The heavy rain of this morning is replaced by a sparkling afternoon, and I head to the loch, not because I want to, but because I feel I ought to. It is a bright day, and we I doubt we will have many of them in the few dog days of summer that remain. Sundays are difficult for me at the moment, because it is a time when I remember Henry – my Golden Retriever who died recently. However, I think that maybe I can turn my loss into some extra special images that will forever remind me of him.
The colours are bright, and the sky overhead is blue as I arrive at this very familiar place. The bright light of the sun illuminates what lies beneath the water’s surface. I am struck by the contrast of the blue waters and the fluorescent green of the algae that has formed in large clumps around the base of the reeds in recent days. I set to work, as I do not expect the algae to remain on the loch. More heavy rain is forecast, and I expect it will flush the green slime away.
I decide to work, once again, with double exposure images, to replicate the depth and luminosity that I can see with my eyes. Over-exposing the first image will help illuminate the depths of the loch and the under-exposed second will provide a sense of what is on the surface. The algae create interesting shapes that hang from the reeds.

Metaphor 172 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 173 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 174 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 175 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 176 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 177 – Alison Price, September 2022
As the sun starts to drop it lights up the decaying plate-shaped leaves of the water lilies. The scene resembles those depicted in Japanese block paintings or Monet’s pond at Giverny. It is a magical sight.

Metaphor 178 – Alison Price, September 2022

Metaphor 179 – Alison Price, September 2022
While I had been reluctant to get out with my camera, it has been a fruitful shoot. I need to learn that good work can come out of sadness and perhaps the death of my dear companion might serve to bequeath me a series of great images.
