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.
Linda 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. Â [For full post – Today’s Photos and Queries and more of what Linda wrote – It doesn’t matter how much you “know” until you connect with that person… “feel” what his body is communicating to you, and respond to that… let his body guide your hands. Forget what you think you “know” and just connect… that is where real knowledge begins.
And then his insistence on “falling in love” with his subject was also a familiar refrain. YES, YES, YES!!! Falling in love with what you see… what you do… with life. That’s what it’s all about… whatever your medium. I’ve always considered my massage just another art form. Like a sculptor and his stone, a musician and his instrument, an artist and his canvas, a photographer and his camera… they are all means to an end… expressing our “falling in love-ness”.
Thank you, thank you, Sheila… yet again… for a wonderful, insightful, en-lightening evening. Mr. Jones is magnificent!
Envision me ‘Inspired’, Linda
P.S. Mr. Jones’ work is gorgeous… no surprise, considering his mind set.”
and then in response to my query for permission to quote her, a few hours before I asked her to our guest writer:
“Dewit Jones’ “chat” was one of the highlights of my recent memory, and served to buttress so many of my own beliefs and patterns… learned over a lifetime.
Like so many “great masters” before him, his message is simple, direct and ultimately human… and goes much deeper than his art/craft, in that it is applicable to all of life. (I’m certain Mr. Jones doesn’t consider himself a “great master”, but then, I doubt Gandhi did either.) In his comfortable, easy manner, he truly “connects” with his audience… his message is not only heard but felt.
Listening to him was so much more than a “how to”… it was an experience of the heart and soul.
Now, if I can just get that into my camera!” Linda Gipson
and Linda will be participating in the upcoming Through and From The Lens telecourse. I assured her that once she gives herself the freedom to pay attention to what catches her eye, noticing her feelings, then start “playing” with her camera, the connections WILL come. We, the audience, will feel them also.
If you missed the call, you can still get the link for the replay until January 23rd. See INTERVIEW.
Today’s Featured Photos – Two of Linda’s Favorite Picture to Ponder Sunsets
I called the upper photo “Caged Sunset” at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, FL, when I featured it almost four years ago, Volume 3-Issue 16. The foreground is part of one the electrical generator stations for the Water Authority in Palm Beach county. They are the ones who have created these Wetlands.
It reminds Linda of the limitations we put on ourselves, how we often put ourselves in cages.
The lower photo is of sunset at Green Cay Wetlands, in Boynton Beach. Linda calls this one “Opening to Infinite Possibilities.”
Note on Business card at top – Linda is the one who first called me and asked if I could create a business card using her then favorite sunrise. In the center you’ll see her “As Above – So Below.”
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Following Linda’s thoughts, I invite you to look into your life. Are there places where you have put limitations on yourself, caged yourself in? In one of his training videos, Dewitt says, “It is not trespassing to go beyond your own boundaries.”
Where might there be “Infinite Possibilities” if you let the constraints go?
I also invite you to consider the following:
Part of what generated my thinking sunset theme for this issue was the response from another listener. In an acknowledgment email she concluded:
“I now have a new challenge: to be the sunset and blend my unique perspective into a brilliant new image love, joy and wonder.”
I invite you to look around you, the next time you are out in nature. Spend some time. Look at see what calls to you. Then consider, if you could “be” it what blend would there be? What are the resulting possibilities.
As always remember to have fun with the pictures and the queries and share in the comments below what comes up for you.
Still a Chance to Listen to the Interview with Dewitt Jones –
The replay of the full call, one hour, plus 15 minute Q & A, will be available until January 23rd. You can request it on the interview page.
How to Use FlickR Photo Sharing Service –
FlickR states, about themselves:
“[We’re] – almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world – [with] two main goals:
1. We want to help people make their photos available to the people who matter to them.
2. We want to enable new ways of organizing photos and video.”
When I first started using FlickR for sharing photos, several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time bumbling around, since I never took the time to learn the ins and outs.
Then, when I started leading classes, I decided FlickR was the best platform for us to be able to share and communicate about our photos between sessions, as well as during each session. So I methodically worked my way through the site and applications that would be relevant for the Through and From The Lens participants.
To make it easier for them AND to offer you a no-obligation opportunity to be able to use the site with ease, I am opening up the FlickR training, TFTL pre-course sessions to guests. I’m even including the 20-page PDF manual I created for course participants.
If you want to understand the possibilities in and advantages of using FlickR, I invite you to join us. Simply go to FlickR Class and register. You may notice that registration includes a subscription to Picture to Ponder. If you register with this email address you will only get one issue, no duplications.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing this with me Sheila, Linda’s experience was beautiful and I look forward to listening to the interview.
Thanks so much for trusting my recommendation, Rachelle, and for sharing here.