The Aftermath of Parenthood

by Carol

In Tuesday's post, Leigh wondered why her attitude about summer is changing as her kids change. I responded that the hard and wonderful part of motherhood is that the kids are always changing. With more thought I'll add that the goals are always changing. The surrounds are always changing. and the times are always changing. And guess what? All that means that you are always changing - whether you want to or not.

Now, I am not insinuating that bringing up a new puppy is anywhere near on a par with bringing up children, but I have been noticing lately that it is highlighting a different me. I have brought up three puppies in my adult life. I have never attended a puppy training class, hired a dog-walker or bought anything but grocery store food. I let them play around me as I gardened, let them out the back door at night for a quick pee, and bought whatever leash the local pet store carried. And they all have been wonderful canine citizens, living long and happy lives with my family.

But now, with my kids grown and a new puppy on board, I am nervous about doing things right. Perhaps this is because despite having a veterinarian father and having brought up  three dogs and 5 cats, two pet adoption agencies turned me down because I work! They were adamant about puppies needing several small meals throughout the day, special food and lots more attention than a working person can give them. I know these people's hearts are in the right places, but I feel that is a bit extreme (since most of America works, and these potential adoptees were living in cages).  Yet it planted self-doubt. I guess the advice is always changing. Perhaps this is just a part of the high maintenance culture now. (I mean, do you ever remember your mother having regular manicures and pedicures?) The times too are always changing.

But I think its also me who has  changed. When you have been a parent; when you have lived a few more years, you have seen a few more things. You realize the value of precaution, and also the frailty of it. You see the potential situations carry for both harm and good. You truly understand the trust that a young soul puts in you, and the importance of unconditional love in each life (and in the world). When you have survived "putting down" a few best friends, you realize that you have truly made a "cradle to grave" commitment. You also realize, like Leigh did last week, what a miracle it is to watch a life develop, how very quickly the time passes and how every moment of joy must be savored. And how very lucky those of us are who were brought up by loving parents

So this isn't really a post about puppies.....Happy Father's Day!

Found Still Life

by Carol

To feel the grace of God in a painting of the dear, quiet commonness of a domestic interior, or in a landscape, seascape, cityscape, trains us to feel the grace of God in the thing itself in situ."
                                                                                    Susan Vreeland

I have just come across the term "found still life." I'm not sure if this term has been around for long, but its new to me, and it fits right in with my approach to photography. The definition of a still life is this: "a genre of photography used for the depiction of inanimate subject matter, typically a small group of objects. " It is basically the adoption or adaptation of artistic still life painting. Those paintings are all about design, with the artist arranging the elements into an interesting composition. Often the objects are symbolic. Always lighting is critical. In addition, shadow, value, color and shape are all incorporated. Do any of those terms bring photography to mind?

In a photographic still life, the same principals apply. The photographer sometimes works with the composition and the light for hours. Should I place 3 lemons in the bowl? One lemon out and two in? a sliced lemon next to the full bowl? Should I light the scene from above, below, right or left - backlighting perhaps? Should I shoot from above? from the side?  Which lens highlights the beauty? For me, although the results are much appreciated, the rigidity is too much.

Still life photography is a wonderful way to learn to work with form and light, but in practice, the controlled atmosphere fails to make my heart sing. For me the excitement comes from noticing the beauty arranged by a higher consciousness. How can I expect to match or surpass the grace of a dying rose caught in the golden hour, or the curve of an egret's neck as it bends into a stream for dinner? And then there is the water itself - in all its forms!

There can be beauty that's less obvious in a pile of leaves or twigs, or the way a shadow skims the water's edge, boulders scattered randomly near a river, a stand of birch trees. Even Man's sometimes heavy hand can create unexpected harmony in a pile of nails tossed aside, an old fence, a sunburst of rust. 

In photographing "found still life" the idea is that the objects are inanimate,  that nothing is moved into place by the photographer. There are no people in the shot. If the objects or their pattern tell a story, or symbolize something deeper in and of themselves, so much the better for creating as unique and meaningful image. Have you happened upon one of nature's still life compositions lately? Won't you share it in our gallery? And if you should choose to backlight it, it will even fit into our new monthly Focus On You theme. How ever you choose to shoot it, I'm guessing that your biggest reward will be from getting out into nature to look for it.  Happy wandering!

"No better way is there to learn to love nature than to understand art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone."

                                                                                                     Oscar Wilde

                                                                

Creativity Grows

by Carol

 Nothing blossoms like creativity! I (we) have all talked about this subject before, but this week has brought these thoughts back to the forefront of my mind. What is so amazing about creativity is that like a ivy vine, it can grow in so many directions at once! Once your eyes are opened to seeing the world through creative eyes, your mind gets rolling, your vision clears and there is endless possibility in every direction. And its contagious.

As Terri told you last Monday, we are all participating in Tracey Clark's Picture class again. I'd like to use the phrase "deja Vu," but it doesn't apply. It doesn't apply because this many years later, we all have new eyes, different vision. It seems like that's what Tracey herself is experiencing, and why she wanted to revisit the platform. What is so striking to me is the thought that from this one woman's creative burst several years ago, so much has grown.

In my own personal journey, Tracey's original class took a fledgling photographer with a new camera and one workshop under her belt and made her into a daily photographer finding her place in the world of art. Lessons were learned, many skills were gained, projects were tried, as she began to define herself as an artist. That same photographer can now say that she defines herself as part of the Contemplative Photography movement, emphasizing serendipitous beauty, meditation on nature, appreciation of the beauty given to us in the quiet moments.

Let's pause with that phrase "define herself" - because that same fledgling photographer had also just driven her youngest child to college and she was beginning to explore the next phase of her life. That homebody took a chance on the internet connections made in Tracey's class and eventually hopped on a plane to meet other classmates, signed up for more local classes that eventually led to trips all over the globe. That inexperienced photographer, and private writer,  took a chance and joined a blog startup and actually let other people see what she was creating.  She took up journalling, and took sketching classes; started playing with paints and pastes. A shelf full of art books appeared in her bookcase, and colored pencils and ink pens set up camp on her end tables. Of course, that beginner was me. This class is titled "New Beginnings." How appropriate,  as I  have found that art provides daily beginnings as well as life-stage beginnings.

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So consider please - all of this happened because years ago a woman named Tracey, whom I  have never met had an idea and the courage to put it out there. And that's just my story. Multiply that by all the participants in all the creative classes taught on-line and all over the world.

Creativity grows!!!

       'When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there was before."

                                                    Cliff Radioman

Color on the Rise

by Carol

Every photography workshop, someone suggests a sunrise photoshoot. I always feel that I am not a real photographer if I say no and stay in my warm, soft antique B and B bed, looking forward to to the smells of bananas foster french toast and bacon cooking. The alarm goes off, the victorian lamp goes on, and I look out the window to the cold,dark, deserted street below. Am I crazy ??

Its a slightly damp three block walk to the beach where I meet up with the other crazies between Congress Hall and the jetty. The iconic Cape May skyline is a dark silhouette to our left. The seagulls are starting to call. I am still wishing I was warm in my bed. I'm wondering if I can catch a ride back when we are done. I clutch my sweatshirt tighter around me.

Then the oranges and reds start up.

The sand starts to reflect the golden light. The smallest footstep or pile or beach straw becomes a work of art.

The Victorian beach houses start to catch the light at their highest point.

The blues then come in, and the purples and the puddles in the sand reflect it all. Meanwhile the birds are louder, and the constant sound of the ocean waves is a calming soundtrack.

And then the recognizable morning begins in earnest, a few cars sound over on Beach Avenue. The doors of the coffee shops are swung open. 

I refuse a car ride back to my B and B. I prefer to walk. I end up walking the town, watching the gingerbread houses light up, the daffodils and wisteria catching the sun. I walk for almost 40 minutes, and I feel great! I head back towards my french toast. 

Cape May is awake and so am I.

"After God created the sunrise, he created artists, photographers and poets 

   to ensure his feat remained immortal."

                                                                                                      Terri Guillermets

Morning Performance

by Carol

Having a 17 week old puppy is having a baby in the house again. A "sitter" (walker) comes at noon, outings are scheduled, and the kitchen is gated. The electrical outlets are covered, and nothing is left on the floor for even a second! Closet doors are closed and (obedience) school starts June 1st.. And sleeping in is on hold for a while. But there are unexpected joys to be found besides the adorableness of a puppy.

Among them is a renewed appreciation for early morning. I rise every weekday at 5:45, and have for years, but those weekday mornings are full of the time constraints that get me out the door and to work on time with matching socks, and food for noon. I always appreciate the light on the drive to work, but I don't have time to bathe in it and my mind is pre-occupied with the day's schedule. Since my kids left the house, I have slept in a bit on weekends (all the way to 8:30!!).  But now, I am wrapped in a sweatshirt, out on my lawn, walking my Lily by 6 AM. She is not old enough to leave the property yet, so I am getting reacquainted with early morning on my little homestead.

The east side of my house is the "business side." It's narrow and holds the propane gauge, the electrical connections, the hoses. The rest of my 1.9 acres spreads out to the west and behind. But Lily and I now walk the whole property, looking for as much variation as we can find, and watching the sunlight move slowly in from east to west has become a delightful way to wake up.

Fresh out of bed and just out the door,  it is a bit chilly. The grass is damp. The trees are grey. The deer feeding in my field are almost in the dark. But then, a glow develops behind my neighbor's barn.

Its low and pink. Soon, little tendrils of light are illuminating a single weed here and there. Then the rolling hills of my neighbor's perfectly fed lawn develop shadows and pools of golden light.

 The 100 year old house across the street suddenly has light on the front door that is worthy of a Wyeth painting.

The blossoms of my pear and apple trees begin to glow.

The green leaves and the birch stand begin to ignite.

And finally the light reaches  my emerging daffodils, low to the ground.

All this to the soundtrack of the morning birds. It's quite a stunning show - coming soon, to a yard near you. And there is a glorious repeat performance every day. And its free to all!

I recommend you attend a performance soon.

"Life is too short," she panicked, "I want more." He nodded slowly, "Wake up earlier."

                                                                                                              Dr. SunWolf

What Art Replaces

by Carol

I came upon this beautiful poem about art today. It is by Elizabeth Alexander, the poet who read at Barak Obama's swearing in ceremony. It's from her book called The Light of The World; A Memoir.  She wrote it shortly after her husband died unexpectedly. You can hear her read it here.   Perhaps because I have recently experienced loss, this speaks to me deeply.

But I think I would have reacted to it anyway. Its that line about art trying to "capture what we know leaves us." I'm romantic about art that way, especially photography. I am always trying to capture that moment before it goes , so that I can savor it any time I like. For me, that's what its all about.

Here are Elizabeth's words:

"Art replaces the light that is lost when the day fades, the moment passes,

the evanescent extraordinary makes its quicksilver.

Art tries to capture that which we know leaves us, as we move in and out of each other's lives,

as we all must eventually leave this earth.

Great artists know that shadow, work always against the dying light,

but always knowing that the day brings new light and that the ocean washes away 

all traces on the sand, leaves us a new canvas with each wave." 

                                                                        

Spring Babies!

by Carol

I'm sure that for many of you, spring awakens thoughts of clearing up the dregs of winter both physical and mental,  of new beginnings, new growth. It's a natural, even evolutional process. Mother nature renews in spring too. Maybe you are all thinking about your gardens and flowers and yards. But for me, the best part of spring is babies! At our local farm stands baby ducklings and rabbits are appearing, calves and sheep are emerging from their winter barns, and here in my corner of New Jersey, we have to watch for baby bears and their protective moms right behind. Hedgehogs, woodchucks and squirrels are awakening from hibernation to look for food.

In the northern hemisphere spring arrives when the sun moves directly over the equator as the earth moves in its orbit. The resulting longer days give mothers more time to forage for food for  their brood. Baby animals are born as the rain brings lush new growth in the food chain. One of the first signs around my house is a little bird family who has graced the craft show birdhouse near my noisy deck for three years running now. Mama and papa help me clean up the yard - last year I even spotted plastic Easter basket grass woven into their nest that must have been stolen or spilled from our garbage.

So for your delight today - a selection of babies, mostly from past years. It's just not quite time for them to emerge fully here - but its what I am looking forward to over the next three weeks or so. 

And of course those of you on my facebook feed will know that his whole post is really just an excuse to show you my own new baby - Lilly! She is a rescue who found her forever home with yours truly on March 17th. She is about 11 weeks old - just a baby! 

"Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's a problem."

A.A. Milne

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

Audition Connection

by Carol

 Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find resources of strength

       that will endure as long as life lasts.

                           Rachel Carson

It's spring! (sort of ). Please ignore the fact that it is currently 26 degrees, with a "massive snow event" predicted tomorrow, and cast your mind back to this past Wednesday when it was 65 degrees and sunny!  That's Spring for ya - unpredictable, varied and full of surprises! 

Our theme this month asks you to find the early signs of spring to photograph. With a chill still in the air, you may find yourself marching through the woods or the yard, out of practice at slowing down to observe. May your favorite audiologist ( a hopeful assumption) suggest that your hearing can help? 

Pack up your gear if you are taking off for a walk, or hang your camera over your arm if you are off to the porch or the back yard, and don't forget you duck shoes because Spring can be wet! In earlier years, I never worried about recording anything, feeling that my camera preserved the moment for me. The more time I spend in nature however, the more curious I become. And the older I get, the more I am looking for that wisdom that is supposed to come with age, so now I stick a notebook and pen on the outside of my bag too. I also am developing a real interest in tracking the year. When was the first snow storm last year, compared with this year. What was the very first sign of spring I noticed this year? Are crocuses out in the sunny spots or the shade? Is there something blooming down the street that I might want to incorporate into my yard for next spring? I have never known the names of the plants or the birds around me, and suddenly I'd like to learn them! Between my images, and the details I jot in my notes, I may be able to identify them later from my field guides in the warmth of my home. Look at all the great information Terri brought us in her post about the rosy-faced lovebirds!

Find a spot to stop. Take a deep breath and make a first visual scan, looking for the light. We have had many posts about looking and seeing - of course that is the photographer's bailiwick, and the light is what its all about. But this time I am discussing the information your ears can provide. So close your eyes. Just as you did with your visual scan, I want you to scan with your ears. Listen first to the overall cacophony around you. In my yard there is lots of it in spring. Now focus your hearing as you would focus your camera. Zero in on a birdsong, the leaves rustling, the buzzing of an insect. Concentrate until you feel as if it's the only sound in the world. Concentrate on sounds from your right side, then from your left. Notice the sounds behind you, above you. You may be thinking - what photographer worth her salt is going to walk around with her eyes closed? But I promise you - if you take the time to connect first, when you open your eyes they will find a million things to explore. Nature will quite literally be calling out to you.!

By the way, when I get home and upload my images to Lightroom, I use the description area under the title of the first image, to type in my field notes, then create some keywording that directs me back to the first image when I bring up the rest of the series in the future. If I print a series, need an artist statement, or use these pictures in a journal or album at some future point, the details are right there for the taking. There are so very many ways to connect to nature, but your five senses are the easiest way to start. Contemplation in art and photography is all about connecting your body to your world, exciting your intuition, and appreciating your environment on the deepest level. And it's meditation - it brings such peace! Try it  - you'll like it!

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man.

The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.

 Chief Seattle