More Poppies?

Being on this personal retreat, is grand.  The result is: no interruptions, or only a few of them.  I can actually THINK!   And, WRITE!  This time of "being" is long overdue.   I am so glad to be doing this.  Yea!

A friend asked this morning, "Have you taken any more pictures?"  So, I found some poppy shots, taken a couple of days ago, to post.  FYI:  When a new bud bursts, I will shoot it and post because I love poppies.

POPPY

POPPY

Symbolism

Although this image is not done in my usual "style" of shooting, I decided to post it anyway because of the raindrops and brilliant color.  Bob noticed the symbolism of past, present and future.  How did I missed that?  Symbolism says more than words can say.  For the next shoot of poppies, I will be back shooting the way I like best...using diffused light.

PAST,  PRESENT AND  FUTURE

Poppy

Playing around with poppies again.   This is an ongoing challenge because I love poppies with their prickly stems and crepe paper textures.

Growing Wild

Dew Drops

A soft rain produces perfect conditions for shooting.  With an overcast sky, heightened saturation happens.

POPPY BUD

Balance

A variety of tints can change the mood, as well as the interest evoked, in any image.

Harmony in the Balance

Border (Phase I)

Dew

In the Shadows

In the Gardens

Sections of our flower gardens:

 WILDFLOWER GARDEN

CIRCLE GARDEN

SAGE AND BLEEDING HEARTS

Mother's Day Gift

This fun bracelet arrived yesterday in the mail from my daughter. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Made my day. What a wonderful surprise. Much thought went into this bracelet and I love it! I really like the little box it came in also...very pretty. Thank you very much.

Originality--Being Your Authentic Self

Okay, I'm a stickler for originality. There are valid reasons for this:
1. To follow someone else all the time is sad because the follower will never find the true joy of discovering what lies within his (or her) soul. Being creative means sharing one's soul. It means delving deep down within and pulling out an expression of your unique self

2. To claim something as yours, when it is not, is a lie.

3. To hold on to someone's coattails can slow everyone down. I don't want anyone hanging on to me and I sure as heck don't want to hang on to someone else!

* * * * * * * *

To choose a theme is not copying if one develops a different approach to sharing that theme. Example: Two people may have a similar idea, yet they express that idea differently using a variety of mediums and/or by changing the arrangement, or the choice, of objects. Almost everything has been done before. The challenge is: How can you do it your way? How can you express yourself by using a theme differently and making it truly your own? Once again, the possibilities are endless.


Themes: Light and Dark, Shadows, Reflections, Whites, Colors, Use of Type, Old, Nature, Forms in Nature, Lost Things, Textures, Transparency, etc., etc.

Suggestion: Pick a theme and go for it. Do it your way!

Deep Purple Wildflowers

Bob discovered these purple black wildflowers in the garden.  The deep purple color proved to be a photographic challenge.  Decided to translate this image into the oil painting below:

Be Unique

Recently I have been reading the viewpoints of various photographers on seeing, light, composition and ethics.  One book grabbed my attention when the author talked about amateurs imitating the work of others.  Often the amateur thinks if this image worked before, it will work again and this is far from the truth.  Because beginners often do not have an original idea, a different approach to seeing and shooting, or the ability to execute a unique quality print, they copy. 

It is fine to be stimulated by someone's work.  It is not fine to imitate someone's style because the imitation will never be as good as the original.  Invariably, the imitation will be dull, lacking the lustre and the brilliance needed to make an outstanding image.  These images will make a resounding "thud."

It is far better to keep shooting and develop one's own style using fresh, new ideas and approaches.  These things evolve as one continues to shoot what appeals to his senses.  Practice makes perfect.  Let's create unique originals.

Poppies

The poppies are blooming.  Every year I wait for this and my excitement mounts as they pop open one by one..  Living crepe paper...like popovers glowing in the garden they arrive to brighten each day.  Exquisite!

A Quiet Time

Yesterday morning I began planning an upcoming shoot.  Below are two snapshots (not refined, final images) taken as part of the planning and record-keeping process.    

How serene and refreshing...it was wonderful sitting there doing nothing.