Creativity

Once again, “shifting perspectives” is the theme that came up from the photographs wanting to be shared today. They photographs were taken while walking in a local nursery. Explanations and comments are directly under each photograph.

Today’s Photos (from my iPhone) -

barkground1 Shifting Perspectives   Layering Results as Seen through Magnolia and Bark   Picture to Ponder   v7 issue 20

Curled bark from palm tree. Deciding that the green from the plant in front of it did not make for good composition, [click to continue…]

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Breakthroughing Through Limiting Beliefs

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 3, 2011

Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder is a breakthrough and a first for me and this ezine. For six years, my policy has been to only feature my photography and, on occasion, black and white photographs done years ago by my beloved Sam. The one exception, that I can recall, was sharing a photo by a young boy, son of a friend and subscriber, as part of a fuller story for the day.

Today, I am moved to share a few photographs by Irina Wardas who was a participant in the last Through and From The Lens telecourse. Not only am I captivated by the photographs she produced, I am humbled by her summary of what she got out of four weeks in the course. She went from never having photos that she wanted to share and not knowing her new camera to now publishing her own work on her site and on Facebook

I share Irina here with you today for both the beauty of her photographs and for the lesson of which I was reminded. We can listen to our own limiting thoughts, or we can stand in the power of what’s revealed to us by others in their reflections of us! Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries address this

Irinia yellowflower Breakthroughing Through Limiting Beliefs [click to continue…]

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This week a few Facebook fans and I have been having fun on my new Fan Page. I started the page posting a mystery photo almost daily, giving the answer the next day. For the past several days, I’ve been posting individual views of one series of photos taken in early afternoon four years ago. The “answers” have yet to be given. These photos still inspire and excite me when I periodically review them and I have been thoroughly enjoying them this week. It’s been fun selecting which to use to maintain the “mystery” while at the same time starting to give some visual hints. Some of the “guesses” amaze and delight me, bringing a smile to my face. I invite you to come look and enjoy them also, even participate in the guessing.

The other part of the game for me has become reaching at least 100 fans by 6 PM Eastern Time today. As I write, only 4 more are needed to meet that number. If you’d like to be one of them simply go to the Through and From The Lens Fan Page and click on “Like” at the end of the line of links under the name.

Today’s Featured Photos -

miami1 Mystery Photos from Through and From The Lens Facebook Fan Page   Picture to Ponder   v7 issue 6

[click to continue…]

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Updates On What’s New – If you are one who enjoys “Mystery Photos”, I have set up the Through and From The Lens Facebook Fan Page, which I believe is viewable whether you are a member of Facebook or not. If you have been subscribing to Picture to Ponder for a while, you may remember some of them. I invite you to check out the TFTL Fan Page and to also click on the “Like” link at the end of the line of links under the page name. Clicking on “Like” will not result in your getting any email. The only way to see the page is to bookmark the URL and go directly it.

Also, since this will be the only mailing until next week, I invite you to check out the two programs in which I’ve just enrolled – under the Queries.

Today’s Featured Photos -

bark dogV1 Change in Perspective   Bark in Dog   Picture to Ponder   v7 issue 4The first view I saw in this series. To see the “Bark-in Dog” and change perspective three times [click to continue…]

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Last week, when speaking of the, then, upcoming Through and From The Lens course, I shared some statements by Marifran Korb, Relationship Coach, on the beauty she now sees in her world as a result of participating in the TFTL course.

In a second conversation she had some very interesting things to say about how the camera has become a means for her to “take charge” of her life. At one point, she stated:

“I use the camera for being more at peace with myself and my world. When I use the camera I feel like I’m in charge and sometimes in life you’re not. With the camera you’re choosing what you’re looking for or you are in charge of what you see. . .and how you see it.

For your convenience I have put both audio interviews on a new page with a link to transcripts of what she said in each of those seven-minute interviews. See Marifran’s Words.

Today’s Photo and Story -

sunlitpalmleaves iphoto iPhone Camera for De Stressing, Seeing the Light   Picture to Ponder, V7 3D

Late afternoon sunlit palm leaves in Green Cay Wetlands.

My camera(s) and I went out for a walk with the intent of breaking through the sluggishness I was feeling. Almost the first thing I saw, at the beginning of my walk, were these “spot-lit” leaves, reminding me that there is always some brightness that exists somewhere. I, of course, started taking pictures,
and [click to continue…]

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I was still reeling from the wisdom and generosity of sharing that Dewitt Jones treated us all to in my interview with him on Tuesday night when really moving responses started coming in.

Long-time subscriber, and now dear friend, Linda Gipson wrote a beautiful tribute to the powerful response she had to him. I was so moved, I called and asked if I could use her as “guest writer” for today’s issue. I said I would feature one or two of her most favorite sunset photos today, as a tribute to her. Were I to eliminate anything she wrote, I would be depriving you, so I will start here and complete on the blog.

LindaGipsonbizcard Sunset Metaphors for Life and Comments on Dewitt Jones Interview   Picture to Ponder   v7 issue 3Linda Braun Gipson, a Registered Massage Therapist, in Houston, Texas wrote [my bolding]:

“The first thing Dewitt Jones said that grabbed me was that he tries to approach each subject with “no agenda”. This is exactly what I tell prospective clients when they ask what kind of massage I do. Many are looking for a simple answer, like “Swedish”, which they think tells them something… it doesn’t. Some people get it… most don’t. But I got it last night… this guy speaks my language!

When he went on to discuss “the connection” being the most important aspect of photography… he had me wrapped up and sold. Again, I’ve always told my students that first, you connect with the body.  [For full post - Today's Photos and Queries and more of what Linda wrote - [click to continue…]

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dewitt donnerlake Creativity, Focus, Juice in Life   Upcoming Interview with Dewitt Jones“Sometimes when we stand in nature, open as the new dawn, Everything seems so simple. Remember that moment, that simplicity….all week long.”

The above image and quote by Dewitt Jones is from one of his weekly “Celebrate What’s Right With The World” series of photographs.

As I’m preparing for my interview with Dewitt tomorrow night (Tuesday, 1/11 at 8:30 PM), I spent the weekend immersed in watching his videos and taking notes beyond those I originally took.

This is a “Don’t Miss” free call! especially, if you have been a appreciating Picture to Ponder for a while, even as long as six years. You will definitely come away with an expanded view on ways of seeing, visually and in all areas of your life, both with a camera and without. You’ll feel the juice in your life. [click to continue…]

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Creativity, Focus, Walls in Picture to Ponder – v7-issue1

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 6, 2011

I am ecstatic about the start of my New Year and hope yours is starting off well also. A few times in past issues of Picture to Ponder I’ve mentioned Dewitt Jones, a top National Geographic photographer, keynote speaker and more. Last year, I randomly clicked on a link in one of the ezines to which I subscribe and was treated to his 3-minute JUICE video.

I was super-excited with the uniqueness of the story, Dewitt’s response to the little boy “hero” and the passion for life and photography that was shared. I went on to watch the other four previews of his training videos. They include “Focus Your Vision”, “For the Love of It”, “Everyday Creativity” and “Celebrate What’s Right In Your Life.” If you have been a following the blog posts for a while, you can see from the titles alone what drew me in.

I so resonated with what I heard! Almost everything that Dewitt speaks throughout all the videos, in his philosophy on life, on creativity and being present in our worlds, and so much more, are the underpinnings of what I’ve been a stand for in my years of teaching and now in Picture to Ponder, my courses and my coaching. [For Today's Photos and rest of the story - [click to continue…]

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Last week I had the pleasure of having lunch with Kaitlyn, my college-freshman granddaughter, to celebrate my birthday. The camera was with me and, being involved in conversation as we ate, I stayed pretty much focused on our discussions.

kaitlyn through glass text200 Relieving Holiday Stress Using the Camera   Patterns through a GlassToward the end of lunch I decided to see if there was anything visually interesting that I might photograph.

I took some pictures of her above her glass and then decided to focus on the glass itself. (Photo on right is initial scene)

It was when I zoomed in on the imagery in the glass that the photographs became interesting. In the first photo below we see a wide variety of pleasing textures and soft colors. I’m moved to stay in it for a while and yet the dark line (her drinking straw) almost cuts the picture in half, falling outside the principles of good design.

kaitlyn thruglass1 12 17 cr1 475 Relieving Holiday Stress Using the Camera   Patterns through a Glass

As you see below, I thus cropped the larger photo with the straw repositioned in different places in each of the two other photos. [click to continue…]

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If you have been following  Picture to Ponder for a while, you’ve undoubtedly realized that I consider my camera as one of my best friends.  It and/or its predecessors have joined me and my family in celebrations and on trips;
1- it has shared in the joys and some of the sorrows in my life;
2- over a period of many years our similar yet different views with our cameras opened some exciting conversations with my beloved husband Sam and me;
3-and, many times its served as a form of meditation AND definitely a stress-reliever.

I make it a practice to ALWAYS have a camera with me and as you know, I encourage you to do the same as you develop the practice of photographing ANYTHING that catches your eye.

Other’s cameras and mine also serve as conversation openers, thus connectors, when out among other people. Today, as I was walking on the boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, I pointed out the reflections below to a woman who had paused to ask what I was photographing.

boardwalkreflections wako  Using Photography to Create Connections   Ripples and Reflections    Picture to Ponder   v6 issue 49
Reflections – Rhythms and patterns from the boardwalk [click to continue…]

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