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