My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
I love my walks. I find them to be healing, calming my spirit. Those cobwebs forming in my head can be torn away with a walk. The chattering of thoughts can be quieted when listening to the music of nature. With or without a camera in hand they are important in my life. Todays walk included the camera so after clearing my mind the focus went to the flowers surrounding me. I feel better, now.
When I arrived home last night around 10:00 p.m. it was raining cats and dogs, BIG cats and dogs. This morning has presented another gray sky with rain continuing to fall. Rain tapping on my window seems to help me sleep, so I had a good nights sleep. In contrast to the amount of rain I do not seem to have many words this morning. As for an image to post I grabbed this one. I encountered this little one last week at Inniswood Gardens.
Thanks for the comments to yesterday’s post. I loved Steve’s answer! Not sure about any of you but even half the $2000 would be wonderful. I hope everyone has a super day!!
Thom Hogan asks an interesting question, “Where would you spend $2000?” He lists four things: upgrade your camera, upgrade your lens, upgrade the photographer or upgrade your support. The article sure made me stop and re-think. Since I’m part of this materialistic world I wanted to immediately dream about owning a faster piece of glass, then move on to a camera, maybe a new travel tripod, while ignoring the prospect of upgrading the photographer. I know from experience that newer equipment will not make me a better photographer, only practice does. Spending money on workshops where I can have hands on instructions is far more beneficial for improvement in my skills as a photographer. So, where would you spend it?
Prayer is first of all listening to God. It’s openness. God is always speaking; he’s always doing something. Prayer is to enter into that activity. … Convert your thoughts into prayer. As we are involved in unceasing thinking, so we are called to unceasing prayer. The difference is not that prayer is thinking about other things, but that prayer is thinking in dialogue, … a conversation with God.
Henri Nouwen
If we get down on our knees in nature, and not just in prayer, we will be given wonders to see.
While on a walk around my apartment complex I saw this lamp post and it’s shadow differently. I actually had walked past it when I noticed another lamp post and turned around to go back to this one. My earlier image was taken back in March with the shadow was on opposite side of the lamp post. I just had to take a photo.
So, I’m leaning my back up against a garage door, my knees are bent just slightly, camera to my eye and pointing upward. Let me tell ya, I was focused on this lamp post and it’s shadow. While I’m in this silly position, some man drives by in the parking lot, makes a quick glance at me then twists around to see what I’m trying to photograph. It wouldn’t surprise me if he tells his wife about the nut in the parking lot with a camera and wonders if they should look for a different apartment, or maybe a new town. It bet it was comical to see. If your not a photographer then this little scenario is probably meaningless but if your an avid photographer you can relate. I am at a place where I constantly look for images in everyday scenes and sometimes with new eyes.
I’m not ashamed to admit I carry my camera everywhere I go, you never know when photo opportunities will present themselves. When I head out for coffee or to the mall or to one of our nature areas, I will typically carry a shoulder bag with one camera, couple lenses and a flash. Almost feel naked if I didn’t have it with me. However, I realized this past weekend how differently I approach photo opportunities if I am with people or alone. Here’s my example.
While walking with friends to an area near our hotel in search of a restaurant for dinner, I probably stopped a half dozen times to fire off a few shots, and by a few I mean 1-2 shots. But, this stopping and firing off images, which is normal for me, can put your friends in uncomfortable place. They want to eat and you’re taking photos? There are some who think I’m crazy but we know that is just not true. At other times they keep on walking knowing I will eventually catch up. I’ve even had friends point out subjects that catch their attention, “Hey, take a picture of that.” After returning to my hotel, I realized how I can limit myself in my ability to create an image. I do not approach my subject of interest the same when shooting alone or with friends. Does that mean I will stop carrying my camera when with friends? Probably not, I’d feel naked.
Oh, and some friends will let you take snapshots of them also.