2013.06.30 Simply a collection

You see, like a child collects stones or leaves or twigs along the path,

I collect photographs.

Even with no intention to do so,

inevitably something comes into my awareness that needs to be collected.

I need to pause and revere the scene,

the moment,

as I frame an image.

Each one is a marker, a reminder, a special moment

to later be pulled out and cherished.

~ Kat Sloma at Kat Eye Studio

And I learned what is obvious to a child.

That life is simply a collection of little lives,

each lived one day at a time.

That each day should be spent

finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals.

~ Nicholas Sparks

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

~ Psalm 118:24

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2013.06.28 Always of light

{ smile }

My first thought is always of light. 

~ Galen Rowell

Lighten up!

The lighter you take yourself, and the more you detach from self-importance,

the more fun you will attract into your life.

We have total control over how much laughing, singing, and rejoicing we are experiencing,

regardless of how much we have convinced ourselves to the contrary.

~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

~ Psalm 119:105

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2013.06.24 I occupy myself

The key is to integrate our art into our life, not the other way around.

~ Brooks Jensen,

Letting Go of The Camera:

Essays on Photography And The Creative Life

My formula for living is quite simple.

I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night.

In between, I occupy myself as best I can.

~ Cary Grant

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

~ Psalm 113:3

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2013.06.21 Stored in the heart

Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.

~ Paul Strand

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

~ Lionel Hampton

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.

~ Colossians 3:15

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2013.06.17 The leaping greenly spirits of trees

Later, Jenny would say she seldom knew

what she would take a picture of when she picked up a camera,

that she only knew once she peered through the viewfinder,

as if the photograph had finally found her.

~ Whitney Otto in Eight Girls Taking Pictures

I thank God for this most amazing day;

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky;

and for everything which is natural,

which is infinite,

which is yes.

~ e. e. cummings

His great works are too marvelous to understand.

He performs miracles without number.

~ Job 9:10

[ FotoFlexer Fresco desaturate ]

2013.06.13 Get out of the way

The camera’s only job is to get out of the way of making photographs.

~ Ken Rockwell 

Dwell on the beauty of life.

~ Marcus Aurelius

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.

~ Philippians 4:8

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2013.06.10 Within our reach

Photography is not selfish.

Although it captures the moment, it doesn’t keep it.

Photography gives back to the viewer the fraction of time which it once captured.

Making it generous for years and even generations to come.
~ Mickey Burrow

We can never be 'not enough', because we are part of this greater whole.

There is no need for us to be bigger or better, or more of anything.

We are already exactly the right amount of that greater whole.

Each of us is already perfectly equipped to love and serve

the part of the world that is within our reach.

~ Marianne Elliott as quoted in Desire to Inspire by Christine Mason Miller

The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

~ Mark 12:31a

[ PSE ink outlines 4-16-1 / crop / add contrast ]

2013.06.06 The less I know for sure

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances,

but nothing is what it appears to be.

~ Duane Michals

The more I see, the less I know for sure.

~ John Lennon

Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men

but in the power of God.

 ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5

2013.06.04 Establish your worth

 

A picture is the expression of an impression.

If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it?

~ Ernst Haas, photographer

Your worth is not established by teaching or learning.

Your worth is established by God.

Nothing you do or think or wish or make is necessary to establish your worth.

~ from A Course in Miracles

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
~ Ephesians 2:8

[ mouse-over for the "before" photo ]

2013.06.01 Where you start

It's as if when I open myself up to every perception,

things create their own focus.

~ Kristin Cashore, Graceling

Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go;

they merely determine where you start.

~ Nido Qubein

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said.

~ Matthew 4:19a