May 3, 2020 • 77

Lens-Artists #95: All Wet

This week, Tina invites us to visualize the theme–“All Wet.”

What does “wet” look like? After a search through my archives, I uncovered these shots, taken over several years and in several locations.  Each shot brought to mind different feelings and/or memories about “wet” and “water.”

So, here goes:

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Remember the high board at the swimming pool? After days of looking up at it you finally climbed the wet steps to the platform. From there, it was higher than ever. There were only two ways down: the steps to defeat of the dive to victory. You stood on the edge, shivering in the hot sun, deathly afraid. At last you leaned too far forward, it was too late for retreat, and you dived. The high board was conquered, and you spent the rest of the day diving. Climbing a thousand high boards, we demolish fear, and turn into human beings.~Richard Bach

Contemplation, Florida

This little boy brings to mind a child’s fear of the sea–that roaring, raging mass that stretches as far as the eyes can see.  He is deliberating whether he will conquer his fear or surrender to it.

I remember feeling the same way when I first took swimming lessons at my local beach on Long Island Sound.  I spent weeks deliberating whether I could master my fear of swimming out beyond the buoys, diving to the bottom, and bringing up a handful of sand–the final test for my Red Cross certification.   On the day of the test, the wind picked up and storm clouds rolled in, but we managed to complete the test before the rain began.  I’ll never forget the feeling of accomplishment and the joy of overcoming my fear.

Gilford, New Hampshire

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.~Ambrose Bierce

Our adorable and loving springer spaniel had absolutely no fear of the water.  Max would find any excuse to jump in the lake and get wet.  He also loved to shake himself dry when standing near us.   He had absolutely no fear of the water–but he wouldn’t jump off a dock into the lake. He preferred to walk into the water.

Hollywood, Florida

Sunshine and waves are like bacon and eggs~Theodore W. Higginsworth

Early Morning Play. Cocoa Beach Florida. Shot with a Canon 70D.

This shot, of a mother and son sitting in the surf is an old favorite.  I love how they’re sharing a moment of play at the water’s edge.  Not many children would turn down a day at the beach or the chance to play with a parent.

Chicago, Illinois

I’d rather sing one wild song and burst my heart with it, than live a thousand years watching my digestion and being afraid of the wet.~Jack London

Millennium Park, Chicago

I always love to see children screaming in delight when a jet of water erupts from this sculpture in Millennium Park in Chicago and soaks all of them.  They love the unpredictability of not knowing when the water will shoot out and when they’ll get soaking wet.  I wish I could still feel the same excitement as an adult!

Savusauv, Fiji

The more separated we become from the Earth, the more hostile we become to the feminine. We disown our passion, our creativity, and our sexuality. Eventually the Earth itself becomes a baneful place. I remember being told by a medicine woman in the Amazon, “Do you know why they are really cutting down the rain forest? Because it is wet and dark and tangled and feminine.~Alberto Villoldo

Waterfall in Savusavu, Fiji.

This last shot of my husband and our Fijian guide brings to mind a wonderful day when we visited this waterfall on tribal land in Savusavu.  That day, we had the waterfall to ourselves.  I felt like an explorer “discovering” hidden treasure–a feeling that I remember having as a child when we were exploring new places in our neighborhood on our bikes.  Our visit also reminded me of the raw power and beauty of nature, which our western civilization has always sought to “conquer” and “tame,” instead of trying to learn from it.

As I worked on this post, I was reminded of how water can bring out the child in us all.  It also gives us an opportunity to conquer our fears, play in the sand and sea and joyfully exist in the moment.  When the quarantine ends, I will be looking for a pool to swim laps.   Some of my favorite summer memories are swimming in the dappled sunlight with the warmth of the sun on my shoulders.  I will not take this simple pleasure for granted.  I now understand that it’s a luxury.

In closing, I hope you stop by and see Tina’s beautiful post and share your unique interpretations “All Wet.”

Next week, it will be my turn to host LAPC #96, so please stop by and join the fun.  We’ll also be announcing a very special guest host for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #97.  Stay tuned for more details.

Once again, my closing words for this week are: stay well, stay safe, and keep creating!

Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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77 replies »

    • Hi, Rabirus. Many thanks. The Crown Fountain is wonderful…as you might imagine. The faces on the surface of the fountain change, so it’s really quite amazing. Thanks again for stopping by!

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  4. Not surprisingly Patti, a wonderful response. I absolutely LOVED that “fountain” – how clever is that?! And your dog looks like he’s having SO much fun :-). I think you’re right, the water brings out the kid in all of us! Thanks for the visual reminder.

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    • Aww…thanks, Tina! Sometimes the words and images just come together. 😊😊. Max was an amazing dog…a bomb sniffer from the UK, believe it or not. We figure we gave him a great retirement after active duty.😊😊 Take care.

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  7. Great post! I love love love water. Water of any kind out in nature, or even water features around town. Something about water brings peace, watching the movements and listening to the noise as it speaks to us.

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  13. Hehe, I love Max. We had a springer spaniel named Mikki who loved to chase seagulls – straight out to sea. You’re absolutely right, water does bring the child out in us.

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  16. The Crown fountain in Chicago is one of the most amazing fountains in the world in my book, great capture. Excellent gallery, Patti.
    My pick is the ocean with the mother and child. It shows how small we really compare to nature and most things around us*smile

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  17. Max was happy in water, so cute! The Crown fountain brings much joy to kids and adults, a great place to take photos. The Waterfall in Savusavu capture is really cool, your husband and the tour guide were happy to get wet. 🙂

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    • Hi, Amy. He was beyond happy!! That dog absolutely loved the water. I’m glad you like the other shots, too. You’re right about Rich and Miccah–the tour guide.
      They were very happy!

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  22. beautiful and fun images, Patti! the crown fountain in chicago was a favorite. we used to bring our grandson there every summer and he loved it. thanks for sharing! 🙂

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  30. really fun to see the Chicago brick wall spurting like that!
    and I also like the mom and son – has a nice quality –
    and cheers to cocoa beach – do you go there very often?

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  32. Great gallery, Patti! Thought I had answered, but I must have been on the phone only! Love your beach shot – I remember it so well. Gorgeous light. But that fountain is really something…too

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    • Hi, A-C. I am really far behind this week on my comments! I apologize, too! Glad you like the beach and the fountain. I am eager to go out and shoot some more, but it’s snowing today! Believe it or not–on May 9th!

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  33. Oh my yes. Water does bring out the child in us. Your images are such gorgeous examples – and I love the quotes you include here. I remember riding my bike off to explore as well – how cool you were able to revisit that experience in Figi.
    They’ve closed the beaches here in NH and I sure miss walking there.

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