I have been inspired by a few other Viewfinders and their blog posts where they shared about an app called Slow Shutter. To see their images and learn more, go to Deirdre’s post here and Holly’s post here, and also check out Kirstin’s blog post about one of her trips to Rome where she used the app. 

I downloaded the app to try it out and my images are below. I played around with the settings from motion blur and the blur strength along with selecting the light trail option. Instead of reading much about the app and settings, I just experimented as I shot. 

What I want to remember from recent times in the year 2025.

The moon over the lake the night we arrived at our family’s summer cottage.

Another gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan.

Fireworks in the sky as my younger sister and I sat on the beach we’ve visited since we were young children.

And this image? I don’t recall what it is, but I loved the results.

Pictures of the water taken from the S.S. Badger, a passenger and vehicle ferry that shuttles across Lake Michigan.

Upon our return flight back to California, I once again sat in the window seat and experimented, shooting out at the clouds, the tarmac and the gorgeous skies. I noticed the tiny hearts on the wing only after uploading my images.

This is one of my favorite windows to shoot through from outside as it shows the reflection of the oak trees that have stood above our summer home and my family over many decades.

Our trees have heard my family’s stories, witnessed my family’s joys and sorrows. Many of the people no longer with us: my father, my sweet nephew, my grandfather and grandmothers, uncles, and one of my dear aunts who just passed away this summer. 

Do you by chance, have places you return to, that hold you, that ground you, especially when the world feels upside down? It may seem frivolous to post about the sunsets, the lake, the sky and the trees. But marveling at the natural world gives me hope, like one of my heroes, Jane Goodall said, “find your reasons for hope and let them guide you onward.”

The practice this summer of being mindful and intentionally slowing down the shutter became a routine that helped me pay closer attention to the moments I could have easily forgotten. It helps remind me of the tender times here on this earth. In the days I used a film camera, I used to be more particular. This project reminded me of that intentionality. 

These images represent moments that I want to remember about the year 2025.

With hope,
Carolyn