Junk

Surprise...we never know when something different will show up.



Blessings

DETAILS FROM 14th CENTURY ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon

The Rendezvous

Addressed the stein on the table.  That poor stein has been waiting for me for at least a week.  Today it is so dreary outside.  I wasn't sure I would be able to pull the shot off.  And, I may try again tomorrow, but not going to promise such a thing to you, or to myself.



THE RENDEZVOUS

Sunset

Getting back into shooting...finally!

SUNSET

Saturday Soundoff--Draft of Chapter/Performance Entry

This week I came face to face with jealousy, greed and feelings of entitlement.  Evil and ugly--the ugliest, most self-centered (selfish) qualities I have ever encountered--mind boggling and horrifying.  [include reference to mirrors]

Dealing with death, in any form, opens one's heart to see clearly.  It seems that death is the great leveler and when grieving, we are vulnerable enough to receive  important life lessons.  We see things we need to change.

Recently I have been asking to be shown how to "let go" of things and people.  Things because they are a heavy responsibility to carry around and people because often they bring not only negativity, but unnecessary drama and craziness into our lives,  or we love them so much, we selfishly want to hold on tight.  It isn't easy walking away.    

Last night I had an "ah-ha moment" realizing that by selling (or giving away) things, life will be simpler and lighter.  And, by saying, "I love you.  Call me when you get your head screwed on straight," will free me from the weight of feeling responsible for anyone who is not being truthful with themselves.    People make choices and get themselves into messes.  It is up to them to take responsibility for creating the messes they are in.   It is up to them to change their thinking and as a result, change their lives.

To those who feel entitled:  No one owes you anything...noone owes you a living...and as long as you think you are entitled, folks will run from you.  Life, in my opinion, is about giving not taking.  And greed:   Greed strangles love and cuts off the life force.  Greed is harsh.  Greed is the negative side of taking care of yourself (and others) in a kind, nurturing, gentle way.

Life is fragile and beautiful.  Everywhere we can see beauty and be thankful.  We can even be thankful for what appears to be "bad." During those apparently "bad" times, we learn much.  (Insert story re: good and bad--the story about the farmer, his son and  horse.)

Here's to living in the now.  Here's to giving. Here's to surrendering and letting go. Here's to enjoying each day moment by moment.  Here's to sending love to one's friends and enemies.

Afterthought:  And, if all fails, and I doubt it will because love is the most powerful force around,  ....  crush 'em like a bug!   LOL!  [End with humor.]

Draft--Revised 12/4/2011, 12/5/2011
Notes to Self:
Include Insights Into Letting Go of Dying Loved Ones

Ornamental Cabbage

Have been busy with family matters lately and have been lax about posting here.  Sorry about that.

Yesterday I saw this ornamental cabbage plant while out for lunch.  Thank goodness for phone cameras.  Took a quick shot in the rain and drizzle that was preparing to become snow flurries.   Do you believe it?  Snow in November in the South!

SkyWatch

To see more skies from around the world. Please click on the icon above. Thank you, thank you, thank you SkyWatch team.

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This week we had several lovely sunrises and sunsets.

 SUNRISE

 SUNRISE

 SUNSET

SUNSET

Berries

Went to a local cemetery the other day to see if it would be a good place to go to write.  It was wonderful there.  Looking around I spied a bush sporting these wonderful red berries....it was cheery.   I don't have a clue what this bush is...it isn't holly.  Anyone out there know?

BERRIES

SkyWatch-Sunset Last Night

Thank you SkyWatch team.  To see more skywatch images from around the world, please click on the icon above.

Usually, I stay away from electrical and phone lines when shooting, however last night the color was rich and the lines didn't seem to take away from the image.

SUNSET LAST NIGHT

Dictation

This is a first. I am dictating this  entry from my phone using Dragon. I love this program. I can talk just like I would be talking to you in person and the words  appear. Dragon is really good at spelling.  I do the punctuation.  Am thrilled to be able to sign in from my phone and write my blog... What a timesaver this is going to be.

Next I have to figure out how to add photographs from my phone. Then we will be good to go.

Oh, and the best part is:  Dragon for the iPhone is a free download.  Hooray!

Today's Haiku--Cosmos

Tears like dewdrops cling

To petals of crepe blossoms
Poised in morning fog. --EB

COSMOS

Sunday's Are Play Days

Make and take time to play.

"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." ~ Mark Twain

Would love to give the creator of granny and the rocking chair credit, but I have no idea  who made either of them.  Decided to use one of my painting programs to depict her spirit.

PHOTO PAINTING

All Rights Reserved

Weekend in Black and White

Thanks to Dragonstar for hosting this weekly event.  To see more black and white images, please click on the icon above.

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"Vision is the art of seeing things invisible."

-- Jonathan Swift

Not everyone understands still life.  I love creating still life images with hidden meanings and emotional content.  It is up to the viewer to discern any meanings, or feelings, for him, or herself.

DAY'S END

SkyWatch--Twilight

Thanks to the SkyWatch team for hosting this event each week....  To see more SkyWatch images, from around the world, please click on the SkyWatch icon above.

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Some nights it pays to look out the window at the right moment.

TWILIGHT

SkyWatch--Sunrise

Thanks to the SkyWatch team.  If you would like to see more SkyWatch images from around the world, click here.

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Every now and then it pays off to look out the window.  Then, grab your camera and run.  Surises and sunsets fade quickly.

SUNRISE

BONUS IMAGE:  Greetings from Apple Country

Sunrise

This morning........



SUNRISE

Fall In The Blue Ridge Mountains

Oh what a beautiful morning...went outside, hopped in the car and drove around.  If not today, perhaps never for the fall colors.

Weekend in Black and White

"Vision is the art of seeing things invisible."

                                     -- Jonathan Swift

To see more black and white images, from around the world, please click here.

Experiment

Composition....Light and Line.  Experimenting with the use of space.

THE PERFORMER

Playing with Phone Apps

Below is an experiment using a painting app on my iPhone after taking a series of shots on the way to Asheville.  Is fun playing.



AUTUMN (Photo Painting)

On the Way to Town

To see more SkyWatch images, click on the icon above. First image below is for SkyWatch.

Cell phone cameras are amazing. Below are three snaps taken on the way to town yesterday.

All Rights Reserved

Lead with Your Chin--Laughing

Playing with Netbook camera. Awful, awful, awful...Will try again later. Computer too low. Oh well...

SELF PORTRAIT
All Rights Reserved

Favorite Sayings

Anything is possible!

Favorite Words

Believe
Bodacious
Dream
Easy
Love
Magic
Passion
Plethora
Serendipity
Synchronicity
Wu-Wei

This Morning

Went out this morning...dreary and overcast. Hopefully will be able catch some of the changing colors soon.

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved

Question

Is anybody out there?

Final Image and Some Creative Prompts

Here is the final Egg Cup image:

EGG CUP

All Rights Reserved

Today I may do some shooting outside comparing Manual with various Auto modes and using the compensation button for my own information. I suggest you experiment and take notes thoroughout your photography experience. This is how we learn what works and what doesn't. Go for it folks.

Suggestion: Try all sorts of different things. You never know what effect you might accidentally stumble across.

Proof

EGG CUP (First Proof Enlarged)

Subtle variations can be chosen when shooting in Manual mode while Aperture Priority mode adjusts to give the same result every time. The camera always wants an average exposure across the whole image when in Program modes. Exposure compensation (+/- button) has no effect when shooting in Aperture Priority mode in low light.

Proving An Idea (Theory)

Today I am going to run a series of tests to prove a theory I have had for many years. This should be interesting and if this pans out the results will fly in the face of logic when it comes to light and photography. Sometimes logic needs to be challenged. My fingers are crossed and I believe I can pull this off...so...we shall see. Oh, and this test may evolve into a series of tests and may take longer than a day. Am looking forward to this....FUN!

Photo Notes for Me, Myself and I

Here we are again and I realize that I have been neglecting my blog. Back in the days when AOL had Journals, I wrote every single day. Anything interesting was fair game for an article. Today I feel like getting back on track. Would I be able to keep up an entry a day again? Well, there is only one way to find out.

Surprisingly, with all the cameras out there many don't know how to take good pictures. Let me tell you, I am so sick of bad, uninteresting landscapes, etc., I could scream. So, what to do? First off, let me suggest looking at good photographs. Get thee to a library...remember those? They are buildings filled with words (and pictures). Check out books containing images by Steiglitz, Walker Evans, Dorthea Lange and my favorite Irving Penn. Ask yourself, "How did they do that?" Pay attention to lighting and composition. Without light you have nothing and without an interesting subject and composition...well...all I can say is, "yuk."

When you are ready to snap that shot...zero in on something interesting in the viewfinder. A good photograph starts with seeing. Look for the unusual, the interesting, the exciting. Without a subject, you don't have a story and without a story, well...you get the idea. A photograph is a story in an instant. You need a subject and a predicate (writing terms)...an action...something going on, or something imagined as happening nearby.

One friend says, "It's easy" and easy it is once you get the hang of it. Pointing and shooting randomly doesn't cut it. You have to get involved. You have to show an interest in what you are doing or....you produce B-O-R-I-N-G pictures. Chances are if you find something interesting to shoot, it will be interesting to someone else. So....go for it.

And...above all else, get involved--put a part of you (your spirit) in your images.

To get good images you have to work at it...then, it becomes easy. One of the main ingredients in good photography is thought. THINK!
Today: Do a shoot using camera settings and another using manual settings...compare subtleties.
[Insert Photos Here]
©elisabeth bacon 2011
Feelings Transcendence Light and Shadow Message Goals

An Illusion of Time

Am experimenting with light and reflections, while remembering times with my Dad. This hourglass is old. I wish I knew how old. It sat on my father's desk for years and reminds me of Medieval times.

AN ILLUSION OF TIME

Time (Detail)

DETAIL (PHASE 1)

Weekend in Black and White--Mystery

Thank you Dragonstar for hosting this weekly event. If you would like to see more black and white images from around the world, please click on the logo above.

This experiment was fun and now I would like to shoot more using the same technique.

UNTITLED

Last Light

LAST LIGHT (A GIFT)

Mystery

MYSTERY, MYTH AND MAGIC (Series in Process)

Morning Glory

Finally made it up the hill...and there found beauty everywhere...hope to go back tomorrow and shoot again.

Black and White--The Last Blooms of Summer

Thanks to Dragonstar for hosting this weekly event. To see more black and white images, click here to go to The Weekend in Black and White.

END OF SUMMER

Yesterday--Heading to Town

Thanks to the SkyWatch team for hosting this event. To see more SkyWatch images, from around the world, please click on the SkyWatch icon. Saw these clouds right before pulling out on the highway heading to town...hate to say this, but had to have the shot...so....grabbed my phone and got it. You do what you have to do! Right?