Time, this unparalleled parameter in life, is our ally and enemy simultaneously, but how we react to it is a decision that we make by ourselves based on so many factors. Two weeks ago, I was in the middle of reading an article, and right in front of me, this leaf fell off from the body of its plant onto the ground. I was witnessing the first moments of this leaf on the verge of its deterioration by Time, and it was obvious that in some days it would lose all of its glory. So, I started to photograph this beautiful and fresh leaf, wanting to see how Time was going to insult this once-living plant. My intention was to make a series of well-structured images to show how Time impacts the decay of everything. But after seven days, something changed and stopped me from doing the rest of the shooting and forced me to comprehend that soon it would be too late.
See the images of day 1 and Day 6 below.
The Fall - Day One
Day One - Detail
The Fall - Day Six
Day 6 - Detail
I took the shot on day six, put the leaf away, and waited for tomorrow to shoot the next step. But on the seventh day, something unexpected happened. The leaf didn’t decay gradually but instead completely lost its shape, color, softness and the whole life in less than 24 hours. It was absolutely unrecognizable and put me in a situation that I would not have guessed might happen. So, I held it in my hand, forget about making the images and thought: we take life for granted; we don’t understand that soon everything might collapse if we don’t take care of ourselves, our souls, our bodies, and minds. We need to take care of ourselves. If we don't care, we collapse before we even imagine it.
The Fall - Day Seven
Day Seven - Detail
This unprecedented change was a sharp reminder of the fragility of our remaining life and the unpredictable nature of Time. It made me realize that the gradual progression I was expecting is not guaranteed. In life, transformations can happen suddenly and without warning, and we must be prepared for these shifts. This experience was a ring bell that we must remain flexible and adaptable, cherishing every moment and nurturing ourselves continuously. The lesson from the leaf is clear: to truly appreciate and make the most of our time, we must live with awareness and intention, understanding that soon can indeed become too late.
MAKE YOUR OWN CHANCE
