My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Snow began falling during the night and is slightly falling now. It is supposed to stop snowing around 11:00 this morning with sunshine possible later today. It is now 22 degrees. I’ve heard several sirens in the distance as drivers go through their adjust period to the winter conditions. Interesting how my mocha seems to taste better this morning.
“Recently, photography has become almost as widely practiced an amusement as sex and dancing – which means that, like every mass art form, photography is not practiced by most people as an art. It is mainly a social rite, a defense against anxiety, and a tool of power.” Susan Sontag
Interesting to note that she wrote this back in 1973.
I took this on Saturday afternoon. I’ve had a cold since Thursday so I needed to get out of the house. Saturday evening was CSU’s Homecoming so there were a lot of people in Old Town. That meant a lot of people were from out of town for the game, grabbing a beer and burger before the game and a bit of shopping. It was perfect football weather with nary a cloud in the sky. However, the young man running around in the fountain had no concern about any silly football game as he was focused solidly on his time chasing the bubbling fountains. Every once in awhile he would let out a squeal of joy because he almost caught one, whatever that meant to him, and that motivated him to try it again. Mom and dad stood to the side and watched, with grins.
We’ve had wonderful weather the last 5 days. Today and tomorrow are expected to be in the high to mid 70’s. But the high for Thursday is only gonna be 32 degrees with a nighttime low of 18 degrees and snow. So, we’re enjoying the weather while we can!
I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious to all that photographers whose images possess character and quality have attained them only by continued practice and total dedication to the medium. –
Ansel Adams
Last week I posted an image of a young artist practicing his craft at a local coffee shop. Yesterday afternoon I took this image of a young lady practicing her craft at the same coffee shop. What is interesting about this young lady is she is drawing from a book that I assume to be a textbook. While the young man was creating the character from the muse within him. So, I practiced more courage and my photography by asking the young lady if I could take a photo of her practicing her practice. She agreed.
“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Dr. Wayne W Dyer
A steady drizzle is falling this morning and the temperature is at 41 degrees. Tonight the low is expected in the high 30’s. Therefore I see the cold and rain as an opportunity and a justification for this mocha latte, as if I needed justification. It’s cold enough for many to be turning their furnaces on and some already have. When I arrived this morning at the Bean Cycle one of the bristas had his coat on. Yep, fall is upon us and I choose this opportunity to have a mocha and enjoy the gift.
“Nature is an art which can’t be described or explained in words. This should be felt in your heart.”
Discovered this young man pencil sketching at a local coffee shop and had to ask if I could take a few images while he drew. After he said yes I had him put his earbuds back in and continue with his craft. There is a slight blur in his hand that adds to the image for me and I thought the photo worked well when converted to black and white.
As I walked away I thanked him and realized the courage it takes for me to ask strangers if I can take their photo. Somewhere within me is a false voice telling me they will say no. The truth is I seldom am told no. There are those who will say no and probably due to some history in their lives and that’s okay. But, nowadays many people are comfortable having a camera pointed in their direction. Just look at all the selfies.
Later, after I loaded this photo onto my computer I had an awareness of the courage it takes to be an artist. But as I reflected on that thought it became obvious that it takes courage to believe in and use our artistic abilities, gifts, practice, hone them and then offer them to the world. He and I both practice our craft with courage no matter what those around us thought of us. And, this young man is a good artist! So much for my morning rambling. Have a super Awesome day!