If you’ve looked at the past two posts, you’ve seen the promotion of the upcoming Through and From The Lens course. Part of what is covered in this blog is akin to what Picture to Ponder has been about.
The photography and queries presented is this blog are aimed toward personal growth and self-improvement, as well as daily inspiration for those who come back to the photographs.
Now, I NEED YOUR HELP. So I don’t continue, second-guessing your wishes, I’d appreciate your feedback on the following:
1 – What did you expect when you visit here? and 2 – How else may I serve you?
Please respond in the comments section below or email me – sheila [at] picturetoponder.com. Thank you so much.
Today’s Photos –
From the same late afternoon walk as earlier in the week with the sunlit window, this lock and structure caught my eye.
When viewing on the computer there is an unidentified something that’s aesthetically pleasing to me in each. It’s not necessary to know what it is.
In the Through and From The Lens course, you look at your photos and those of others, determine what catches your eye, and how to best visually present it. Invariably there are other personal insights that come into play also and as Marifran Korb said in yesterday’s issue many experience increased joy in their everyday lives.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Once again, the photographs are showing the same thing from two different perspectives – one from the side, the other straight on.
What do you experience as you view each? Does shifting the “point-of-view” make a difference? If so, is there someplace in your life, right now, where you can apply this?
Also, the subjects in each of these photos are obviously old, given the rust and wear we see. And yet the whole in each are beautiful, at least to me.
Again, I invite you to look into your life and notice if there are things, or people, that/whom you are passing by and ignoring because of their possible “ugliness”. I invite you to shift the perception and find the beauty.
This is part of what we can be doing together in Through and From The Lens, starting on Tuesday night, or Wednesday day, your choice. Each class is limited to 10 participants only, so act now if the way of seeing expressed in Picture to Ponder calls to you.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
First today’s photo. WARNING. Not suitable for children under 12…
Sorry to be crude, but the first thing I thought of was sex and then impotence. Then I thought how we can all feel ‘impotent’ or powerless at times. Add to that the padlock and maybe we should be asking-am I keeping myself powerless to avoid taking responsibility for my life, my choices?
After you ask yourself the question, you then need to challenge yourself and ask- am I ready to turn the key and set myself free? If the answer is no or not yet, that’s absolutely fine. Each person must decide for themselves when the time is right, or their circumstances. Bit like losing your viginity- chose the right partner, then go with the flow, enjoy the experience for what it is (good or bad),and never look back with regret- you did what felt right at the time, that’s ok.
To answer your other 2 questions Sheila- I expected thought provoking pictures (and maybe some that act as writing prompts) and I got them. Some days I write on your blog, some I keep to myself.
As far as I’m concerned ,you are right on track, just keep posting your photos please!
I laughed at your opening statement here, Rose. At a fast glance I had seen the sexual implications and got more caught up in the background. I appreciate your continuation with some profound queries and interesting analogies.
Thanks also for the acknowledgment and answering my questions. Part of my reason for asking the questions is my own search for what people need and want that I can offer, so I can also monetize my time.
And I do intend to keep the photos going.
when I looked at the first photo I was struck by how it reminded me of expelling unwanted waste and getting stuck. Blockages left dangling and being heavy. I have suffered from bowel cancer and I am always now conscious of what comes out. We need to watch for changes or unusual motions. Sorry if this sounds crude but it is vitally important for us all to be aware and take action early. I am living proof that early action means you can be treated by removing any tumour before it has spread.
Looking at both photos I became aware of the mellow blueness of the pipes and the shades of soft blue and lavender and thought how beautiful they are. I agree they look old but the more you look into the whole the more spiritual they seem. In a sense like the beauty of the inner body and its importance, which we often take for granted and how we should honour it more rather than stuffing rubbish into ourselves. It is so true our body is our temple. I dont see any rust in all of this ( I did later when I re read Sheila’s comment and looked again). I am glad somebody cared enough to paint the whole thing blue.
I am crying as I write this and I can only think it is because I realise how important it is for all of us to care for one another and to share. I have not really shared enough but have taken all this wonderful inspiration Sheila has given out freely and it has been a great lift on so many occasions. I look forward to seeing her name in my inbox and to viewing what she has found any particular week. i was particularly struck by her contact with Mr. Dewitt Jones and his photographs which were awesome.
I have not really had any particular want from the e zine but would miss it greatly if it ever stopped. I hope I am not taking advantage. You are a joy and an inspiration Sheila and I am glad I found you.
Wow, Carmen. I was moved and touched beyond tears as I read your response. Thank you so much for your courage in being so direct and public.
You are not taking advantage of anything other than what I had offered. I am not planning on stopping; though I may reduce the amount I write in each issue. Your response certainly affirms the importance of what I have been doing.
Again, thank you for stepping out and for what you shared. It’s greatly appreciated
Carmen, I too would like to thank you for posting your very honest and moving reply. It gave me another viewpoint on the same picture.
We do indeed need to look after our physical selves, not ignoring early symptoms that something is wrong. (Just like the first signs of rust or flaking paint). We should also remember to ‘unblock’ ourselves of emotional waste from time to time too. Forgive and forget and let it go. All too often we can hold onto anger or grief and leave it dangling and weighing heavy on our hearts and minds. Thank you for sharing your insights with me.
Thanks for adding to this conversation, Rose.
In answer to question 1; I wanted to experience something deeper than just analysing an image for its photographic qualities. I like the way, Sheila, that you allow us to come ‘behind’ your camera lens and share your motivations/feelings/hopes/sadness and lots of other emotions that you feel at the moment when you press the shutter. It has made me realise that there is alot more to photography than technique alone.
In answer to question 2; you source lots of very interesting photographers, artists and writers – I find their work very inspirational and would certainly wish this part of your website to continue.
Hope my brief comments are of some help and thank you for Picture to Ponder.
Sincerely, Anne (United Kingdom)
Thanks for your thoughtful and acknowledging reply, Anne. I do love “sourcing” people whose work I appreciate.
At this point, I am thinking that I may do two mailings a week. One with Picture to Ponder, with pictures and queries, a little less story, perhaps. The second will simply be Sources and programs I recommend that week.
Most appreciatively, Sheila
I am glad you are thinking of doing two mailings a week. It is interesting to read other peoples responses to the same image. We each pay attention to whatever is important to us. But reading another’s comments helps each of us shift our perspective. I enjoy trying to make my own decisions before I read all the way through what Sheila has said and that way I find something I havent thought about. Looking at and reading Sheila’s Picture to Ponder enables me to reflect. I have had a tendency to “fritter away my life on things and people, spreading an abundance of life but sometimes not really living it myself and not always being true to myself. Afterwards I have sometimes felt empty and left wondering what is it all about?” Lately I have become more relaxed. This is partly because I am now retired from work and have more time to devote to think about what I want to do with the rest of my life. I intend to be grateful for what I have and to share more in a supportive way with others.
Thanks again for commenting here, Carmen. Glad to read you’re more relaxed.
What do I expect? Something which always opens me up, inspires me, stretches me beyond my conventional thinking, new and different viewpoints. The first thing I thought was … Oh my!! A PURPLE padlock!! I would LOVE a purple padlock!! I never saw one before!! That progressed to …”sorry you can’t come in… wish you could and they locked me up … sorry I can’t let you in ..talking to the other pipe perhaps. To which the other one replies….”that’s ok, I’ll wait.”
How can you serve me. I love the photos and less writing. Make the sharing resources a separate email. That way when I want to find something GREAT you sent me, I don’t have to read through all the issues to find that great Resource! I know it is one of the resource sharing emails. :-). Loved the glass windows too.. Amazing!
I have an IDEA for you. I remember I LOVED this children’s magazine which had a picture at the back and you had to figure out WHAT is was. You would find out in the following issue. Some of your photos are so intriguing, I would LOVE to guess what they are before I find out!! I love a little challenge and it keeps our brains healthy too! Just an idea now and then!! A Guessing contest!!
Thanks so much, Morgine, for your comments. I love your imagination with the purple padlock.
Insofar as the rest of what you said, I’m smiling. I’ve already addressed both ideas. In the subsequent issue of Picture to Ponder, I wrote that I am going to be starting 2 mailings/week. One will be the traditional Picture to Ponder, with the latter in the Subject line. The other with PTP – [subject] will be covering resources I like to share.
Re guessing on photos, I set up a Facebook Fan Page this past weekend and have started featuring almost-daily “Mystery Photos” – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Through-and-From-The-Lens/182006025163260