It Only Takes ONE!

It only takes one, though I did lament on the BE STILL and SEE sight that there was only a single water lily in the pond when

we were meandering the grounds at Chanticleer.  What I forgot to mention is that it was Spectacular and Little Light was definitely right there with me dancing with glee!!  I just looked and she lit up the flower.  It said, "Martie here I am in all of my glory!  Don't worry that I am here alone because I am NOT lonely.  I have lots of other friends here with me and anyway, this way, I can be noticed and be outstandinig in the pond!  WOO HOO!"  See, I always say that I wait for the flower to share how she wants to be seen IF at all.  This one did, but there were many pictures I took the other day that were really blurry

I was really surprised to see that Ms. Lily had a baby friend...and then there were the leaves and all of their shadows and reflections.  See I was looking at 'more of the same' when what I had to be still and notice was the diversity in the pond.  Well now - isn't that just like life?  There is so much diversity in the world and that is what makes our environment what it truly is - differences that we can appreciate and value!  Aren't we totally fortunate.  IF there were more water lillies like the one I saw, well, it wouldn't be the same anyway just as none of us is like one another.  The water lily did have a baby friend that we saw just as a big bud on the water - and that too was perfect.  Life is perfect...
Someone just aked me to recommend a camera to them.  I had to write back and say that she was asking the wrong person because she wanted one - not too expensive - where she could change lenses and take pictures with all of the perspectives that I saw.  I said I don't have one of those and never will  - the perspective comes from my head and heart and as the commercials on TV say - maybe for Discover card - well, that is priceless.  Just buy a simple card and go peacefull into the world and BE STILL and SEE.  Someone else said I should teach a class on Stilllife after she saw the butterfly I posted yesterday.  It's NOT about still life either friends.  You need never get tired of hearing me say that it is about BE STILL AND SEE - it is about going out quietly with camera in hand and no expectations, no labels...only a clear intention to be OPEN to see the gifts all around you.  No need to say more?!  Just do it...with an open heart and a clear mind...and an eye that takes in all that is around you.  Don't label...just see!!  It's so simple that you can't make it complex...well, IF you try too hard you can...get the message??  Enjoy!!

Who is Your Picture For???

This rose presented herself one morning - just standing alone and peaceful on the vine.

When I am out and about with my camera - engaging in photography you might say - WHY do I go out and whom are the viewers of my photos - where do they fit into the picture of my photography??  That's an interesting question and has recently presented dialogue from several different perspectives!!  When I think about BE STILL and SEE Photography - contemplative photography - I think about seeing the gifts in my world.  Although I do often post pictures on Facebook and on this blog, my real reason for taking the pictures is for my peace, stillness and enjoyment.  It is rather mindful for ME!  If others enjoy them, lovely but not primary.  Another photo buddy recently posted on Facebook about using Light to take pictures.  My comment - it was rather technical - and I will admit often an issue for me.  I think that the technical takes away from 'seeing from the heart'.    That brought another photo buddy to say how she loves the technical - actually there were two of them!!  I came back and said that if we get into the technical, then we are not into the BE STILL mode. 

   Then she said, "Learning the technical stuff creates BETTER picures!"  My rebuttal - who/what defines better or well done?  Her response - "the viewer will have a deeper experience looking at a 'well done' image.  Again - how would you define well done?  And my other question - who is the picture well done for???  Then I would have to ask - would every viewer define a more technically precise picture as more 'well done'?  OK - I could beat this horse for a long time but what I have to learn from it all is that each of us has his/her own perspective and philosophy.  We have to learn to listen and respect one another - and neither person is right!!  Lesson learned with wisdom and maturity.  I ended the dialogue because in my mind's eye - there couldn't be a concensus.  Maybe an understanding...maybe...

    In our BE STILL discussions, I strive to share that what matters in being mindful or contemplative - to me at least -and it is the ability to NOT have a preconceived notion of what I am going to shoot or HOW I am going to set the camera up to take the 'perfect picture'.

      Another friend calls this picture a 'belly up' photo.  He gets down on the ground and views from below.  My Canon camera with the flip screen allows my non-working knees to see the same thing in a different way.  There are so many angles to enjoy and a picture like this allows me to see what I might not have been able to do otherwise!! 

Still thinking about the 'how to use light' article.  My last comment about that - IF we are still and see, then my best friend Little Light just comes out to play and we use her natural light to expand our perception of the beauties of nature - and again the flip screen is a valuable ally!! 

It's gratifying to be able to share my thoughts and would love to have a dialogue with some of you about what you might think is 'the perfect' picture.  Talk to me and Thanks.  martiemol@aol.com

Little Light Loves a Gathering!!

Have I formally introduced  you to Little Light?  She has become my friend - someone recently asked me if she is my imaginary friend!!!?!?!?!  What do you think?  Remember Robert Louis Stevenson in Children's Garden of Verses, who had his shadow that went in and out with him?  Well, Little Light is always with me and is the most unconditional and accepting playmate!!  She's around and creates awesome opportunities for Being Still and Seeing...like the other night at our gathering.  Donna had arranged the wine glasses carefully on the marble topped counter - graduated rows!  We were sitting and talking and I HAD to get out my camera because this just, well , made me JOYFUL because of her playfulness!  It's a theme that I am choosing to bring more into my life - spirit and joy and play!  As I have been saying lately - WOO HOO!!

Since it was our first time visiting Donna's Farmland Preserve/vineyard and awesome peaceful 128 acres, we got a tour - just a bit outside and more inside.  The house has been designed for letting Little Light in - it is built in the center of the property and oriented east west - so now the Fiddler on the Roof song is going through my head...Sunrise...sunset...each one following another, filled with happiness and tears.  I digress...and that's fun and playful too!!  We got the house tour - and as I went up !  When I got up to the top of the stairs, this is where she had settled for the moment.

Isn't Little Light the most awesome friend to have...playful...fun...unconditionally there (even without her friend the Sun at times)...giving and full of spirit!!

MAGIC is Everywhere!!

The words say everything...MAGIC IS EVERYWHERE!!  Ever since I have been using my camera to see clearly what is in my world, I am awed by the joy that comes into my heart.  I discovered ME...what brings peace to my heart...and the gift that I have to SEE what is in my world.  I have challenged friends to share what is magic to them.  For me today it is the undersides and backs of flowers - details and colors that often seen by just looking at it straight on.  Take the blue poppy that we recently saw at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  I looked from the front...I looked from the side and the I needed - just needed to see what was underneath.  What gifts...what colors...what details.  Do you do this?  Do you look at something and then look in different ways??  Challenge yourself always.  Look at something - then close your eyes, take a deep breath - and open them again to see with a clear mind and a open heart.  Then when you think you are done - well turn around and see what else is there behind you.  It might be the most special gift of the day!!  Enjoy.

The Light Within Shines Out!!

It's challenging to feel sad when there is dancing light all around us!!  In the morning especially, the sunlight wakes up and comes out to play  I sit here in my office looking out into the yard and realize that IF I never went anywhere, I would be blessed with the experience of beauty that Mother Nature offers us.  Little Light is out there dancing and casting her shadows on well, EVERYTHING!   The dogwood tree has been in our yard for the 30+ years we have lived here...in some ways like a bonsai dogwood - never growing large and stately but being steady and consistent!!  Looking up at her flowers set against the brillian blue sun - well - a picture is worth a thousand words right?    The leaves...a bit further afield - went to see our favorite lake but stopped as I got out of the car because Little Light was playing on the leaves and trees!  My point...Little Light is everywhere, dressed differently and sharing in wonderous ways throughout the day.  Sometimes she has to rest...but lately she has been totally present. 

 ARE YOU IN TUNE WITH THE PRECIOUS PRESENT??   Stop and breathe and give it a try!!  You will feel still and peaceful - a gift to yourself.

Light, Shadows and Reflections: BE STILL and SEE

Was off to a new adventure in Center City Philadelphia - to meet new women...to talk about working on a project.  All the way there, I thought about me and them...how it would all work out.  How would we work together?  Would we be effective in moving forward toward our goals? 
As I walked from the train, I began noticing people, light and shadows.  It reminded me of Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, My Shadow - and I thought about the contrasts that I was feeling - my shadow self was always with me, sometimes filled with doubt and uncertainty, yet my light was also shining out from within.  The duality of being ME!!

This morning, I sat in my rocking chair, thinking about all of the experiences of the past few days - a new BE STILL and SEE photography group - an awesome gathering of kindred spirits - and I impacted the networking.

Then I thought about the meeting with, let's call them the IMPACT group - the working title for our book.  I thought about ME and how I fit into it all - I had an impact...I shined my light - I brought forth my reflections of inner self - and it was all good.  The shadows in this picture - my plant showing its other side on my office chair.  The playfulness of the light...and the shadows it cast.  The duality of life.  Good morning world - and thanks for the shadows, the reflections and the messages from within.  Life is Good!!

Sunsets Light Up the Sky -

Yesterday was one of those days when it was time to distance myself from the world - to be still - walk - watch - and reflect.  For weeks I have been wanting to go to East Point Light House on the Delaware Bay and that I did.  I have been rather emotional and sitting in the sand by the water is totally soothing!  The sun's shining helped a bunch too.  At sunset, I talked to a woman who was there with her phone taking pictures - asked where she was from and she said Pitman!!  As we talked more, she remembered I took pictures of the awesome clematis she had growing in her yard!!  We talked...and talked...and were still for the 'light show'.  Then as I was about to leave and had started the car, I took one more look - the low headlights from my car just provided a magnificent lighting for the final picture of the day.  It's like the saying that tells you to take pictures and then turn around because the best one might just be there!!

Life is a Journey Toward Inner Awareness

Light Up My Life. Lighten Up My Spirit!!

Every day I wish to wake up with JOY and awake and aware and excited about the possibilities to come for the day.  Lately I have not been having that experience.  Instead I wake up with a sadness in my heart and it just doesn't feel right.  Today was different - YEAH!!  My usual style is to analyze WHY?? is that so...or what is making that happen.  Today the feeling just IS and light and wonderful.  Lois gifted me with a bracelet yestertay - one of those stretchy ones with a saying - "Think a better feeling thought."  I slept with it and definitely woke with its impact.  Then I decided to go and find Grandmother Moon since she is the gift of the full moon tonight.  Not visible with the overcast skies BUT for just a few minutes while I was outside looking, I saw the sun just perfectly shining on the big trees across the way and knew that my feelings of joy were real and I was being gifted.  See, it is a short time later and it is pretty dreary today.  I captured the moment and received the gift of the Precious Present - wasn't the one I was looking for, but I was open to whatever the Universe had to share!!  Now tonight we do our full moon drumming and who knows what unique individuals will come forth to join us at maryi's farm.