Still Learning To See

Reflecting on our blue and green world

Today I am celebrating our blue and green world—swirled in water!

Each of us sees the world differently, some only slightly, others very differently. I have a good friend, as an example, who is not able to see colors in the ways I am; he describes colors as differing shades of brightness.

Our daughter is a synesthete—born with a condition called synesthesia—for whom the pieces of life have very specific colors associated with them. Words and letters, for example, to her are always a specific color; other synesthetes may taste or hear color.

And if we consider other animal species, the ways of seeing must expand in many more directions. In fact, what we term “seeing” is just a small part of a literally infinite spectrum of ways of sensing and living in this amazing world.

I was recently challenged to share the blue and green world that is so prominent this time of year in Vermont, and decided to share images of that world reflected in water.

In the past month the hills and mountains have become walls of green, the farms and pastures green blankets spread across the valleys. And not just “green” but many variations on the theme, all defined by the plants and the quality of the light—literally the collection and processing of the Sun’s energy.

Though we have had a great deal of rain recently, on many days the blue sky is visible, at least to my eyes! That color, of course, comes via scattering of part of the same energy of the Sun, and the sensors—our eyes—that have evolved to navigate using it.

As someone who has long been deeply involved in science and photography, these facts about color and sensing only serve to increase my love of this planet we share.

I trust you too will enjoy seeing some of our blue and green world swirled in water.

This entry was published on July 3, 2023 at 9:16 am and is filed under Abstract, John Snell, John Snell Photographer, Leaves, People, Reflections, Spring, Summer, Trees, Vermont, Water, www.johnsnell.photography. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.

7 thoughts on “Reflecting on our blue and green world

  1. Jeff Danziger's avatarJeff Danziger on said:

    BEAUTIFUL!

  2. David Harrison's avatarDavid Harrison on said:

    Omg this is amazing work

  3. Geof's avatarGeof on said:

    Thank you!

  4. Dale Dailey's avatarDale Dailey on said:

    Some beautiful photos and profound words.

  5. Dale Dailey's avatarDale Dailey on said:

    Some beautiful photos and profound words

  6. Dale Dailey's avatarDale Dailey on said:

    John, Some beautiful photos and profound words. Dale

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