There is a special, poetic sadness that comes exclusively in winter. When the colorful leaves of fall have all fallen off, there remains only what is essential in the world. This is the season that nature teaches us about beauty of simplicity, lines, and contrasts.
One cold, foggy afternoon, while the light but weak sun was trying to penetrate a thick layer of fog in the sky, I decided to go for a walk and take some pictures. The environment seemed otherworldly and when I saw a couple of crows gathering near a single tree, I understood that this was the perfect subject for my picture.
The first photo is a perfect embodiment of movement and stillness at once. One tall tree with its complicated branches reaches up to the bright, diffuse sunlight that shimmers through a dense fog like an orb in the sky. There is a crow perched on the highest branch of the tree, looking ahead in the mist.
On the other hand, there is another crow flying to the left and spreading its wings, floating through the thick air.
In the second picture, one finds oneself getting closer to the essence of the tree as one sees the quiet scene. The sun is right behind the branches of this beautiful tree and its powerful yet gentle light helps in lighting up the fog.
In the second picture, one can see two crows that have settled on the branches, their silhouettes seen against the powerful light that is coming from the sun. While one crow is at a high place, another one has found its place at a lower branch but this time it is aligned properly with the sun.
The intricate web of smaller twigs contrasts very much with the surroundings as it seems to be ink drawing. It was an amazing experience to stand below the tree and watch these intelligent creatures living so peacefully in the cold weather.
Creating these images has made me realize that sometimes even in black and white, stories of life become very beautiful.
