Cristian V.'s photostream

It is true what they say - taking photographs after the rain is a great way to discover an entire new world, hidden behind the dust of our every day existence.

I'm not the kind of person that worries about getting wet, but for some reason, I don't usually take my camera with me when it's raining. It seems like a burden, something extra to worry about. This time it was different - it started as a sunny day, but all of the sudden the sun was shrouded by heavy clouds and rain started pouring from everywhere. We went for cover under an arcade, which offered both protection and an opportunity to experiment with various camera settings and scenes.

A heavy rain took all of us by surprise that evening. We ran for cover under an old arcade, where a cold breeze reminded us that it was still early March. A taxi, with a passenger on board, passed blandly through the rain towards an unknown destination.

Sometimes, when you squeeze your eyes, you can discover a new world reflected by the light. When I've started taking photographs, I always wanted them to be in focus - it tends to emphasis the subject and in general, it creates a pleasant feeling to the eye. But I don't think photographs are all about a sharp focus - it's the end result that counts, the feeling that you get when you look at the various shapes that are born under your eyes. At least that's what I wanted this photo to be about.

Some say that humans have a natural tendency to heal themselves. Whenever they are hurt, they want to get better; whenever they are down, they want to be happy. It's very easy to overlook this natural ability, but when you realise it's there, it can do wonders. As long as their flame is burning, there's nothing that can really stop them from healing and trying again.

"People grow old only by deserting their ideals, Macarthur had written. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber. So long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long are you young. When your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only, are you grown old. And then, indeed as the ballad says, you just fade away." (Douglas MacArthur)