Inspirational Photography

Shifting Perspectives for Self-Improvement while Viewing Fruited Water – Picture to Ponder – v7-issue 36

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 6, 2011

As I surfed through folders, it was the top photograph that jumped out, declaring it wished to be today’s featured Picture to Ponder photograph.

I assumed that it might be in recognition of the water some of us are receiving abundantly in the form of rain, while others in areas of drought are in such need.

Then, I looked back at last week’s issue of Picture to Ponder images and see that they, too, were taken looking through something; the first a glass; the second through a section of an acrylic sculpture. So I’m thinking today’s theme has to do with filters.

I’m curious, myself, to see what will develop as I write the Self-Reflecting Queries, almost always a mystery to me until the writing starts.

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –

orange and lemons in water for drink [click to continue…]

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Fisherman Peace at Sunset in Key West – Picture to Ponder -v7-33

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 18, 2011

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photo –

This simple scene scene of the fisherman at sunset in Key West, FL exudes a sense of peace for me. My intention is that it fulfills on the same for you.

fisherman at sunset in Keywest

The added photograph that I almost included, and chose not to, is one of my beautiful granddaughter Kaitlyn resting against a tree in Key West. The picture was shot at an angle that reinforced the rhythm and flow of the whole scene. Though is holds together well, it felt too busy to fit with the above photo.

If curious, you can see it by clicking on Angled Tree. [click to continue…]

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Commitment and Lethargy – Concrete and Nature – Lines and Contrasts – Picture to Ponder – v7-32

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 11, 2011

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
are simply choices coming out of my lethargy around putting together this week’s issue of Picture to Ponder. Believe it or not, I have not been very photo-taking motivated recently (outside of photos of my beautiful granddaughter in Key West last week which you can see on Facebook in my Fun with Kaitlyn Album).

On the other hand I have made a commitment to you and myself to get this ezine out weekly, so I went to my files and the two photos below are the ones that said, “Choose me.”

Do they fit together? Maybe the answer lies with you? I’m simply trusting there is a reason, for at least one of you, that they “called out” to be included.

 courtyard outside Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art [click to continue…]

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Creating Movement – Circumstances and Intention – Reflections in Jeep Window – Picture to Ponder – v7-31

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 4, 2011

On the run, so a quick message this week.  I was leaving Wakodahatchee Wetlands at dusk, recently, and from the distance noticed an interesting image in the rear window of the guard’s  jeep parked in the lot. Coming closer, I saw it was a reflection of the outside environment rather than something in the jeep itself.  When I noticed the imagery in motion as I walked, I grabbed my iPhone camera to video it. Thus, today’s photos.

Switching conversations for a moment, this is the same parking lot from which I photographed the “Caged Sunset” a couple of years ago.  Those photos and queries make up one of the featured essays in the current issue of Buddha Chick Life.  Included amongst the 11 other postings is a link for a podcast by SARK and a section on THE POWER OF SILENCE from Sara Avant Stover’s Book, The Way of the Happy Women: Living the Best Year of Your Life. There is also the opportunity to be the winner of a giveaway for the book. See Buddha Chick Life for it all.

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –

 Reflections in front window of a Jeep

Jeep reflections

Click on photo or on JEEP REFLECTIONS to see the short video
The top photo is obviously reflections in the window of the side front. Though that’s not what grabbed my attention, it’s a more interesting photo than those I got on my camera of the rear window.
The lower photo is a screen shot of the first view in the video.  Looking at the side rear window you can see the above-noted image.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today I invite you to look around you and find an object or scene that seems static. Then move passed it and around it if you can.  Notice what shifts.  Lights? Shadows? Shapes?  Are you bringing new eyes to it?

Then, is there a situation in your life where you feel stuck? If so, I invite to look at that also, again, from different angles.
Some of the motion in the window image above came from its reflecting the leaves moving to the whispers of the wind as I stood still.  Other movement in the “scene”  was a result of the shifting of my camera and my body.
Back to your situation – Can you see any spaces for movement, perhaps from outside of it and you?
As always, have fun, and please share in the COMMENTS below what comes up for you.

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Celebration, Declaration, Love, Laughter, Lemon Peel plus – Picture to Ponder – v7-27

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 6, 2011

Pictures to Ponder: Inspired Journaling – Flowers Book 1 is now available on iBooks for download on iPads and iPhones. I got notification of this from Lulu Books just after I made the commitment to create and publish another book on Kindle by July 30th. Amazing synchronicity!

The book consists of flower photos from early issues of Picture to Ponder, plus Self-Reflecting Queries, with spaces to journal on each, if you so wish. The photos are larger than you see them in the ezine and online, giving you more of an opportunity for a fuller experience with each. For more details and links for the iBooks and/or the PDF on Lulu, see BOOK.

Now on to
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –

canteloupe with knife [click to continue…]

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Using FX Photo Studio on iPhone photos of Car Lights – Abundance – Picture to Ponder – v7-23

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 9, 2011

Today’s photos were taken with my iPhone. Each was  enhanced with one or two iPhone FX Photo Studio applications, along with slight Photoshop Elements touch-ups.

car tail light reflections photo enhanced with Photo Studio iPhone photo app

Before checking to see what the subjects are, if you are not sure, please take a moment or two to simply be with them, noticing what, if anything, appeals to you. [click to continue…]

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Shifting Perspectives – Lyricism of Frond from Bottle Palm Tree – Picture to Ponder – v7 – issue 22

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 1, 2011

This weekend a new subscriber came on board, noting that she found Picture to Ponder when Googling “Bottle Palm Tree” pictures. I was curious as to what she might have discovered and did my own search. I found the issue published three years ago, this week, on June 3, 2008. And the message is timeless.

In reviewing it, I was moved with the photos, what they brought up and the messages, so I’m reissuing it today with some modifications. Thank you, Justine, for opening this up for me, for us all.

In addition to the variations as we shift perspectives, the experience here is a reminder to those who love to write that we can be using Picture to Ponder photos for writing prompts.

white finch in Butterfly World

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photo
Horizontal view of the leaves, or frond, of a Bottle Palm Tree

As I was searching for a Picture to Ponder photo the drama of this one popped out at me. “Perfect for writing,” I thought, though I did not plan to write from it here. And then as I was putting together the issue, I wrote:

ODE TO A BOTTLE PALM TREE FROND [click to continue…]

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 19, 2011

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) –

rolled palm bark on ground

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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Distortions, Reflections, Possibilities – Through a Glass and Plastic Bottle – Picture to Ponder v7-19

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 11, 2011

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending Mother’s Day with my younger son, Rob, his wife, Kevra, and grandson, Ryan. In addition to it being a relaxing, loving weekend, it was also one in which I had the pure delight of making new discoveries.

First my eye “noticed.”

Then I “paid attention”, using my iPhone camera to document my experience to savor and share with you. An added bonus for me was that Ryan got excited also with what I was seeing. He was able to do his own photos with Android.

Today’s Photos – [click to continue…]

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A Rose – Perspectives and Seeing Possibilities In Front of You – Picture to Ponder – v7-issue18

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 4, 2011

During my recent family visit to GA, I was captivated by the rose set in a bowl on the kitchen window sill below.

Today’s Photos –

backlit rose on kitchen window sill [click to continue…]

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