The Good, The Random, The Fun - No. 5

Last week I began an abstract photography class with Kim Manley Ort. I've taken most of the classes she offers and have actually taken this class before. Abstracts have begun to fascinate me. This class will help me look for pleasing forms, shapes, colors, and textures instead of looking at the object. It's another step in training my eyes to see beyond the obvious.  

The Good

Light and nature really make some great abstract images.

The Random

The textures, colors, and shadows of a rock can create abstract art.

The Fun

Squint your eyes a little and look closely at the next photo. What do you see? I see the North American Continent. You're not going to believe what this really is . . . it's the inside of a squashed aluminum can!

When I visit an art center, abstracts are not something that usually attract my attention. In fact, I'm one of those that just stands there and says, "I don't get it!" But, I'm learning to "get it" a little more. Abstract art is meant to make you feel something, not see something. The first image made me feel order, warmth, and happiness. The second; gracefulness, gentleness, and quietness. The third; strength and the fourth, well it just made me smile!

Linking with

What Does The Word Mean - Part VI

"Think, think, think" is a phrase often uttered by Winnie The Pooh when he faces a puzzling problem. I've been repeating that phrase a lot lately when it comes to photographing "the solace, nourishment and underlying meaning of everyday words" from David Wythe's book, Consolations. As an avid reader I love words, but so many times I read them quickly. This book has made me stop and really think about the meanings of a word and then I have to think of a way to photograph it! Yes, there's lots of things to think about!

* * * * *

Longing

Longing is strong desire from deep within for something that is unattainable or distant. Longing can bring feelings of being trapped. Acceptance is needed when the situation cannot be changed.

* * * * *
MATURITY

Maturity means fully developed. This is a status we earn as we "learn to live fully and equally in multiple contexts" which are our past, our present, and our future. Maturity takes work; much like this persistent little plant works to survive in a a rock wall. This plant needs three things: dirt, water, and sunlight. It can't mature without all three things and we can't develop fully without accepting our past, our present, and our future. (quote by David Whyte)

 * * * * *
MEMORY

Each moment we live creates a memory. These memories are stored and lay dormant until the time we retrieve them, then they flow back into our consciousness.

"Memory passes through an individual human life like a building musical waveform, increasingly virtuosic often volatile, sometimes overpowering." David Whyte

* * * * *
NAMING

What is it?

What do you do with it?

My curiosity makes me want to identify and put a name to things, but sometimes it's better to just be captured by it's shape, color, and texture. Sometimes the mystery is better when it is not solved.

"The precision of naming

takes away from the uniqueness of seeing."

Pierre Bonnard


* * * * *
Nostalgia

He is my father.

He was know as a Jack-of-all-trades

There was nothing he could not repair.

He kept screws, washers, and bolts.
He might need them one day.

They are now all forgotten.

He works no more.

He has Alzheimer's.

Nostalgia is a wistful desire or a yearning to return to a former time in one's life.
I yearn for the days when my dad knew how to do things;
when he enjoyed working with his tools.
I yearn for the days when he was happy.

* * * * *

This post finally catches me up with the current word. Since I'm caught up it will be about five weeks before you see another "word" post. The five words above have been the hardest for me. Maybe my brain is getting tired to trying to picture words! I peeked ahead at the titles of the next few chapters in the book and I'm afraid they look harder than these!  I'm going to have to "think, think, think!"

In case you've recently joined me here. You can go back to this post and read about the project I'm participating in. If you are new, I'm so pleased you've stopped by!

What Does The Word Mean?

WORDS

We speak them every day. We make a sound or a combination of sounds that communicates a meaning. We write them. We read them. WORDS carry immeasurable significance. The universe was created with WORDS.  "God spoke the world into being by the power of His words."  Hebrews 11:3.

I know how to read words, to write them, to speak them, but photographing the meaning of WORDS is a big challenge. A group organized by one of my favorite photographers and teachers, Kim Manley Ort, is trying to do just that. We're using the book Consolations, The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning Of Everyday Words, by David Whyte for our prompts. Whyte turns our attention to 52 ordinary words "each it's own particular doorway into the underlying currents of human life. Consolations invites readers into a poetic and thoughtful consideration of words whose meanings and interpretation influence the paths we choose and the way we traverse them throughout our lives." (from David Whyte website.)

This has been a very challenging experience for me. I have been known to say that I don't "philosify" about my photos. I take them for pure pleasure, but this gathering has taught me to look at things differently. To take the week's word, mull it over in my mind, decide how I could represent my feelings of the word in a picture, and then actually find and take the picture; as I said very challenging! I'd like to share these words, my thoughts or sometimes just a quote, and my photos with you.

ALONE

where I can hear my thoughts

where my mind can rest

where I can feel delight

"In solitude

the mind gains strength

and learns to lean upon itself."

~ Laurence Sterne

AMBITION

Ambition is the inner force needed to propel me to my goal even though there may be struggles and hardships. I've always been amazed at how a delicate mushroom can push through the hard ground as it seeks the light. Nature is a wonderful teacher.

ANGER

"Anger is like a storm

rising up from the bottom of your consciousness.

When you feel it coming,

turn your focus to your breath."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

BEAUTY

I am a seeker of nature's beauty.

I am in constant awe of God's creation.

"He who seeks beauty will find it."

~ Bill Cunningham

Beginning

"All glory comes from daring to begin."

~ Eugene F. Ware

Do I dare often enough?

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper.

It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."

~ Maya Angelou

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 6

I'm grateful that my camera allows me see the tiniest details of nature.

"There is something about abstraction that is alluring.

It forces the viewer to look afresh at the textures,

colors, and patterns of our world."

~ David Ward

Friday Finds and Random Facts

My Friday Find this week wasn't discovered until I uploaded my day's pictures to my computer. I found that if you're pointing your camera slightly toward the sunset and if you haven't focused yet and if you accidentally hit the shutter button you get a lovely sky abstract!

 

 

 

To follow that lovely find are my Five Random Facts.

Fact  #1

I baked Christmas cookies this week. Yes, you read that right! Due to uncontrollable circumstances I didn’t do any Christmas baking this year. So, this week I made my favorite Christmas cookies.

 

 

Fact  #2

I still have a crystal dish that I got out a Quaker Oatmeal box. Does anyone else remember these? As a promotion cups, saucers, or bowls were packed in oatmeal boxes. It was always a dilemma...do you dig through the oats to see what was packed or do your wait until it's uncovered.

 

 

 

Fact  #3

Fungi has become my favorite thing to photograph in nature. Mushrooms are my second choice.

Fact  #4

Power poles keep getting in my way when I'm shooting out of the car window!  By the way, if you want to buy this barn...its for sale!

Fact #5
I'm glad I don't live at 5th and Goldsmith!


Guess what I'm singing...

 (Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
(Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
(Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
My roof's got a hole in it and I might drown
Oh, yes, my roof's got a hole in it and I might drown

There was a crooked man and he had a crooked smile
Had a crooked sixpence and he walked a crooked mile
Had a crooked cat and he had a crooked mouse
They all lived together in a crooked little house

 Well, this crooked little man and his crooked little smile
Took his crooked sixpence and he walked a crooked mile
Bought some crooked nails and a crooked little bat
Tried to fix his roof with a rat-tat-tat-tat-tat

 Now this crooked little man and his crooked cat and mouse
They all live together in a crooked little house
Has a crooked door with a crooked little latch
Has a crooked roof with a crooked little patch

 (Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
(Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
(Ah, ah) Oh, no, don't let the rain come down
My roof's got a hole in it (my roof's got a hole in it)
My roof's got a hole in it and I might drown

 

The Serendipity Singers ~ Don't Let The Rain Come Down

 

 

Sorry, I hope you're not singing it too!

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Linking with  Kim for Friday Finds

and Nancy for Random 5 Friday

 

         

Delightful Finds!

The wind is blowing. It seems it's always blowing lately. It could be that I'm more aware of the wind blowing because moving objects are hard to photograph. I've been sticking with things that don't move.

I ran out this morning to take a picture of fungi for a flickr group I belong to. I was hoping to find some with frost on them. That didn't really happen, the sun was too far up. Even though the sun was up, it was pretty chilly; 39 degrees, but feels like 31. I'm bundled, I'm warm, I'm happy.

I did find a little frost...

and of all things a dandelion.

Seriously, little dandelion, it's only January!

I wasn't going far, just out in the yard, but the next thing I knew I was deep into the woods. I just couldn't stop walking. I wanted to see what special treasures I could find today. These woods are so familiar to me, I walk there constantly, but each time is a new experience. They're not the same and I'm not the same.

Some days, like today, I find seedpods with amazing textures and shapes.

 

I also see reflections and abstracts.

I look up and see the sky above me...

 

 

and look down and find smallest of things.

 

 

Each and every day there's more treasures to be found!

Have you found anything that delighted you today?

 

Photo-Heart Connection - August 2013

 

When I reviewed my August photos for Photo-Heart Connection with Kat Sloma, I kept coming back to this one. It reminds me of the peace and joy I've found the last two years through my nature photography.

 

Out early one morning when the dew was still on the ground a sparkle caught my eye and I knelt down. Sadness enveloped me first as I realized it was an insect's wing. But, even in sadness beauty and peace could be found. The glistening dew drops, the fascinating lines, and unique textures brought beauty.  Kneeling and taking pictures brought a sense of peace.

 

 

details...textures...colors...lines...shapes

 

These are the things that attract me in my daily life. I don't have to strive very hard to see these things, they're everywhere. I just have to slow down and they will be revealed.

 

fascination...awe...wonder...excitement...thankfulness

 

That's what I feel when something catches my eye and begs to be photographed. Before I snap the shutter button I breath deep, smile, and give thanks for each little gift I've been given. Gifts given by a God who wants all of us to enjoy his creation. Gifts that bring me joy!

 

"All things were made by him,

and without him was not any thing made that was made."

John 1:3

 



Abstracts

My photography has hit another snag!  Frustrating!  You see, I fell; fell hard and bruised some ribs. Let me tell you falling gets harder as you get older! First of all, there's more weight to hit and second, we don't seem to recover as fast. I don't want anyone to think I'm a whiner and want sympathy. I mention it only to tell you why I haven't been blogging much. No pictures...no blogging! Now, back to photography, I couldn't hold my big camera...too much arm movement. I wasn't about to NOT take photos for two weeks so I switched to my point and shoot.  I really like the way it takes macro images. Since it's small I don't have to worry about camera shake and my bruised ribs!

I've said all that to say this, I've been concentrating on my macro photography. I started with searching for interesting subjects to make abstract photos. I love abstract photos. I'm intrigued by lines, textures, light, shadows and trying to figure out what they are.

If you'd like to read a really great article about abstract photography click here. It's written by Judy Salcedo, a good photography friend and fantastic photographer. Judy quotes the Oxford Dictionary to define abstract art: "relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve it's effect using shapes, colors, and textures." She is really, really good at this!

Here's a few of mine. For this first batch, they're pretty much SOOC, just some cropping, contrasting, and a little boost of color. Can you tell what they are?  Some are obvious some, are not! Try to guess before you peak at the answers!

(dried hosta leaf)

(tree root that is above ground and weathered)

 (handle of a pottery jug.  I love the little, green heart shape!)

 (an old turtle shell found in my yard)

(a nail in the tin on the barn)

(just a rock)

(water hose)

(soil curling from lack of water)

(metal lawn chair with layers of paint, another green heart shape)

How many did you guess?  I'll be back with more macro images.  My ribs are much better, but I've been enjoying getting to know my p&s camera again and taking macro images!

Have a happy day!

Third Thursday Challenge ~ Abstracts

 (looking through water)

 

 Several things have inspired me to try something new with my photography. Yes, I'm still taking nature images, but with a different twist!

 (water flowing out of a drainage pipe

I turned the photo on it's side.)

 

First to inspire me is the lovely and talented photographer, Brenda from How To Feather An Empty Nest.  Brenda encourages us to try something new each month, whether it be photography, painting, or poetry. Anything to stretch ourselves and help us grow as artists. I'm linking this post to her Third Thursday Challenge.  I encourage you to try this and join us. Like I said above, it can be anything you want, just try something new or different!

 (cascading water)

 

Second to inspire me is the wonderful photographer/artist Kat Sloma from Kat Eye Studio. I've just finished her workshop entitled "Fuel Your Creativity." I'm sorry you missed it, it was wonderful!  She gave us prompts each day to help us find different ways to jump start our creativity. If you want to learn more about yourself and your photography she has some great classes with amazing exercises. I'd start with "Find Your Eye." She has a fun series "Exploring With A Camera" which is a monthly class (and it's free) where you can explore with your camera and learn bout different photography topics. She's also been creating some beautiful images with her iPhone she calls "artistic blur."

 (reflection of the sky and trees in water)

 

My third inspiration comes from an Arkansas photographer and author,Tim Ernst. I recently had the opportunity to attend one of his lectures about his photography and a slide show presentations of the images in his latest book!  All I can say is that it was wonderful!  As his amazingly, beautiful images swept across the screen in front of me, quiet music played, and I just let it fill my heart. You could tell each images was taken from his heart, his love for nature and the beauty of Arkansas. I, of course, had to buy one of his coffee table books and he signed it for me. I sat down one day this week (a prompt from Kat) and looked at his work, carefully studied each photo, jotted down things I saw...his choice of subject, how he used the light, how he composed the image, and the angle he took.

 (ripples and reflections in water)

 

I'm saying all that to say this. Every day we are influenced by people and things around us. I like to seek out inspiration from other artists. One of the reasons I follow blogs, buy photography books, take classes, and go to art exhibits is for inspiration. I see what others have done and they inspire my photography. It might be the colors they've used, the subject, a process, or even words that inpsire me. As you probably know I love nature. I love the tiny details, the shapes and forms, the colors, and textures. So when I set out to find abstracts in nature, this was really different for me. The abstract images I took are all of water, mud puddles, the creek, and a lake. 

 (movement of water caused by the wind)

Brenda encouraged me to try something new.

Kat encourage me to try a more artistic approach.

Mr. Ernst encourage me to try focusing on reflections.

A special thanks to all of you!

 

 (ripples)

 

I surprised myself, I really like this type of photography!  I didn't think I would since I focus so much on nature's details. I must say I'm thankful for the rain this week. It has left many puddles and the creek high which led to great opportunities to shoot abstract photos. I can't seem to get enough. I've been out every day looking at the water, looking from many angles, and  looking for beauty. This is something I will definitely be doing more often!