19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Gentle Rage

Someone once told me along my travels that “Rage is one of the purest emotions”. It seemed an odd and counter-intuitive opinion, so, naturally, I’ve pondered it quite often. Now, I tend to agree. Irritation, anger, and wrath are all tainted with unpleasant traits. It takes self-centredness and a deliberate disliking of someone, or of oneself, to feel those. Similar to joy and grief, rage is an emotion so closely linked to our rawest form of experience that it can be beautiful – perhaps even gentle. Because after the eruption follows the softest rest. I also called this piece Gentle Rage because of the mountain’s composure. While its top is being blown off, it remains unmoving in its state of peace and regal authority. It doesn’t resist the rage but rather lets it be expressed.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Guatemala
Camera: ILCE-7RM3
Copyright: © Rudi Gremels