Missed but not unnoticed¶
Thursday afternoon. I run my usual route around the lake. The light, however, is not usual. The sun is shining. It is January, so it could be grey for weeks, but it isn’t. Beautiful light.
I am on the other side of the lake. The water is on my left, the sun comes through the trees from the right. And then the frame slowly arranges itself in front of me.
A mother pushes a stroller. Her very small daughter, holding three balloons, walks a few steps ahead. Their dog runs around without any clear purpose. The sun lights up the balloons. Blue sky, a few clouds in the background.
Would I be able to capture it? Would I dare to do it, low and close? I imagine a frame where one of the balloons gets in the way and hides the child’s face while the mother looks away. The dog could make it perfect by looking straight into the lens — as if he were the only one who understands what is going on.
I keep running, without changing my pace. I don’t have a camera. Perhaps that’s even better. I would probably not have the courage to make this photograph, and would be even more disappointed by the missed frame.