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Where the Trees Go to Die

May 19, 2014

By Tineke Ziemer

May 20^th, 2014

in good company

Today was delightful! In so many ways!

I spent the day with several of my photography students, exploring some heritage sights, experiencing the ups and down of Cariboo weather in the spring, and enjoying their wonderful company.

After we’d driven half an hour to our first location, I lifted my camera to take my first photo of the day and realized that I’d forgotten my camera card! Oh man.

But I decided to roll with it and just have fun. I wandered around and bugged everyone else and watched the world through their eyes. A few hours later, at our second location, I was able to borrow my mom’s camera. It’s not the fancy schmancy one I’m used to with all the bells and whistles, but I’ve always been a firm believer that it’s not the camera that makes the photograph. So I set out to create something beautiful anyway. Thank you mom for saving the day! A 10 hour photography fieldtrip without a camera would be torture for me! And thank you dad for taking the time to give us a tour of your stunning property!

There is a gorgeous spot on our neighbours farm where my horses used to hang out when I was a kid. I remembered it as an enchanted forest and so as evening approached, a few of us stragglers decided to find it. As we approached I was filled with the same sense of mystery I felt as a child - there’s magic in the air here. It’s not the typical beauty one would expect to be enthralled with - it’s literally impossible to capture the essence of the place on camera.
But here are my best shots.

Thought for the Day

Despite the technical setbacks and weather issues, the good company I was in was enough to fill my day with delightfulness. Sometimes we get focused on material possessions and we mistakenly think they will bring us happiness. But when it comes right down to it, it’s the people and relationships that bring true joy. Today we helped each other up out of the mud, we lifted barbed-wire fences to create openings large enough to crawl through, we pointed out beautiful things we saw and shared the discoveries with one another. We lent each other gear and we worked together as a team. We braved the downpours and we soaked-in the sunshine while savoring ice cream cones. We watched the butterflies dance, were enthralled by wild bunny rabbits and found old artifacts in the mud.

We laughed, froze, explored and created. Together.

It was the best day. And none of that had anything to do with taking photos. It was truly the building of friendships that formed the moments I will hold onto. In the grand scheme of things, my camera is really just a thing. But these people will forever be in my heart.