Our paths are not always easy in life. Some roads are paved others are rocky and then there are the ones that are forbidden. If you’re a curious person like me then you know how hard it is to leave a mystery behind. There’s a locked gate in front of this road. I know from soil survey maps that it’s a strip mine. One of many in my area. And there’s actually a guard just out of sight here. The guard tolerates my stopping at the gate and snapping a few pictures every so often. Sometimes he wants to see how the image turns out. But I’m not allowed to see what is on the other side of the hill. The urge to see what is out there is a basic human drive. We’re all explorers at heart. We need to find out where the road goes and what is out there. It’s not always a physical road like this one. Sometimes it’s an idea or a question that provides the puzzle. Exploring is more than just seeing. It’s experiencing the goal. The sound of the birds in a hidden meadow. It’s the bite of the winter wind and the glimmer of ice while the land sleeps. It’s life in motion. It’s the difference between living and existing.
Author: lloydslensphotographyllc
I am a West Virginia native who has always loved photography. I have studied it for many years. I recently turned my hobby into a business. I do event photography, senior and family portraits. I also have several home décor prints and items available for purchase. Some of my photos have been used for book covers. I hope to soon have an on line store at this site.
The Seeker
I stood in a spot between the land and the sea.
I stood there between youth and maturity.
Alone in the crowd.
I called out and the waves answered; answered with your name.
I spent an eternity in a single moment.
I feared.
I despaired.
I reached out with my hands and caught only the wind.
Between the dark and the dawn I stood there.
I waited.
I hoped.
I reached out with my heart found that you were already here.
Waiting to be found once again.
Cathedral Falls, A Natural Sanctuary
About one mile East of Gauley Bridge West Virginia is Cathedral Falls. The cascade of water is about 60 feet high and the stream that feeds the falls is call Cane Branch. The little roadside park is easy to access so I stop by often. The path to the base of the falls is left in what is best described as a natural state. If you are sure-footed it’s no big deal. I water is only ankle deep in most places and if you can avoid slippery rocks you can walk right up the stream. If you can be there in the right light it’s one of our best photo ops. The image here was taken in the Spring. The air at Cathedral Falls is highly oxygenated due to the cascade. It’s a good place to go and just quietly exist as part of God’s creation. The cascading water seems to carry away the stress and anxiety that clings to the soul after a day of making modern life work. Green ferns and moss grows everywhere in the canyon. Birds and butterflies are often present. The birds sing their songs and butterflies seem to dance to the tune.
Cathedral Falls is one of God’s special spots. I’m happy to share it with you but you should see it for yourself.
Into the dawn
Every day is a new beginning. Every moment is the opportunity to build the future. Every child of 80s knows in his or her heart that the future is so bright that we gotta wear shades. 😎 I could focus on not knowing where the road goes but I choose to focus instead on the bright day lying just beyond the fog. I’m looking for big things to happen in 2018. I hope they happen for you too.
My Last Christmas Wish of 2017
I have one last Christmas image to share this year. This is a photo of the holly tree in my parent’s yard. I used an out of the box filter to make it look like a painting. Evergreen trees are a symbol of immortality. Over the years I have come to learn that the secret of the evergreen trees is constant renewal. As we exit the Christmas holiday and head into the New Year my last Christmas wish is that we are renewed in body, mind and spirit.
LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 