May 6, 2024 • 45

LAPC #298: Oh, To Be Young Again

I spent my whole childhood wishing I were older and now I’m spending my adulthood wishing I were younger.

Ricky Schroder

Tina invites us this week to share our photos of children–from our family, our neighbors or friends, or simply children that we’ve seen when we’re out with our cameras. With pleasure, Tina! For plenty of photo inspiration, be sure to view her stunning collection captured during her world travels.

When I spend time with kids, I love their fresh outlook, their creativity, their honesty, and their pure joy. So, here we go:

One of our favorite walks in the evening is to go to the Piazza della Repubblica to watch the kids (and adults) on the merry go round. I love the kids’ reactions to the horses, the bright lights, and the pagentry of the ride.

I really believe all children are born with a love of music. Here, a little girl is listening to a local Florentine band in the Piazza San Ambrogio. The kids remind me of the joy of music.

This photo, taken many years ago, captures a moment of imaginative play at Meier Gardens near the gigantic statue of Leonardo’s Horse, cast in bronze. For me, the illusion of motion highlights children’s love of stories and their ability to leap into imaginary worlds.

I couldn’t resist reposting one of my favorite images from our travels in Spain last year. I love how this little boy managed to get dozens of teenagers to play “Monkey See, Monkey Do.” It was so much fun to watch. Some kids are born leaders!

I’ll end this post with an image created by the British grafitti artist Stik, who uses simple, child-like figures inspired by his study of Japanese art. This image reminds me of children’s drawings, which express in a few strokes how they see themselves and their world. I am thinking of the Picasso quote:

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.“

Tina’s theme this week has reminded me of the simple joys and gifts of the very young. Truly, they are a treasure. With the declining populations in some parts of the world, children are more precious than ever. In Italy, for example, the population is expected to decline by 10% from 2020 to 2050. It’s clear that children are treasured here. But they should be adored, admired, praised, and loved the world over. More than ever, they are our hope for the future.

How do you envision children and childhood? We invite you to join Tina’s “To Be Young Again” challenge this week. Please link your post to Travels and Trifles and use the Lens-Artists tag.

A special thanks to everyone who responded to Egidio’s creative challenge “Music to my Ears”. We were all humming this past week! And what about next week? It’s my turn to lead the challenge, so please stop by here next Saturday at noon ET to join the fun. Until then, stay healthy, be curious, and be inspired!

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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45 replies »

  2. This is a great post, and I love it that you have such vivid images capturing unidentifiable children. I’m so wary these days of posting images of children, and my own grandchildren, if identifiable, are a no-no. That photo from Spain is beyond price!

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    • Hi Ritva. Many thanks for your kind words. It’s true how music appeals to kids. They’re drawn to it! (And so are adults….for the most part.) 😊😊

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  8. What a wonderful gift your post is this week Patti! I loved every image and fondly remembered the little boy leading the teens. The quote with the closing image is perfection, I love that. I also thought the motion in the horse’s foot really made the image come alive, and the size difference vs the two little girls it a great catch. Really terrific post.

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  9. Hi Tina. I’m delighted! Thanks! The horse image was one of my “early” photos that really surprised me. I loved the effect. I hope you’re enjoying seeing the collections this week. I hope the sun is shining where you are!

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  10. Great photos. that is some horse statue! I’m with Ricky Schroder. ‘I’ll be wiser when I grow up and become an adult.’ It never happened. Wiser, I mean. 😢🤷‍♂️🤔

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  11. What a great post Patti! I like the direction you took the theme, showing us children in their element and their surroundings. I do remember the boy leading simon says. And I also think the image of the girls and the horse statue is great. What kid wouldn’t try to climb that leg!

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  12. You’ve captured the spirit of childhood so well in these shots Patti! I love the one with the giant horse – I can just imagine how exciting those children found it to play around those huge hooves! And I’m a big admirer of Stik 🙂

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  13. Before I forget, I loved the final quote. Perfect interpretation. I am glad you reshared the post of the little boy in Spain. It was cute the first time and perfect for today’s challenge. He is pretty young and will most likely never know the impact of smiles he had that day. Hopefully his parents got some photos too. My favorite photo is of the kids at Meier Gardens. Definitely depicts the imaginary world you spoke of. Oh yes… sometimes be to young again. Looking forward to your post next week.

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    • Many thanks, Donna! I always love your feedback. I often think of the Picasso quote. It’s great, isn’t it? As for the little boy, his mom was taking photos, so hopefully he’ll remember it. As for Meier Gardens, it’s well worth the visit. Incredible art. Have a great week! Now I’ve got to work on my post!

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    • You are very kind, IJ. I had a Canon back then and was just getting interested in photography as an art form. That photo was a real turning point for me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The Gardens are well worth a visit. World-class art. 

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    • Hi Jane. I loved your “Italia” set of photos. And yes, I’m sure you captured some beautiful shots of the merry-go-round. Thanks for your kind words about this set. The horse image really inspired me to explore photography as an art form. Have a great week and I hope you’re out capturing images in CA. 😊😊

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  17. Patti, your post is inspirational and wonderful. You brought back the child in each of us, I’m certain. The photos are great, especially those with the girls by the horses’ feet and the little boy conducting a group of adults. What gems!

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  18. I love these, Patti. The music photo and the “Monkey See, Monkey Do” remind me so much of our grandson. This is exactly the sort of thing he would do and he’d be so cute doing it that no one could resist. 😁

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    • What a wonderful child! He’s already a leader. 😊😊 I love that. And he loves music….wonderful. I’m delighted you enjoyed this set. Have a great week.

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  20. Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC24-298-To-Be-Young-Again – WoollyMuses

  21. Wonderful, wonderful, Patti! I must chime in on the other comments – love the little conductor and the girls with the horse. And your finish with Stik is so perfect – this post is a little wonder in itself!

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