Solitude and Sociability

There are two sides to every story, or so I am told.

I have a dear friend who considers me a hermit, and sometimes her opinion in this has merit. I will admit to being inordinately fond of my own company at times. This is not because I harbor any disdain for the company of others. Instead, I find high value in times of quiet introspection and uncomplicated appreciation of the world around me. I have my sociable inclinations as well, perhaps a bit more limited in scope and frequency than most. But I am what I am, and I’m quite comfortable with that.

In my mind, there’s a curious question about the cause and effect relationship between my appreciation for solitude and my chosen crafts of photography and writing. Making images and then writing my thoughts about them are both rather solitary pursuits. I have often wondered if I’m attracted to these self-contained activities because they accommodate my enjoyment of regular bouts of solitude, or if it’s the other way around, spending time on my own because my chosen activities necessitate it. I suspect there is some point of balance between the two.

Creating the photo you see on the left involved elements of both solitude and sociability. I was up early one day, long before dawn, to shoot a sunrise photo of the Smoky Mountains in the best early morning light. I had hiked through a stretch of sleeping forest in the dark and planned to climb an observation tower for what I hoped would be a stunning vantage point to shoot the sunrise. I was enjoying the stillness around me but as I neared the tower I was quite surprised to hear several exuberant voices. I hadn’t expected anyone else to be there at such an early hour and I was disappointed at the intrusion on my anticipated peaceful photo shoot. Apparently, a group of graduating college seniors had been celebrating the night before and had decided to end their college years by watching the sun usher in the first day of their post-college careers.

I climbed the tower, greeted them on the observation deck and then set up my photo equipment to be ready for sunrise. They were a very sociable group and as we waited for the sun to come up we enjoyed a pleasant conversation about their college experiences and plans for the future. Quickly forgetting my disappointment at losing the tranquility of the morning, I enjoyed their company and their refreshing expectations for starting new lives.

As it happened, a stand of tall trees just barely blocked the sun as it came over the horizon so I wasn’t able to get a sunrise shot, at least not this time. I’ll come back next autumn when the sunrise has moved around to the east a bit and try to capture that elusive sunrise photo again. Even so, I’m pleased with the image I was able to get.

After the sun was up, the group and I said goodbye to each other and they went off to start their new lives. I waited behind for a little while, enjoying the spectacular view and the regained serenity of the morning. Measured in terms of solitude and sociability, I think I had the best of both that morning.

Note:
I intend to update this blog each week and I do hope you’ll re-visit it often. Since I thrive on your comments, I’d really love to hear from you. Please feel free to email me using the blue email link near the upper-right corner of the HOME PAGE for this site to send me any questions or comments you might have...or just to say hello. Thank you.

John Carroll