You might look at this photograph and think, “Yes, two subjects, the darkened foreground and the colorful Argentine background.” Or perhaps you might decide that the two subjects are actually the two hikers. I look at this photograph and see all that, and more.
In this one picture, I see many shared adventures, but also the life journey we have made as a family. I see my husband and my daughter standing on a verge, both soon to be subject to great life changes. His little chick is flying off into the bright colorful world stretched out before her. He is waiting for the lady with the camera to catch up, and together we will fly home, but not to our empty nest. We also have wings with which to fly, and that wide world is also ours to explore in a new way, through new eyes.
People perceive every snapshot through their own eyes. One single image can hold numerous meanings to the same person. So many stories, based on the viewer’s experience, past and present, and loaded with hopes, wishes, and dreams for the future. Some of these visions occupy the forefront of our consciousness, others live quietly in the back of our minds.
There are always only two subjects that matter when we look at a picture–the eye and the beholder.
Writing Between the Lines 
We all see the same picture and yet it arouses different feelings in us all.
Beautiful picture by the way…
Thank you, Maggie, and thanks for the visit.
I love this. Such a great thing to remember. 🙂 Amazing photo as well.
Hi Amelia! Thanks for the visit. I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
I am awe struck by Mother Nature. We are but little ant in her presence. And only for a short time. Must enjoy the journey while we can.
Love the photo.
Hi Tess! You’re right. I want to learn to lift my hands up in the air and scream louder on this roller coaster ride we call life. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Beautiful picture, perfect title for the post. Separating the eye and the beholder, brilliant.
Thank you, Sabrina, for your generous comments, and for your visit.
This is a wonderful photograph. The two travelers are looking out on a wide expanse with two roads that appear to converge. The clouds are spilling over the mountains. They see a bright and beautiful future I am certain. You see it too with your family framed in it. This is a photograph and a moment to remember, Naomi. I suspect we all see exactly what you see…and it is good.
Thank you, George. It’s funny, at the time I took it, I knew it would be a good shot. But when I looked at it after the fact, all sorts of interpretations, symbols, and correlations occurred to me. Can you tell I was an English major?
Yep. I suspected as much. 😉
Wonderful photography! Such an invitation to join the walkers ahead. Really really beautiful!
Thank you! I really appreciate your visit, and taking the time to share your thoughts.
I have loved your photo challenge posts! – This one in particular, that reminds us that there are always different viewpoints, different shifts in perspective….and what matters in any relationship is that between the eye and the beholder. Lovely.
Thank you, Terri. I love your thoughts about it–you word it so well.
Lovely! It really makes you think as you enjoy the beauty of it.
Yes, and the cool thing is that everyone is thinking about something else when they look at it. I appreciate your taking the time to visit, and to share your thoughts.
Nicely said.
Thank you, Lynne.
I like your description of the two subjects. For me, the picture stands on its own merits. It’s a beautiful picture.
Thank you. So kind of you to visit.
Naomi, This is the first of your pictures I’ve seen. It’s lovely. I’m glad I wandered this way. Thanks for it and for sharing its significance to your family. In that light, I see your husband and daughter standing at the brink of her departure from her family situation – the darkness. It is so comfortable and familiar it need not be defined by details. What she encounters next are the scarred orange hills, some of life’s early obstacles that she must face and overcome. When she has accomplished that, she will be rewarded with the possibility of a future of blue skies and green hills. From her current position however, much of that is still too far away to see clearly.
Best of Luck to her. I met Bea just briefly(?) when I attended the Kim W. workshop.
Hi Carlos! I’m so glad you stopped by. I enjoy photography as one more medium for storytelling–just for the pleasure of it. I love your interpretation of the photo.
I read your comment to Bea; she remembers hearing you tell stories and play your flute at Kim’s workshop, and she sends her greetings.
I hope you will come by again, Carlos. Storytelling and writing in some form are usually at the heart of my posts. You might want to check out one of my favorites–Editing Monet’s Garden. Best of luck with your storytelling. I would enjoy hearing how that is going. Happy tales!
https://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/editing-monets-garden/
Naomi,thanks for asking. Storytelling is going well. Just firmed up arrangements to tell on May 12 at a local Whidbey I. hangout (coffee shop/bookstore), “Stories For Mothers, Or Anyone Who Has Ever Had A Mother.” Also, just finished 3 performances Easter weekend providing improv. flute accompaniment for “Peter Rabbit” at Whidbey Children’s Theater. Was also in your neck, at Holy Rosary (on 7th). Choir director there hires a small orchestra for Easter and Christmas services. This is my fifth year playing there. And you? Besides lovely pictures of Argentina!!! you’re up to…?
Hi Carlos. Wow! Sounds like you are wonderfully busy doing some very interesting things. I am so glad you and the Seattle Storytelling Guild connected. Music adds so much to a performance.
I’m keeping pretty busy. In the next couple of weeks I am telling at some schools, presenting a day-long workshop for the North Central Washington Library System, and presenting a Saturday morning program at the Renton Historical Museum. I am also flying Bea down to look at Stanford–they offered her pretty close to a full ride. (She writes a great essay–a very good lesson in the Power of the Written Word). I am doing a lot of writing. The blog keeps me TOO busy, but I enjoy it. Except for a little polish, I am pretty much done with with Real Troopers, a women’s contemporary novel, and now I need to send it out. The whole family is booked to do tandem telling for a ten show summer series throughout Central Washington–I love that best of all.
It’s really nice to hear from you, Carlos. I look forward to being able to attend one of your performances. Best wishes, Naomi
I love the insight you’ve given to this picture. So meaningful. And the shot is beautiful.
Elisa
Hi Elisa, thank you. It does make me wonder about all the photos I see, and what hidden meanings the photographers might imbue into them. I appreciate your visit.
That’s beautiful, Naomi. I used to take part in the Photo Challenge, too but decided to stop this year. It was rare to come across a photograph like this that has such meaning and at the same time is of a subject that’s far from being commonplace. 🙂
Hi Tita. With all your travels, I’m sure you have so many lovely photos to choose from. Your last post was wonderful! I still have in my mind two images–the first was the portrait of the beautiful woman in the white lacey headress, and the second was the portrait of the family dressed in traditional costume, with all the kids piled onto a stroller for the parade. Both are prizewinners.
Thanks, Naomi, those are two of my favorites from the set, too. 🙂
Beautiful Naomi, the image and its significance! All the best to Bea!
Thank you, Madhu. It is a scary and exciting time for her as she makes her college choice in the next couple of weeks.
This is absolutely beautiful Naomi!!
Love the landscape and the vibrant colors here!!
It’s funny how everyone see the same picture, but then the interpretations are ot always the same 🙂
Thank you, Pablo. I appreciate you visit, and your insight.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Samir. I appreciate your visit.
What a profoundly spiritual photo and post! I have a catch in my throat.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for visiting, and for your kind words. I know you too have a chick poised to fly, but she has strong wings and a great sense of direction.
Breathtaking. It’s like being at the top of the world. Best of all, it’s with someone you care about. Super cool!
I feel the same way. I love traveling with my family because they are fun, but it is very special to see the world through the eyes of your children–everything is so fresh and new and more beautiful for the sharing of it. After reading your blog, I know you understand what I mean. Thanks so much for visiting.