“Water Lines”

The Highlands subdivision on Geneva Lake in Linn Township, Wisconsin

August 5, 2024

I would say this photograph is one of the minimalist variety – just the pier canopies and the water. That was my intent when I captured the scene at the lakefront of The Highlands subdivision in Linn Township on the south shore of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin on August 20, 2006.

The composition is made possible by the elevated lake path all the way in front of the houses in the subdivision. As you might imagine, the lake views from the path are excellent.

Doing black-and-white photography, I am drawn to patterns, and the canopies certainly provided me with that attraction. All those diagonal lines! They dominate, but they are interrupted by the vertical lines of varying lengths.

Maybe I should issue an advisory to the viewers of the image: “Do not try to adjust your screen. Your device is not malfunctioning.” I do not know about you, but if I look at the photo too long my eyes start to bug out and the crisp lines start moving.

I like the vertical lines on the ends of the canopies. I do wish I had arrived at this scene later in the day when the ends would have been illuminated more prominently by the sun and the diagonals would have had less sunlight.

Symbolically, the lines of the canopies contrast with the movements of the waves. For the most part, we humans strive for order and certainty, but we also adore nature for exemplifying a free-flowing approach to life.

To order a print of this photo, go to https://www.frednoer.com/geneva-lake/p/water-lines-on-geneva-lake-wisconsin.