Location | Minnetonka, Minnesota
Date | August 20, 2017
Camera | Phase One IQ3 100 MP
Shutter | 25 sec.
Aperture | f/32
ISO | 50
In the vibrant heart of a Minnesota summer, a white boat dock stretches across the placid lake, reaching towards a stunning purple sunset. It's a scene I would drive by daily on my way to my gallery, and from the first moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was more than just a scenic view; it was a photograph waiting to happen.
At that time, however, life had handed me a paradox. I had sold my camera equipment to finance my move to Minnesota and open a second gallery, investing in my art, only to find myself tethered to my desk, unable to capture the world around me. The irony wasn't lost on me; in my pursuit to sell my art, I had inadvertently built my own prison, cutting myself off from the freedom that photography had always provided me.
Amid this personal turmoil, a company sent me a camera to try out for a week, presenting a golden opportunity to shoot, yet I found myself still chained to the commitments of the gallery. This image of the dock against the purple sunset sky is tinged with the bitter sweetness of that time, a period when my soul ached for the endless expanse of the sky and the quiet lull of the lake.
For me, the dock holds a special significance; it's not merely a wooden structure extending into the water, but a pathway, a gateway into the past, back to those 'Endless Summers' of our youth. It's a symbol of the tranquility I yearned for, a beacon leading out of the confinement of my circumstances and into the boundless realm of creativity and freedom.
Creating this photograph was an exercise in resilience. I envisioned the dock leading endlessly into the enchanting hues of the sunset, hoping that this image would serve as a portal for viewers, transporting them back to the carefree days of their past.
Now, when I look at this image, I feel a sense of calm washing over me. It's a testament to the journey I've undertaken, a silent reminder of the battles I've fought, and more importantly, won. It's a representation of the serenity that comes from understanding that no amount of money is worth sacrificing happiness.
I hope that this image, 'Endless Summer', resonates with you in a way that it takes you back to those golden days of youth - the innocent first kiss, the bicycle rides with no destination in mind, the magic of fireworks, the oldies playing on the radio, the smell of summer barbecues. Back to a time when we believed we were infinite and anything was possible.
With this photograph, I've tried to encapsulate the hum of the summer insects filling the warm night air, and more so, the bittersweet realization of the price I paid for this piece - a piece of my soul. 'Endless Summer' is more than just a photograph; it's a gateway to past, a connection to our youth, a tribute to resilience, and most importantly, a symbol of the undying hope for infinite possibilities.
