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 –
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by Sheila Finkelstein on March 10, 2011
If you are one of the followers who relates to Self-Reflecting Queries, as well as the photographs, I thought you’d appreciate the following statement, “Empowerment in using a camera has altered how I see myself,” as shared by Marifran Korb.She was referencing her experience resulting from participating in the Through and From The Len telecourse. The next session starts on Tuesday night, March 15th. See TFTL.
Before going further, without adding words to interfere with your responses, I invite you to pause at each of Today’s Photos. Then consider the emotion, or response, that comes up for you with each one individually.
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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
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by Sheila Finkelstein on February 24, 2011
Today’s post of Picture to Ponder has been delayed because of my “need” to revise the Through and From The Lens telecourse information/registration page. My focus has been on my “stuckness” in its having the “just right” (or “perfect”) words and images so that visitors get a full experience of the value the program will add to their lives.
Participants in the last course expressed delight at finding they now have a new tool for simultaneous relaxation and re-energizing. Their enthusiasm increased as they began seeing things in new ways. Both newbies to their cameras, and those customarily using them, are excited with the new possibilities that develop for sharing and displaying their photos, including using them in blog posts and other public places. [click to continue…]
by Sheila Finkelstein on February 9, 2011
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 -
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by Sheila Finkelstein on January 24, 2011
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 -
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,
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by Sheila Finkelstein on January 10, 2011
“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…]
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…]
by Sheila Finkelstein on December 22, 2010
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.
Toward 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.
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…]
by Sheila Finkelstein on December 16, 2010
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.
Reflections – Rhythms and patterns from the boardwalk [click to continue…]
