BeStill52: Week 11: Timing and Humanity

The weeks are flying by.  Sometimes the days blend and fold into each other.  BeStill52 Week 11 challenged us to print some of our images, create a collage, and then photograph that.  I don't have an in-house printer, and have been caught up in busyness that involve bits of this and bits of that...so printing my images will just not happen in this week 11.  Maybe week 12.  We'll see.

In the meantime, for those of you who may not understand the creative process, here's a story.  Sometimes I agonize and over think a composition; it gets mentally painful; and the results show it (from my point of view).  And other times, an idea rolls around in my brain, not formed and finished exactly, but lingering and lurking until I stop - breathe - focus - and "just do it."  I have a meditation book (actually I have a few!) called "Five Good Minutes" by Jeffrey Brantley and Wendy Milstine.  You can purchase it on Amazon.  I grabbed it one morning a few days ago, haphazardly opened to page 93...and then...all the desperate and unrelated creative ideas and pieces fell into place.  This image is the result.  I spent maybe 10 minutes photographing it.  That's record-breaking speed for me!  AND I love it.  So, there is a lesson in this - or maybe multiple messages.  Stillness.  Timing.  Readiness.  Flow.  Serendipity.  Whatever.  But I know I seem to visit / revisit these lessons / messages over and over and over again.  But that's ok.  I'm a "human being...."

And so, I leave you with a quote about "stillness."  Ponder and linger; let it roll around in your mind.  See where it takes you.

“Be still
Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity” 
― Lao Tzu

To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt

BeStill52: Week 10 - Light at 45 Degrees

It's Friday.  So glad.  Although it is snowing here on this first day of spring.  Ok then.  So, this week's BeStill52 assignment required we consider the light source in our composition from various angles. Simply put:  the 45 degree angle - or as Kim Klassen put it - the 10 or 11 o'clock position, or perhaps the 1 or 2 o'clock position.  Last week, when I was practicing my "be still" mode (not so much, she admits sheepishly), I happened upon this composition.  The simple elegance of Baby's Breath and my favorite prop (a teal-colored, glass, gourd-shaped vase) called out to me like a siren whispering softly in the wind.  Yes, this photographic passion constantly pulls you in, lures you to grab that camera - in a good way, of course.  So, although I was a bit ahead of this week's assignment (light at 45 degrees), I believe I accomplished the goal.  However, I do plan to do a few more over the next week exploring light at this angle.  And of course, I plan to be still and breathe.

And so I leave you good tidings for a great weekend and a quote about living a passionate life:

"There is no passion to be found
in settling for a life that is less
than what you are capable of living."

Nelson Mandela

To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt

BeStill52 Week 9: Just Be Still

I'm curious - how many of you struggle with "being still"?  Do you have little habits or rituals that help you deal with it?   Photography - being in the moment behind the lens - is one way I combat this pesky behavior.

So on that note, here it is - Week 9 of my BeStill52 Journey.  Kim Klassen, our workshop leader, has asked that we take a breather, reflect, look back at our accomplishments and challenges.  No techie stuff this week - no photo assignment.  And, as always - Be Still.  Well, for me - breathing is easy. Being still - that's another issue. So, as best I can refrain myself from darting here and there in my house looking - always looking - for the "right light" (photography is all about "the light) - I will "be still" - at least for a couple of days.

So, in the spirit of "looking back" - here is a sampling of images produced over the last 8 weeks while on this road to stillness.

As mentioned in my first post, I plan to feature other friends and colleagues involved in the creative arts from time to time.  This is a work in progress, so please indulge me as I get used to this blogging thing.

All comments welcomed! I leave you with a quote today on stillness by Geoffrey M. Gluckman:

“Feel your emotions,
Live true your passions,
Keep still your mind.” 

― Geoffrey M. Gluckman

To view more of my photography click here: http://etsy.me/1tMazZW