Dylan Hoang
Jerry Uelsmann, "Untitled"
1998, Gelatin Silver Combination Print
There is a phrase that goes "a picture can tell a story." Then, there are pictures that tell many stories. This photograph, in particular, resonates with me because it conveys so many things at once: freedom, spirit, fear, trust and most of all, time. Time in the sense that "it's time for the bird to leave the nest." Time meaning that the moment has come for one to spread his/her wings and either soar in the skies or plummet towards an agonizing failure. This feeling of freedom is something we all yearn for.
As our guardians watch us succeed or slip, the responsibility falls upon us. Yet, midst all of this there is awe and splendor during the journey. It can be graceful or terrifying, but most of all, poignant.
The venture we embark on on is a defining moment. As the wind blows in our faces and pushes us in directions we can choose to go, we are being analyzed every step of the way. This photograph is a definitive example of the journey of any growing adult.
