There are some things that a still photo just cannot capture, such as the dance of light filtering through moving trees: what the Japanese call komorebi. It’s one of those words from foreign languages that we end up using in English, because there is no direct equivalent and they are just so useful: words like Schadenfreude (delight at another’s misfortune), culaccino (the mark left on a table by a glass) and sobremesa (conversations after a meal). But komorebi is my favourite. When Instagram introduced its new video feature this summer, I wasn’t sure what I’d use it for (having already tried Lightt and Vine), but looking through my Instagram feed, I realised that all my videos were of komorebi. Like this one, my first Instagram video:
Or this one from an early quiet sunday morning in our music room.
I was totally distracted by the komorebi as I left to pick up Miles from school. Of course, I ended up being late to pick him up, but it was worth it!
And this is a quiet moment in a busy morning at work.
My pursuit of komorebi feels especially poignant as the leaves continue to fall outside and I’m aware that I’m trying to capture it all the more as autumn becomes winter.
What have you ended up using Instagram videos for? What do you wish could be captured by a photograph, but cannot be? Tell us in the comments!
My fave is the first one, believe it or not! They’re all amazing, though. I’ve been trying to capture a falling leaf but to no avail so far…
Thank you. And good luck with the falling leaves!
Love these. When we were in Tofino I took a bunch of video of the sea. I wanted to capture the movement and the sound forever (my IG followers may have been less enthralled 🙂 but, oh well!)
I loved your videos of Tofino! There is something especially magical about the sea, isn’t there?
for some reason i can’t see the videos but i’ve seen em on IG and love them. thanks for the inspiration. i’ve been trying my hand at these as well.
Thanks Cara. It’s definitely been a summer of komorebi.
i think i like the first one the best…because you’re in it! I’ve put up one video on IG, but must say that I had more fun with them in vine. There’s just something about IG that I like knowing that I don’t have to worry about a blaring sounds coming through when I least expect it that keeps me from posting more.
Thanks Holly! I’ve loved your posts on Vine, especially of sweet Maj.