Perspective...in the Eye and Heart of the Viewer

Last night, I was looking at Facebook and our friend, Lisa, in Lincoln, Nebraska, posted this picture of the green leaf with Little Light dancing on it.  I thought it was an interesting perspective, yet my mind said, "What if the picture was cropped and the details of the water droplets were the total focus?  So I did just that.  It's the same picture...and not.  It demonstrated how two people can see the same thing and yet what you see from their camers/eye/heart is not the same at all.  I wrote to Lisa and asked if she had considered cropping it.  She said no because she liked Little Light at both ends of the leaf.  Then I sent her what I did.  We think each other's picture is 'cool' as she put it.  That is the 'cool' part of the whole process.  We see things differently - we present ourselves and our photos to the world differently, yet we can step back and just say "COOL" - I like how you see this!!

As is often the case, I connect so many of my thoughts and reflections to relationships.  Remember DARE TO AFFIRM: The Dance of Relationships.  Now why can't we all be laid back and open to one another...hey cool - I see it this way; you see it another way.  I respect who you are and am so happy that you respect who I am.  Let's acknowledge that and just move on.
    I love how I can use photography as a metaphor for life - after all isn't it a representation of life in all of its amazing wonder?  My photography, my BE STILL and SEE has been a Journey for me...and I needn't put it in the past tense, because actually, it is and will be an ongoing journey.  I do it with and through my camera, when in actuality, there are times when the camera is at home...or in the car...and I truly understand that I have the CAMERA OF LIFE with me at all time - it's so perfect - my clear vision...my open heart to accept and see all of the beauty of the little things all around us all the time...and the wisdom to accept the world...and people in it for all of their perfections and imperfections.
    I was talking to friend Heather about relationships and she suggested that the word Surrender be considered.  No way I said...that strikes me as a general losing a battle - or the war - and having to give in.  Then this morning she sent me the definition of Surrender from Eckhardt Tolle - and this gave me pause.  I will end today with sharing that message...
   FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR NOT BEING AT PEACE.  THE MOMENT YOU COMPLETELY ACCEPT YOUR NON-PEACE, YOUR NON-PEACE IS TRANSMUTED INTO PEACE.  ANYTHING YOU ACCEPT FULLY WILL GET YOU THERE, WILL TAKE YOU INTO PEACE.  THIS IS THE MIRACLE OF SURRENDER.
                Eckartdt Tolle
and hugs and gratitude to Heather...and her friend Lisa for opening my eyes to seeing the world in yet another different and wonderful way!!

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