19 January 2015
Lens:
1. Refraction, Series III; Copyright © 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally
2. Refraction, Series III; Copyright © 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally
3. Refraction, Series III: Copyright 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally
Let me know which you prefer and why. Click on each image to enlarge.
Pens:
Refractions appear daily in my home, and never never seem trite and unimportant. They are ethereal mysteries of natural light that make me quiver with visual pleasure.
As they glide across the wall, I glide with patience to observe the performance that will occur–a performance that is not duplicated or tiresome. The whimsy keeps me attentive; nature’s play is addictive.
I pause to ruminate upon Mother Nature’s genius. This everyday entertainment is startling to behold. Every sighting is evergreen. It’s new and old all at once. Elements remain similar, and my devotion is steadfast. On cloudy days I find disappointment lingering.
My curiosity heightens anticipation. Even when they are not actively present in my thoughts, a refraction’s appearance raises a kind of euphoria. The light moves through a second-story window, bends through the glass and lands with a gentle movement onto the wall. It’s design is ephemeral, and only made permanent by my stilling the moment.
In the Lens section are three (0f ten shot) of this week’s fanciful images, which were taken over a twenty-minute span. The metamorphosis always intrigues, the metamorphosis always instigates desire for more. As the sunshine edges forward into space and time, it disappears.
To view other posts about refractions, click here for Series One and click here for Series Two.
Tip of the Week: Last week I discussed the idea of flow, which was introduced in the 1990s by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who contributed to the greater understanding of the creative process. The myriad of ideas and theories that circulate about creativity are bountiful. I doubt whether there will be a time when new views on the subject cease. I intend upon occasion to offer my readers slices of the literary and visual arts as well as social science about creativity. Regardless of one’s field of study and interest, the continuum for new ways of seeing and innovation are limitless, and, therefore, the impetus and products of the creative mind are infinite. History proves that a single leaf or a bunch of wires and circuits can lead to unimaginable inventive results. Here is a few favorites quotes about creativity by the author, journalist, political activist, and winner of the Pulitzer prize Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980):
“Perhaps in time I shall learn to live more deeply and consistently in that undistracted center of being where the will does not intrude, and the sense of time passing is lost, or has no power over the imagination.” Katherine Anne Porter, Notes on Writing, 1936
“Human life itself may be almost pure chaos, but the work of the artist–the only thing he’s good for–is to take these handfuls of confusion and disparate things, things that seem to be irreconcilable, and put them together in a frame to give them some kind of shape and meaning. Even if it’s only his view of a meaning. That’s what he’s for–to give his view of life.” Katherine Anne Porter
“You do not create a style. You work, and develop yourself; your style is an emanation from your own being.’ Katherine Anne Porter
View other entries for this week’s challenge:
https://toweararainbow.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/refraction/
http://luciledegodoy.com/2015/01/19/phoneography-and-non-slr-digital-devices-photo-challenge-2/
https://angleandviews.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/another-monday/
http://ohmsweetohm.me/2015/01/19/heavy-chevy/
https://decocraftsdigicrafts.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/phoneography-challenge-black-and-white-3/
https://theyyouandme.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/tiger-tiger-on-the-wall/
https://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/phoneography-black-and-white-challenge/
https://chasinglifeandfindingdreams.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/not-an-easy-path/
http://nwframeofmind.com/2015/01/19/iphoneography-monday-winter-fog-on-the-waterfront/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog.
If you’d like to join the Photo Challenge, please click here for details. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming Photo Challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
Lens and Pens by Sally 
Indeed a fascinating metamorphosis. Such delicate patterns and movements in these captures. It’s almost as they are alive.
Otto, your words fill me up this morning. Thank you so much.
Regarding the photographs: Abstraction, thy name is Mystery.
You may not know that Katherine Anne Porter is connected to central Texas. Here’s a piece of the Wikipedia article about her:
“Katherine Anne Porter was born Callie Russel Porter to Harrison Boone Porter and Mary Alice (Jones) Porter. Her family tree can be traced back to American frontiersman Daniel Boone and the writer O. Henry (whose real name was William Sydney Porter), her father’s second cousin. Porter’s childhood home in Kyle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
“In 1892, when Porter was two years old, her mother died two months after giving birth to her last child. Porter’s father took his four surviving children (an older brother had died in infancy) to live with his mother, Catherine Ann Porter, in Kyle, Texas. The depth of her grandmother’s influence can be inferred from Porter’s later adoption of her name.”
Kyle is just two towns south of Austin along Interstate 35.
Steve, thanks for that extra piece of her personal history.
Amazing!! I love these Sally! I loved Linda’s comment about the geese flying- I see that too!!
That’s a lovely comment. Thanks.
They are all mysterious and beautiful Sally! I think I like no.2 best for its relative balance and symmetry.
Madhu, thanks for your comment and visit. See you soon.
Number 3 my Favoutite today, more striking, but all great 🙂
Lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
It’s like watching a group of dancers, gliding gracefully across the room. A fusion of harmony and beauty.
Refractions are such mysterious gifts of nature. Thanks.
These are glorious Sally. Difficult to choose a favourite, but perhaps the second as it’s the most mysterious to me. Here’s my contribution: https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/on-taking-a-cooling-dip-into-the-past/
Su Leslie, thanks so much.
I was drawn to shot number 2, Sally. There’s a sense of fluid movement here, like the graceful hands of a dancer.
Elisa, lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your comment.
Lovely as always Sally. Here’s mine for this week. https://allkindsaeverything.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/phoneography-and-non-slr-challenge-black-and-white-6/
Livvy, thanks.
Sally, it’s difficult to make choices with your photos. You make wonder photos with a smartphone. Can I choose both? 😉 As you add your thoughts to complement your images, it becomes so enticing and impossible to dissociate from them.
Lucile, I’m humbled. Thanks so much.
Hard to pick a fav this week – but I did like the Porter quote most –
and this “The whimsy keeps me attentive; nature’s play is addictive.”
whew – good day!
I’m humbled. I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
Fantastic shots, Sally. Loved every photograph here.
That’s lovely. Thanks so much.
#2 for me this week, Sally. You’ve captured such beauty and energy in these images, they’re wonderful. 🙂
Lisa, thanks so much.
I think I like the 2nd one the best. It seems like mysterious waves. I can see how watching them dance across the wall would be fascinating. Here is my submission for the week: http://wp.me/p4XBIO-gT.
Yes, it was such a fascinating discovery and one that is constant entertainment. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing it!
You’re welcome.
Wow, these are so abstract with beautiful forms. I like them all.
Maria, as you very well know, Mother Nature is wondrous in her ability to woo us. Thanks.
Cool images. I love them all. 😀
Raewyn, thanks so much.
Sally, do I see letter “D” on all three photos? My first thought was I like #3 the most; after staring at them for a long time, I like #1, too. Hmm… I have a hard time to decide which one of the two I like better. I like these two because I thought dark and white space balanced well. Helen
No letter “D.” Must be your imagination. I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
Sally, I like the light, airy feeling of your second photo. It reminds me of a flock of birds.
Here is my entry for your challenge: http://wp.me/p24idL-2Nm
Allan, lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
Wonderful abstracts. I also love the last one best; it appears to be flames dancing and shooting in space. And I love the quotes by Katherine Anne Porter! Some thoughts to definitely ponder.
Have a great week.
Angeline, thanks. Enjoy this week’s adventures in the Bay area.
Very cool abstracts Sally. hard to pick a favorite.
Edith, lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
You have some lovely pictures…
Here is my entry for the challenge.
Thank you.
Very interesting images, Sally. I like the second one — it makes me think of geese flying! 🙂
Linda, I enjoyed your response. Thanks.
Hi Sally. I really enjoyed the talk by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi last week and the discussion on flow. I love how some social scientists and artists embrace the concept of time being elastic depending on our activities and how engaged we are with them. Your shots of refracted light look like fire to me! Lovely. I especially like the third one because of the variety of shapes and varying intensity of the light.
Patti, I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
Sally, I love the abstract quality of these! My favorite is the last one. It reminds me of fire in a fireplace and I find the shapes and composition pleasing. Thanks for linking me. Next Monday I’ll be mostly without internet access so if you’d do the same that morning, I’d very much appreciate it.
Enjoy your week.
janet
Janet, happy to do it. Thanks so much.