Don't Ever Give Up
I wish you could have been with me when I took this shot. I had run out of slide film, and only had some very old and outdated negative film left in my camera bag, when I came upon this delicate, but strong blade of grass. Despite sub zero temperatures and a frigid and vicious South Dakota winter wind, this grass seemed to be stretching gracefully and hopefully towards the last rays of the winter sun before it ducked behind the trees for the night. I was amazed by the simple beauty that this single blade of grass presented to me that day. It made me remember that even when times are tough there is always a ray of hope if you search for it. It touched me in a way that I can’t put into words.
This photo is dedicated to my dear friend, Barb Johnson, who we lost to cancer. She fought hard. I pray she is in a good place now.
Don't Ever Give Up belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, Everything Winter, Film Photography, Icy Cold, Minimalism and The Fabulous Prairies - 3/day Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Alan Findlater
like this nice shot well caught
sunchaser replied
Thanks Alan, I thought twice about putting this out, since I wasn’t happy with the film it was shot on, but something about it really touches me…
Leon Walker
Fantastic. Just fantastic!!!
sunchaser replied
I am so glad you like this! Thanks for your comment!
Karen Cougan
oh that is so gorgeous…........and symbolic….........well done
xkc
sunchaser replied
Karen, Wish you could have been with me. It was pretty neat to see this fragile stalk of grass yearning for the light of day.
Karen Cougan replied
I think I wish I was there…..........not too sure on the cold though…........so glad you are sharing with us though
xkc
sunchaser replied
Karen, It is probably just as well you aren’t here. It is miserably cold, but sometimes that really adds to the challenge of photography…you would have laughed at me stuck in a snowdrift today, holding my camera over my head, trying to keep it dry! The snow was deeper than I expected and I couldn’t get my balance enough to get myself out for a while. Very interesting!
Karen Cougan replied
I can’t even imagine that…........its hot as here….......glad you got the shots though
xkc
Paul (Quixote)...
This is what I call a perfect shot. The shot which makes it worth it. Simplicity and elegance
sunchaser replied
Geez, Paul. Thank you so much. I was really dumbfounded by this determined little blade of grass and the shadow it cast. You would have loved being there. Well, despite the cold!
Paul (Quixote)... replied
We all look for that one special image, sometime it works, and other times it does not. But, You have to take it. If you don’t it will bother you for a while.
sunchaser replied
Hey Paul,
Funny, but it is still bugging me that I didn’t have my film of preference, but glad that I took the shot. That old film was so grainy! Amazed I got anything!
Michelle Boyer
Great image
sunchaser replied
Thank you Michelle! :-)
Andy Harris
great narrative and super shot…! Well captured!
ajyenney
Love this one! It’s always easier to give up then keep trying.
niggle
Awesome shot, so its still cold where you are
sunchaser replied
Yes, Niggle, Very cold….yesterday I was wading around in snow up to my hips trying to take photos!
Hannah Nicholas
Wow. Very effective and great spotting. Love it!
LindaR
Love this image and the serenity it conveys ~ your words describe it so well. Thanks!
Von McKnelly
Snow detail….priceless. The story behind this lovely work of art…again priceless.
Sande Elkins
Lovely!
Lois Romer
wonderful shot
Angi Baker
Simple yet elegant, love it…
tjmimagery
Fantastic image, perfect composition, very well done.
Tom Gomez
Magic, shows the power of nature. You can’t keep a good blade of grass down …
nesi
what a beautiful capture! superb and elegant!
filthy6
What a lovely story to go with such a beautiful shot. Superb work, sunchaser.
Birgitta
The lighting is simply incredible….
Steve Taylor
This is beautiful. Well seen.
Kate Purdy
Perfect image, perfect title. What a great reminder to all
SharonAHenson
This is such an amazing shot…...”PERFECT” in every way !!!!!!
Kenneth Fugate
nice and so right
sunchaser
Thanks for the wonderful feedback!
Phil Eckert
perfect resilience.. simply beautiful
mariarty
Beautiful, simple and elegant made more so by your words.
intheflesh
Beautiful, sensitive
Dave Miller
glorious detail out of what must have been a winter wonderland – excellent
sunchaser replied
Thanks Dave! It was beautiful there!
Dawne Olson
Lovely image and a treasured moment in time—so glad you caught it! It makes winter a little “warmer”!
sunchaser replied
:-) Thank you Dawne!
djlampkins
Simplistic beauty! Exquisite composition
sunchaser replied
Next winter, I am going back for more…...what a serene place it was! Thank you!
SNik
minimalism at its best!
sunchaser replied
I so much appreciate your comments! :-)
Vytas Gaizutis
such elegance.
sunchaser replied
Such a nice comment, Vytas! Really made me happy!
Gustav Nordlund
Great shot, sure shows us that nature will never give up without a fight :)
Keiran Lusk
Beautiful image and words. Don’t ever give up. So very poignant. Thank-you for sharing this with the world :-)
sunchaser replied
Thanks, Keiran, I appreciate you taking time to comment!
SandraRos
Your words and your photograph is awesome,glorious and inspiring. Kind regards to you out of Africa
sunchaser replied
Africa! Wow, you must have some amazing photo ops there! Can I come visit? :-)
Brendan Schoon
Wonderful title and a perfect picture!! Amazing!! Very well done. Brendan
sunchaser replied
Brendan, Thanks! Glad you liked it!
SandraRos
You are so very welcome my son is a Game Ranger we can go on safari ! He has photo’s on here as well: Bushbaby
sunchaser
I will take a look. What a great job! :-)
Caroline Evans...
thank you for those words and that image
sunchaser replied
Caroline, you would have loved this place! Your welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Ron Moss
Outstanding, very wabi-sabi as the japanese might say.
Ron
sunchaser replied
Very nice compliment, Ron. Thank you!
Vickie Emms
this is a photo with true feeling sunchaser. Very well taken, and the writeup is so interesting, Beautiful all round.
sunchaser replied
Thank you Vicky! It was such a fascinating little blade of grass! But then, I am VERY easily entertained! :-)
Alecs Lindsay
Nice catch…. congrats on you feature.
sunchaser replied
Thanks Alecs!
sharont
Nice and very creative…congrats on the feature.
sunchaser replied
Hi Sharon, was fun being featured. This is one of my favorite photos for some reason! Guess it was the company that I was with that day and a perfect day ending with a image that fascinated me!
Pascale Baud
good luck for the challenge where I see it ! :) very delicate & beautiful !
sunchaser replied
Thanks! Hope it goes well….this photo doesn’t show very well in small format…...but is fun when you see it larger!
deannedaffy
Congrats on being featured it’s a beautiful image.
sunchaser replied
Thanks so much!
wekesa
Congrats for win challenge! Your shot is magnificent! Simply and Beautiful!
sunchaser replied
Thank you Veikko! What a n honor! :-)
Heather Nel
really really stunning in its simplicity : )
sunchaser replied
Thank you Heather!
Wendi Donaldson
Such a strong image….Congratulations on winning the Top Ten challenge!! Beautiful work.
sunchaser replied
Thank you, dear! :-)
Clare Colins
cool shot….beautifully simple and yet says so much about tenacity…well done
sunchaser replied
Thanks! Got to be tough to survive these SD winters!
Donna Adamski
Beautiful capture…CONGRATULATIONS on your WIN in the Snow Lights and Shadows challenge in the #12 Great Features group. :)
sunchaser replied
Yippee!!! Thanks Orphie!
SandraRos
Africa calling on you again to say CONGRATULATIONS ! You deserve that win with this awesome photograph
sunchaser replied
Well, Hello Sandra! Thank you so much! Hope all is well in Africa! :-)
BarbL
I am always amazed at how beauty can be found in the simple things…and I think we forget that. You unique and lovely shot is a true reminder…Congrats on the win…so well-deserved!
sunchaser replied
Thank you Barb! That is what is amazing about photography and art, isn’t it? We all find beauty in different aspects of life. I know I am often amazed at what beauty other RB artists find that never occured to me!
shaneran
congratulations !!! This is a fantastic picture !!
sunchaser replied
Thanks. I was so happy about this win!
sulaartist
Many Congratulations !!! A very natural image !!
sunchaser replied
Thank you so much! :-)
Anthony Hedger
Hey congratulations on your feature on this simple shot – it is a fantastic – I love it well done
sunchaser replied
Anthony, Thanks! I am glad that you like it! It is one of my favorites!
Rick & Deb Larson
Great shot and story!! CONGRATS on the well deserved feature!! Take Care.
sunchaser replied
Rick and Deb, Thanks for your comments. Hope all is well with you!
Tamara Valjean
Wonderful image and message to go with it. Thanks, I needed that! Well done… : )
sunchaser replied
Glad I made your eyes happy, Tamara! Thank you for looking!
bubblehex08
Amazing! I loved that picture since I saw it! Great that it was a winner!
sunchaser replied
Well thank you! It was such beautiful light and it only lasted for minutes and then it was gone!
Waleska Luker
Perfect!
sunchaser replied
Thanks! :-)
Debbie Stobbart
Congratulations. This is such a beautiful image in pure simplicity.
Love it.
sunchaser replied
Thank you Debbie!
Rosalie Scanlon
Excellent image and congratulations on your win.
sunchaser replied
Well, thank you Rosalie. It made my day, for sure!
Marilyn Harris
Fabulous work!! Congratulations on your very deserving win!! :o)
sunchaser replied
Thank you Blossom! I am overwhelmed by the response. It makes those frozen fingers worthwhile!
MaLene
Great shot. Congratulations.
sunchaser replied
Thank you MaLene! Appreciate it!
laureenr
Simplicty is beauty. Well captured.
sunchaser replied
Thank you Laureen!
Steve Buffington
Talk about seeing a shot. I think most of us would have walked right by. Beautifully done.
sunchaser replied
Thanks Steve. I think sometimes that I see things in an odd sort of way! :-)
Cora Wandel
Love the image and writing. You should consider joining the group ImageWriting, you tell a beautiful story with this photo.
sunchaser replied
I didn’t know about that group. Sounds like fun!
Anne-Marie Bok...
sunchaser replied
How fun being featuerd in this group!
Cathy Middleton
Really beautiful, simple, perfect.
sunchaser replied
Thank you Cathy!
Isa Rodriguez
truly a wonderful delightfully hopeful image.. your description of it makes my heart happy to know such things happen in all of gods beauty.. this is a good day that I found this beauty here on the bubble.. bravo for sharing..
sunchaser replied
Such kind comments Isa. Makes my heart happy! My best friend is currently battling a wicked form of cancer. I look at this little blade of grass whenever I lose hope. She has just got to survive it!
maxy
This is so beautiful! Congratulations on your feature! Excellent work!
sunchaser replied
Thank you maxy!
nick board
Lovely shot, and explanation, and a heartfelt dedication, by the grace of god.