365 Project - Day 121

I am sharing my weekly Lenten photograph. I do need to plan what I will photograph for the next few weeks as I struggled to decide on this week's photo. I'm happy with this one, but it took a long time to get here. I wandered around the house and then tried a variety of different options for the scramble letters, including dropping them in water. It turns out that the letters warp when wet. Oh well, the things you learn!

Blessings!

Today's Photo: Rest in the Lord

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 640
58mm (16-85mm)
f5.6
1/10

365 Project - Day 120

We are on the brink of another musical. Such fun! I am anxious to see Newtown High School's production of City of Angels. Two years ago, my sons' first duet together featured a song from this show. This will be a bittersweet moment. The final high school performance for my oldest son and the inaugural high school performance for my younger son.

I had the opportunity this week to take publicity photos during rehearsal. My kids absolutely never allow me to see their performances before opening night. So I was over the moon and did not behave properly, I'm sure! I was so excited to be there that I was less a fly on the wall than I should have been. Ah well, if I am allowed back again, the novelty will have worn off ;-)

This performance will be produced in both color and black and white. This will be an outstanding production. I can't wait! Below are two photos from the rehearsal. It is wonderful to see my children living their passions. I hope you are living yours. Enjoy!

Today's Photo: Passions' Play

"There is no passion to be found in playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela

365 Project - Day 119

I recently saw a black and white museum photograph of a cabbage leaf and was immediately committed to this project. I chose to begin, however, by photographing red cabbage, one of the most photographed vegetables. I was excited as I cut through the middle of the cabbage with its vibrant color and intricate design. I was not, though, thrilled with that awful cabbage smell, but once I peeled back the first layer and exposed it to the open air for a few minutes the odor went away. I took several photographs and when processing the photos I noticed something special about this one.

The complexity of the natural design of the center slice of cabbage immediately reminded me of the complexity of our lives. What a thrill, then, to find the arrow formed by the leaf and its reflection in the mirror. If you look closely, you'll also notice that the blemish on the right is barely visible in its reflection. Finally, pull back a bit from the cabbage and the complexity appears to simplify into nestled curves rather than haphazardness. Our lives are similarly complex, with curves, twists and turns and bruises, but also with beauty, vibrancy and simplicity. Could it be that all of this is necessary to position us for the success we are intended to live? Imagine that our lives are designed with ordained complexity -- meaning while life seems aggressively messy to us, God is in control. Yes, it may be easier to live blemish-free, straight lines, but if so, perhaps we would not be prepared for our successes.

I've been studying Ecclesiastes and I find it a wonderfully perplexing book of the Bible. I have read several chapters over and over in many different versions and I find myself not much wiser than in my initial read. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon, the son of David, is struggling with the meaning or meaninglessness of life. Yet, he acknowledges God's constant presence. Each day's events may not make sense and life can be particularly confusing day to day, but when we look back over a series of events during a season of our life, we can see the pattern(s) more clearly.

So, given there are some things we cannot change in God's design, perhaps we need to live and learn in both prosperity and adversity, trusting that all things work together for good and His purpose moves forward regardless.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Move forward on purpose

"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future." Ecclesiastes 7:13-14







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
85mm
f5.6
2s

365 Project - Day 118

"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." Galatians 6:2-3.

I had originally planned on including only verse 2, but I felt compelled to add verse 3. We are not as familiar with this follow-on reprimand of simply not being better than the person who needs help and certainly not being as important as we think we are. I drove past an elderly woman who was shoveling her mailbox out of the snow this afternoon. I wanted to stop and help, but I am recovering from a broken leg and I did not have proper gloves and boots - aka, I was more important. As I drove by, however, I called my husband and asked him to go help her. I then turned my car around to tell her he was on his way. When I got back to her house I had to laugh at myself. My husband had asked me if I was sure she needed help. To which I responded, "She's like 80+ years old, it's cold outside and she's on the street shoveling. Of course she needs help!" When I got back to her house 3 minutes later, she was not outside (speedy woman) and a young man was shoveling her porch steps. Clearly, I had misread the situation. I turned around, called my husband, who was now on his way, and told him NVM. I meant well.

Blessings!

Today's Photo: Let me share your burdens

"I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness." -Mother Teresa





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

365 Project - Day 117

I went out to take photos in the snow with my 16-85 zoom lens that I "recovered" from my son. I then used Silver Efex to create this Black and White film noir version. I like the minimalist look. As such, I will keep this entry simple.

This photo reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.


Best Wishes!

Today's Photo: Everything has its time

EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
16mm (16-85mm f/3.5-5.6mm)
f16
1/90

365 Project - Day 116

"Blue is the only color which maintains its own character in all its tones ... it will always stay blue - " Raoul Dufy

I was feeling a bit blue and so compelled to play around with the blue gel on my speed light. Yes, I know these are very blue, rather than having a blue cast, but I wanted no doubt of my intent. I truly intended blue photos to match my mood! I suppose they might be bluer than I was, but I couldn't resist the fun. The flowers are naturally pale purple. The setting is a navy blue room. So, I was doomed from the start!

Here's something interesting about the color blue ... we use the color to express melancholy, yet it is a primary source of calmness as it is said that the color of blue triggers the release of the calming hormones of the brain. It is also considered a color of trust, constant and confidence. Now, what was I feeling when I said, "I was feeling blue?"

Best wishes!

Today's Photos: Perplexing Blue

"Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the Deity to be a source of delight." John Ruskin






EXIF: NIKON D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f11
1/180 (off camera flash)

365 Project - Day 115

This is my first still life with candlelight. This took patience given the longer exposure of 6 seconds. I had to settle in, sit and wait a bit to ensure there were no in camera vibrations, nor small movements within the content. I liken this to relaxing in a quiet corner at the end of a long, hard day. A little stillness, peace and solitude is necessary to settle the nerves, wipe the slate clean, relax and restart.

Just as God's mercies are new every morning, we must shake off the day and start afresh. "The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' ” Lamentations 3:19-24

Blessings!

Today's Photo: Time to Relax and Refresh

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f5.6
6s