Pause, Focus and Connect

PAUSE
Noticing the shapes, colours, lines and textures around us.

Look at things from another point of view
How does that make us feel?

FOCUS
Observing things with an abstract vision
Finding the beauty in flowing forms
without labelling them.

CONNECT
in all simplicity

In photography, I have learned to slow down
and have thus created more space in my life.
I notice more, become one with what I see and feel
and experience so much more joy because of this.

Noticing the importance of light and how it can illuminate my subjects.

Looking closely with openness allows me to connect with all the details
in line, structure and subtlety in colour.

Marvelling at how extraordinary everything really is.

Taking the time to pause, focus and connect
has allowed me to see and experience everything in a whole new way.

Something which has been of great help to me in my quest
for a more contemplative life
was doing a workshop with Kim Manley Ort
called 
Please check out the link to find out more.


29 comments

  1. Another lovely blog post full of gorgeous pictures. Thank you. xxx

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    1. Always so nice to see you, Sarn! Thank you for leaving a comment!

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  2. Your "pause, focus, connect" is good advise. Slowing and taking time to really see is so rewarding. Your photos make me want to stop, look, and think. There is so much beauty around us if we only take the time to see. I must show this post to my oldest Grandson (13) - he's doing a report on cameras and photography. You tell in words and photos how photography can affect our experience of life.

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    1. Thanks for popping in, Barb. It is so true that when we take the time to do things in a slow, relaxed way, we see and take in so much more.
      How lovely that your grandson is doing a report on cameras and photography. I'm sure he will find all sorts of interesting things to say simply by looking at things from different points of view!

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  3. Excellent advice, Sandra, and advice that I would do well to remember more often.
    Your photographs here are wonderful, and such good examples of "pause, focus, and connect."

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. Slowing down has really been beneficial to me - both in my life in general and especially in my photography!

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  4. Part of the blogging process for me is to observe the everyday and write about it - we all need to look more closely at the things around us and you have done this perfectly with this post.

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    1. Thank you, Elaine. Pausing really helps us to connect in a wonderful way!

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  5. Light is so important and you have captured it beautifully.

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    1. Yes, Sarah, light, and the way it illuminates things is the key to how we see them and then capture what we see.




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  6. I feel the same way as you. I feel I've learned to slow down, to see more, and to be joyful each day; mostly because of photography. Kim has been a key person in my photograph journey and in showing my how to appreciate beauty.

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    1. Walks with our cameras are more like strolls with lots of stops and starts, Cathy! When I really need to walk for health and well-being, I have to force myself to leave my camera at home!

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  7. Yes, photography has done that for me as well. I love getting up close to things with my little camera and seeing what comes up on the screen when I edit the photos - there's always a surprise there, something I didn't see when I was taking the photo. And photography helps us to slow down in general - it's hard to hurry through a walk or a bike ride if you're stopping to take photos. I think the stopping makes the journey more valuable, even if it takes us a little longer to get where we're going.... :)

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    1. So nice to see you, Sue! Stopping certainly makes the journey more valuable for appreciating all that is around us, with or without a camera!

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  8. Such a beautiful and meditative post!

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  9. Sandra, you are such an example of someone who really knows how to pause, focus, and connect - and it shows in your gorgeous images. They provide so much inspiration and calm for so many.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kim. I hope that those who visit here will also come and discover your site and the wonderful book you have written on Adventures in Seeing and learn about your own personal experiences in photography and in life.

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  10. My adventure into photography has really taught me to slow down and see and appreciate the little things that are so easily missed. Your captures are gorgeous and certainly reflect your attention to detail....

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. I've always enjoyed the details in life and incorporating them into my photography is pure pleasure! I am glad that slowing down has also taught you to appreciate the little things.

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  11. You truly have an artistic eye! And the beauty of nature shown thru your lens is limitless and beyond imagination! Thank you for taking us into a world of shapes, textures and natural beauty. We look forward to see more .... Xo

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    1. So nice to see you visit Anna and Liz! Thank you for your kind comments. Nature is so full of wonder, when we take the time to pause and see all the wonderful details!

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  12. There is an art in slowing down and seeing. Photographers develop that art over time. Love the colours, patterns and textures in nature. You have shown them well.

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    1. Thank you, Diane. Slowing down not only helps photography, but allows us to be in the moment and enjoy it before rushing off to a future occupation. It permits us to be in the here and now.

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  13. You amazed me with your enchanting capturing.
    I since my childhood used to ponder on nature and it's wonderful creations and your way of photography describes it so well

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    1. Thank you for your friendly comments. I am so glad that you have found your way of observing nature through these images!

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  14. I can totally relate to your thoughts about the value of photography and how it has impacted your life, Sandra! Lots of beautiful autumn images, but the last one is the real stunner. Very awesome indeed!

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    1. Thank you, Anna. Thank last image was so fascinating for me to notice, half in the light and half in the shade, but glowing with a beautiful golden sheen! Yes, photography really teaches us to notice everything down to the tiniest lovely detail!

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  15. Wonderful photos..I can feel those curves and shapes, the colors are alive and as always your words are perfect for the photos you choose to share! I have so enjoyed sharing Adventures in Seeing with you. Everyone interested in gaining greater enjoyment in their photography would benefit from Kim's book and workshop.

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    1. Thank you, Mary. This has been a true adventure in photography!

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