122/365-2 Vision of May Flowers

"Circle Of Life"

I don't think that this image necessarily has a unique perspective, but what drew my attention to it is the ring of spent iris blooms encircling the one young and beautiful flower.  As I looked at this, I thought about how important it is for the wisdom and experience of age to wrap its arms around youth and innocence.  I also noticed the changing face of beauty.  Though most eyes are drawn immediately to the big colorful bloom, which is indeed beautiful, great beauty also resides in the small, tired, and unassuming blooms that are past their prime.  Their texture, their colors, their humility speak volumes.  If only our culture would recognize all that the aged have to offer to those on the path behind them.  Beauty does have a place, but wisdom and years of life experiences should occupy an equal place.

121/365-2 Healthy Vision

"Seeing The Bright Side"

May is eye health month and being that healthy vision is important to photographers, many of the Capture Your 365 prompts this month relate to vision, eyes and seeing.  This could be a challenge to the blind kid here:-)

Actually, I like the prompts that challenge me to look carefully and intentionally at my inner world as well as my outer world.  For me, photography definitely has some challenges because of my vision, but working to overcome them is well worth the patience and energy.  Some days I know that my accomplishments are simply the result of hard work, patience and perseverance.  Others days, I have no doubt that it is through divine intervention that the images were created.  I'm OK with both.

I may never be good at photography, but that matters less and less to me.  I enjoy it.  It feeds my soul.   Photography is my spiritual discipline of choice right now.  Through it I am getting to know myself better and am strengthening my relationship with God and God's creation.

120/365-2 Uplifting

"Uplifting"

A new bra is uplifting in many ways!  Especially when it is pink and lacy:-)

This is what happens when you wait until nearly 11pm to take your photo of the day.

Sorry!

119/365-2 Buzz

"Sweet Music"

118/365-2 The Number Four

"Four Inches"

I had hoped that on our trip home from Delaware we would either depart or arrive at a gate with the number 4 in it or that our seats would be in a row with a 4.  No such luck.  

After I got myself squared away for school this week, I sought something for today's photo.  Fresh out of ideas and inspiration,  I was counting on the muse and the muse seemed to have already gone to sleep for the night.  With the plane trip still on my mind, I remembered the sock that I had started knitting as we took off from Philadelphia.  I wondered just how much I had knit on the cuff of that sock...

  Score! It was exactly four inches long!

By the time I took this shot, the muse had indeed gone to sleep.  That was OK because her work was done during the three and half hour flight home.

A few more flights like today and I have should have this sock done.  And, this is sock number TWO!

117/365-2 Square

"Welcome To The Party!"

My dad lives in the first town in the first state.  Needless to say, history abounds.  I love to walk through the old churchyards and read the markers on the graves.  I took several shots of interesting headstones today, but when all was said and done I liked this one best.  I think this is because the shallow DOF and bokeh make it look like there is confetti falling, like there is a big party going on.  

The prompt "square" has to do with the square crop of this image.

116/365-2 Thoughtful

"Thoughtful"

Today was a good day.  We slept until 9:00, making up from the three hours of sleep the night before. We had a leisurely breakfast and talked with my dad for awhile.  He had a friend coming over so we made a quick trip to the outlet mall and the grocery store.  After bringing the groceries home, we walked up to town and I did a little more shopping while Weber people watched from a bench outside.  He did get a caramel latte at the local coffee shop before we headed home to fix dinner.

Despite the cup of coffee, today was not really Weber's lucky day.  First he went bra shopping with me.  Then more clothes shopping.  I also needed him for today's photo prompt.  Today was portrait day, one of this year's monthly repeating prompts.  Once we got home from taking pictures, he ended up watching a baseball game on TV with my dad.  I don't think he has ever watched an entire sporting event in the 56 years of his life.  Of all the un-fun things he had to do today, modeling for me may have been the least objectionable for him.  Poor guy, but he has been a good sport all day.  He is the most thoughtful person I know, both inwardly and outwardly.

We went to the beach this evening to take the photos.  The prompt suggested that we do a black and white portrait, which I love.  Usually I shoot in color and then convert my photos to black and white. Today I actually shot in black and white.  This made a huge difference in the shots I took.  I was more aware of contrast and lines and textures, things that often are of a secondary concern when shooting in color.  I got several shots that I liked.

I was also hoping for a pretty sunset.  Though the sky was full of gorgeous blues and oranges, I didn't get any photos that truly did it justice.  This is my favorite and it was taken after the sun had set.

We also stumbled upon this on the beach.  I wish I knew the story that goes with it.