Dear ,

If you've been subscribing to Picture to Ponder for a while you undoubtedly are aware that I often find art in bird droppings on the boardwalks where I wander. You also know that one of our consistent themes in Picture to Ponder has been around querying the possibilities that open up from shifting perspectives.

Today's Photos and Stories -
I had an interesting, "accidental" experience the other day, relevant to both the "art" and changing points of view. A particular "droppings" pattern caught me eye, so I've course I stopped to photograph it. Given I'm in two different online classes, right now, both with a "self-portrait" theme, I intentionally included my feet in the shot seen below.

Then somehow, in the downloading it from my iPhone, it opened up as seen below, walking toward the viewer, as if someone else had taken the picture.

I invite you to spend a moment or so with each photo individually. Is there a difference for you?

So as not to "color" your unique response, I'll share my observations in the Self-Reflecting Queries section below.

And while we're looking at perspectives and interpretations, I'll include another photo here. The self-portrait was specifically taken and "altered" for Bindu Wiles course, "Lens on the Human Condition" . Here we use our iPhones for photos which we ultimately convert using Black and White and other effects APPS.

This particular photo received a wide range of interesting responses in the comments section on both FlickR and Facebook. Again, my comments in the SRQs.

If interested, you can see others of the photos I've done in Bindu's class and in that of Susanna Conway in my FlickR account. See Inspirational_Sheila. Some of the photos done during self-portrait week in Susannah's class are private, only visible to group members.

Note, "Self-Portrait" does indicate more than "face" photos. There was/is the opportunity of getting to know oneself on a different and deeper level, using the camera.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
Sharing my responses to the on-the boardwalk photos above:

The top photo, from the perspective I took it, shows a possible tentativeness, the opportunity for holding back.

The next one has the appearance of being viewed by another person. From that perspective, I have the feeling that the one seemingly walking toward me is fearless, confident and strong.

The dichotomy of the two reminded me of the fact that so often people see us far greater than we see ourselves. Consider the "niggling", self-deprecating self-talk, the "chatter" in your head, that most likely happens at some point for you, no matter how confident you are. It seems to be one of the automatic human responses we often have.

So, the bottom line invitation and query for you today, is to look at a situation where you are having a self-doubt, internal conversation. Then, I invite you to consider with whom else you might be interacting and ask that person how they see you/your role in that scenario.

Then if it's a far stronger reflection on you than you have of yourself, I invite you to take on their interpretation. At least for a day, think and act as if you are, in fact, how they see you.

Regarding the Self-Portrait:
I had just purchased a Timer APP for my iPhone and was attempting to figure it out. The camera was propped up a couple of feet away from me and I was wondering if/when it was going to "click."

When I saw the photo, after playing with a few different APPS, I titled it "Moody or Thoughtful?" From my perspective I had simply been thoughtful and some other people had a different feeling.

I remembered several years ago, during two different presentations I was asked why I was "angry". I was far from angry and an NLP person pointed out that my face tightens up when I'm thinking. Others may not know what to make of it, so they might label it as "anger".

I invite you to consider, "Have there been times when people have misinterpreted your facial expressions or actions?" If so, the next time it happens, pause and make note of what's going on in your face and/or in your body posture.

As always have fun with the photos and queries and please share your experience with us on the blog.

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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Peace, Wonder, Joy and Love,
Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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