Chasing Shadows

She returned to the nursery, and found Nana with something in her mouth, which proved to be the boy’s shadow. As he leapt at the window Nana had closed it quickly, too late to catch him, but his shadow had not had time to get out; slam went the window and snapped it off.

–JM Barrie. Peter Pan.

     

     Interesting things, shadows are. Mocking and teasing, so close, but unreachable. They’re possibly the peskiest things and still, some of us are able to find the greatest friends in them. Tonight, while standing on my deck, something about the way the shadows were relaxing on the fence boards caught my attention and I was presented with a new challenge-to capture them.

     

     Let me tell you, it’s no easy task. Capture a shadow, yeah right. Just when you think you have them they change their minds and switch shape and you have to start all over again. If you’re lacking patience, then I would suggest finding a different hobby, I almost did myself. But then I discovered a strategy. They don’t expect you to sneak up on them, the shadows. Most of us try to get at them in plain sight; it’s like a lion walking into a watering hole and expecting the gazelles not to run. Impossible, when they know your there. But if you’re careful you might just prove successful. 


     Slowly, ever so slowly, walk towards the shadow, but not to his face. No. Go up from behind and when you're a few feet away, pull out your camera. Steady it. Zoom. Focus. And snap the shutter button. Jump out from behind with a shout and he'll never know what hit him. It's great fun, I promise you. And sometimes, they'll even play along!