Moments Not Taken
This morning I noticed a tiny bird hopping around an old food offering that had been left out. It was carefully picking at the crumbs, looking so light and delicate on the edge of the container. I thought it would be a nice moment to capture, so I tried to walk towards it slowly with my camera.
I failed.
The bird was a lot more attentive than I expected. The moment it sensed me getting closer, it flew away. It never came back while I was there, and I felt a bit guilty for interrupting its quiet meal.
Instead of waiting and stressing it further, I decided to step back and simply photograph the offering itself. The rough texture of the steamed cakes, the melted wax of the candle, and the thin incense sticks created an interesting scene on their own. In black and white, the grains of sugar and the drips of wax become more noticeable, almost sculptural.
Moments like this remind me that taking photos shouldn’t come at the cost of disturbing others, even small creatures. That’s one of the reasons I naturally gravitate toward nature subjects—flowers, leaves, plants, raindrops. They don’t mind if I get close. I can spend as much time as I want framing, refocusing, and shooting without feeling like I’m invading anything.
Today, the bird didn’t become part of the photo, but it still became part of the story behind these images. I hope it returned later to enjoy the food in peace.
Have a good day, and may your small moments stay undisturbed.
”To see in color is a delight for the eye, but to see in black and white is delight for the soul.”
Thanks for the boldness. Not many capture such images
Thank you 👍