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

Morning Walk

I learned a new word this week:

estivate

1. to spend the summer, at a specific place or in a certain activity

2. to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state, as certain reptiles, snails, insects and small mammals

That's exactly how I've spent the last few weeks of this dry, hot summer . . . estivating! I slowed down and stayed indoors longing for cooler weather.

Finally the temperatures are starting to drop a little. The arrival of cooler mornings has me returning to my morning walks which are the most peaceful part of my day. That's the time I tune out the worries of life and simple enjoy the quiet.

I breathe deep, relax, hum a little, sing a little, and smile a lot. I even stop and do a little jig now and then.

As I walk down the country road I hear the cadence of my footsteps, the squirrels scampering through the trees, the birds singing their morning songs, and the leaves dancing across the pavement.

I watch the weeds sway in the wind.

I feel the sun on my shoulders . . .

and see it bring light to the dark forest.

What, may I ask, could be any better than this?

There's only one other place I find such peace and that's near water, but since on most mornings that's not an option, I treasure my peaceful morning walks along a country road.

Wordless Answers

I think we're certainly all familiar with the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words," but have you ever tried to use pictures to answer questions?  Recently Kim Manley Ort, a photographer whom I've taken several classes from, did just that and she challenged others to give it a try. Kim was inspired by Nathan Wirth's use of photographs to answer a series of questions.

You can see Nathan Wirth's answers here and Kim's answers here. I've enjoyed seeing several photographs answer these questions with some gorgeous photographs. I accepted Kim's challenge and began looking through my photos. Here's what I came up with.

Who are you?

Why photography?

What is your trademark photographic style?

What truly inspires you?

Where do you go when you close your eyes?

Where is home for you?

How would you describe your lifestyle?

What makes a great shot?

How do you view the world?

What is an important lesson you have learned?

Answering questions with pictures can be a little difficult. I found my self wanting to add words to make sure you "got" my answers! I encourage you to try this. It's a wonderful opportunity of look back through your archives and express yourself through photos.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 28

I am grateful for the land we have; our little piece of earth
 which I can walk across over and over again
and find something of nature that is amazing. 

"I spent the summer traveling;

I got halfway across my backyard."

~ Louis Agassiz

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 21

I am grateful for early morning walks that lead to beautiful surprises.

"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."

~ Henry David Thoreau

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 4

So grateful for sunbeams that illuminate even the simplest of things.

"I see the world around me made up of splinters of light. Photography allows me to arrange these splinters in a kaleidoscope of possibilities, yet no two the same. It's this light that will always inspire me.         ~ Josie Borain

A Little Morning Dew

"The dew-drop in the breeze of morn.

Trembling and sparkling on the thorn.

Falls to the ground, escapes the eye,

Yet mounts on sunbeams to the sky."

James Montgomery

The morning dew is so insignificant that usually we aren't even aware of it, unless it causes our shoes, to get wet and then we're irritated. I you think about it, dew is amazing. Out of nowhere it appears, almost magical. Sent to give the earth a little refreshment. I went outside in the early morning light and found the dew, sparkling like millions of diamonds. It had settled on the flowers, on the trees, on the grass, and on the fallen leaves.

Seeing the dew made me do a lot of thinking. We all need refreshment each day, just as nature does. One of the best ways to start the day off is to spend a few quiet moments thinking of all the things that we're grateful for. Tomorrow is the first day of November, the season when our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. It's the perfect time to start the practice of daily gratitude. Won't you join me and find time in your life for gratefulness?

Linked with Kim Klassen's

Friday Finds

Friday Finds and Be Still 52

This week I spent several hours at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. It was a lovely autumn day. The air crisp and fresh; filled with the smells of damp leaves and pine. It was quiet. Only nature making any sound. I could hear the rustling of the leaves in the wind, the plopping of acorns as they fell, the symphony of the birds singing, and the scampering of squirrels gathering their nuts for winter. Oh my, how blessed I felt that this beautiful world has been created for me to enjoy. 

I found delight in the morning rays of sunlight.

I found delight in the mountain ridges.

I found delight in the rich farmlands next to the Arkansas River.

I found delight in the reflections on the still quarry water.

I found delight in the enormous hundred year old cypress trees.

I found delight in the fall leaves floating by at my feet.

I found delight in a gorgeous day.

I found myself in awe of the gifts we've been given.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows."

 James 1:17 (NIV)

Linked with Kim Klassen's

Friday Finds and Be Still 52

August Break - Day 13

Good Morning!

"If you see something that moves you,

and then snap it,

you keep a moment."

~ Linda McCartney

Third Thursday Challenge

I'm barely squeaking in on this Third Thursday Challenge! Thankfully Brenda gives us extra time to link our projects. Once a month we try something new. It doesn't have to be in photography, but that seems to be where I find myself.  I've been wanting to try some macro images that are backlit with a light box. Today, at the last minute, I drug everything out and here's what I came up with. 

I guess I should call them abstract, macro, backlit images. You can't always tell when they are!

First, I used a lime.

The hardest part was cutting the thing.

Very tough skin on this one!

This next one reminds me a quilt block called Cathedral Window.

Poke Sallet

Have you ever eaten any?

Not me, but I understand there's a certain stage where it's safe to eat.

Finding the poke sallet made me think of that old (1968) song Polk Salad, Annie. 

Maybe you've never heard of it, but Elvis sang it in 1970.

crushed cinnamon candy

This really smelled good when I was photographing it!

sprinkles

Trying something new not only keeps my creative juices flowing, it helps me learn more about my camera, lens, and settings.

Thanks so much to Brenda for hosting this link up. Click the button below to drop by and see what some of the others have done.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday ~ April 7, 2013

Happy April to everyone!

Spring bulbs, bushes, and flowering trees have bloomed and faded.

The weeds are very prevalent.

Grass is beginning to grow.

Leaves are sprouting on those bare branches we've looked at all winter!

The sun is shining and it's nice and warm.

I hope April is bringing you some pretty weather.

 

 

Now on to Scavenger Hunt Sunday with Ashley Sisk at Ramblings and Photos. This is a milestone for me. I found SHS about a year ago and started posting. This is my 50th post!  SHS keeps my camera in my hand, keeps me from getting stale and makes me step out of my comfort zone. Best of all, seeing what other's post has been a constant, wonderful source of inspiration. 

This week's prompts were:

outside

chatterbox

comfort

in the kitchen

trees

 

 

outside

As I mention the weeds are prevalent. If I had to pick a favorite weed, this would be it, the dandelion. I can't quit taking pictures of them!

 

 

chatterbox

I think I should change this prompt to quackerbox! I was stumped on this prompt. I kept trying to take pictures of the black birds that are chattering right now, but no success there. I finally just went to my archives for this little guy. The day I saw him, he never stopped quacking!

 

 

 

comfort

The best source of comfort is my Bible.

I love the words that are in focus
learning...comfort...hope...patience.

in the kitchen

A happy little discovery in the kitchen sink. This is my strainer for the drain that is sitting in a small puddle of water; water that just happened to form a heart. I love to find hearts!

tree

Sometimes you can't see the trees for the weeds!

 Have a good week!