Kaleidoscope #23

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 12, 2017September 9, 2017

Don’t ever let a guy make you feel ugly because no matter what, you are beautiful with or without him.
–Zayn Malik

Below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s the big blue sky pic I took on a recent trip to Illinois. No special lighting or retouching, simply a snap from my smart phone. Yes, the sky really was that blue…

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Kaleidoscope #22

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 11, 2017September 9, 2017

Beauty is nothing, beauty won’t stay. You don’t know how lucky you are to be ugly, because if people like you, you know it’s for something else.
–Charles Bukowski, Tales of Ordinary Madness

Below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s water flowing along the sidewalk into a storm drain. This was taken last year on a bright fall afternoon, no special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my Kodak Share digital camera.

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Kaleidoscope #21

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 10, 2017September 9, 2017

You must let what happens happen. Everything must be equal in your eyes, good and evil, beautiful and ugly, foolish and wise.
–Michael Ende, The Neverending Story

As promised, below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s a maple sapling growing between stone pavers in my backyard. Taken on an overcast day with no special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

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Kaleidoscope #20

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 9, 2017August 28, 2017

I try to believe that something beautiful can result from something ugly, and that there will come a time when I’ll get to see what that is.
–Mia Sheridan, Archer’s Voice

Below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s my car’s engine, no special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

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Kaleidoscope #19

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 8, 2017August 28, 2017

…beauty is the projection of ugliness and by developing certain monstrosities we obtain the purest ornaments.
–Jean Genet, Miracle of the Rose

As promised, below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s a lichen and moss covered tree trunk and exposed roots from my backyard. Taken on an overcast day with no special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone. In Photoshop, I also added a flower-shaped layer mask and a gradient fill for the background.

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Kaleidoscope #18

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 7, 2017August 28, 2017

No matter how ugly you are; there is always someone who sees his heaven in your eyes.
–M.F. Moonzajer

Below is the original photo used to create this image. Awesome clouds just before sunset, taken last month after dinner. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

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Kaleidoscope #16

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 5, 2017August 28, 2017

She was a triumph over ugliness, so often more beguiling than real beauty, if only because it contains paradox.
–Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I found this container of pansies on a lunchtime walk around downtown Richmond, VA. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my Kodak Share digital camera. And it’s even a little blurry…

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Kaleidoscope #15

by Denise M. SessousSeptember 4, 2017August 28, 2017

Use all the ugliness you’re feeling to make something beautiful.
–Laura Goode, Sister Mischief

Below is the original photo used to create this image. It’s a candle in a cracked-glass hurricane. This was taken in the spring of 2016 for a Photography 101 challenge called “Warmth.” No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my Kodak Share digital camera.