Through the Eyes of a Child

The little boy was on the same steam-boat outing as me.

I couldn't help but notice how long he sat quietly

watching the paddles on the boat churn up the water.

He put up his hand as if to touch the splashing water and left his hand

on the glass a very long time. He could certainly feel the vibrations.

When we look at the world around us as though we were seeing things

for the the very first time,

just like a small child discovers everything around him,

we are able to enter into a state of childlike wonder.

As a child, I remember how shadows were created by sunlight

and how the moving changing patterns fascinated me

allowing me to be totally immersed in the moment.

Just the other day, I poured myself a glass of water when I got up

and stopped to admire the shapes and reflections on the kitchen top work surface.

I thought how beautiful they looked.

Slowing down on my walks allows me to notice tiny insects, butterflies and bees

on the plants and flowers I pass.

It's lovely just to linger awhile and wonder about the sort of life they live.

I notice how a beautiful flower is at the end of its cycle

and how the centre is a source of interest and beauty

once the petals have taken on a more discreet role.

Sometimes the filtered sunlight in the background 

fills me full of awe

before I even notice the pollen-filled centre and the luminous petals of this 

Rudbeckia flower.

***

"To reclaim our childhood wonder, we need a way

 to let go of our judgements and return to a beginner's mind.

How can we do that?

The best way is to let a child teach us.

If you have the opportunity, spend time with a child.

Go for a walk with them and notice how they approach the world.

Photograph the wonder in their eyes."

This quotation comes from the book entitled:

Adventures in Seeing. How the camera teaches you to pause, focus and connect with Life

by Kim Manley Ort.

I am reading this book and following the weekly exercises

through my photography.

It is allowing me to pause, focus and connect to all that is around me.

Slow Living

Admiring the elegant green needles on this pine branch and the

fluffy fresh snow,

my thoughts turn to how it is so easy to fall into a pattern of a frenetic

lifestyle in the fast lane.

Taking the time to notice how nature creates beautiful still life

arrangements, like these seedpods, leaves and moss fallen after the last snowfall.

Slow living is all about taking the time to savour and fully engage with life.

Just as snowfall slows down nature.

Mindful walking brings our attention to small details.

It makes us more aware and connects us to the present moment.

I noticed these beautiful reflections as I meandered where my steps took me

on my walk.

This scene made me think of the seaside. The wet sands, 

the receding waves leaving shiny reflections of the blue sky.

In fact, this scene was created by melting snow on a country road.

We notice more when we slow down. 

We take the time to see the splendour in the simplest things.

If I had been rushing along, preoccupied in my thoughts, I wouldn't have noticed

the shadow of a tree on a house as I walked up the hill away from the town centre

to be closer to nature.

Further up the hill, I saw how the trees were reflected in the windows of this wooden house.

Looking down, I paused to enjoy the sight of this tiny feather joined by a fallen leaf

on the paving stones. The naturally artistic arrangement was certainly worthy of my pause!

Finally I get up higher where I can see tall trees in all their majestic winter beauty.

This beautiful old oak with gnarled and twisting branches

stretching out to embrace the blue of the early February sky.

The days are getting longer

and all my senses are awakened as I hear the first birdsong of the year.

Sometimes we cannot get out into nature, but we can bring some into our home.

I picked these Chinese Lanterns from a pot on my balcony.

I marvelled at the lacy patterns and structure on their surface.

Noticing how abstract art can be created by gazing at ice-cubes in a bowl.

Some shiny marbles near the window drew attention to themselves in the light.

A tiny narcissus flower in a pot in my home is just coming into bloom.

I like to take the time to enjoy the beauty in shape, texture and colour.

I know that for many people, life is hectic.

The fact of going out to work each day and constantly looking at our watches

is all part of life in the fast lane

and often after work there are meals to prepare and children's needs

to be seen to.

But it would be so beneficial to take just a few moments, if we cannot manage more.

To include perhaps 15 minutes in our day to just to be

instead of constantly conjugating the verb 'to do'.

Early mornings can be used to bring calmness into our lives

Deep breathing exercises do wonders to relieve stress.

Getting up earlier to enjoy peaceful moments

before the rush of the day begins.

I have been meaning to have one day a week when I switch off everything.

That means my computer, my telephone, the television and the radio.

One day and one evening of the week where I can enjoy

the simplicity and quiet without all these distractions and noise.

It will be my goal during this month of February.

Do any of you offer yourselves this special day of peace during your week?

In the meantime, I welcome the quiet moments, going about my everyday occupations

slowly and mindfully (most of the time)!

This includes the preparation and the eating of a meal

and sitting down at the table to eat.

Immersing ourselves in nature , especially for us town-folk, is so beneficial.

Going to the park or taking a bus out of the city

into the peaceful environment to enjoy the trees, the plants and listen to birdsong.

At the end of each day, it's good to observe how I have lived this day.

Have I been rushing from one thing to another

or have I taken the time to slow down and really live

the precious moments as they constantly arise and pass?

It's never too late to finish the day with 

a little personal time to unwind. 

This doesn't mean constantly checking our mobile phones

or switching on the television!

The Slow Movement is being mentioned more and more.

Are we really listening?

It's time!

***

Revisiting Abstract Photography. Part Two

Light and shadows

A flash of blue

We know what we see

or think we do!

Polka dot shadows

Shafts of light

What can it be?

It doesn't matter at all

Just enjoy the sight!

Dancing light forms

move across my line of vision

creating happiness

and put a smile on my face!

However dark things seem

Look up!

There is always the light shining in the darkness.

A world of make believe

A bold statement

in these reflections

where patterns and colours and shapes

can make us hold our breath.

A beautiful connection

Throw away the labels and just enjoy

the shapes, the colours and the strength emanating from these wonders of  nature.

Beautiful harmonies sing to my heart

Shapes and colours

light and shade

Unexpected and fascinating

Nature teases our senses

Impressionist atmospheres

created with a dancing camera

The north wind doth blow..

and my camera sways to nature's beat

Sleek and streamlined

Aqua Melody

which sings in perfect harmony

Estuary

The flowing and harmonious lines lead me forward

to my destination

just as the river flows towards the sea.

These colours and movements resonate with me on an emotional level

creating a flowing inner energy.

The lines show me purpose of movement.

The message from this and other abstract captures,

reminds me that nothing ever stands still.

it is forever moving forward 

carrying me where I need to go.

Abstracts tell me stories

They take me places where I'd never dreamed I'd go

It's an awakening of all my senses

and I feel more vibrant and alive.

***

I've just been part of a wonderfully gifted and imaginative group

of other photographers interpreting abstracts.

This workshop was facilitated by the contemplative photographer

Kim Manley Ort.

Here is the link to her class:

Going Abstract

July Photographic Adventures

OPENNESS

The spaces in-between

Life isn't just made up of light and shade

but also of the spaces in-between.

This capture made me think of a jigsaw puzzle and what I noticed the most

were the open spaces of sky.

What if the spaces were the most important part?

They are a reminder of how essential openness is to follow the path

that stretches out before me without preconceived ideas and limitations created in the mind.

PAUSING

Evening walks are slow and relaxed. 

I like to take the time to pause and stop and look around me

to notice what catches the light in the last rays of sunshine.

The red leaves invited me to look further into each detail of their structure,

how the stalks caught the light

how the edges of the leaf looked so beautiful

and noticing the tiniest spider's thread on one side.

Pausing and taking the time to notice details makes everything seem more beautiful,

more present, more intense.

ACCEPTANCE

It sometimes rains on holiday!

If the rain hadn't been so generous when I visited England recently

I would never have seen the wonder of reflections in puddles.

They are an art all on their own!

OPEN-FOCUSED ATTENTION

On an early-morning walk, I passed these self-sown poppies

which had found the tiniest slice of earth between the wall and the path.

Their random demeanor pulled me in.

The simplicity of these wild poppies  made me feel totally connected to life

just the way it is!

Feeling a connection with that moment was beautiful

and as I look at this image, I rekindle that connection.

CURIOSITY

There are certain turning points in our lives when decisions are made

as different paths and choices appear before us.

I am today, the result of my decisions and of my personal destiny.

I am curious to know how my life will play out in the days and months

and even the years to come.

Yet, I have no fixed plans, that would actually limit me,

I like to remain open, letting my natural curiosity lead me

to discover new paths.

Going with the flow gives me freedom.

Life is like a hall of mirrors

what images will be reflected back at me?

WONDER

The translucency of petals

I am a seeker of light, both in my photography and in my life.

Wonder is everywhere.

When we look around us like a small child seeing things for the very first time

in open-eyed wonder, we are totally connected to the marvel of Life!

CONNECTION

Have you ever noticed how connected everything is?

When I go on my walks, I notice so many connections.

I paused to take in the texture and colour of a rusty post and noticed

how the old wooden fence was connected to the post

and then the green vine which brought everything together 

by draping itself across the open wire fencing and around the post.

The pale green lighting in the background illuminated the whole scene

as I stopped to savour every detail.

HUMILITY

is being open to the realization that everything is an opportunity for learning.

We discover unexpected treasures along the way

even in the darkest places.

SIMPLICITY

A draped curtain

filtered light seeping through the slats of the almost closed shutters.

A feeling of peace.

ATTENTION

When raindrops create art

Taking time to stop

to move in closer and really see each detail.

How those raindrops, like shiny jewels, glisten.

Taking the time to focus my attention and to marvel at what is around me.

FASCINATION

Water has always fascinated and inspired me

the colours, the reflections, the rhythmic movements

how it is ever-changing

often calming

sometimes wildly energizing.

CONNECTING TO THE SKY

The crescent moon, still delicately apparent in the early morning sky.

A plane cloud dispersed

creating a soft, fluffy backbone against the blue.

As I paused to look up, there was instant connection

the three of us:

moon, cloud and the sky-gazer

alone in the universe in that moment

I embraced the scene with all my being.

Simplicity, wonder and emotion fill the frame like a contented sigh.

***

I have recently participated in a workshop called

Adventures in Seeing

with Kim Manley Ort

I have been discovering new connections

with the world around me and have been on new photographic adventures!

Have a look at the link above

to join Kim on future adventures.

Aqua Reflections

The yellow rope

Soft tones of turquoise

Floating islands and lakes

A hint of pink

 more like a painting

 than water.

Red and orange seep into blue

creating intensity

Blue ink doodles

Electrifying

Flying flag reflections

This feels like summer

and this is spring

My favourite pond

Reflecting trees and blue sky

A sigh, contentment.

A simple muted puddle reflection can transform my mood

and heighten all my senses.

Gazing at water and the changing reflections

is one of life's deep-felt pleasures

I love that emotions and water are so intricately connected with one another.

Do you feel the connection too?