A Bench Under a Red Maple

Name: A Bench Under a Red Maple

Author: Liudmila Maksimovskaya NIKOXXII, DOB 1978

Geography: Black Hawk State Historic Site

Made in (country/ city): United States, Rockford, IL

Date (when it was made): 11/03/2013

Medium: photograph, Instagram

Dimensions (size): 2248 x 2248 pixels, 31.222 inches x 31.222 inches, resolution 72 pixels/inch

Copyright © : Liudmila Maksimovskaya NIKOXXII

Description: I took this photo when my family and I visited the Black Hawk State Historic Site for the first time. It was surprisingly busy. Many people took pictures with professional photographers. I guess it was a perfect Autumn day for a family photo outing. I picked this place for a shot because I loved the red leaves of the tree and the lonely rusty bench under it. Come to think of it - I love photographing standing-alone objects like this bench. Those objects are quiet reminders of our loneliness in the world. Despite the seemingly gloomy symbolism, this image evokes peaceful and comforting feelings. I imagine somebody invisible who died many years ago. This someone has no more anger towards the way his life ended or towards the people who hurt him.  

The ghost has become the silent guardian of the land and now and then he sits on this bench and watches the living taking photos of their families and friends in front of the colorful trees. Do you feel the same way or does this photo evoke different emotions in your heart?