I do enjoy being on my own, but at this point in my life I’m not alone a lot. It’s the nature of my work and of parenting that I be with others. I have found over the years though, that is is possible to experience a sense of solitude when when others are around:
ISO 25 4.15mm f/2.2 1/4800 sec
This is an image I created from the shot below that I took while out on a run yesterday:
ISO 25 4.15mm f/2.2 1/4800 sec
It was a cold morning, the sun was out briefly and in a very intense way. It made for a beautiful and hazy moment. I have edited the first version to saturate the image with color and then added a lot of grain to give the photo an intense and somewhat surreal look. It was a simple edit using the sliders in Lightroom.
My Instagram version turned out this way:
I stuck with the softer hues for that version.
From my photographs, you might have the impression that I run in wide open desolate places. You would be wrong. This spot, while beautiful, is just steps from a lot of houses and is on a very busy path. To me though, running is a moment of solitude. It really is just me and the path, just as the photo suggests. Do you find that to be an interesting contradiction? to be alone yet not alone? What do you think of my various edited versions? To me that first version looks like it could have been taken almost anywhere, I like that about it, but does it seem that way to you? Feel free to comment below. Check out my other moments of solitude on Instagram @marantophotography feel free to follow me, I like the company!
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
I really, really like the IG version and the use of the rule of thirds. The first one looks rather jarring to me – but the grain gives is a unique touch. With the IG one, I feel like paradise is beckoning, what with all the warm hues and all. Sometimes when I’m alone I do feel not alone – that’s usually when someone is messaging me on my phone, reminding me that we are all connected in some way.
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Thanks an interesting idea of being alone but not feeling alone. You’ve articulated something that I feel a lot but did not write about here. It does happen to me a lot that I will be working by myself by someone is texting me.
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What an unusual interpretation of the theme. I love it. All the shots are great, but the first one, I think, captures ‘solitude’ best of all.
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Thank you very much for your visit and taking the time to comment.
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This is a beautiful image, and captures the theme perfectly.
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Thanks!
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Like you we have a path by the river just steps from our house. Although in the middle of the city it really is so serene.
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It’s interesting how that touch of nature can really change the whole setting.
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Nice article!
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Thank you.
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Please follow me! I’ve recently joined WordPress.
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I loved the first one – possibly because I saw it first? The concept and the capture really floored me – kudos.
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Thank you and thanks for reading 🙂
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Oh! I love your last paragraph, such a contrast to realize that your photo was taken amidst a “civilized” landscape. I had no idea! It made me rethink finding beauty in the midst of human-developed landscapes. Thanks, Amy!
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It’s nice to escape from it all, but sometimes that’s a bit hard to do so luckily natural beauty is all around us if you look.
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You’re right! Great reminder. I think taking time to focus on it has significant benefits as well. 🙂
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Looks like a wallpaper,pretty shot🤗 have a lokk at my blog too😁
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Nice take on the challenge, Amy. Also interesting that the iPhone goes down to ISO 25. Don’t think too many cameras do that these days. Also amusing that you added grain back – to nice effect! 🙂
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Thanks, I do also find it amusing when I find myself adding grain in. I guess it’s for those times when reality is a little too real 🙂
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I really like it, so poetic! The grain addition makes it look like a painting to me ..
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Thanks, I really liked the addition of the grain, I felt like it really added to the photo.
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Indeed 🙂
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Hi amy – I like the instagram one the most – and wow – I did think there were a lot of wide open spaces where you ran! just goes to show…..
oh and I have heard this many times – about solitude with people – and in fact sometimes there is a dark side to it – where folks are empty and feel isolated even when support systems abound – so they need to learn how to receive and tap into that support.
but your point was much different – and is part of your contentment… 🙂
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Yes, just one of those moments where if I turned around and took a photo you would see a whole bunch of houses.
I agree that there can be a dark side, when people really do feel isolated, even if there are support systems around, I find that incredibly sad.
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yeah…. I find it sad too – and not to sound cheesy or to minimize anyone’s emptiness – but I think one powerful and helpful thing is to find a good hobby – it can assuage much and just makes life better – esp when it is a hobby someone loves
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Agreed, I think that is about connection as well. If you are doing something you love you are engaged and less likely to feel disconnected I think.
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🙂 agree
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Love that first shot.
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Thank you very much!
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I truly love this photo and what you did with it. What a great interpretation of the subject. The lonely stalk speaks to me and resonates with me!
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Thank you very much, it spoke to me as well, so I am glad to hear that you liked it as well.
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