Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Photo-heart connection, number X


I watched a man fish . . .


{KKlassen texture that I forgot to write down}

I spent a lot of time by the bay last week watching the sunrise,
and,
I watched a man fish.


 
One morning after the sunrise, I went to the boardwalk overlooking the bay to walk
and watch the pelicans, and to just observe whatever the morning had to offer. It was a beautiful
crisp morning, sunny and with a slight breeze. Sailboats were coming and going through the harbor
and I even picked up a few bird friends who literally followed me on foot along the way.

And then up ahead as I turned around the corner I spotted an older man in a very small boat, and
he was fishing. I paused for a moment, and watched, and curious as I am I asked him if he was fishing for a specific kind of fish, and although he answered I didn't quite understand him. I'm not sure if it was because he didn't speak English or I just didn't hear him very well. I continued to watch him, in awe really, as he was
catching a fish about every minute or so, sometimes less. And, ever so often he would look up at me and I would give him two thumbs up and tell him he was doing a great job and we would exchange smiles.
(As if this man, who had a bucket full of fish needed me to tell him that. )

{KKlassen portrait}

But the longer I watched I began to realize, that he wasn't using a pole, just a fishing line with a weight and
shrimp for bait. And it seemed that just as soon as he was dropping the line, he was pulling another fish from the water. He had this wonderful rthymn that just made it seem effortless. He would hold that tool in his right hand, slipping the line into the slot while pulling the fish up to the top of the tool until he could no longer pull. And then with a quick downward motion he released the fish into the bucket.





It was when he ran out of shrimp and needed to cut up some more, that I noticed his missing thumb.


{ My chosen photo for photo-heart connection - KKlassen texture warms sun}

This months photo-heart connection is unique for me in that there were really two connections.
My first connection is to the first photo and my realization that he was fishing in what many would consider a rather primitive way, without a fancy fishing pole but instead with just the line. He was simply catching fish
based on his technique and not based on equipment and he was getting great results. 

I began to relate this in my mind to photography. Because even the best equipment won't help if we don't first understand technique. I also know that my lack of equipment doesn't take away from my imagination, because no amount of money will buy that. This just reminds me that what ever our chosen craft, it is more about the crafter than what we use to make it. But that's not to say that we won't ever need different equipment as our vision or technique's change, just as if the fisherman wanted to catch a shark he would definitely need something more than just the line. I do believe it's more about our vision through technique rather than our equipment that defines art. And I don't think the man I watched is any less of a fisherman because he didn't use an expensive pole.

The next connection, and the last photo connected me with my heart.
After about twenty minutes of watching this man fish, he filled his entire bucket! And when he released
the last fish into that bucket, he promptly grabbed onto a rope that dangled from his boat and as he began to
pull on it, he turned and looked at me and smiled and said, "time to go home." As he pulled that rope, it took him about twenty feet away and as he pulled some more it brought up an anchor that he hoisted into his boat. And as he sat down and was driving away he looked up at me again and gave me a wave. We had a little bond that morning, a connection between two strangers. He didn't know it but he was for those twenty minutes a teacher, and I a student, both of us practicing our chosen craft.


Love, Kim
XO



kimklassencafe

28 comments:

Honey from the Bee said...

You know how my hubby and I are about fishing.... different water, different fish,... but I suspect the same feeling of meditation. Love the color of the inside of his boat! I noticed he had fatigues on... I wonder if there's a story there, too. : )

Kmcblackburn said...

Oh, I just love his face. The stories it could tell.

Currie Silver said...

This is a great post and wondrously thoughty, too. I am often noticing similar things with people since I sold my car and go by foot or by bus. There is an entire World BEyond what I've known for nearly 60 years and BEing in and among and a part of it is filled with connections I'd never have imagined.

I love the way you've shared the story and the pictures. There are many visuals in your words and many voices in your photographs.

Really a treat!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

I was really moved by this post, I love those connections that are such a rare gift.

Sherri B. said...

What a special few moments between two strangers...your description of the whole experience truly touched my heart. And the images only added to it...thanks for sharing, Kim! You can tell this man is a wise soul just by looking at his face.

Deanna said...

This story gave me goose-bumps. You have such a gifted way of making connections with people and I am so glad we that we had a chance to connect and hope to do so again.

Amanda said...

What an awesome post! Thank you so much for sharing.

terriporter said...

Such a beautiful and touching story told from the heart. Love your photos but I love your story more. Just wonderful, my friend.

Inspired By June said...

What a wonderful experience, Kim and valuable insights you took away. Thank you for sharing. (did you notice his anchor is shaped like heart?)

Linda said...

Kim, this is awesome. What a lovely, touching story. You captured every important detail. I love how you noticed the rhythm and simplicity of his fishing.

xo,
Linda

Nicki said...

if we open our minds, hearts, and eyes, life is full of lessons that can carry us far. wonderful story and even better insight.

Anonymous said...

Kim, that is a wonderful post! It touched my heart to see that old man with such wisdom catching fish with only the string! You are so right about it not being about the equipment but rather about the technique! I think that day was a special blessing for both of you...sooo sweet and inspiring!

Deborah Tisch said...

Fabulous connection between what you saw and what is in your heart! I enjoyed this post a lot, particularly when you spoke of photography, realizing that it is more about the 'crafter', that person behind the camera. No matter what equipment you used here, the images and your story make it all very powerful.

Bo Mackison said...

What a lovely story, a connection not at all expected, a true gift in such a short exchange.

Zena said...

Love both connections, you tell the story beautifully and the photos are fantastic. Great photo-heart connection

Sandra said...

What a beautiful connection with another human being. I love his face and wave in that last shot. It says it all and I feel he's waving to me too!

Kat Sloma said...

Amazing Photo-Heart Connection, for so many reasons. The connections you pulled out between your photography and his methods are amazing. "What ever our chosen craft, it is more about the crafter than what we use to make it." So. Very. True. Our mind, our imagination, is our most important tool in creation. Not the camera. And I also love the connection between you and this man, both doing something you love. Connecting in a brief time and space but it was a real connection. You will both remember, I have no doubt. Thank you for sharing this with us this month in the Photo-Heart Connection.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post. I just love the connections here you made here. I will never forget in my photography class my teacher reminded us of the equipment Ansel Adams used. He didn't have all the technology that we have today. And his photos are WOW! It about heart..

Your photos look fabulous.. Thanks so much for making bringing a smile to my face this morning.

Hugs~

Unknown said...

Your photos alone could be a photo essay, but your personal description of the events as they played out that morning is so compelling. Wonderful linking of the specific and general, imagery and language, and of course, thought and feeling.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Sweet connection, Kim.

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wonderful comparison and connection! Great story along with great photos! Loved it!

Paula said...

Such a beautiful connection...you and this man, you and this shot. I love this post and the way you've told your story. Wonderfully done.

Branson said...

You are such an amazing person Kim :) love the connection you made about gear too

Jeanne said...

Love the connections that you made with this fisherman, and how you have related this story

Becs said...

Wow, what an amazing story. I love your telling of it and the connection you made both with the man himself and to your photography. Beautifully written and a set of beautiful images - I really love the one you chose for your photo heart connection.

Cathy H. said...

The images are wonderful, but the story is beautiful! Sometimes the little connections we make with people we'll probably never meet again can be the best ones!

Unknown said...

You created a story, a lesson from those 20 minutes. Your last photo is amazing...the connection can be seen in it. I love that you took the time to be still, to watch and to listen to your inner voice.

Marilyn said...

I love the photos, the story, the connections you make! Wonderful!

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