Story Behind the Photo: Jersey Red

By: Dr. Robin D. Collin

This image is from the collection titled, “Colors”. This collection consists of images of scenes whose natural, vibrant colors lend to the beauty of the photo.

This shot is an oldie but a goodie. I took this in Southern New Jersey during my time in medical school. It was during this time period that I started to more regularly put into practice taking spiritually restorative walks. On this excursion, I visited one of the suburbs near my apartment complex with the intent of capturing as many images of the colorful Fall foliage that was popping up. It’s a ritual that I’d come to take for many years thereafter. I remember so clearly walking down one of the blocks and this tree just instantly caught my eye and had me in a trance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a red so juicy before. I am thankful that I was granted access to the yard where this tree grew. I crawled into the center of the tree and just started snapping away. (I even laid on the ground to capture the contrast of the green grass and the red leaves that had fallen on it. I was totally into this tree and its leaves!) This image reflects a moment where I laid back on one of its trunks, stared up, and just let the colors wash over me. This image reminds me to enjoy the ride that my peculiar interest take me on and to savor the juicy moments in life.