Dear ,

If you are one of the subscribers who relates to the Self-Reflecting Queries, as well as the photographs, I thought you'd appreciate the following statement. "Empowerment in using a camera has altered how I see myself," as shared by Marifran Korb.

She was referencing her experience resulting from her participation in the Through and From The Len telecourse. The next session starts on Tuesday night, March 15th. See TFTL. Near the bottom of that page there is a link to "More Testimonials", a page that includes audio interviews with Marifran, as well as statements by her and others.

Today's issue of Picture to Ponder addresses "emotion in photographs". It comes, in part, out of a recent "e-versation" (email conversation) with a participant in the last Through and From The Lens class.

The above are photographs of Lisianthus flowers. Each view "spoke" to me in a different way. How about for you?

This last one moved me to post it on Facebook with the label, "A rose by any other name is not a rose." An exact description, since this looks so much like a rose.

Today's Photos Story and Emotion in Art -
This past weekend, I purchased a full bunch of Lisianthus. It had enough stems with flowers and buds to fill the vase you see above that sits on my desk, plus another large vase in my living room and one with two stems in my bathroom. Needless to say, I've been enjoying them immensely.

Instantly bringing back memories and emotions, they originally grabbed my attention as I passed them in the produce section of the store in which I was shopping.

My first experience with Lisianthus was with a bunch that Sam brought home from a roadside stand many years ago. For a long time they remain unidentified. As the subject of my very first photo/drawing (image below), they were simply titled "Purple Flowers" for a long time.

The emotional memories (relating to Sam) reminded me of the discussion, mentioned above, with the participant after the last Through and From The Lens course. She had sent me a link to the work of a photographer who was demonstrating the lighting set-up he used to photograph flowers. Although the flowers were beautiful, I was surprised that I found the photos somewhat flat.

It occurred to me that what might be missing for me was an emotional connection with the flowers. And, it's quite possible that the main concern of the photographer was to show off the "traditional" beauty of the flowers, without his having a deeper connection to his subject.

I've often been surprised at the very strong positive responses people have had to some of my photographs. At one point, I finally realized that generally, when I photograph, there is something that "catches my attention." It is this "something" that evidently then connects with you. Though not intentional, most of my pictures have some "story" that I see... well "make up," almost automatically.

And, this IS an important part of what participants experience in the Through and From The Lens course, connecting with what they see, using the camera to go beyond that. Invariably freedom and play result, and much more as indicated in the quote at the start of today's issue.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
Scrolling back up the page to Today's Photos, did you have an emotional response to any of the above Lisianthus pictures? If "yes", can you distinguish to what specifically you were responding?

Was it, perhaps, to a story you made up about, or saw in, the full picture or part of it?

Or, were you responding to one or more of the elements of the specific picture - color, textures, shapes and more?

Lastly, can you relate your responses, or lack thereof, to the way you see things in other areas of your life?

As always, have fun, and please share on the blog what comes up for you.

Through and From The Lens (TFTL) telecourse -
Reminder - The next classes start this upcoming Tuesday, March 15th or Wednesday, March 16th. See TFTL for more information.

Nature Art Gift Shop -

The first photo/drawing I did - a Purple Lisianthus on a ceramic coaster tile in my Nature Art Gift Shop. See Tile.

This photo/drawing is also imprinted on pillows and the tile is an insert in a lacquered keepsake box. All on the purple Lisianthus 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.

Guests - If this issue has been passed on to you by a friend, we invite you also to take advantage of a no-cost subscription. Simply click on SUBSCRIBE. You can learn more about Picture to Ponder on our INTRO page.

Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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