This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual over at soulemama.com. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

This post is not about Chocolate

This photo is not about chocolate, it is about light.  And shadow.  Composition.  Contrast.

There are so many ways to learn things, so many different paths to knowing.
I am thinking about my own path, where I am in my own learning, and taking strange shots like this one just for fun.

 

I've seen so many debates lately about the difference between professional photographers and amateurs who think they are professionals.  And I wonder how it is that anyone can expect to cross from amateur to professional in this kind of hostile climate.  I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't really much matter.  Just keep shooting the work that you are drawn to and don't worry about what other people think. 

 

Usually in these rants the photographers are quite concerned that "photography is dead" and "no one appreciates a good photograph anymore" which I believe couldn't be farther from the truth.  So many people taking photographs means so many more people appreciating photographs, and looking critically at them.  This can only be good for the industry.  I see a renaissance in people who are genuinely excited about great photography.  How is this a bad thing?

 

I am:

(Photo of light.  The best part of summer, imo.  

So much light to photograph in this northern hemisphere.  

Totally off topic. grin. for 52photos.)

My word of the year is change.  It sounded good the time.  change.

Change means being vulnerable.  And I am feeling wide, wide open.  Like a hermit crab without a shell.

I keep hearing messages about taking giant leaps into the unknown and following your dreams.  Facing your fears head on, blah blah.

But I can't help wonder how you know if the grass is really greener on the other side.  How do you know if you want the change because everything sounds better than whatever it is you're doing right now?  I'm really sincere in this question.  If you have any thoughts, please share in the comments.  I am thinking of taking a giant leap but how do you know if it's really as great as imagined?

Heart You.

“Mom, Mom, you forgot the I!”

I Heart You.
It was a message for her dad.
Made from strawberry tops and cookie cutters
photographed and emailed.

Heart You.
was the message I saw. Love you.
Give yourself a great big hug just because.
And smile, because you are worthy of it.

(for 52photosprojects one word. )

Thoughts on Exercise. #2

On exercise:

You may remember I posted about exercise at the beginning of May.  About getting out and doing *something* 5 days a week in that month to kickstart an exercise habit.  The most important part is not that I nearly accomplished that goal, but that I figured out what is keeping me from exercising.  

sleep.

yes, those days I didn't want to go out I was just plain old tired.  So, that's obviously what I need to work on next.  It's hard to get enough sleep because after the kids go to bed is my one time to do things for me.   Especially when hubby's not home.  Gosh, this ballance thing is tough.

To kick my butt a little further on my goal to get more exercise I've signed up for a running class.  Yes, I know, I'm not a runner.  Really not a runner, but I'm seeing this as a grand challenge. (and now that I paid money for it I am sure to stick to it.)  If nothing else I'll have gotten a bit more exercise and will be able to say I've tried it.  Given it a really good shot.  Who knows, I might even enjoy running.  It's possible, right?  I am actually really really looking forward to diving in.

(here is a link to the running class.  It's online so you can do it anywhere, and the registration is open until aprox June 17th.  join me?)

I don't know what this means, but it can't be good.

ok, so this is really funny.  I'm not a frilly kind of girl who doodles hearts all over her notebook pages.  I'm just not, ok! 

But then, thumbing through my photos searching for a certain one for this week's 52photosproject theme...

And I find heart after heart after heart.  Hmmm.....  All taken in the last couple of months.  I'm not sure what this all means, but it can't be good.
(kidding!)

1. Found in a neighbourhood I walk through everyday on my way home from work.  There must be someone interesting living there.  Probably the people with the crocheted car.  Maybe as well as the people with the crocheted car.  I love that it says heart and home and that someone just left it there for whoever to see.

2. Daughter's valentines picture.  She used it as the front of her homemade valentines cards for her classmates (we made one and photocopied, there were 50 kids in that class).  The picture is SOOC and we only took two.  I was giddy 'cause I knew we'd nailed it.

3. My newest favourite way to send boiled eggs in lunches.  In heart shapes.  This is ridiculously easy.  tutorial here.

4. Someone left this on my phone for me to find (tilt your head to the right).  See photo 2 above. LOVE.

Remember

These are the days I will remember forever.
Days so full they're bursting at the seams with joy.
I never thought I'd be quite so in love as a parent.
Life before seems as shades of grey.

But we didn't know it then.

My heart aches with love for them,
that I get to be the parent to two most amazing people.
To witness their souls at such a close level,
is a rare joy indeed.

Sometimes all you hear is parents complaining
and I want you also to hear about the joy
because in the end there is only joy.

for 52 photos project: Remember