Still Waters, Quiet Layers

4 days ago

Earlier today I photographed a small pond that had turned into a slow, floating collage. Leaves drifted near the surface, tiny bits of debris gathered at the edges, and a little insect skimmed the water as if testing its balance. What drew me in was the stillness, very little movement, just a calm sheet of water that behaved like a mirror.

I decided to render the set in black and white because the scene felt more about tone than color. The reflections layered with the floating objects created a quiet double exposure effect. Above, there were veins of leaves, and below, a soft echo of trees and sky. In the background, rounded stones fell gently out of focus, thanks to the shallow depth of field, and they became a muted backdrop that let the lighter elements take the stage.

Compared to my usual posts, the contrast here is intentionally softer. I did a light touch in editing, subtle curve adjustments, a nudge to the highlights, and a small lift to the blacks, to keep the grayscale gentle. The goal was to preserve that glassy calm rather than push it into drama. Even with less contrast, the images feel layered, objects on the surface, reflections beneath, and the stones resting like whispers in the distance.

This is one of those subjects that rewards patience. Nothing shouts, nothing performs, yet the longer you look, the more the pieces connect, the leaf edges, the insect’s tiny ripple, the pond’s faint reflection. It’s a simple moment, but it carries a lot when you slow down to see it.