• architecture,  doors,  quotes

    Let me have it.

    August 10, 2010
    Norfolk, Virginia

    “By managing the attention of your viewers, you guide them to the heart of the story and free them from the difficult task of wading through an ambiguous image and its distractions.”

    Vision and Voice by David duChemin

    Found this door walking along the streets of old Richmond near Virginia Commonwealth University. I was in search of a coffee shop called Rev It Up. I found the  shop and met the owners, Dave and Sharon, who are from Colorado. I enjoyed my mocha and she even gave me the extra shot (decaf).

    Anyway, the streets around the campus are loaded with wonderful architecture and bright colors. The distraction I find in this image is the reflection in the window, other than that I like. I would love to hear your critiques of this image. Is it too busy? Does it tell a story? Or am I just focusing on the colors? Let me have.

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  • Plants/Nature,  quotes

    Words are important.

    June 24, 2010
    Inniswood Gardens, Westerville, Ohio

    “Words are important. Without them our actions lose meaning. And without meaning we cannot live. Words can offer perspective, insight, understanding, and vision. Words can bring consolation, comfort, encouragement and hope. Words can take away fear, isolation, shame, and guilt. Words can reconcile, unite, forgive, and heal. Words can bring peace and joy, inner freedom and deep gratitude. Words, in short, can carry love on their wings. A word of love can be the greatest act of love.” Henri Nouwen

    How we choose our words is important in how people hear us and see us. David duChemin has an interesting rant (his word, not mine) on choosing words to describe what we create with our photographic tools. Go for it David. And, Sabrina Henry in her post on Jill’s Garden, along with some input from Ray Ketcham, talked a bit about the word inspiration and what it means to them. The words we select are vital, just as our point of view or composition within our view finders. The images we create say something to our viewers. Anyway both posts are good reads and I wanted to pass them along.

    I agree with Nouwen and David and Sabrina and Ray, words are important.

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  • Photography

    A quick read but …

    December 28, 2009
    A book and a coffee

    …  it’s one I will want to read more than once. I’ve heard about this book from David duChemin. He mentions it in his books and on his blog. I finally bought it and enjoyed reading it. I read it in one afternoon and have gone back over it a couple times since. It’s got small bits and pieces to chew on. It has the ability to help us look at ourselves with newer eyes. No book will fix us but this one strikes a chord for me. I’m not sure I can say what it means to me. It may be more of how it affects my creativity. Anyway I will write more on it later. Has anyone else read it? Hope everyone has a good week!

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