fan.The time you pick to wake up in the morning and witness this absolute beauty with your eyes and your camera is just perfect.
I wish i could be able to write and photograph like you someday.
—
Very much appreciate the kind words Ayesha–thank you so much!
Your photograph is awe inspiring. I love the early morning too, it’s my favorite time of day. And your story is simply precious, as it illustrates perfectly the circle of life.
—
Thank you very much Doug–very kind of you.
Wonderful silhouette, great photo!
—
Thank you so much Theys–greatly appreciated!
Wow…gorgeous shot and colour from one end of the frame to the other. I like the placement of the lifeguard look out hut.
An image to dream on
—
Thank you so much bluechameleon!
Beautiful photo – wonderful colors of the sky and great composition
Really like the birds and sailboats
—
Thank you very much Andrey!
Christopher – both images are stunning. I am happy to read you had a lovely weekend with the family.
—
Very much appreciated Kala–thank you!
what a nice story, it is heartening to note that somethiings don’t change much over times. beautiful image as usual.
—
Thank you very much Ayush–really appreciate that!
nice capture of this place with beautiful colors
—
Thank you so much Noel–much appreciated!
awesome! a golden visual treat!
—
Thank you Joshi–appreciate that!
like moments like this one – for some a moment of truth, well seen, well done, hope you enjoyed it!
—
Thank you Michael–greatly appreciated!
What a beauty. Excellent shot.
—
Thank you so much Charles–really appreciate that!
That is certainly a beautiful shot, Christopher, but your words are more beautiful–this time, at least.
I can relate all to well to your experience when I think back to the childhood of my daughters. It is a bittersweet memory…mostly sweet, but with a heavy dose of nostalgia and a wish that I could go back for just a few moments. Thanks for prompting good memories.
Best wishes,
Phil
—
Thank you so much Phil–it really means a lot to me that the writing had particular meaning for you. Keeping the writing fresh and meaningful is often much harder than the photographic parts of my blog. Have a great weekend full of great memories!
very nice shot! great contrast.!
—
Thank you very much Payam, for the kind words and for visiting my site!
The colors are amazing in this very wonderful shot.
—
Thank you Nazzareno–I really appreciate the comment and that you took the time to visit my site!
I just knew that you’d get over the problematic week that you’ve had – and getting up on a lovely early morning to photograph the dawn is wonderful therapy…and it’s a wonderful image that you caught.
—
Many thanks George–things are much better indeed.
A fine pairing of image and words. You took my mind back to the moment when my husband taught our children how to ride and then beyond that as I reflected on how different that and your experience was to how I learned. Quite different and while it would make strangers think badly of my dad, it wasn’t bad at all; just different. I really enjoyed this. Sorry to drone on so. Nobody ever accused me of being succinct.
—
No need to apologize at all Sherri. I really appreciate your thoughts–I definitely feel like I’m stumbling through this fatherhood thing. I hold on to moments like this because they are outnumbered by all the other moments where I feel like I’ve completely screwed up.
excellent colors and silhouette
—
Thanks yz!
wonderful silhouette
—
Thanks so much Krunal!
Terrific post Christopher. Loved the story of the bike lesson with your son. It is of course a familiar one for parents. Love the photo too!
—
Really appreciate the kind words Mike–thanks!
Great colors!
—
Thank you so much Laurens–I really appreciate that!
so perfect croped .. good realisation of the third rule ( hope you know what i mean). The bacis shot is so good, no big work with the post, levels or curves … well done Christopher!
—
Thank you very much Klaus–it was such a beautiful morning. All I needed to do was liven up some of the inherent flatness of the RAW image.
wow. there are no words. just amazing.
greetings from bcn.
http://www.kamjey.com
—
Thank you K Jey–I really appreciate the kind words and that you visited my site!
Beautiful and quite a coincidence that I posted very similar shots only yesterday..
—
Thanks so much PIXistenz! I appreciate the comment and that you visited my site!
Nice composition and such wonderful light,
A image well worth getting up early for.
—
Appreciate that Dave–thanks!
Great time and feeling!
Terrific shot! The sharp black lines of the baywatch tower make a great contrast with the sooth lines and tones of the sky. Great!
Wow, the colors in this are unreal, and sublime. It is so rare to capture the true magnitude and beauty of a moment onto a photo – you’ve done it.
Un contre jour que je visionne avec grand plaisir. Bravo.