This photo tells a story of the passion, the single-mindedness, the concentration of creativity. This young woman pedaled to the park, hurrying to beat the setting sun. She has tossed aside her bike and helmet giving a sense of her haste and her eagerness to start to draw. She sits, hunched over her pad, with an intense concentration. This story has another participant; that of the photographer who also seized the moment when she took the photo. She included the teenager with her bike, art bucket, and sketchpad; all of the elements of this creative moment. Two artists in haste and with intense focus capturing a fleeting moment.
Photos like this are wonderful gifts to presenters. There is a depth of story here that can draw an audience into a place of learning and comprehension that is not possible with words alone. It is important, if you are fortunate enough to be able to use such a photo, to linger over it a while in your presentation. Don’t rush your audience through the discovery of its meaning. And don’t force feed the meaning to your audience. Let them come to it on their own. The lesson learned will be much more powerful.
A final thought: I often find that I can’t force myself into a creative place, but when I am ready, I will throw everything aside to be in it. Taking advantage of the moment is rich with rewards. Seize the Day.
35 of 365 Lucia’s photo-a-day.
