My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
eyes of the heart accepting the gift offered shadow and lines
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Sunny, windy afternoon walk with my camera in Old Town this past weekend. Not much time on the streets this past year, preferring to spend my time within nature. Shadow and lines was the gift received this day. It is 10 degrees this morning, overcast skies and a snowflake ❄ is seen every once in a while. Stay warm!
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and with that one, is what we are doing.”
Annie Dillard, The Writing Life
Met this young lady at the coffee shop the other morning. Loved the light on her so I asked if I could take a photo and one is all I took. Many of you know I’m one who spends time at local coffee shops with my books, journal, fountain pens, camera and openness to who I will encounter. It is always an adventure.
After several days of cold weather we’ve had a couple of warmer days which is now melting our snow. This past Sunday afternoon I got my laundry done, did some writing and reading and took a short walk. A simple day.
“Remember, presence does not happen in the mind. All the mind can handle is before and after; it does not know how to be present in the now.” Richard Rohr
There are periods when I have no interest in picking up my camera. That has been prominent over the past 12 months. Yet, a camera body and a lens are always with me. It’s important to stay present to the world around me throughout the day or the scenes, events and images given will be missed. And, just as important is the need to be ready for these images as they present themselves. I will be more apt to press the shutter button if the camera is in my hand, around my neck or over my shoulder than if it’s in my camera bag. The above image is an example. As I walked out my front door I noticed the light and shadows cast across the door of Kristin’s condo. If the camera were in my bag I may not have this image. We must be ready. 🙂
Here is short list of why I carry my camera. I apologize if these are repeats from previous posts.
I never know when a scene will appear. Since life is constant change the light and shadows are constantly changing. Subjects and situations are constantly changing as life moves forward. We must be present and aware.
The camera has become another appendage to my body. I feel naked without a camera. I think I’d rather leave home without my pants. 🙂
I enjoy the sound of the shutter button. The shutter has a distinct sound comforting to my inner source.
It’s a conversation starter. People will start conversations when they see my camera. “Hey, that’s a nice camera ya got there.” Or, “Is that one of those old style cameras.”
Helps me to see the world with new eyes. I’m much more apt to notice shapes, colors, patterns, interesting people. I will quickly compose scenes when they appear..
There is also the camera which is my memory. It is always storing images, which I can enjoy throughout my life.
Here is the same image as yesterday only in color and another quote.
“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Wendell Barry
Took a walk this past Sunday along the Red Fox Meadows nature trail. Mostly cloudy day but so enjoyable and much needed time in nature to clear the thinking. It also provides the exercise my body and spirit need. I find it fascinating when scenes appear that catch my attention and become an image for me. I feel like a child discovering something new. Processed this image with one of the presets in Silver EFEX Pro. Made a tone curve adjustment then posted it.
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond…” Wendell Barry