Into the Unknown

“It’s winter in San Francisco and, as the day winds down, I find myself at the waterfront between the Bay Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. Over to my left, I see a ground-level cloud gathering around a small pedestrian bridge, and I’m instantly drawn towards it. A middle-aged man is standing at the near end of the platform, watching his young daughter run toward the pier on the other side which is now completely obscured by the thick mist. As I walk up, camera in hand, I give the dad a nod, smile, and settle in next to him. We both agree that this scene before us is something remarkable to behold. After a few moments, the little girl comes running back towards us, hair damp from the fog, laughing deliriously. She stops a couple of feet in front of us, looks up at her dad, then at me, and then back at her dad, and immediately turns around and runs across the overpass again, still shrieking with joyous laughter. I pull my camera up and click the shutter as she disappears into the fog.

To me, this photograph represents a moment of childhood innocence, curiosity and enthusiasm, where the bridge serves as a symbolic threshold to the unknown. The interplay of light and fog evokes a sense of mystery and wonder; it encourages me to reflect on my own journey of self-discovery. In capturing the beauty of the ephemeral, I was reminded of the profound impact these fleeting and unexpected moments can have on life. Instead of fearing the unknown, one can embrace it with an open heart, open mind, and unwavering courage.“