George Bernard Shaw had some quirks but he was pretty spot on when he said:
“Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.”
My window has become pretty smudged and opaque lately. I’ve been a pediatrician for quite a while now but my skin is nowhere thick enough to deflect some of the terrible things that can happen to children. Generally, caring for children is an absolute joy but their beautiful innocence and childish vulnerability make their heartbreaking trials unbearable to face. Shaw is right, as the window is dirtied by the realities of a very imperfect world the view of life becomes distorted. It goes both ways though, light can’t get in either and the mind can slip into darkness.
It’s a difficult balancing act. You don’t want to become so callous that you can’t be sorrowful for a child in pain but the simple truth is that the sheer volume of grief can overwhelm the heartiest of souls and forever change the view through Shaw’s window. After a week like this one you could barely call mine a window anymore. So here I sit putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) while browsing through images that make me smile. Thanks for listening and for helping me wash some windows.
40 Comments
Beautiful image Chris – it reminds me of a serene beach in the Mediterranean. Hope it brings you some temporary peace. It has helped brighten my day.
fantastic frame Chris. And again, your words offer an insight into the human condition.
I keep an emergency bottle of windex on hand for those “dirty window” days.
Beautiful….
Great picture.
Nice picture. Calming
Very nice composition!
Nice PIcture
this is really a photo in conceptual art, fantastic presentation Chris i like very much, compliments
Terrific composition. And I like the quote – quite true I think.
Terrific!
Wow. I love shots like these. You nailed it. What a shot.
very good framing, and the image life from his simplicity and the good lightning.
First of all, this photo is stunning. I could look at this all day. The color and the rhythm of it are so pleasing.
Secondly, I imagine this tension between the joy of caring for children and the heartbreak that can lurk behind each exam room door could be unbearable at times. You strike me as an incredibly human person (that looks funny when I write it, but I hope you know what I mean) which is our system and our kids and our world need more of. Take care of your window.
Classic in its simplicity, the blue frames matching the hint of sky. Lovely!
Very very good composition!
great architectural shot, composition and tones … ahoj K
Une magnique photo. Des lignes graphiques et des couleurs exceptionnelles… Superbe, Christopher.
Ce soir, je te remercie et tu comprendras pourquoi (…).
Really cool use of color and the high key look. I like it allot.
I like the colors, the geometry, and the order of this photo. The windows are very symbolic as are the walls. We’d like to think that life is as orderly as that, but we know that it isn’t. You are doing what you can do to help children in trying situations. Not everyone would even go into that arena because it can touch the heart so deeply. I commend you for that, and I’m sure you’ll be able to continue to have the inner light to do it well.
excellent, awesome, fantastic!
i’ve run out of words…
as we say here in France ““La simplicité est la plus haute forme de la perfection.” well seen, cool image -love it!
Awesome simplicity
Wow, your image is exceptional. Great color and minimal composition. I can only imagine how difficult your profession is when you have a heart as good as yours. But, you are in the right place. Because you are a healer. And that’s as exceptional as your photography :^)
Beutiful photo, love the colors and composition. Simple but powerful.
Love the graphic balance and simplicity of this image. And – I can hear thru your words – how cathartic this blogging is for you. Altho a pediatrician’s job is generally a happy one..the hard stuff must be hardest of all to bear.
very cool find!!!! nicely captured
Excellent composition with such clean lines and clean, period. Love the brightness of windows and structure alike.
speaking of balance, you seem to have found a perfect balance in this shot. i don’t see how you have time for this as a doctor, but good for you:-)
Beautiful shot! I love the composition a lot
I love pictures of windows.
Our eyes are the windows to our heart… sometimes what we see do overwhelm us when we get too helpless to help. We do what we can and if we could.. a little bit more. But its important to find a balance at the end of the day.
Wonderfully graphic and so beautiful in those colors ! Feels good looking through your clean windows, man ! I’ll clear mine up today for real thinking of you !
what an eye for this one! just awesome!
This is quite spectacular. So simple. Wonderful composition.
wonderful framing, and the colour combination. Makes it so simple but so beautiful.
Wow awesome framing! Love the blue and white colors too. Nice work!!
What an enigmatic blog you have Chris – I don’t know whether to comment on the comment or the picture. Perhaps both.
Picture first, colour, line and composition are perfect.
Your comment surprises me little – it ‘s a difficult line to draw between having compassion for such vulnarability and yet stay objective enough to perform your job – and not take all the sorrow home with you…
I can emphasise, it’s not a dilemma that I would envy – I think I’m glad that I became a photographer!
Excellent composition and beautiful shot
Great work
Great shot Chris! I like the geometry, the lines. The intense blue frames give me a reflection of a fantastic view on the see behind the photograph.
Love how minimalistic this one is, very simple and very easy on the eyes.
Superbe minimalisme !
Fantastic frame, I love the composition.