Seth Resnick’s Post

As the clock struck zero dark hundred Lynda and I embarked on a quick drive to Juno Beach. Our destination for the Jewish New Year was not merely a stretch of sand but a canvas where nature would paint the first moments of the year. We sought the sunrise, that transformative spectacle that signals a fresh beginning, a renewal of hope. The sky was gorgeous except of course at the beach where a striking contrast revealed itself. The horizon was dominated by dark, stormy gray clouds that loomed ominously above the water. It was as if the world was torn between two narratives: one of serene beauty and the other of tempestuous uncertainty. This juxtaposition mirrored the essence of life itself, a reminder that joy often walks hand in hand with conflict. Despite the foreboding skies, our spirits remained unyielded. We found solace in the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the salty air that invigorated our senses. Photographs awaited to be captured, each frame a testimony to the resilience of beauty in the face of adversity. As we strolled along the shore, I noticed a solitary figure in the distance, a man deeply engrossed in surf fishing. He stood unwavering, casting his line into the turbulent waters, embodying a quiet determination amidst the chaos around him. With a 600mm lens, I aimed to capture this moment—a metaphor for perseverance and hope. The fisherman’s presence against the backdrop of dark clouds was a poignant reminder that even in the storm, one can find purpose and connection with nature. Each click of the shutter was an attempt to encapsulate not just the visual contrast before me but the deeper narrative of resilience. The stormy sky served as a canvas for the fisherman’s solitary act—a testament to patience and the pursuit of dreams despite the odds. In this shared experience at Juno Beach, Lynda and I were reminded of the duality of life—the interplay between light and dark, hope and despair. As we welcomed the New Year, we understood that just like the weather, life is unpredictable. Yet, it is within those unpredictable moments that we often find our greatest joy and inspiration. We were discussing the devastation in Asheville and hoping our government digs in deep to help. Also on our minds is what lies ahead for Israel? Yet, as the sun rose higher, we took a deep breath, inhaling the essence of a new beginning. We left Juno Beach with not just photographs but a renewed sense of purpose—a reminder that every dawn brings with it the potential for growth, transformation, and the beauty of simply being present in the moment. 

In the quiet corners of life, where the mundane meets the extraordinary, humor often emerges. With my cameras slung around my shoulder, I become a silent witnesses to the whims of existence. Each click of the shutter captures not just an image, but a fleeting moment of joy, irony, or absurdity that demands my attention. Consider the old car nestled in the sun-drenched landscape of Santorini, a relic of a bygone era, draped in shrouds of dust. At first glance, it may appear as an eyesore, a forgotten piece of abandoned to the elements. Yet, upon closer inspection, this vehicle becomes a canvas for the stories of those who pass by. The dust, once a mere accumulation of particles, transforms into a scrapbook of human interaction—a medium for expression and reminiscence. Passersby, compelled by a shared sense of nostalgia or whimsy, leave their marks in the form of inscriptions. Each word etched in the dust is a snapshot of laughter—a moment where reality collides with imagination. In this peculiar tableau, the old car is not just a subject to be photographed; it is a character in a larger narrative. The inscriptions tell tales of love, loss, and laughter, each one a testament to the shared human condition. These interactions, ephemeral as they may be, create a collective memory, a tapestry woven from the threads of diverse lives that momentarily intersect. The act of photographing such scenes is an acknowledgment of life’s absurdities. In a world that often feels heavy with seriousness and strife, moments of levity become precious jewels, reminders that laughter can be found in the most unexpected places. The dust-covered car serves as a metaphor for resilience; it stands there, weathered yet unyielding, embodying the spirit of endurance in the face of time’s relentless march. It invites us to pause, to reflect, and to engage with the world around us—not just through the lens of beauty, but through the lens of humor. Art, in its many forms, often seeks to provoke thought and stir emotions. The photographs we take of such whimsical moments are no exception. They challenge the viewer to reconsider their definitions of beauty and significance. Why should we reserve our laughter for carefully curated moments of perfection? Instead, why not embrace the rustic charm of the imperfect and the forgotten? In this way, the act of capturing these images becomes an artistic endeavor that celebrates the beauty of the mundane.

In the vibrant city of Livorno, Italy, I encountered a moment frozen in time—a reflection that ignited a visceral excitement within me. I stood before the water's surface, a canvas where the hues of the world converged, swirling in a symphony of color. This visual spectacle stirred my artistic sensibilities, compelling me to grapple with the deeper themes of stage and performer, of presence and absence, in the realm of art. At first glance, the colors danced playfully across the water, each ripple echoing the vitality of the surroundings. The yellows, blues, and whites seemed to converse, creating a lively dialogue that captivated my imagination. Yet, as I pondered the scene, I found myself questioning the very essence of this artistic tableau. Was the reflection itself an adequate performer, or did it merely serve as a backdrop, a stage for an unseen actor? This dilemma—the tension between stage and actor—emerges frequently in artistic expression. In theater, a stage provides the setting, while the actors breathe life into the narrative. In my reflective moment in Livorno, the water was undeniably the stage, yet the colors, though beautiful, may be insufficient as the sole protagonist. They swirled and twirled with exuberance, but it was as if they lacked a definitive voice, a singular entity to command the audience’s attention. As I delved deeper into this reflection, I began to consider the nature of dominance in art. What constitutes a “dominant actor” in a visual composition? Is it a striking form that draws the eye, or perhaps a narrative thread that weaves through the chaos of color? In this case, I realized that while the colors were enchanting, they may need an arresting focal point to anchor the viewer’s gaze and evoke a more profound emotional response. This realization resonated with me, prompting me to reflect on the broader implications of presence in art. Just as a theatrical performance thrives on the dynamic interplay between characters, so too does a visual piece depend on the relationship between its elements. The colors in Livorno were vibrant and alive, yet they seemed to float aimlessly without a central figure to guide them. The absence of a dominant actor rendered the scene a beautiful yet incomplete narrative.

In a world perpetually in motion, moments flit by like ephemeral whispers, often unnoticed and unappreciated. This moment, a reflection within a reflection, serves as a poignant reminder of how we interact with both time and memory, illustrating the fascinating dichotomy between reality and perception. As I embark on this reflection kick, I find myself drawn to the profound nature of what it means to reflect—not just in the literal sense of light bouncing off surfaces, but in the metaphorical sense of introspection and understanding. The photograph I captured encapsulates this duality: the reflection of the vibrant Neapolitan landscape in glass opposite a large mirrored wall, each adding another layer of life, creating a kaleidoscope of existence. This image, vibrates with the energy of Naples, Italy steeped in history, culture, and a certain ineffable magic. The beauty of reflection lies in its paradox. Though the moment never truly existed in reality, it is frozen in time within the confines of my sensor. This dichotomy—where existence and non-existence coexist—forces us to confront the fluidity of our experiences. In Naples, a city known for its chaotic charm and rich artistic lineage, each reflection tells a story. The vibrant colors of the buildings above blurred in the glass, suggesting a world that is both tangible and illusory. As I gaze upon this photograph, I am reminded of the nature of memory itself. Memories are not static; they are reflections of our perceptions, shaped by the hues of our emotions and experiences. Just as the reflection in the glass distorts and alters the image of the reality, so too do our memories morph over time. They are embellished, softened, or even hardened by the passage of years. Each time we revisit them, we create a new reflection, a new layer of understanding that shapes our identity. The very concept of reflection invites us to ponder the role of the observer. What does it mean to witness a moment and then reflect upon it? In Naples, surrounded by a rich tapestry of life, I found myself not just observing but participating. The reflections in the glass echoed my own thoughts, my own self-examination. The city, with its vibrant chaos, became a mirror for my own internal landscape, prompting questions about my place in the world and the memories I carry. This exploration of reflection reaches beyond the physical act of capturing an image; it extends into the realm of existential inquiry. What is reality, if not a series of reflections shaped by our perceptions? Each moment we encounter is fleeting, yet the act of reflecting upon it allows us to reclaim a sense of permanence. Through reflection, we create a bridge between the transient nature of our experiences and the enduring essence of our memories.

Illusion, Fantasy, Surreal, Metaphor, Journey, Dramatic, Energy, and Abstraction are all keywords that are inherent in many of my images. They in fact have become so powerful and so much a part of who I am as a photographer that rather than photographing subjects, many times I simply photograph these words that call to me.   As Lynda and I meandered towards a nature trail in Tucson at sunrise, the world around us became a canvas, painted with the light of a new day. The first moment that seized my attention was not a grand landscape or a striking figure, but rather a simple reflection in the back of a pickup truck. This seemingly mundane object transformed into a mirror, revealing not just an image, but an intricate tapestry of thoughts and feelings. In that instant, I was not merely capturing a reflection; I was photographing the very essence of my experience—my words.   The concept of illusion permeates the photographic process. It challenges the viewer's perception of reality, asking them to look beyond the surface. What lay behind the glass was not just an image of the world, but a glimpse into the interplay of light, shadow, and the intangible energies that swirl around us. Fantasy and surrealism beckon us to step away from the confines of the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. I felt a connection to something larger than myself, an energy that pulsated through the air. Each click of the shutter became a heartbeat, resonating with the vibrant colors of the dawn and the stories that lingered in the ether. This was a journey through layers of abstraction, where every frame captured a fragment of reality intertwined with the intangible.   In this world of abstraction, meaning is not fixed but fluid. The reflection I photographed was a metaphor for the multifaceted nature of identity. Just as the image shifts and transforms depending on the angle of light, so too do we, influenced by our experiences, emotions, and perceptions. The energy of the moment, charged with potential, invited me to explore the depths of what it means to create. Each photograph became a dialogue—a conversation with the viewer that transcends words, evoking feelings that resonate on a deeply emotional level. This dramatic interplay between reality and illusion is where much of my personal artistry lies. It compels me to confront my own perceptions, to question the boundaries of what we see and what we feel. As I stood there, absorbed in the reflection, I realized that my role as a photographer is not just to document the world, but to engage with it, to interpret it through the lens of my own understanding. The journey of photography transforms into a pilgrimage of the soul, where each image serves as a stepping stone toward greater self-awareness. In essence, the act of photographing these words—illusion, fantasy, surreal, metaphor, journey, dramatic, energy, abstraction—becomes a profound exploration of existence itself.

I was speaking to the Photographic Society of America in Tucson, Arizona. Surrounded by the iconic Saguaro Cactus, each towering sentinel of the Sonoran Desert whispered tales that spanned a century and a half. These majestic plants, with their arms reaching skyward, served as living testaments to resilience, endurance, and the beauty of nature's narrative. As the morning sun began its ascent, the hotel pool transformed into a mirror, reflecting the stunning landscape that enveloped it. The juxtaposition of the arid desert—where water is a precious rarity—against the tranquil surface of the water created a striking visual paradox. It was a moment ripe for storytelling, where the starkness of the desert met the serenity of the reflected sky. This contrast stirred my creativity, inspiring me to capture the essence of this unique environment. The Sonoran Desert is often viewed through the lens of scarcity, yet in that fleeting moment, I saw abundance. The reflections in the pool were not just images; they were a metaphor for hope and the unexpected beauty that can emerge from challenging landscapes.  I sought to immortalize this narrative—a testament to the delicate balance between water and land, life and survival. I aimed to convey the profound stories written in the textures of the desert and the shimmering surface of the water, capturing the essence of a place that thrives against the odds. In the interplay of light and reflection, I discovered a world where every element tells a story, urging us to look deeper and find beauty in the most unlikely of places.

In a society characterized by a relentless pursuit of productivity, the notion of pausing—of taking time to breathe—often feels like a radical act. In America, the ethos of "go, go, go" pervades our daily lives, dictating a rhythm that values constant motion over contemplative stillness. However, in various corners of the world, such as Malta, the culture of the siesta offers a compelling counter-narrative, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with time and productivity. During our visit to Malta, we encountered a strikingly different tempo of life, where the hours between 1 PM and 3 PM but really 12:45 to 3:15 transformed the bustling streets into a serene tableau. Businesses shuttered, we found ourselves swept into a world where time appeared to stand still. A cafe, a refuge from the midday sun, where our hurried American minds could momentarily recalibrate to a more leisurely pace. As we settled into our surroundings, I observed two locals who epitomized the essence of the siesta. After ordering something, they surrendered to the embrace of sleep, oblivious to the world around them. In that moment, they embodied a cultural practice deeply rooted in the Maltese way of life—an acknowledgment of the body's need for rest amidst the demands of daily existence. Their slumber was not a sign of laziness but rather an assertion of balance, a deliberate choice to harmonize activity with repose. he siesta is a phenomenon that transcends mere napping; it is a cultural artifact that reflects broader societal values. In Malta, as in many Mediterranean cultures, the siesta serves as a reminder that life is not merely a sequence of tasks to be completed but an experience to be savored. This tradition fosters community, allowing families to gather, share meals, and reconnect. The midday pause transforms the day into a tapestry of interconnected moments rather than a linear race toward deadlines. Contrast this with the American landscape, where the relentless ticking of the clock often engenders anxiety. Here, productivity is measured by output, and any hint of idleness can evoke feelings of guilt. The pressure to perform, to achieve, and to keep pace with professional expectations can strip away the richness of human experience. We rush through lunch breaks, often opting for convenience over nourishment, our minds preoccupied with the next task on the agenda. In this frenzied chase, we risk losing touch with the vital rhythms of our own lives. The juxtaposition of these two cultural approaches invites introspection. What might we gain by embracing the spirit of the siesta in our own lives? Imagine a world where we honor our need for rest, where midday breaks become opportunities for reflection rather than interruptions. Such a shift could foster not only personal well-being but also enhance creativity and productivity, allowing for richer, more innovative contributions to our work.

In the realm of travel, few experiences rival the sensory overload that one encounters in the vibrant tapestry of Santorini. As I strolled through the labyrinth of streets with Lynda, I found myself enveloped in a chromatic wonderland that seemed to defy the laws of nature. The island's hues danced in the Mediterranean sunlight, that awakened my senses and ignited my passion for photography. Each step revealed a new palette—a kaleidoscope of blues, whites, and sun-soaked ochres—that compelled me to capture the essence of this paradise. Santorini, with its iconic whitewashed buildings cascading down the cliffs, offers a stunning juxtaposition against the deep azure of the Aegean Sea. The interplay of color here is not merely aesthetic; it is a narrative woven into the very fabric of the island's history and culture. The stark white of the houses, a manifestation of Cycladic architecture, reflects the sunlight, creating a blinding brilliance that mirrors the clarity of the sky. Meanwhile, the azure domes of the churches punctuate the landscape like exclamation points , each telling tales of tradition and faith. In this setting, the colors are not just visual stimuli; they are the language of the island. As I raised my camera at every turn, my shutter finger was triggered. I was struck by how each image I captured told a story of its own. Each corner presented a new surprise—an artist's palette spilling forth from the earth itself. The colors were alive, pulsating with a rhythm that mirrored the heartbeat of the island. The sensation of being in "color heaven" was not just about the visual spectacle; it was about the emotional resonance that the colors evoked. Each hue seemed to vibrate with meaning. The deep blues of the sea spoke of depth and mystery, while the warm yellows and oranges of the sun-kissed buildings conveyed warmth and hospitality. This chromatic experience transcended mere observation; it was an invitation to engage with the essence of Santorini, to breathe in its beauty and let it seep into my very being. In the midst of this sensory celebration, I found myself reflecting on the role of color in our lives. Colors have the power to evoke emotions, shape perceptions, and influence our interactions with the world. In Santorini, this power was magnified, as the island itself seemed to exist in a state of vibrant harmony. The colors were not just there to be seen; they were alive, engaging me in a dialogue of beauty and wonder. Each moment spent in this colorful paradise was a lesson in mindfulness, urging me to savor the beauty that surrounds us, often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of existence. Of course just as we were basking in mindfulness we had to hustle and rush to get back to the ship.

Having made several interesting reflection images I found myself looking everywhere for more and more reflections. Lynda and I were in Monaco and we visited the Royal Palace so we could see how the other half lives. Kidding aside the palace of Monaco is SPECTACULAR. As we were leaving I found a window that had a crown on the glass and was able to get a reflection of the palace in early morning light in the window In the quiet moments of our lives, reflections often serve as portals—windows into realms beyond our immediate perception. As we explored the breathtaking landscapes of Monaco we discovered not only the majestic Royal Palace but also the profound layers of meaning that reflections can evoke. The simple act of capturing a reflection became a metaphor for my introspective journey into the essence of beauty, art, and the human experience. The Royal Palace, with its baroque architecture and regal presence, stands as a testament to the wealth and culture that define this microstate. I was reminded of the stark contrasts between our everyday lives and the lavish lifestyles of those who inhabit such spaces. The palace is not merely a structure; it is a narrative woven from the threads of history, power, and artistry. Yet, it was not the grandeur of the palace itself that captivated me most; it was the interplay of light and reflection that transformed my experience. As we prepared to leave, I stumbled upon a window adorned with a delicate crown etched into the glass. The morning light, soft yet illuminating, created a canvas where the palace danced in tandem with the crown’s ornate design. In that fleeting moment, I was struck by the profound beauty of duality—how the physical presence of the palace merged with the ethereal quality of its reflection. Reflections invite us to engage in dialogue with our surroundings. They ask us to question what we see and to ponder the narratives that lie beneath the surface. In a world that often prioritizes the tangible, reflections remind us of the intangible—our thoughts, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves. As I captured each image, I wasn't merely documenting a scene; I was creating a visual dialogue between the seen and the unseen, the real and the imagined. The experience of capturing the Royal Palace's reflection in the crown-embossed window was a reminder to the importance of mindfulness and the willingness to seek beauty in the ordinary moments of life. In our fast-paced world, it is all too easy to overlook the subtle nuances that surround us. Yet, in those brief moments of pause, we can uncover profound insights about ourselves and the world we inhabit.

In an age where everyone with a smartphone can capture and share images, the realm of photography has evolved significantly. It is increasingly hard to transcend the cliché of postcard tourist images—those formulaic snapshots that merely document a place without conveying its essence. Many postcard images  are often devoid of the context that gives them life. Among its most captivating features are the temples that dot the island, serving not only as places of worship but also as symbols of the island's rich history and cultural heritage. While these structures frequently grace the covers of postcards, their allure extends far beyond mere imagery. The temples of Santorini, with their striking colors and architectural grandeur, offer a dynamic backdrop that captivates both the lens and the soul. The temples in Santorini showcase a unique blend of Cycladic and Byzantine architectural styles. Characterized by their whitewashed walls, blue domes, and intricate details, these structures are designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of the island. The stark contrast between the gleaming white buildings and the deep blue of the Aegean Sea creates a visual spectacle that is nothing short of breathtaking. Each temple tells a story, reflecting the island's rich history and the devotion of its people. The interplay of light and shadow throughout the day transforms these structures, revealing new facets and inviting a deeper appreciation for their beauty. As the sun dips below the horizon, the temples become illuminated, casting a warm glow that enhances their ethereal quality. This stunning color palette not only captures the eye but also evokes emotions. The blues symbolize tranquility and peace, while the whites represent purity and simplicity. Together, they create an atmosphere conducive to reflection and introspection, making the temples not only photogenic but also profoundly moving. While they may grace countless postcards, the true beauty of these structures lies in the experiences they offer and the stories they tell. To visit Santorini is to engage with a living tapestry of art, faith, and nature, making the journey to its temples an essential part of the island's allure.