We were challenged to photograph a waterfall in a unique way. In this case I zoomed in on a rock at the base of the falls that had more or less water flowing over it depending on the wind direction. I processed it in black and white with a high contrast look and I rather like the results.
Today we hear from Rumi:
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
Well, I don’t have much to show for yesterday. I ate something that disagreed with me and was down for the count with only 4 images and none of them very good. Had I been up to par I would have switched to a longer lens and zoomed in on some parts of these falls. Our instructor has been cursing the sun as that does not make for the best light to shoot waterfalls.
Today’s quote is from Erich Fromm:
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.
The Daisies are starting to come out. I caught this one after the rain the other day. Or maybe the sprinklers had been on.
this week I’m turning back to Nancy Rotenberg for my quotes. Today she offers one from Lao-Tzu:
Be really whole and all things will come to you.
Nothing says serenity like a rock in still water. Today was one of those days when I kept thinking about posting a photo and then getting sidetracked. So, I was sitting at dinner going, “Oh, shit” Fortunately I had this one in my back pocket.
Today’s quote from Julia Cameron:
The creative imagination is a will-o’-the-wisp. Wooed best by enticement and not by aggressive assault, the imagination responds to being coaxed and cajoled.
Here’s another one from the trip to the park yesterday. I didn’t take many wide shots and this one I had to crop out some ugly dead branches on the right. I also had to adjust the color because the green light bouncing around in the vegetation was just overwhelming.
Turning back to Julia Cameron today:
We are all artists – some of us are declared, accomplished, and publicly esteemed artists. Others of us are the private kind, making artful homes and artul lives and shying away from the public practice or pursuit of our art.
Something I have been meaning to do since I started this project is head down to Lithia Park and practice my flowing stream technique. I finally had a day when I didn’t have 10 other things pressing on me and headed out with the Canon 7D and 70-200mm zoom on the tripod. Two take home messages. 1) There is always a stick. I edited the stick out in photoshop. 2) This might work better on a cloudy day due to the dappled light sifting through the trees. I do like the colors created by the sun on the upper part of the creek though.
Today’s quote is from Pablo Picasso:
We are all born children. The trick is how to remain one.
I had an idea to shoot again in the studio this morning but while walking the dog I noticed the ladybugs on my neighbor’s flowers. She buys them special to keep down the pests. So I grabbed the 180mm macro lens and went at it.
Today from Matthew Fox:
Built within every creature is this yearning, this drive to communicate itself to others. Creativity will not be denied. It lurks deep within.
Well, the poppies are going to town all around the neighborhood. I went out with the Lensbaby Sweet50 lens, which is designed to have a sweet spot of focus with everything around it in blur. I came back with over 50 images most of which were throwaways due to the difficultly of getting the right spot in focus and the added complication of wind. This one, however, came pretty close to my vision.
Today’s quote is from photographer Minor White:
The photographer projects himself into everything he sees, identifying himself with everything in order to know it and to feel it better.
My neighbor’s pink dogwood is just starting to bloom. I always love the flowing lines of dogwood blossoms. The light was a bit harsh this morning so I’m looking forward to trying again when we have some clouds this weekend.
Today’s quote is from photographer Aaron Siskind:
We look at the world and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect… But, as photographers, we must learn to relax our beliefs.
Well, I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. I woke up at 2:00 this morning and realized I had not posted anything yesterday. Not because I never thought of it, I did, about 20 times but it kept getting shoved to the back burner and never got done. Oh, well, I will just post two images today in order to stay on track. This one was shot in a neighbor’s front porch pot the other day. I’m not sure where the yellow came from but I liked the contrast with the purple.
Today’s quote is attributed to Taoist philosopher Chuang-Tzu:
In all things, the Way does not want to be obstructed, for if there is obstruction there is choking; if the choking does not cease, there is disorder; and disorder harms the life of all creatures.