Lens-Artists Challenge #298: To Be Young Again
This week, Tina’s challenge resonated with me on several levels. The title she used, “To Be Young Again,” got me thinking about the ramifications of that phrase. I rarely photograph children, except in some family photos. My photo catalog may have fewer than a handful of children’s photos. Nevertheless, Tina’s post title allows me to explore and look introspectively.
The header image I used shows my brothers and me. It was captured by a family member sixty+ years ago. I love the looks on our faces and the dreams our innocent minds had. I am the one sitting on the little toy bus.
“Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see
And learn“
[Stephen Sondheim]
For some people, to be young again means recapturing the physical vitality that children and youth have. It is a literal desire for some, be it a younger body, more energy, or fewer aches and pains. Well, that stays in the science fiction realm, as humankind has yet to be able to control aging and its “side effects.”
For others, being young again may refer to having a carefree time and almost feeling invincible, as the kids I see in a skate park nearby.
When I look at that photo of my brothers and me, I am reminded of our childhood together. Growing up in Brazil, I remember when we would sit around and play music together. In that sense, being young again would recapture those good ol’ days. A photo can quickly help us be young again and take us back to our childhood, if only visually.
“May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.”
[Bob Dylan]
More realistically, though, to be young again may mean approaching life with a youthful spirit. As I customarily say, there is the chronological age and the age I feel in my head. It isn’t so much about age as it is about a good and healthy attitude within one’s ability. You may relate to that if you have ever, for example, been to Disney World or another similar amusement park. You let loose and have a good time. We were certainly not worried about looking silly some 20+ years ago. The children within us came alive.
Naturally, being young again varies from individual to individual. It is a very personal concept. Even in our golden years, we are still children and young at heart.
I want to extend a big thank you to all of you who responded to my challenge last week. I’m glad your initial reaction to the challenge did not discourage you from submitting extraordinarily beautiful images and a memorable soundtrack. Some of the music you shared has been playing in my head since then. Through your posts, I learned new music and began seeing more music in my own photos. Thank you very much!
I hope you will check out Tina’s post and share your ideas and photos for the challenge. Please leave a comment on her original challenge post and use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post. That helps us and others find your entries.
Next week, Patti will share another delightful challenge on Saturday, 12 noon (EDT in the USA). Stay tuned. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
Disclosure: All photos I am in were photographed by family members.
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Leya
I so enjoyed your personal and lovely take on this challenge, Egidio. First and last with you and your brothers, and the skating boy is a cool shot that takes me back to my son who was an addictive skater – and still is at the age of 32. When I was young, my grandmother told me that she was still 19 inside while 70 in her body. Now I know how she felt – I am there too.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much for your detailed feedback, Ann-Christine. This challenge was wonderful in reliving those moments you described between you and your grandmother.
lifelessons
I love the photo of you and your brothers. Is the last one of you and your brothers as well?
Egidio Leitao
Yes, we photographed that in chronological order. I’m the youngest of four. I was sitting on that toy bus. Thanks for your feedback.
lifelessons
Now I have to look again. i knew you were the little cutie!!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
pattimoed
Hi Egidio. What a lovely post and reflection on childhood. The images of you and your brothers are priceless! I was sure you were the one with the guitar! It’s wonderful that you grew up with 3 siblings. It looks like there’s a lot of love between you. I agree that a youthful and curious spirit is the way to stay young.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Patti. Yes, we are very close. I was the one on the little toy bus in the first photo. Both photos show us from the oldest to the youngest (me).
Dawn M. Miller
Love this, especially the first one. nice touch adding an updated version.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Dawn. Those were special moments.
Anonymous
Love this, especially the first one. Nice touch to add an updated image.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for your feedback.
Amy
The first image and the last images are precious. Sweet photos, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Amy.
Ingrid
Not only did I enjoy your photos I enjoyed your message. I have lots of days where I feel a certain age in my head but then the body reminds me of reality 🤣
Egídio Leitão
I’m happy you enjoyed the post, Ingrid. You’ve got the right attitude even when the body says otherwise.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Lovely post and I really enjoyed the first one and the last one. Brothers. Also the movement of the skateboarder. Even if you found you succeeded in it.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you , Ritva. This was a great challenge.
Shelley
I enjoyed your take on the prompt, well done. It was fun to see the old photo and the new photo of you and your brothers’ – the eyes of contemplation and the smiles of togetherness – filled with much joy. That little bus is adorable. Yes, I agree, Disney isn’t just for kids. My hubby and I went there for our honeymoon. 🥰
Egídio Leitão
Thanks very much, Shelley. How wonderful you spent your honeymoon at Disney!
Shelley
You’re welcome. Yes, it was my hubby’s idea – he knew that as a child I had never been there or to the beach. It was a fun adventure. We took our kids there a few times too so they didn’t have to wait to get married to go 🤣😂
Tomi Rovira
What a beautiful photograph, the one of the four children in black and white!!!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Tomi.
Sofia Alves
Wonderful, wonderful post, Egídio. You got there, even with a shaky start, and gave us a gem. I love your thoughts and the photo of your brothers.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Sofia.
Toonsarah
This is a great response to the challenge this week, thoughtful and personal. You’re right about the two ages – the one that numbers our years and the one we feel (and often behave!)
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much, Sarah, for the support and feedback.
margaret21
I love your take on this challenge! And so sorry not to join in last week. I was chasing my own tail all the time as I am this week too. But you had so many wonderful entries …
Egídio Leitão
Margaret, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you very much. As for last week’s challenge, please do not worry about it. Life gets in the way of things we want to do and can do.
photobyjohnbo
I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Egidio. My favorite image is your interpretation of the Adamski effect featuring the boy on the scooter.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much, John. I appreciate your feedback. I had to look up what you meant by Adamski effect. I captured the kid on the scooter by using panning. It was done on camera and not post processing, as in the Adamski effect.
Wind Kisses
So touching, Egidio. I love both the message and encouragement about life in general that came from your post. I absolutely love the feature photo of you and your brothers. Your eyes tell the story of happiness and what world might wait in front of you. And I agree in holding on to youthful spirit. My husband and I went to Disney in our later years and it was a completely different experiment with JUST us. And cool scooter shot! Well done!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Donna. I guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic (and mushy). Thanks for the feedback about the photos. The panning shot with the scooter was captured one afternoon when I set out to practice panning. The nicest thing is that it’s a public park and I can sit far away to capture those shots.
Wind Kisses
Fantastic. I like taking photos at kids sporting events for the same reasons. It is public, safe and all the photos are in action.
Marie
Lovely post, Egidio. So much of who we are is set in place when we are young. We can only hope that as we age we are able to meld new experiences and new ideas into who we are and grow as we move forward. I guess I’m feeling a bit philosophical today. 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Marie, many thanks! I totally agree with your assessment about how our young lives can affect who we are as we grow old.
Aletta - nowathome
Egídio, what a beautiful post! You’ve really inspired me to do a post too. I also do not take many photos of children, unless its of family 😄
Egídio Leitão
Aletta, that is super kind of you to comment. I look forward to seeing your post.
Aletta - nowathome
Hope I will do okay👍🏻
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che bello vedere il tuo album di famiglia, Egidio! 👏
Egídio Leitão
Grazie mille, Luisella. Buona giornata e settimana.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Grazie, altrettanto. 🌈
philosophy through photography
Wow!
What a presentation!
The brothers! Excellent expression!
Arranged in order of height.
Except the tall boy, the rest of you are having fun.
Stephen Sondheim’s quote is so true!
Love the Jan 2020 click! Happy faces! Young at heart indeed!
Great examples for this theme
Thank you, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Philo. The arrangement is also chronological from left to right, from the oldest to youngest. I am happy you liked my take for the challenge. I appreciate your feedback.
philosophy through photography
That is wonderful of the person, whoever took the click.
You are welcome.
Writing to Freedom
Kudos on keeping your youthful spirit alive Egidio. I think I’ve lost mine in the last few years and have no children in my life.
Egídio Leitão
Brad, thank you so much for your encouragement and feedback. We have no children of our own, but we love our nephews/nieces and grand-nephews/nieces.
Writing to Freedom
I’m happy for you.
JohnRH
GREAT photos and commentary. LOVE the brothers, then and now. Outstanding. I too have few photos of children unless they are family or friends. Kids are the best regardless.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the comment, John. I appreciated your compliment.
Tina Schell
Loved this Egidio – you definitely rose to the challenge despite initial misgivings. Thanks to you I think the challenge is better than it started out. I loved the photo of you and your brothers and you captured that skateboarder so perfectly within the moving background. Kudos!! (and BTW you are absolutely right about Disney World. it’s not really for the kids at all, is it?!?!? 😊
Egídio Leitão
Tina, thank you for your feedback and support. I still saved a couple of children’s photo for another occasion. 🙂 As with any challenge, it is always good to shake our foundations. You did that with a wonderful challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing other responses during the week, too. Thank you again.
Anne Sandler
What a great interpretation of the challenge Egidio. Yes, we are as young as we feel and act. I loved the image of you and your brothers.
Egídio Leitão
Anne, many thanks for your feedback. That photo is very dear to me. I’m happy you liked it, too.