Haibun: Footprints Never Fade

 

 

I am seven years old and stand on the shores of Lake Siljan in Dalarna, Sweden, with my first camera strapped around my neck. It is my first holiday abroad and I immediately feel at home among the trees, mountains and fresh water lakes. My camera has two settings, ‘sunny’ and ‘cloudy’. Although there are a lot of clouds in the sky, I decide on ‘sunny’ and take the picture you see above on the right.

When I look at these images today I realise that no matter how cloudy the world and skies around me become, I always focus on the light. That first experience of spending time in nature made a lasting impression. Forty seven years later I am living in a place with fresh water lakes, mountains and forests where I capture the beauty around me with a camera strapped around my neck.

summer by the lake
leaves footprints that never fade
in the mist of time

© Xenia Tran

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Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera (Lake Siljan image): Kodak Instamatic 133, setting: Sunny
Camera (Eivor and Pearl at Loch Laggan): Panasonic Lumix FZ38, setting: iA.

Photograph of me as a seven year old girl taken by M Koning.

 

In response to dVerse Haibun Monday #28: Childhood Experiences

Discover Challenge: Transcript

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Old and New

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Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her adopted and fostered whippets.

63 thoughts on “Haibun: Footprints Never Fade”

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words ☺ I have always enjoyed sharing photographs with friends and family and it is lovely to now do this through our blog. Thank you for stopping by and much love to you and Tippy 💖 xxx

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    1. Thank you Liesbet! I did not know that picture of me was being taken while I was rolling the film forward and already then was I one of those photographers who is far more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it :o)

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  7. You’re obviously a natural 🙂 Wonderful misty light on the water and a lovely story and haiku ❤ I remember having a Kodak Instamatic too! How far we’ve come. Much love to you all xxx

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    1. Thank you Cathy and how wonderful you had an Instamatic too! Things have moved on so much and now we both have a Panasonic Lumix to play with! I hope you enjoyed your lesson with your new camera and much love to you and Finn xxx

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  10. Great post. My first two cameras as a young child had sunny and cloudy settings also. I’d forgotten all about that until you mentioned it.

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    1. Thank you Annabelle, it sure helps when you have dogs by your side in nature. You can always remember to return your focus to the light, even when the clouds roll in :o) Much love to you, Millie and Pearl xxx

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    1. Thank you Björn, you probably did pull your kayaks up on the same shore :o) It looks like a beautiful place for kayaking and I hope the water is still as clear today as it was back then. We can always choose where we want to focus on and I have learned that even in the deepest shadows there is always light.

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    1. Thank you Frank, it may have been a similar camera to mine. Who would have thought then that we would be able to carry cordless, pocket-sized phones around that can take photographs? :o)

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  17. ‘Always look on the bright side of life.’ That is the best attitude–and you knew that at 7 years old! Your writings and your photos show that every day. Thank you for your positive-ity, Xenia.

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  19. I love your photo and reflect on how lucky you are to be given that gift at a young age and make that distinction right away ~ Good for you to carry that sunny perspective ~ And your haiku is gorgeous as well ~

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  21. It seems as though the photo you took as that young girl made the pattern for where you would end up living in the future. I love the synchronicity of that and that you are living your bliss. I also feel joy in the photos of your two dogs frolicking and grinning as they run freely. It’s good for the soul to see their happiness.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Gayle. It is lovely to see how the dogs enjoy the natural environment in the same way that we do. I am very grateful the call of the wild remained that strong throughout my life and brought us all the way up here :o)

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  23. How lovely, Xenia! The light and positive feelings this haibun bring are deeply welcome this morning…a gray morning indeed. I think you were impacted, dear heart, from this early age with the light…and it shines through you even now. just delightful . Hugs!

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  27. Last year I had to agonize over purchasing a camera.
    In the process, I realized that I truly and fully love photography, and like you, I’ve been pointing and shooting since my first camera in grammar school (a 127 format with a top viewfinder!).
    After decades of shooting 35mm with a Nikon F, I broke down for a DSLR.
    Somewhere, I have black and white images of Keith Antis on the playground, and a camel at the zoo, around 1968.

    Thanks for reminding me of this.

    Seek peace,

    Paz

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