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Fountains of Life


Fountains of Life
Photo Information
Copyright: John McLaird (jmcl) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 4 N: 204] (656)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-09
Categories: Nature, Friends/Family, Portrait
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-09-10 18:15
Viewed: 576
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Fountains of Life

Alberta Falls
Glacier Gorge Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park

 “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.”
~John Muir

Yesterday Andrew and I walked to Alberta Falls .. To say we took our time is not quite adequate .. We did the "not quite a mile" to the falls in a brisk two hours .. I think we sat by every tree and stream on the way.

By the time we arrived it was 10:30 and the light was getting harsh ..
Not that one can't find joy in harsher light .. I tried a number of treatments to deal with the light and this was my best answer to it.

In Andrew's hands is an old water bottle he was using to "stim" (self stimulating behavior) .. Andrew always almost brings a "stim" with him .. something to run back and forth in his hands to let loose his compulsive fidgeting energy and calm himself with in nervous times (like meeting other hikers) .. His favorite thing to do with his "stim" is to cover it in tree sap. We end up smelling like a car air freshener by the time we reach the car.

When Andrew was younger we had met many therapists and parents that would tell us to not allow him to "stim" so he would appear more "normal" .. To their defense most of their children were much less severe than Andrew .. and perhaps "conformation" would be more important then. Children with mild autism present their own parenting challenges .. and face life challenges .. that are far different than Andrew but in many cases still very difficult.

I remember one day when I met a psychiatrist who immediately impressed me .. he proposed that Andrew's body was telling him to "stim" .. it met a natural need for release and sensation .. was it really necessary to make his life more difficult so that he could conform to our world .. shouldn't our world at least come a small way towards him,

I wanted to share this place today after our walk. We had a wonderful morning. It is one of my favorite places in the park. It is where it where I asked my wife to marry me sixteen years ago ..
PierreFrigon, Werewolf, Silke, c_rapp, kbeall, Hormon_Manyer has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To kbeall: Thank you ...jmcl 1 09-22 08:56
To Silke: Questions ..jmcl 1 09-11 19:42
To LCannon: thanks muchjmcl 1 09-11 19:33
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Critiques [Translate]

I enjoy the tone of that sepia! The cascade and dry of the rock place him into a curious peacefull mood. It start look i'm speak like if i know personally the 4 elements :)

John, I really love this photo, the emotions expressed by a child of exactly why I so love to hike. The wonderous feeling I get in the outdoors just glows from your son. In reading your notes about Andrew I can see a small glimpse into his world, and the special relationship he has with you. I'm so glad you found a psychiatrist that encouraged you to let him do what he needs to do to get through this world on his terms. Your notes touched my heart very much. As for the photo here, I love the sepia tones and the dark shadows although I longed to see Andrew's face more clearly, so I tried a small workshop I hope you don't mind. Thank you for sharing this part of yours and Andrews life.

Excellent photo. Love the PP work you did to it.
I like Andrew's expression in the photo.
Shows lots of scared emotion.
Probably what a hiker lost in the woods would portrait.
TFS
Pierre

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2846 W: 263 N: 5948] (23590)
  • [2007-09-11 12:33]
  • [+]

The sepia makes it feel quite timeless. And I like the composition, and the lighting (I would not personally lighten the face any, but that is a personal opinion). Andrew seems very happy here and the lgiht that surrounds him adds to the mood.
Another great posting.
TFS
SIlke
P.S. I hope you won't mind a curious question from me (feel free to ignore it!!): How does Andrew react to photos of himself.

  • Great 
  • c_rapp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 958 W: 20 N: 1285] (7294)
  • [2007-09-17 18:14]

Great pov and love the sepia tone. Great contrast and details. Nicely captured. TFS
Christan

Hi John,
I really like your work here; the shot as well as your note communicates volumes. I have an autistic nephew, so while I don't live in that world every day, I do frequently. I would echo many of Lori's comments as well.
All the best,
Karen

Hi John,
Absolutely nice sepia tone. Andrew seems like showing how he loves hiking so much. Great emotional capture, my Friend, congrats. Best wishes to You and Your family, László

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