A Photo Worth 500 Words Please read the Description
by Jeff Abrahamson
Title
A Photo Worth 500 Words Please read the Description
Artist
Jeff Abrahamson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Disclaimer - The photo has been "processed" only to the extent of slight cropping, sharpening, a bit of saturation, dust spot removal and minimal contrast boost. There has been no burning/dodging to enhance the water - it is as it was when I captured the image. I've shared this photo and story with family & friends but was reluctant to put it out for public consumption. After several years I've finally decided it may help someone else.
In October of 2009 I took a much needed vacation. A week spent in relative solitude, hiking in the mountains and photographing the wonders of nature would normally have been a very reinvigorating experience however, in the year, or so, preceding this respite I had been feeling physically ill. I nearly decided to call it off but decided it may do me some good - little did I know it would literally save my life.
On this hike I was deep in thought, reflecting on my life, health and pondering the uncertain future. For personal reasons I've never been very religious, but oftentimes I found myself thinking, “please, give me a sign”.
I’d photographed this waterfall several times before so I knew what to expect; I was just hoping for good weather and light - I wasn't disappointed. After about an hour of shooting I eventually set up to get this composition. I took a few shots and then looked at the back of the camera. To this day I do not remember seeing what appeared in the final photo when I was looking through the viewfinder. What I do remember is the sudden and uncontrollable tears that started streaming down my face when I realized what I was seeing. A very distinctive cross appeared in the lower third of the image. Sudden racing thoughts...a combination of water flow rate and camera shutter? Most likely. Or, was it really my sign? I honestly don't know. Needless to say, I was stunned and I sat in disbelief for what feels like an eternity. It was to be the last photo taken on this day.
Prior to this trip I had been reluctant to see a doctor…I just didn’t want to know. I’m not sure what changed after this experience but I did feel more at ease. As a result, one of the first things I did after arriving home was to make an appointment. In January 2010 I was diagnosed with cancer; the doctor indicated that had I waited another year or two it would have been too late. I had surgery in April to remove a 4 cm tumor, plus an additional organ. Routine follow-up testing over the course of the last several years has indicated I am now cancer free. I don't dwell on the experience for I know not why or how it happened, I'm just eternally thankful and grateful that it did.
Once everything settled down I showed this image to another friend; he found something that I had missed. There appears to be a profile of a bearded man in the water flow..in the middle/right side of the image. I'm sure I see it, but is it just my imagination?
Uploaded
April 26th, 2015
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