Through a spiritual lens June 27, 2011 Issue

Just below the surface

Joy Schmoll

Several months ago I assigned myself a 365-day photography project. My goal has been to take a photo of the sunrise every day for a year. It’s presented all sorts of challenges, from cloudy days to feelings of tedium. I take heart in the fact that even though the pictures sometimes don’t pan out, the project at least gets me out of bed during the quieter part of the day.

I have a favorite vantage point from which to watch the sun rise and take my photos. It’s a secluded stretch of shore along Lake Michigan that I reach by squeezing down a narrow path through the boulders on the other side of a breakwater. These same boulders become my sound barrier, hushing the otherwise constant churn of traffic behind me. This is my closet, enveloped in serenity, purpose, daily watchfulness, and activity.

On this particular morning I had already taken my “shot of the day,” and was turning to leave when a goose slipped from the shadows of the breakwater. It glided along the vibrant surface of the lake, approaching the path of the recently risen sun. I immediately fell in love with the bold graphical elements: the texture of the waves and ripples, the streak of the sun’s reflection, and the silhouette of the goose, all of it in constant motion yet gently poised. Moments after this shot, the goose crossed the path of the light and calmly paddled on.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

Effects of a fall healed quickly through prayer