Artist Statement
A Time for Reflection
2023 was a challenging year for me due to two health issues. The first resulted in my cancelling a trip to Canada in January. The second resulted in two hospital stays, living for months with a tube coming out of my abdomen with a bag attached, and a second trip that I had to cancel before finally having surgery in October. The experience left me physically and mentally drained, as well as depressed.
As soon as I had sufficiently recovered physically, I knew that I needed to get myself recharged. Many of us have places that just make us feel better. For me, one of those places is Yosemite, especially in winter. After the holidays and before the Firefall, the tourist crowds are generally gone. The park is quiet. In early January 2024, there was a forecast of possible snow. I made a lodging reservation in the park and went three days later, the day before the expected storm.
This was a time of reflection. Where am I and where am I going in my life? Time to make some changes. Many of my photo locations were away from the usual spots that most people go to in the park. I wanted to be alone in my thoughts. Time seemed to slow down. The stillness of the Merced River reflected the newly fallen snow on branches. It seemed a perfect metaphor for my life right now. My brief four days in the park restored my soul. It’s amazing what a good photo trip can do!
Tom Vancisin
A Time for Reflection
2023 was a challenging year for me due to two health issues. The first resulted in my cancelling a trip to Canada in January. The second resulted in two hospital stays, living for months with a tube coming out of my abdomen with a bag attached, and a second trip that I had to cancel before finally having surgery in October. The experience left me physically and mentally drained, as well as depressed.
As soon as I had sufficiently recovered physically, I knew that I needed to get myself recharged. Many of us have places that just make us feel better. For me, one of those places is Yosemite, especially in winter. After the holidays and before the Firefall, the tourist crowds are generally gone. The park is quiet. In early January 2024, there was a forecast of possible snow. I made a lodging reservation in the park and went three days later, the day before the expected storm.
This was a time of reflection. Where am I and where am I going in my life? Time to make some changes. Many of my photo locations were away from the usual spots that most people go to in the park. I wanted to be alone in my thoughts. Time seemed to slow down. The stillness of the Merced River reflected the newly fallen snow on branches. It seemed a perfect metaphor for my life right now. My brief four days in the park restored my soul. It’s amazing what a good photo trip can do!
Tom Vancisin
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