Don't Think, Just Walk

I stood at the fork in the path wondering which way should I go.

My mind said do the normal thing . . . go to the right.

My intuition said . . . go to the left.

I went to the right.

I let my mind overrule.

The whole purpose of the outing was to go on a photo walk and let my intuition lead me, but I didn't. Not at first anyway. Sure enough, there was nothing of interest to the right and I felt very unsettled. I retraced my steps and took the left path. Yes, this was much better. How come? I don't know it just felt right. That's what intuition is, a "gut feeling," an "inner voice," or a "sixth sense." Unlike the other path, this path was full of surprises. The first was a tepee made of branches. I'm sure there's a story behind this. Wish I knew it! I can just see a couple of small children sitting in there having a powwow!

I walked on and as I rounded a corner, I came to an area that was covered in massive Nadine bushes. I had no idea they grew so tall. Most were at least 8 to 10 feet tall, covered in pretty red berries.

I saw a hollowed out log. I can just imagine a bunny hopping through there.

At the end of the trail I crossed an old rock bridge over a small stream. If you know me well, you know I love water and being anywhere close to water makes me happy.

I sat down on the bank of the stream and just relaxed. I watched the leaves as they were caught in the water's current; noticed the colors, textures and patterns of the rocks; and looked at shadows and reflections. That's when I noticed something making ripples.

I kept looking for the source. I figured it was a bug of some sort, but I couldn't find it. What I did notice was five circular dark spots on a rock. A shadow of something, but what?

Then I saw it! A small insect. A Gerridae commonly known as a water strider, pond skater, or water skipper. Although they were fascinating I was more intrigued by their shadows. They reminded me of something alien, like a spaceship.

I can't tell you how long I sat there watching them and waiting for just the right moment to get a picture where I could see both the bug and it's shadow.

So, how did my intuition do? Did it lead me the right way? I think so, when I finally listened to it! I had a great walk, rested by the water, and found some fascinating insects.

* * * * *

As I mentioned before I'm working through Kim Manley Ort's book Adventures In Seeing. This week's assignment was to go on a photo walk and following your intuition. I chose to go to a park I've never been to before. That way I wouldn't have any preconceived notions about what I might find to photography. 

Climb Up, Slide Down

There it sat under the tall pine trees all by itself looking a little forgotten and lonely. The children were all playing on the brightly colored plastic slides a little further down the park. Those bright primary colored slides and swings don't appeal to me, but this shiny metal one drew me near and flooded me with childhood memories.

My favorite memories were those with school friends during recess. We'd quickly run across the playground to the slide, hurry up the steps, fly down, and run around to get back in line for another turn. When I saw this slide I didn't quickly run over and go down the slide. I slowly walked toward the slide and then around it discovering things I missed as a child.

As a child I never stopped long enough to see the reflection at the top of the slide or . . .

the reflection of the sky and trees at the bottom of the slide.

I never saw the way it was bolted together or . . .

the repetition of hundreds of small squares

that create the non-slippery surface at the top.

I never saw the slide from ground level or . . . 

 the graffiti under the steps.

I missed all those things and that's all right. I only saw a shiny slide that I wanted to go down over and over again. Is it still fun to slide? Yes, it is, except maybe the slide could have been just a wee bit wider!

Taking the time to really look at an object and photographing it from several view points was an exercise for the group I belong to that's working through David  Duchemin's book The Visual Toolbox. 

I want to dedicate this post to our group leader, Sarah, in thanks for her hard work keeping us motivated and learning. So, this is for you, Sarah, as I know you love old playground equipment. 

A - B - C - D - E - F - G

What do you do when you have a cooler morning and you can think of no destination to take your camera? It needs to be a close destination, because the coolness will quickly turn to extreme heat. Well, I just got in the car and started driving. I thought of one place as I headed west that might work, but upon arrival I changed my mind. Knee high weeds and a man working on a lawnmower didn't seem promising for peace and quiet. Now what? Intuition kicked in and I drove to the small town center surrounding the county courthouse. I've been there many times. I've posted about it here; the small downtown area of Benton, Arkansas. I try to keep my priorities straight and you can't take great pictures on an empty stomach, so I stopped by McDonald's for a chicken and biscuit sandwich and headed to a small park where I sat, listened to the quiet waterfall, and thought about what to do. What was there for me today in this small town? I remembered a recent post by my good friend Kelly who went searching for the letters of the alphabet in shapes around her neighborhood. Her finds were fascinating. I changed it up a little and looked for the compete alphabet in the signage around town. A couple of letters weren't so easy to find. I did it though I found every letter.

A lot of thought goes into signs. They communicate a message about a business, a product, or a road. Signs are our way of passing along information. I found signs embedded in concrete. One near a memorial and the other in the sidewalk. There are several quotes in the sidewalks around the county courthouse.

I saw signs I've never see before. Walking completely around the downtown blocks and alleys put me on streets I've never traveled or I traveled to fast to look at the signs.

I saw signs that have been there so long they're almost hidden. 

There were old faded signs.

Metal signs, vintage signs, hand-lettered signs, and even a sign that was signed.

A sign with missing letters.

On many of the signs I saw ampersands. Ampersands seem to be quite popular right now in home decor. I'm not sure why. I'm always behind when it comes to what's new, cool and in!!

It was really quite fun looking at the different signs, their fonts, and typeface. It was a new look at an old city and it led to three different encounters with the kind people of Benton. You know how I love vintage things. Well, these people showed me places that delighted me. I'll be back with the next chapter in this saga.

Hope you have a very nice weekend!