365 Project - Day 114

I'm working on developing my still life skills in all aspects. The difficulty is as much in orchestrating the content as in developing the photograph. For this photograph, I chose to pull out my china, which I do not use often enough and pair it with an old pearl necklace which I love, but broke many years ago. I added the flower and miniature painting to incorporate additional interest in the photograph. The light is natural and from a window several yards away.

Today's Photo: Simple, traditional elegance

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." Walter Bagehot





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
155mm
f5.6
1/4s

365 Project - Day 113

I had a moment of great energy today when I unhooked my camera from its home on my tripod and headed towards the door on my way to my physical therapy appointment. I had planned to venture out in the bright sunlight after PT to capture photos of our snow capped winter. I had planned to, until I asked my husband to tell me the temperature. At that very moment, I carefully snapped my camera back into place, zipped up my coat, grabbed my gloves and briefly wondered what I would photograph for the day. When I reached my appointment, my car's temperature gauge read 3 degrees. I am so much happier in warmth.

A couple of days ago, I walked around the outside of my home to take photographs and found huge icicles, I mean enormous, hanging off the water drainpipes on our roof. I can't imagine how they are keeping it together ;-) The photo below is one of the smaller icicles. It is lovely and I got a kick out of trying to catch a droplet on camera.

Today's Photo: Winter's Folly

"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
35mm
f2
1/8000

365 Project - Day 112

We have just stepped into the Season of Lent, a time to refocus on God and Christ. It is a season reflective of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert after his baptism and before much of his preaching. Matthew 4:1-11, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." ' Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." ' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" ' Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." ' Then the devil left him, and the angels came and attended him."

During Lent, I will post one photo a week that reflects the symbols of Lent and Easter. I choose to start with this one.

Blessings ...

Today's Photo: Do this in remembrance of me

"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." Matthew 4:11





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f8
1/2s

365 Project - Day 111

I wanted to play around with photographing objects on mirrors. While at the hardware store the other day, I picked up a package of mirror tiles. When I returned home, I discovered they were too small for most projects, including this one, but I'm sharing anyway. The biggest challenge is that without a clear, clean space, everything is reflected in the mirror. There were somethings in the room that I could clearly see would be in the way and end up as problems in the mirror reflection and other items that I either simply could not see or chose to include because I thought they added complexity, depth or interest. In this photo, the high ceiling adds dimension that may cause one to pause to determine whether the photo is right side up or upside down. So, of course, I thought - there is a life lesson in here, somehow.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you like your reflection? Do you see only what's on the surface or do you see more deeply? Which matters most to you? I am convinced that Khalil Gibran's statement, "The appearance of things changes according to the emotions; and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves," applies as much to how we see ourselves when we look in the mirror as it does to how we view anything else. If we can appreciate that we are beautiful souls and celebrate the unique gifts and talents within us that create magic, then we will see magic and beauty when we look in the mirror.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Reflective Beauty

"Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire." Unknown





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f8
1/6

365 Project - Day 110

One of my favorite regions in the world is southern France. In the south of France, Saint Paul de Vence is a beautiful, picturesque small town. I have visited the town on several occasions, with my family joining me once. We stopped in one of the small local art boutiques, looked around and met the master artiste. He was absolutely delightful, though, he spoke little English. We all enjoyed meeting Leo and felt like we were instantly part of his family. Since we had two small children in tow, I did not expect to feel so comfortable in an art studio, but Leo and his assistant were filled with such joy. We bought several floral on canvas paintings and cheerfully moved along the narrow cobblestone paths. Each time I returned, I continued to be welcomed into the boutique / studio.

The Leo florals are hung on our staircase walls and I enjoy seeing them everyday. I so miss the flowers of France. It was always such fun to stop in an open market to pick up a fresh bouquet or to see beautiful local paintings. To be constantly surrounded by beauty filled me with much joy. This photograph reminds me of France and Leo.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Je me ennuie de votre beauté

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece." Claude Monet





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
200mm (70-200mm f/2.8)
f4
1/20s



RANDOM BONUS:

Since it is Fat Tuesday! I am adding this photo that I neglected to post the other day (long story) ... Have a great Lenten Season!

365 Project - Day 109

I have thought of orchids as being rare and delicate flowers, sought after by the most skilled gardeners. I learned today, however, that the orchid is one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants with more than 20,000 species, which house almost 70,000 scientific plant names. I am still a bit surprised. Given all of the snow and chilled air we're experiencing, I was delighted to find these colorful, delicate, "rare" orchids at the hardware store this week ;-)

I am intrigued by the color and complexity of this plant. It is different and that makes me smile. I found a wide variety of colors, sizes and shapes to choose from in the hardware store. I can only imagine the possibilities in a flower or plant shop. I believe that the expansiveness and diversity of the Orchid is part of its real allure and strength. That is also true, I'm convinced, in life. When we embrace diverse cultures and people, we create more vibrant and vital lives for ourselves, capable of richer successes. I encourage you to take advantage of any opportunity you find to expand your life with relationships that enrich you through their differences.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Vital Diversity

"Strength lies in differences, not in similarities." Stephen R. Covey





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
190mm (70-200mm f/2.8)
f5.6
0.5s

365 Project - Day 108

I had the honor and privilege of serving as a staff photographer for the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine event at Faith Church in New Milford, CT. I admit to feeling inadequate as a photographer amongst a group of highly professional photographers. I have had to remind myself of Humans of New York's recent interview with President Obama in which the President said you have to remember that it's about the work.

I began by serving on the red carpet as paparazzi. I quickly read the name tags, called out participant names and took photographs treating everyone like celebrities. The easy part for me was not taking photographs, it was talking to the participants, sharing their joy, telling them how beautiful, handsome and cool they looked. I loved loving them. After the red carpet, I took candids during dinner and dancing. We talked, smiled, laughed and hugged. We all had a great time. I was truly blessed to have been a part of such a spectacular event.

Since the Prom, I have anguished over the photographs. In fact, I waited nearly 24 hours to download them. If you've read my headshot blogs, you know I am a perfectionist. And, the most important thing to me is that I deliver photographs that make the subjects proud. This time I felt inadequate. It's possible, though, that my participation just was not about my photographs, particularly given there were 7 other photographers. Perhaps, it was more about the giving of myself, and that was enough. I do know that I am better for having been a part of such beauty and joy and love.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:13

At the end of the evening, everyone was crowned kings and queens. So many smiles! I am sharing 2 of my favorite photographs.

Wishing you blessings!

Today's Photos: Kings and Queens Shine!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9