365 Project - Day 326

"Rest and be thankful." William Wadsworth

I wanted to create an image that resembled the need to shut out the noise and quiet down at the end of a day lived well. Too often, I believe, we just keep moving and do not allow ourselves to rest, enjoy and reflect on our accomplishments. Yet, our ability to both improve in our work and have the physical and mental resources to carry on may be limited by lack of rest and nourishment. Eleanor Brownn put it this way, "Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."

Maybe a cup of chamomile tea would have been a better idea than a glass of red wine. Hopefully the point remains clear. Remember, even God rested after his creation work, "so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2). Our activities are important enough for us to need time to reflect and refill. Take time, therefore, to be still. We need it for ourselves and for those we intend to serve.

I chose to add a second photo processed in high contrast B&W - just for fun. These are not the same pictures.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Evening's Reflection

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” Augustine of Hippo

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

365 Project - Days 324, 325

"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." Wayne W. Dyer

There's nothing like a Fall Festival, beautiful weather and the home visit of my college son to invigorate the spirit! I was reading something this morning and then also came across a video in which I was reminded that we control our feelings. We choose our disposition each moment, each day. Doing so can be as easy as taking time to be grateful or simply remembering happy times or said differently, we can choose to dwell on joy use as easily as we can choose to dwell on disappointment. And festivals, crisp Fall afternoons and my kids are all joy!

The photos below are from the weekend's community Fall Festival. There was a magnificent mechanical horse at the festival and I loved capturing the children gathering around and interacting with the horse. One of the exhibits / activities also included a lot of exotic birds. I only had the opportunity for a quick photo. This picture may also give you a sense of how sunny it was. The birds were very popular and had I been paying attention and had the luxury of time, I would have taken a photo of the long line of children and adults excitedly awaiting a turn at having the birds placed in their hands or atop their heads.

So, how do we take control? Years ago, a colleague shared that she kept notes from friends and co-workers in her desk so that she could open them any time she felt insecure, lonely or sad. Another friend loaded up her Bible similarly. I wasn't sure how she could read it for all of the papers, remnants of kindness, tucked away between the pages. Today, technology makes filing away reminders bit a more challenging simply because that information is electronically dispersed and also, as we search for the good, we may stumble upon the bad. At least that's what I find. So, here's a thought - perhaps, we should create an electronic file or series, labeled "good news" and centrally store the moments that have brought joy through email, photos, tweets, etc. Then, when we need a boost to take control of our feelings, the joy is readily available.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Fall Festival

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

365 Project - Day 323

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Dr. Seuss

I am constantly after my kids about the difference between talent and hard work. My mantra goes something like this: Everyone is given a measure of talent. My children have been given an extraordinary amount (yes, this is their mother speaking!). However, someone with less talent may surely work harder than they and, thus, go further because of the strength of will over the measure of my sons' talent. Talent alone is never enough.

I further believe that the desire to "fit in" has a tendency to drown talent. Fitting in can cause talent to atrophy when individuals choose fitting in over utilizing their talent to become great and stand out. A person's drive to excel is dampened and soon they forget the talent existed. It is essential to be kind and make friends, but that should not impede someone's ability to develop and exercise their talent in big, bold ways. The two are not mutually exclusive. If we are truly properly using our God given talents, He will combine opportunities for both - we must understand the beauty in that mix, discover the balance, and be bold.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Beautiful and Bold

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge






EXIF: Nikon D750
ISO 200
85mm
f4
1/180s

365 Project - Day 322

"So, then dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1Corinthians 15:58

As I was coming home from my morning walk the other day, I was captivated by the sunlight and rays you see in the photo below. There was a freshness in the air, coupled with warmth and a sense of hope, determination and courage.

After 1 year in the local camera club, one of my photographs finally placed. I wrote about courage the other day and some months I haven't had the courage to submit photos for competitions. This time I went for it, submitting in all 4 categories. I guessed the potential issues the judges would have with the photos ahead of the session, however, I had no qualms about the one which placed, except that I have been told that flowers generally don't do well. Humph!

Too often, our fears cause us to hide our light under a bushel. As Joel Grimes shared in a seminar I watched today, "There is a 100% guarantee that someone is going to come along and try to derail you." So fear is natural. However, when we work hard and then allow that work to shine, succeed or fail, we become stronger and as the rays in this photograph illustrate, that strength of our shining light touches others, in unexpected and sometimes wholly unrelated ways. That was true for me last night.

Labor, regardless of the activity is never in vain. It always moves us forward, even if we take a step backward.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Light's Expanse

"The few who do are the envy of the many who watch." Jim Rohn






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
35mm
f9.5
1/45s

365 Project - Day 321

"Surprise yourself every day with your own courage." Denholm Elliott

This single cabbage head has been the gift that keeps on giving. I chose to attempt a high key image of these leaves as the final piece of work with this particular cabbage head. I have only shot a few high key pieces of work and I need to do more. It is important to me, in working with high key, that I am intentional about getting it right in camera such that I do not rely on post processing to adapt the image to high key. This was shot with natural light and minimal post efforts. Funnily, the thing I was most happy about was that the image was clean and I did not have to remove any spots!!

Being comfortable is a good thing. Doing the same thing in repetition builds skill and strength. If we want to grow to broaden our skills and increase our success, however, we have to be willing to step out of our comfort zone and have the courage to risk new or different things. Jim Rohn put it this way, "If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary."

In my case, shooting natural settings and dark backgrounds or low key lighting is simpler than high key. Frankly, low key is also more my style. High key is a scientific exercise that takes a lot more planning. Neglecting to attempt it, though, means I am missing opportunities for creative growth, aha moments and surprise blessings. I am quite fond of Denholm Elliott's quote above - it would be exciting to push myself to be more courageous each day, in big and small ways. I'm in!

Today's Photo: High Key Cabbage Leaves

"Stay alert, stand firm in faith, show courage, be strong." 1Corinthians 16:13






EXIF: Nikon D750
ISO 400
85mm
f5.6
1/3s

365 Project - Day 320

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius

I have to say, I looked at the photos in the folder for today and immediately thought, "oh no, not another flower photograph! What was I thinking? Enough already!" However, as I settled in to select the final one, I was struck by the beauty in these photos and reminded of why I am so drawn to photograph in this small space against these navy blue walls. The late afternoon light from the window into the dark room plays nicely for these photographs and I shot this around 6PM. I did leave the ISO at 1250 from the previous days, but I think it worked quite well. The blue backdrop highlights the natural variances in color in the flowers and this green bottle from the dollar store provides a good support structure, though I wish I had captured a little more.

It is likely that I was as disappointed by my lack of creativity when I set up the shot a few days ago as I was when I first swept through the folder today. I did the best I could with what I had at the time. Often, we do not or cannot or simply will not see the beauty that surrounds us, whether it be grande or simple. That is as much true with people as it is with things. It is as much true with inner beauty as with outer. I am constantly frustrated with this - and clearly, I am not free from guilt.

Finding beauty when we anticipate it, is nice. Finding beauty when we least expect it, is a terrific surprise. Expecting beauty to surround us, creates more beauty. If we create the world we want by our thoughts and words, then expecting and seeing beauty begets beauty. And I certainly sign up for that!

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Simple Beauty

“He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11






EXIF: Nikon D750
ISO 1250
85mm
f4.8
1/8s

365 Project - Days 317, 318, 319

"I embrace the wisdom of uncertainty, because if everything is certain, where is the creativity?" Deepak Chopra

I recently read a photographic article in which the author proposed an exercise to improve seeing light by sitting in the dark with an object and a candle or flashlight. The exercise suggests photographing the object while moving the small light around the object; then incrementally increasing the light source(s) while observing / tracking the effect. I have neither the resources nor the patience to sit in the dark with an object and multiple light sources to attempt the full exercise, but I was anxious to try an adapted version.

I created a candlelight series, taking 3 days with 3 different types of subjects using a single candle to observe the shift in light. As with most of my 365 efforts, I wanted to use resources on hand. I chose a medium-sized, simple everyday candle in a jar. This was a candle my husband lights from time to time in the kitchen. Since it does not provide a lot of light, I needed to push the ISO on the camera (to 1250), which provided a wonderful opportunity to test the noise level on my new camera. The environment, the camera (Nikon D750), the lens (85mm), the ISO are constant for all of the photographs. The third day I switched to a small pillar candle, however that made little difference.

To illustrate the exercise for each day below, the EXIF is exactly the same. The only difference in each of the individual groupings is the position of the candle; the direction of the light. This was an exercise in discovery. A few things were constant or certain, however, much of this was about discovery and creativity. This was why I wanted to try this with different subjects. Given the limited amount of light in the room and on each object, this turned out to be an excellent way to SEE light and shadows on each of the objects. The light varied in placement, distance and height, but was always present.

There's an interesting parallel in our lives. We sometimes forget that light is always available and we have a choice of hope. As I see it, there are two ways to live: 1) as though light is shining directly on our face, ready for us to embrace, absorb, utilize and share. Or 2) as though darkness has overcome that light. As you can see in all of these photos though the light may be dim, it is there if you look for it. The source, the angle, the distance may make it difficult to see at times, but it is there. In the 2nd photo of the apple (Day 318), if facing the darkness: turn around.

Recognizing the light is there all the time, regardless of the situation or circumstances, can brighten our days in big and bold ways. I love how boldly David shifts from speaking about God turning his darkness into light to having the courage to lead an army and scale walls: "You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." Psalm 18:28-29

Perhaps, if we explore and embrace the light, we will also enjoy a similar sense of hope and courage!

Blessings!

Today's Photos: Discovering the Light Series

Day 317

Day 318

Day 319

366 Project - Day 316

09/11/2015

"America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea"
America the Beautiful

From the program for the Memorial Service to commemorate the 14th anniversary of 9/11, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Howard Lasher in Newtown, CT:

"Fourteen years ago today, on a day of profound sorrow felt throughout our nation, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York City, at the Pentagon in Washington, and in a field in rural Pennsylvania.

Though they are gone, they are not forgotten, for the circumstances and date of their deaths has forever been etched into our hearts and minds.

We gather here today at this American Flag Memorial to honor they lives, cut tragically short by the cowardly terrorist attacks that took them from us. The Memorial, commissioned by Howard Lasher, was painted across a spread of six maple trees by well-known and respected Connecticut folk artist, David Merrill.

Originally created to honor the loss of nine close business associates of Mr. Lasher from the American Stock Exchange, and the son of a Member of the Exchange who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, the Memorial has, over the years, come to represent all who were lost on that infamous day.

Our prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out to those who continue to mourn the loss of a loved one who perished during the attacks. We also salute our police, firefighters and first responders for their courage and dedication. Finally, we offer our most sincere gratitude to the brave men and women of our armed forces, who continue to keep us safe from further tragedies of this nature by sacrificing their lives for us on distant shores throughout the world.

May God Bless America."

Blessings.

Today's Photo: "We will never forget ..." (featuring artist, David Merrill and Host, Howard Lasher)

"God bless America
Land that I love
Stand beside her
And guide her
Through the night
With the light
From above"
God Bless America

365 Project - Days 314, 315

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” Ruth Reichl

I've decided I'm a bit manic about food and exercise these days. While fully committed to a healthier lifestyle, some days that commitment is very easy. Some days that commitment is extraordinarily hard. Not like I want to eat a tub of ice cream hard, but like I'm tired of chopping and cooking and a sandwich from the local deli would be really tasty.

The one saving grace has been the fabulous late summer weather, coupled with my grill. The other day, I grilled chicken for 2 dinners. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've thought far enough in advance to prepare chicken thighs for one night and chicken breasts for the next. The photo with the mid-prep on spinach was my attempt to hide spinach in my family's favorite salad. It worked. No one caught on to my secret!

I came across a surreal Karl Lagerfeld quote. I believe this is inhuman, but he is now my healthy eating hero. How he does this - escapes me. This is my new ultimate goal: “I never touch sugar, cheese, bread... I only like what I'm allowed to like. I'm beyond temptation. There is no weakness. When I see tons of food in the studio, for us and for everybody, for me it's as if this stuff was made out of plastic. The idea doesn't even enter my mind that a human being could put that into their mouth. I'm like the animals in the forest. They don't touch what they cannot eat.”

"I'm beyond temptation," he says. I cannot imagine being beyond temptation. I can imagine overcoming temptation. He is a beast. I aspire in many more ways than food, to emulate the incredible Mr. Lagerfeld.

Blessings.


Today's Photos: Healthy Living

365 Project - Day 313

“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” John Lennon

This face has brought me smiles for decades; driven me to laugh so hard that I couldn't catch my breath and my sides ached; made me both content and uber happy. So, when he shyly asked me if he could sit for a quick portrait, I was thrilled. Obliging the request was easy. No real preparation was involved. We chose his favorite shirt and stepped outside on a beautiful clear and sunny day. He often assists me with headshot sessions, having his photograph taken only for my test shots and then he rarely looks at the lens. He can be rather sassy in those sessions. When it came to his own, however, he needed a little direction.

Emerson said, "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." IMHO, that's when you know, true friendship has matured. When you can truly be yourself, without reservation and with reckless abandon, absolutely free of judgment. That friendship is a gift we give ourselves and if we get it right, it is a gift we offer to others as well. I am beyond blessed that this man has been my best friend for so many years. And, frankly, my level of stupidity knows no bounds, but that's okay ... so far ... and it has been part of all the fun. I'm quite fine with being responsible for a lot of laughs!

May we all be so blessed with at least one of those friends.

I should note - this is my first attempt at a portrait using my 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, handheld. I'm happy. Hope you like.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Portrait of My Friend

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” Friedrich Nietzsche






EXIF: Nikon D750
ISO 250
190mm
f2.8
1/180s

365 Project - Day 312

“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” Francis of Assisi

Labor Day was a bit strange for us this year. Last year was such a big ordeal with both sons singing on a large float and this year's event snuck up on us with little fanfare in our home. My younger son attended the parade with one of his friends. I knew that picking him up during the parade would be an ordeal, but I thought it would give me a chance to watch the latter part of the parade and take a few fun, stress-free photographs. When I parked my car, a friendly police officer notified me that I had nearly a mile long walk to the start of the parade. The fortunate bit was that my path took me along one of the major staging roads for the participants. I had the opportunity to see their preparations before they hit the parade route. Had it not been for my son texting and asking why it was taking me so long, I would have taken more time to capture the behind the scenes action (as it were).

Arriving from the back of the parade was fascinating. Some had clearly been waiting for some time and running low on energy, others were revved up and jammed in the alleys. Some practiced while others were seasoned veterans, who needed little more than the signal that they were up. Others were celebs on floats, ready to wave and toss candy at the crowds. Some were still arriving and getting dressed. I'm sure someone could analyze the scene as a mini-social experiment. I just got a kick out of being an observer.

When I finally arrived at the parade route, my son and his friends were anxious to leave. So, we turned around and headed straight back to the car. I spent less than 5mins on the actual parade route, the rest of the time was along the prep stretch. It's only fitting, therefore, that I share a photo from the staging route. Of course, I couldn't resist one photo from the parade!

Best wishes!

Today's Photos: Labor Day!

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." Martin Luther King, Jr.

365 Project - Days 310, 311

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:4-8

In an attempt to get my family out of the house on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I suggested apple picking. This was the first weekend the apples were ripe for picking and I was anxious to get an early start to the apple picking season. Shortly before the farm closed, I dragged my husband and son out to Silverman's Farm. We had a great time picking far more apples than we could eat.

Walking among the trees was interesting. Certainly, some trees bore richer, riper, redder fruit than others. Some bore little to no fruit (not just that they had been picked dry), while others were overflowing. At one point, a couple of small children ran through the tight trees, randomly knocking apples off the branches. It was clear, they had little reverence for the fruit.

The orchard reflects a bit of a metaphor of life and its seasons. There are times in our lives when we bear an abundance of fruit. Too often, though, we run through life without acknowledging that fruit and our blessings. We show little reverence; have little faith. And, like the apples that fell from the trees that day, the blessings rot away.

I'm hoping to make a shift and spend more time being thankful for the blessings I have today with faith and expectation that an abundance of fruit is on the way. An overflow of blessings, more than enough, so that I have plenty to share and be a blessing to others.

Blessings.


Today's Photos: Bearing Fruit

I had a tough time selecting the photos for Days 310 and 311 ...

Here are the winners:

And the runners up:

“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car… a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.” Ben Sweetland

365 Project - Day 309

“Eat healthily, sleep well, breathe deeply, move harmoniously.” Jean-Pierre Barral

I have decided I should try to live the above, with the following addition: live faithfully. As I think about this, though I am not a fan of cabbage, today's photo seems to illustrate all of these. I was not looking for a cabbage head to photograph when I was grocery shopping the other day, but if you can fall in love with one, I did this one. I loved everything about it: the colors, the texture, the layers (some tight, some lose, some delicate, some thick, some small, some large) and the flow.

I have served my family a set of meals this week, unusually rich with vegetables. No one has complained yet. Here's what I'm hoping ... if I eat more healthily, my sleep will also improve. I will breathe more deeply and more often (meaning with less stress involved) and that will make all of my movements, internal and external, more harmonious - one of my favorite words. Faith is easy and hard, but when you remove the things you control and simplify life, faith is easiest.

I am coming to believe that a simpler, less cluttered life provides more space for the Lord to breathe in and through me. Then He shall shine.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Simply, lovely cabbage

"One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet." Proverbs 27:7







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f4.8
1/8s

365 Project - Day 308

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:13

During my recent trip to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, I was reminded of how much I enjoy this experience. It has been years since we've had a family outing to a zoo. And, while the Beardsley is very small, it was perfect for my solo outing. I went early on a quiet weekday morning. Few people were there and while I had only 2 hours to spend, it worked out well for me.

When I was younger, I was always most attracted to the monkeys. Their freewheeling acrobatics, coupled with a sense of family appealed to me. I had forgotten about that until I saw the small group of monkeys in this zoo. It's not always a party, however. There was the melancholy Howler monkey that only lit up when the caretaker arrived and then scurried back to a corner after he left. Perhaps, the Howler experienced a sense of loneliness despite the activity around him/her. We can all relate.

The Saki monkeys were more active. Through the pane of glass, with 2 cameras in hand, I tried to encourage this one to sit still for a portrait - haha. This was the best compromise. I should note that in this zoo, the monkeys are indoors, inside their Rainforest Building. It takes a moment to get comfortable with the condensed air and the smell. You have to want to be there.

Spending time with the monkeys, like so much of my time these days is more about valuing the person I was designed to be. I was reminded today of a comment someone once made: "We may have many talents, but not all of them are anointed for your purpose." I have a multitude of skills and talents. I am exceptional at many things, but now it is time to focus on those talents that will change the world.

How about you?

Blessings.


Today's Photo: A moment with a Pale Faced Saki Monkey

"I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, than simply being who you are." Charles R. Swindoll







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 800
85mm
f1.8
1/125s

365 Project - Day 307

"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." James A. Michener

I've moved from on from my dolls ;-)

I've shot tens of thousands of photos with my prior camera and lenses. Making this switch to a new camera and lens is proving to be more of an adjustment than I expected. Along with the attempt to shoot using a new style, I am challenging myself everyday to create.

Today's photo is an outdoor portrait, using a shallow depth of field (of which I am not a fan), my new camera, my new lens and back button focus. I may have tried too many new things at once while photographing an unwilling subject that I had to bribe with an offer of homemade chocolate chip cookies!

I prefer a depth of field that incorporates all of my subject's body in the field of focus, but I have seen so many portraits and headshots with shallow depths that I thought I was being a bit pithy. I have been playing around with apertures of 1.8 to 2.8 and I'm uncomfortable with them, but I haven't given up. Until I try a few hundred on a variety of subjects I won''t be able to truly articulate my preference intelligently. Until then, I shall continue to frustrate myself trying to adapt, strengthening skills and building my character along the way.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Strong Willed

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4






EXIF: Nikon D750
ISO 200
85mm
f1.8
1/350s

365 Project - Days 305, 306

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

I awoke this morning thinking about kindness. Quite a nice way to begin a Sunday morning. This section in Ephesians entitled, "Instructions for Christian Living, appears to simply inform us as to how we are "expected" to act. My perspective, however, is this is more a set of habits that would make our lives far more enjoyable should we exchange current behaviors for these new ones. I always have a choice in how I handle the situations before me. When I choose to handle them with consideration and compassion, that is as much a gift I offer myself as to the other person (regardless of how they may behave). It's up to me to remember that whatever I do for (and to others), I also do for myself.

There is an extended family of woodpeckers enjoying my garden. They sing, play and peck. It is a joy to watch them. Despite their size, they are respectful of the tinier birds that share the food and garden with them.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Female Downy Woodpeckers

"It's a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research & study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other." Aldous Huxley

365 Project - Day 304

"Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am not a big fan of this plant when it's in full bloom. It's big and crazy. I much prefer the simple beauty of the few early blooms. This is my favorite time to capture these flowers.

There has been a constant cacophony in my brain lately. It seems it never stops stewing or working or solving something. Even when I try to sit quietly, it moves. So today as I read this insightful article that popped up in my Flipboard this morning by Eric Kim, "Having No Choices is the Ultimate Freedom", discussing the need for and value of simplicity, I felt compelled. I will never get down to 2 pair of boxers or 2 shirts, but the article rings true. Simplicity forces us to see life, love and beauty differently, perhaps more the way God intended. I like the idea of removing things I know I don't need, like apps on my iPad or iPhone, particularly because then I might find the ones I do need. Or, removing distractions and alternatives so that I focus more on what's important. And, no, I didn't need Kim to tell me these things in his very colorful way, just a little nudge.

Interestingly, unlike Kim, I have more cameras now that I ever imagined I would and I noted two things as I read his blog. The first is having two cameras made my trip to the zoo this week both easier and more challenging. When you don't have choices, you make do with what you have. And, secondly, as I looked at the photos from Day 304, I saw something interesting. I am still getting comfortable with my new Nikon D750. I have not really pushed the ISO as high as I should to get the shot that I need. On this day, however I pushed (but could still have used a bit higher ISO). I was sitting in the shadows shooting birds in my back garden, I needed to push the ISO up to adequately capture the birds in the trees. As I finished, I had forgotten the ISO was at 2500 and shot photos of the flowers in the garden just as I had when I first stepped outside. The first photo below is shot at 200 and the second at 2500. I cannot tell the difference.

Having the good fortune to shoot with virtually no consequence at 2500 could simplify my photography. It would certainly keep me from being anxious each time I press the ISO. Naturally, having strong light made a good deal of difference, but still.

As I looked for simplicity quotes for this blogs, I was truly moved by the words of so many. I suppose that is a sign that I need to get on with the business of simplifying my life. It may take more time, but doing great things simply, often drives unique innovation (the intersection of intelligence and creativity) and that should be our perpetual aim.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Simple Beauty

“I do believe in simplicity. It is astonishing as well as sad, how many trivial affairs even the wisest thinks he must attend to in a day; how singular an affair he thinks he must omit. When the mathematician would solve a difficult problem, he first frees the equation of all incumbrances, and reduces it to its simplest terms. So simplify the problem of life, distinguish the necessary and the real. Probe the earth to see where your main roots run. ” Henry David Thoreau

365 Project - Days 302, 303

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." Epicurus

I am thrilled that my son is off on his college adventure and seems to be having a marvelous time, but I also spend time each day wondering what he is doing, how his day is going and if he is happy and safe. In the last week, I've spoken to him just one time. That's not enough. He's funny because when I ask if he can talk he doesn't see the value in communicating vocally. "Sure," he says, "we can text." Ugh! I just want to hear the lilt in his voice as I know it will energize the lilt in mine.

In the meantime, I rejoice that he is enjoying himself. He was most anxious about his animation class and he texted that it was really fun. He is making lots of friends and also enjoying his roommates. And, he seems to be safe. The only thing I could hope for would be a job ;-)

There's always something, right? I have to learn to relax and breathe in the little moments of joy. Praising and thanking God for what is, not always praying continuously for what is not. And, live as Paul so clearly stated in Philippians, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." So, for now, I will settle for the pop-up texts and the joy of a weekly call. The job will come when he gets around to it. He's happy and my wish for him is more joy.

These cookies were baked for his dorm room / suite the day before we left. They are his favorites. I made a couple of batches of my favorite recipe as well.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Home and Away

"Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
...
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God."
Psalm 146:1-2,5

365 Project - Day 301

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, 'jump,' and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." 1Corinthians 13:1-4

Something about this field, Happy Landing, just speaks "LOVE." My son included this field as part of his video for his final English project last year. The theme was romance. I have been to the field twice to photograph it, but always in a rush. From his video, I know there's much more to see beyond the crest of the hill, along the path past the windmill, but there's never enough time to get back there.

One of the things that is important truths about love, is that it is always around us, if we will simply make the time. I went to the zoo today and was initially greeted by huge turtles. The turtle keeper said, "aren't they beautiful?" To me they were just huge turtles, but clearly she adored them. The best scene, however, happened in the Rainforest Center. I was watching a very melancholy monkey for several minutes. He did not move, but just sat in one place staring out of the glass. Suddenly, a zookeeper appeared behind me and the monkey jumped up and ran up the tree to greet his keeper. They stared at each other and touched hands through the glass. It was a crazy, sweet moment. I was fortunate to be a witness.

Can't you just picture people walking hand in hand through the grass in this field?

Yes, love is everywhere. Look for it and delight in it!

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Love's Field.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1Corinthians 13:5-7

365 Project - Days 299, 300

“Every artist was first an amateur.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I remember the exchange as though it just happened. That's how much this has impacted me, nay "haunted me" for nearly a year. The question went something like her son needed headshots for college and did I do that sort of thing? Almost as soon as she asked the question, I knew I should be doing them, but at the same time, I had no real headshot experience, except taking them of my children for their acting comps. Then, shortly after letting her know that it was not the sort of thing I did, but that I would be happy to try (which she declined), I was asked to shoot headshots of 100 youth for a local nonprofit. This time, I agreed and proceeded to shoot headshots of more than 300 children and teenagers in a 7 month period, easily nearing 10,000 photographs.

I love teen headshots. This is one of my all time favorite activities. I have spent so much time nagging my own children to allow me take their photos and running massive volume headshot sessions, that I have endured all kinds of nonsense, but still I'd rather do this than most other things. In 3 minute volume sessions with children aged 5 - 18, I can create 100 different looks, exhibiting 100 different personalities. And, that is truly by the grace of God. These sessions have allowed me to rapidly develop talent and skills in a contracted time that are easily transferable to traditional professional headshot and portrait sessions where the photographer and client are relaxed and have time for creativity and analysis. I can read the environment and the client very quickly and adapt. This is what I do in under 3 minutes in every volume session. That leaves me with more time in a 1 - 3 hour session with my clients to focus on creating unique beauty in their photographs.

I am constantly working on skills and trying new techniques. In these photos, I wanted to test handholding my 70-200mm. I prefer to hold my camera during headshot sessions to keep in constant contact with my client. This lens is really heavy and working with Kyra is not the easiest way to manage this shoot (she collapsed a few times), but I'm building strength and skill! I don't need this lens for studio work, but for outdoor shots, as you can see, the bokeh here could make all the difference. These photographs were taken very late in the day. And, well, I like.

Blessings.

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” Mahatma Gandhi