THE YOUNG CHAP SEEMED UNEASY, pacing to and fro and checking his watch nervously every couple of minutes.
Yet, what could be stressing him so? We were just standing around down by the lakeside at Derwent Water, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the hills, turning the clouds a pleasant, if not spectacular soft orange.
The water would have been lapping up against the tethered rowing boats if it had been the sea, but it’s not, so there wasn’t that, and even the reflections were being reticent. As for the local wildlife, the odd duck put in an appearance, but apart from that, quack all. I didn’t expect to see David Attenborough and a 15-person film crew descending on our little bit of beach any time soon. So, what was the deal.
Then I looked a little closer and I got it. In the same way fishermen attempt to find things to do with themselves whilst waiting for a bite on their various parked rods, this guy also had all his gear set up and in place and was just waiting for the photographer’s holy grail: The Decisive Moment!
If you’re not familiar with the lens wielder’s world, the term Decisive Moment (yes, it’s got capitals, it’s A Thing) was coined by French street photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson.
It means a split second when all the elements come together to offer a uniquely powerful yet fleeting image. Such as catching someone glancing at you in surprise whilst in mid-air jumping over a puddle (the person, not you), and… CLICK! If you’re a street photographer, that’s the one you wanted!
There’ll be much more photography chat later, but for now I’m trying to remember to keep these notes concise, which isn’t my strong point at all at all!
Suffice it to say, then, that I got this shot, decisive or otherwise, along with about a hundred others from a hundred different angles while our fretful young photographer was pacing around his tripod waiting for that single perfect moment, I suppose. I hope it came through for him.
I love this one, in all its grungy (if not grainy) glory. Was it the decisive moment, standing head and shoulders above all the rest… or just one of many? I don’t know but it was certainly a moment, it was my moment, and now it’s the one I’m offering you here.
You should always be pleased with your photos and the only ones you should ever regret are… those you didn’t take!
Happy snapping!
The Laggard of Lakeland 
(Lakeland Chronicles No.16)
Visit my fun Lakeland Chronicles Facebook group to comment on THIS POST, take part in the regular tricky quizzes and share your own shots ‘n’ stories with us!
Wainwright Log: 2 of 214 Fells Felled / 0 Books Bashed / Visit Log
