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Hi ,
Last week I had the pleasure of having lunch with Kaitlyn, my college-freshman granddaughter, to celebrate my birthday. The camera was with me and, being involved in conversation as we ate, I stayed pretty much focused on our discussions.
 Toward the end of lunch I decided to see if there was anything visually interesting that I might photograph.
I took some pictures of her above her glass and then decided to focus on the glass itself. (Photo on right is initial scene)
It was when I zoomed in on the imagery in the glass that the photographs became interesting. In the first photo below we see a wide variety of pleasing textures and soft colors. I'm moved to stay in it for a while and yet the dark line (her drinking straw) almost cuts the picture in half, falling outside the principles of good design.
As you see below, I thus cropped the larger photo with the straw repositioned in different places in each of the two other photos.
Working with principles of art and design is a small part of what we touch on in my Through and From The Lens Course, directed to the 4 C's in taking and presenting a good photograph, Content, Composition, Color, and Content.
The bottom line of the course is for participants to start seeing more, finding the hidden beauty in the ordinary strengthening the mode for "shifting perspectives".
Alternative Perspectives in Today's photos -
Self-Reflecting Queries -
For many, holidays present challenging times, especially when loved ones are absent or gone. From what I've experienced myself, and seen in others, we'll often spend time a good amount of time dwelling on what's missing and the sadness and loneliness of that.
What I've discovered is that ultimately staying in that state certainly does not make me feel any better. To make a conscious shift, I may start listing mentally, or on paper, that for which I am grateful. I will sometimes go further and directly express gratitude to another person if it fits and is feasible.
And, as you know if you've been a Picture to Ponder subscriber for a while, I often pull out the camera at such times. Once I start noticing and paying attention to what's outside of myself I will experience a shift. Sometimes it's immediate. At other times it may take up to 5 different "snapshots" for the mood alteration to occur.
So, you may be wondering, "What does this have to do with today's photos?" I was in a great mood when I started photographing AND I had simply been feeling flat around using the camera. Yet I felt I "should" be taking pictures since it was my birthday and a special occasion
Once I set the intention, looked around, and then
focused in on the glass, I began having even more energy. And when I worked with the photos on my computer a few days later, I was reenergized by the simple steps of working creatively.
After a much longer story than usual about me, here in the SRQs, I invite you to look into your own life.
Do you have tools and practices in place for elevating your mood, when you are down, assuming that undoubtedly that state does kick in at some point for you also? What are they?
Do you share your experiences with others?
Have you been taking time to notice what it is you are grateful for?
Lastly, are you expressing that gratitude to others.
I am most grateful for your being in my life as a subscriber to Picture to Ponder and for your "listening" to me, through my photographs and/or words. If you are celebrating a holiday in the next few days or week, you have my wishes for enjoying them to the fullest. May love abound.
As always remember to have fun with the queries and share on the blog what comes up for you.
(Note - If interested, you can see photos of Kaitlyn and me at the beach that day in one of my Facebook Albums. She took some great shots of me and she is a beautiful young woman to behold.)
Reminder - TFTL Telecourse -
In the upcoming January Through and From The Lens telecourse we will be experiencing using photography to find the hidden beauty in your world, to discover and develop your own unique eye, and to connect with others, nature and your environment. You choose the subjects that most call to you, often discovering things in your life that you never knew were there.
In the telecourse participants learn how to develop their eyes by using the camera for Destressing, Communicating and Finding the Beauty in Their Lives, in addition to taking photos they love. It is set for Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings, starting January 11th - your choice of sessions.
Enrollment is limited to 10 participants in each session, so, if interested, check it out now. Details on TFTL - Jan 2011
If You are Developing an Internet Business -
or if you are interested in developing one, there is an incredible opportunity coming up in January with the Niche Affiliate Marketing System - NAMS. I've attended two (NAMS2 and NAMS3) in Atlanta and was scheduled to attend NAMS5 in January. It has turned into a Virtual Event, being held on the computer the weekend of Jan. 14-16, 2011, with continuing follow-up until NAMS6 in August.
David Perdew, the founder, has continued to assemble a varied group of top Internet Marketers, well-known, and extremely generous with their time and information they share. They will be leading the virtual workshops as well as the live ones in August.
You can find full details in a 9-minute video on NAMS5and6.
If You Would Appreciate Creative Alternatives to Camera and Writing for Shifting Perspectives -
My friend Marney Makridakis is offering, as a gift, her Peace by Piece: Collage Your Way to Inner Peace and Harmony. It's over 20 pages of ideas, including step-by-step instructions.
As described by Marney, "This workbook guides you through several collage projects, each one designed to bring you closer to your true self and your powerful ability for manifesting your dreams and desires."
Click on COLLAGE for the download page.
Reader's Comments are welcome -
To post them on the Photography and Transformation blog click on the small word "Comment" at the end of NY post. A window will open, asking for your name, email address that will NOT be published, a URL if you have - Your name will be linked to that - and a box with space for you to "Leave a Reply" will be there to type in your response. Then remember to click on "Submit."
If posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me. Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward, for me, of publishing Picture to Ponder.
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DISCLOSURE: From time to time, in Picture to Ponder, I include information on products and programs for which I may derive a small commission. This is what helps defray my publishing costs. I will only promote products and services of people with whom I'm familiar and in whose programs I've participated. |
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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