A Metaphor

This image has been added to all of the PRINTS galleries.

I have to admit that I did not capture this image in February of last year. It was taken in September of last year and it portrays a sunrise on Oyster Bay in Chincoteague, Va. A cold front had just pushed through overnight and its gale force winds blew throughout the remainder of our time on the island. And while this change in the weather was not conducive to calm and serene sunrises reflected on still waters, or for spending enjoyable time on the Assateague beach, you have to take what you get and make the most of it.

I immediately knew when I saw this image that I wanted to use it for February in this year’s calendar. For me, this image became the perfect metaphor for the month. Historically, February is the month of greatest snowfall totals in our area. It’s also still just as cold, but the bright side is that the nights are not as long as they were in January. The rippled water of Oyster Bay and wind driven clouds in this image speaks of the dark, cold, and unsettled nature of the middle of winter. And then there is the sun, momentarily peaking out from the cloud cover, being reflected on the choppy water as if it was, “...the light at the end of a tunnel”. This is where the metaphor begins. For me, that light at the end of this “tunnel” is the month of March and the beginning of spring. There is an ending now in sight, and all we have to do is make it through this month regardless of the cold, snow, ice, darkness, or dreariness that nature may throw at us.

I very rarely think of using my images as a metaphor. I would like for them to represent the subject matter accurately and let the viewer judge it on that merit. But with this image, I knew that I could use it for this purpose. Everyone will have different opinions on this image as to what you get from it and whether you enjoy it or not. But, hopefully this bit of “creative insight” will help you to appreciate it in a new light.