Will Get Back to Shooting Images Soon

Hopefully, I will be doing setups and getting out and about soon. Have been under the weather and even getting mad about it (as suggested by DB) didn't work. I believe it is best to work creatively when feeling good because how one feels is projected into the work. So, I have been taking it easy and not doing much of anything. Soon folks, soon.

Community Challenge: Winter

See all the entries, or enter the Blogger's Community Photo Challenge, here.

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For this challenge, I decided to go out on a "snowy" artsy limb. One of the most positive features of these challenges is the opportunity to experiment.

WINTER FANTASY

Photograph © Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Notes On Negatives To Positives

Oh, how I love reading journals. For the most part, the authors are young. (I consider anyone under 60 young.) These well-intentioned self-examiners writhe and struggle with the complexities and intricacies of life and self. They devour self-help books and courses. They look high and low for something to fill some undefined inner void. Guess what folks... All one has to do is STOP the self-scrutiny, self-absorbtion and drama. Simply decide to give up the emotional roller coaster and the ongoing personal soap opera filled with crises. Could all of this be an addiction? A habit? A narcissistic longing using negatives to get attention? How about developing positive achievements instead? Want to be better? Focus on becoming a better writer, artist, dancer, etc. How about accepting the good in ourselves and accepting praise for that good?

Break the negative habits of low self-esteem and life gets a heck of a lot easier.

The truth is our self imposed agonies don't amount to a hill of beans. Artist's do not have be unhappy (or poor) to be artists. Artists just have to be good artists. Becoming good at what we do takes patience, determination and energy. Replace negative habits with positives and discover how living is worthwhile, joyous and special. There is no void--no emptiness--and little struggle. We become aware of our gifts and begin to share.

Afterthoughts: To minimize one's talent under the guise of humility to me is disgusting, as is boasting of a talent one doesn't have. There is a balance. When you know your "craft," you know you know. No one needs to pat you on the back. You know how far you have come. The reward for learning on the the creative journey is to claim your title.

Reality Is. You are what you are [an artist] and you are what you are becoming.

An artist is only as good as the ideas he is able to tap into and develop.

Project: Simplify

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." --Lao-tzu (604 BC - 531 BC), The Way of Lao-tzu

Every year in January, I come up with a few long-term projects like updating my address book. This morning I woke up with an idea. To inventory props, take photographs, then paste them in a spiral, looseleaf notebook, or on large file cards (so items could be found in categories). For some reason, a book makes more sense to me than saving on a computer, disk or external hard drive. I may rethink this approach. No matter what method is used, having a plan (and sticking to it) is crucial.

My son is not interested in antiques. A dilemma: what to do with family pieces and other "stuff?" Today I will check with my daughter. If she is not interested, then it is time to sell. How weird...I love old things and am fascinated with the history (ownership) of each piece. The old adage "never assume anything" is true. I "assumed" my kids would love old things because I do. WRONG!

Time to begin the journey...sort, sell and give away.

Today: Take pictures of things and paste in journal (or on file cards), i.e old millifiore "end of the day" paper weight. Begin sorting items by category on dining room table. Next make box labels and pack up pieces with any information about each piece. After packing away excess, sell.

Antique Millifiore "End of Day" Paperweight (Concave Bottom)

Purchased as antique in 1975
(approximate purchase date)








Contemporary "End of Day" Paperweight (Flat Bottom)

Purchased in 2009









Contemporary "Little Worlds" Paperweight

(Flat Bottom/Signed)

Purchased in 1989



Wow, what I think is new, now is twenty years old! Now that is scary. :-)

A Week from Hell

This week has been something else...Bob had a heart attack, spent time in two hospitals, had tests and "procedures" while I continued fighting the lesser ear, allergy, whatever thing. Bob is home now (thank goodness) and we are both resting hoping to be better soon. There may be a lull in journal entries while we recuperate, then it will be back to posting and our NORMAL daily routines will resume.

Under the Weather and A Friendship Book

Have been ill for a while and am getting tired of it. This may be Nature's way of saying slow down. Yesterday I tried to convince myself that I was "all better." That didn't work for more than two minutes.

Today's Plan: Sleep (again) and drink lots of liquids. AND...Get Well and Back to Normal.

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RESEARCH: Found a wonderful little book on Friendship, titled THE BLESSINGS OF FRIENDSHIP, at my favorite resale shop a few weeks ago. I believe it to be an antique, however am not sure and would like very much to learn when it was published by the Cupples & Leon Company, New York. Cupples & Leon Company was founded in 1902.

A red two-cent stamp was stuck inside the cover next to a Christmas and New Year's inscription with no date. Darn...darn...darn.

The outside cover has the title and an illustrative swirl of blue forget-me-knots. I would love to share the cover and title page of this little book , but haven't due to copyright issues. If anyone has any info about this small book, I sure would appreciate it. Would really like to know when it was published.

Close Up/Macro Challenge

If you would like to see the photographs entered in the Blogger's Community Photo Challenge, for closeup or macro images, click here.





Macro photography can be tricky. Photographing a flat surface is best. When an object is curved, challenges galore pop up while striving for sharpness and clarity. Personally I prefer close up photography using either a 70-200 or 24-70 lens. Most of the time my macro lens hides in my camera case. However, this morning it went into action.

Above is an antique saffron tea container from the 1800s. It was lathe-turned by hand. The term for this type of turned wood piece is treenware.



Next is my "miracle" ring. Years ago I decided to treat myself and purchased this gold ring from an antique shop outside Chicago. The shop owner told me the piece was handcrafted and less than five had been cast. Someday I am going to meet the person who made this ring, I thought. Now...where that thought came from is beyond me.

Time passed.

Then...one day...while visiting an old friend's shop, his clerk announced, "Harvey, she is wearing your ring."

"What?," I said. Wow! Harvey emerged from the back room his hand extended. Sure enough...there it was...on its creator's finger...my ring.

Up Close

Sign To Use While Working on Book

Am busy working with book ideas.

Today: Take pic of something closeup (or macro) for Community Photo Blogger's Competition?

Winter Play (In Process)

Photograph ©Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Hawk

"I am hawk and fly high above the wrestling below." --Elisabeth Bacon

"If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend." --Benjamin Franklin

A Word to the Wise

Helping is an admirable attribute, however...be careful. Your helping hand could come back and smack you. Before you share, think twice especially if your sharing has to do with your career--your passion. I take stock with the old adage that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." When a friend copies your style, or suggests that they plan to do what you are doing, it hurts and there is only one person to blame. Guess who? YOU!

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STUDIO SHADOWS

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Ideas

Occasionally I run out of ideas. Actually that happens every month. There is a cycle. Tons of ideas flow in, then nothing...na-da. Writing down ideas as they appear helps. Then, when brain freeze sets in, it can be thawed by reading the list.

One thing I want to explore again is altered images. It is fun playing with photographs, borders, type faces, antique illustrations and words. Perhaps today I will play.

Drawing and sketching is another outlet. Shifting into other modes of expression often sparks new ideas in photography. Creativity exists in all fields. It is all on the same street. Everything is connected. Tap into one area and you tap into all.

TODAY: Pull out books on altered art. Put the pen collection, inks, watercolor and tinted pencils to work. Activate creativity. Change a photograph. Write a poem. Haiku?

Here's a thought...Perhaps there is an eighth sense? If the sixth sense is ESP, perhaps the eighth sense is creativity. Sounds good to me.

Today We Have Snow In The Mountains

Today snow came to visit us. Bob saw the sun shining on the mountains. He wasn't interested in catching the shot so I did. Filters were used to create uniquely different moods, as well as turning the camera. When shooting, remember to occasionally frame a vertical shot.

Saturday's Soapbox Soundoff

Time to sound off. The topic is: LATENESS

What would you do with someone who is late all the time? Now, I don't mean a few minutes late...I mean up to 2 hours late. In my opinion, this is an insult--a slap in the face--disrespectful and discounting. What that person is saying is: "I would rather be doing something else, than be with you. You are not important to me."

Also, they may be extremely disorganized. If that disorganized, then perhaps it is time to get their act together and Plan Ahead.

So...here is the bottom line: If you don't care enough to be on time, you may lose what could be, or have been, a valuable friendship.

WHOOPEE!!!! FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.