05 September 2016
Lens:
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Pen:
This summer I’ve mused about my passion–really an obsession–for the floral beauties geranium and hibiscus. They enter my visual language and will not relent. For so many reasons this attention to their seduction brings a sense of freedom to me. Stilling their presence has become part of the season’s mental and photographic palette for my work.
It may not surprise that each blossom from a geranium or hibiscus generates ramblings about time. They seize my thoughts and words land. Stages of their summer flight builds. In bloom geraniums last for days. Hibiscus, however, are briefly here, blooming large and vibrant and gone overnight.
“Paean to Geraniums and Hibiscus”
Liberating time’s extension Is there a refuge for the past Where memories hide Where they rest for eternity.
The morning raining of blossoms has its own liberation Freeing thoughts, allowing the present to take hold.
Purity reigns where compulsion usually stands Soothing a soul to linger.
Freeing the body to stay exactly where it has been for hours Knowing that a lazy ushering of the day is a blue-moon occasion.
Surrendering to her magical spell, enchanting my spirit And arising with a new sense of her hold on me.
A hold that is enriched with heavy sounds of life’s cycling I am comforted, all anxiety dissipates.
Being is being Breathing with new slow thoughts, emotions growing.
Soul lapping the moments of clarity. ~~ Sally W. Donatello
In the Lens section is a tribute to the geranium and hibiscus, joining them in color and design elements. They dance together and fuse in harmony.
Tip of the Week:
If you haven’t seen Ami Vitale’s work, then you must. Vitale is a Nikon Ambassador and a National Geographic photographer. Her photographic philosophy centers around “living the story.” Here is an interview that is found on National Geographic’s website and part of their From Through the Lens series. The article is “Why Photos Should be ‘So Much More than Beautiful” (published 09 August 2016).
Excerpts from the interview. Click here to read more and see more of her work on her website.
What is the perfect photograph? “I see lots of technically beautiful images. They are perfect in every way, but for me, it has to be so much more than just beautiful. The image needs to have soul. It needs to make me think and have meaning behind it. I also look at how images work together. It’s not just one perfect photograph that matters. Visual storytelling is different from making a single, ‘perfect’ image. The images must work together to create an understanding of a place and culture.”
What is the most important advice you can give emerging photographers? “You’ve got to find a project you really care about and work on it for years. Make it yours. Make it unique. Don’t shoot what you think people are going to like. Shoot from your heart and find your own style and passion.”
View other entries from this week’s challenge:
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/sunset/
https://ohmsweetohm.me/2016/09/05/
https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-wild-flowers/
https://chasinglifeandfindingdreams.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/seasons-of-life-nature/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
****If you would like to buy a print of any of my photographs or have any questions, please view the Contact Information found on the masthead. Thank you.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming 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, Panorama, Portraiture, Photomontage, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
The calyx is a great choice and this is very artistic.
Maria, I’m humbled. Thanks so much.
I could not agree more with her about what makes a good image. It’s always been my goal and one I don’t succeed at often. I think it’s much easier to tell a story with a series of images and I probably should break down and do it much more often. But the challenge of doing it with a single image still exerts a great pull. I don’t think you necessarily need to work a project for years but you definitely need to put everything you have into it and follow it to its logical conclusion.
Thank you for your response to her photographic philosophy. I appreciate your comment.
Beautiful Sally! Also I love Ami’s work. I have a beautiful book on the top NG woman photographers and she is in it.
Nicole, yes, Ami’s work is inspirational and strikingly thought provoking.
I really fancy the second image, your tips were really useful…I am trying to improve the images I produce.
Charlie, lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your response. Thanks.
So beautiful dear Sally … Love to read your words… and these verses truly reached me:
“Is there a refuge for the past/ Where memories hide/ Where they rest for eternity”.
Deep and touching!… thanks so much for sharing! Happy week ahead! ❤ Aquileana 🙂
I’m humbled. Your response is appreciated, truly.
Absolutely gorgeous, Sally. You’ve written a beautiful tribute to two beautiful flowers.
Linda, you’ve touched my heart. Thanks.
Wow! I just got back from Ami’s website, and I’m still reeling at the rhino feature!. You could get lost in her amazing world. Thanks so much, Sally. I am an adorer of the fleeting hibiscus 🙂
Jo, hibiscus are jewels of summer. Thanks.
Looooove the processing on this beauty, Sally. Well done. 🙂
Frank, thank so much.
I like the red one best. Hey, wait…where’s the other one? I like Ami’s tips.
Lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
This photo montage enhances the beauty of the flowers. It’s become a delicate and captivating photo. As for Ami Vitale, I completely agree with her last quote. 🙂
Otto, I appreciate your response to my photomontage. Thanks.
You’ve ‘nailed’ this image again. Great photomontage. The color and texture are so rich.
Patti, I’m humbled. Thanks for your response.
That is beautiful Sally.
Edith, thank you so much.
I love the cheerful glow in your image.
Raewyn, thanks so much.
Interesting combination of photos, Sally. Beautiful effect.
Jane, lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your response.
I enjoyed this post, Sally. Your photo is quite interesting. A bit of an inside/outside mashup. I like it. Ω
Allan, thank you so much.
Allan, thank so much. Enjoy your holiday.
“Breathing with new slow thoughts…” incredible line Sally! The image reflects the words or the other way around. The days of your labor were well worth the outcome.
Happy Monday
Carol
Carol, I’m humbled by your response. Thanks so much.
My pleasure I’m in a writing group you would fit write in.
Carol, that’s lovely. Thanks.
When I enlarged your photo….Wow! Glorious in all its detail. And the color only adds more beauty. Your paen is lovely.
Thanks for the intro to Ami Vitale. Have a good week.
Angeline, I appreciate your response to my image and words. Thanks so much.
Happy Labor Day, Sally. We just got back from a 15-mile cycling trip along the Fox River and will be seeing friends this afternoon. Your photomontage and poem are both beautiful and thought-provoking. Enjoy your day and may it be free of labor. 🙂
janet
Janet, enjoy the rest of the holiday. Thanks.
Wonderful photo and poem and featured photographer! I love that your posts are so full of wonderment:)
Nato, I’m humbled. Have a lovely week.
You too! I have today off so I am off to go check out that nature and even started on my nature montage already:)
Oh, that’s terrific. Enjoy every moment.
Beautifully done, Sally! Thank you for sharing the tips. 🙂 Here is mine:
http://wp.me/sSlDL-sunset
Amy, my pleasure. Thank you.