Playing with the different settings on my camera to capture the candlelight…I found portrait mode, museum/gallery mode and fireworks mode worked best.
Author: D.M. Sessous
Nature, the ultimate artist
I’ve always been fascinated by the wondrous beauty found in nature; the play of sunlight through leaves, the swirl of a river around stones, the ever-changing clouds in the sky.
On my twice-daily walks from my parking deck to my office, I pass this tree. It fascinates me, because it’s bark cracks and peels off in almost a hexagon shape. Truly, the most unique tree I’ve ever seen.
One last note on this post. I’m not sure if this is purposeful, but the sidewalk is paved with hexagonal tiles…seems the universe is at work here.
Big…
Alas, I’ve been away for a while and I’m a bit behind…okay, a lot behind. *ack*
Preparing to move, actually moving and now recovering (and unpacking) from the move has taken three weeks of hard labor. I’ve been telling friends and family that I’m completely moved out of my old apartment but I’m far from being moved in. Having a lot to do really is an understatement.
So, I could have taken a photo of the Richmond skyline or gotten a nice shot of one of our high-rises. But, the image that means “big” to me right now is this tower of boxes in my craft room.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
CreativeSprint
Have you heard about this?
I’m a fan of the Skull-a-day author Noah Scalin. He was a panelist for a James River Writers seminar where he introduced his book “Unstuck” in 2011. Since then I’ve been on the lookout for a smaller, more doable challenge and when I saw this 30-day sprint mentioned in the blog-sphere, I signed up.
That was months ago. So long ago in fact, I’d forgotten about it. Then, in the throes of my despair of being so far behind on the Photo 101 blog prompts, along comes the email saying that the CreativeSprint will start soon. In fact, it starts tomorrow, April 1, 2016.
And, that’s no joke. Looks like I’m going to be a very busy girl, very soon.
The only rule is that you do one creative thing a day for 30 days. You can give yourself a theme (the color pink, smiley faces, butterflies, shot glasses) or a method/medium (photography, watercolor, sculpture) to interpret with each daily challenge. Or, change things up day by day.
So, keep your fingers crossed for me as I dive in feet first into another creative blogging endeavor.
Tango, it’s all about the connection…
I recently attended a 20’s inspired tango event, Flappers & Philosophers Milonga, at the John Marshall Hotel.
When learning to dance the Argentine Tango, almost every instructor would say, “It’s all about the connection.” This dance is often referred to as the walking embrace. Partners lean in towards each other, the woman often close enough to press her cheek against the man’s face, the man’s supporting arm wrapping around the woman’s shoulders. It’s quite intimate.
A follower can do anything the leader asks – if the connection is there. One learns a lot about their partner with this dance; how they interpret the music, how they communicate the next step, even their personality – assertive, social and sometimes playful. All without speaking a single word.
The invitation to dance is usually unspoken as well. Gazes meet across a crowded dance floor, the quirk of an eyebrow, the nod of a head, a sly smile, a proffered hand.
Tango taught me how to connect through dance and I am forever grateful.
Gallery – Walkies in Richmond
Alone by choice…solitude
“Solitude: Being alone without any regrets, sadness, or depression. Not to be confused with ‘loneliness,’ where you are by yourself but long for the companionship of others.”
– The Urban Dictionary
I am an only child. I grew up alone, but I wasn’t lonely. I actually preferred being alone, playing by myself in my own imaginary world.
As an adult, I cherish the time I spend alone, especially on a scenic hike. Being in the woods fills me with create energy. And, being in solitude restores my center.
Bliss is…
…a cat in the sun.
Free of an ego, animals just live in the moment. I took these photos a few years ago and I still get a wave of gooey-ness in my belly when I see these pictures. It’s as if their bliss is washing over me and I’m there in the sun with them without a care in the world.
Water
So, I’m starting enjoy walking around on my lunch hour taking photos. Maybe three weeks of photo-blogging will result in a new healthy habit.
It’s funny how I’m finding the best pictures on my way back to the office. This one has a wonderful contrast of the rustic-feeling wooden dock and the industrial city skyline.
The horizontal orientation above. And some more water images below, cause I couldn’t help myself…
Cobblestone Street
Checking out the streets of Richmond, VA at lunchtime today. Not a lot of people out and about even though the weather was gorgeous. At the very least, I’m glad I got to enjoy it.
D.M. Sessous: writer, artist & dreamer 