Connection and Touching Essence through Photography

Frothy wavelet on the beach.

I could gaze at images like this and never tire of them.

They have a peaceful and contemplative quality.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what sort of images I'm attracted to.

Behind each picture taken, there is an emotion, a story and a part of me.

How could it be otherwise?

The connection between photograph and photographer is intense.

Sometimes it's subtle and other times it takes my breath away.

The heart of a flower and delicate petals are forever pulling me in.

I can never resist their eternal beauty.

Here I feel the essence of the rose.

Everyday images of fruit on a plate

 which delight my eyes in colour and shapes and composition and,

right after the photo, those apricots delighted my taste-buds!

A jug of full-blown flowers

already dropping a few petals on the kitchen table.

I am particularly attracted to water and reflections

and soft varying shades of blue.

Meditative images like these bring me feelings of serenity.

Do you feel lulled by this gentle wave and the delicate swell of water?

Me too!

Images that tell me stories create words which come tumbling into my head.

Here are some of my favourite ones:

This one touches me particularly because it depicts my grandson conducting the melody

and changing patterns of the water fountains.

Look at the posting here: Water Music

I observed this bird at the end of the day

 and was mesmerized by the simplicity of the silhouetted image

and held spellbound by the beauty of the blackbird's song.

See the other images and the words here: "If I were a bird".

Another early evening capture in the park with a hazy moon.

You can read more about this with the little story entitled:

"Once upon a midnight blue"

This last image represents my needs in life.

The large expanse of water shows my need for a certain amount

of space and freedom.

It invites me to be adventurous and to discover new horizons.

I also know that I need some sort of anchor which grounds me and is reassuring.

There is a sturdy railing to hold onto, should I need it, but it doesn't close me in.

The coiled rope is there in case of necessity.

The water, in different shades of blue, represents the dreamy side of my nature

and the railings and rope keep me in the reality of life.

This is part of my photographic journey.

It is who I am now, on the never-ending path of discovery and new openings.

Nothing stands still,

our lives move gently towards our own personal destiny

and on the way, we learn and evolve.

This post is connected to an interview I did with Kim Manley Ort 

and she has kindly posted about it here:

Contemplative Living through Photography

I have done several workshops with Kim

Check out her website

365 Days of Inspiration

Kim's workshops allow me to express myself in a way which help

develop my photography.

I have learnt to be more daring, to try out new subjects and to see new points of view.

Could this be Summer?

These colours

touch my heart

Lime green and powder blue

A perfect leaf

and delicate shades of pink and mauve

The dappled sunlight

invites me to sit and read awhile

Next to this year's beautiful blue hydrangea.

Peppermint tea and a cloth outside on my balcony...

Could this be summer?

Watery Reflections

What is it about reflections and water

which attracts me so?

This peaceful pond brings me a feeling of harmony.

The gentle colours of the early morning lighting,

and the presence of that bicycle against the railings,

really captured my attention.

Such a feeling of peace.

Living fairly close to a lake certainly allows me to contemplate the beauty

of watery reflections very often.

This one was taken on the French side of the lake.

I went out walking just as the sun was coming over the mountains

on the Swiss side.

The morning ferry created these beautiful rounded waves

which never quite broke, but rolled silently towards the shore

in undulating shades of blue

and I watched enraptured by their gentle, swelling movement.

It felt as if the water was breathing deep meditative breaths

to the gentle rhythm of life

and I felt my own breathing slowing to the same rhythm.

A little moor-hen glided over coloured ripples

unaware of the beauty she was creating.

Here is my magical spot

where I stood spell-bound for a very long time,

taking in the symbolism of the shimmering colours of the water

and thinking how much they resembled life itself.

A map of life

with delicate flowing hues

interspersed with darker shades and hidden depths and unknown territory.

I love those rocks which give a feeling of stability and strength

against the ever-changing colours and moods of the rippling water.

A Morning in London

Sometimes,

breakfast at the hotel can be a  tad boring

but

let me take you to Le Pain Quotidien!

The name of this restaurant means "The Daily Bread".

It's set out informally and has gorgeous scrubbed pine tables.

My favourite table is the very long one in the middle

with plenty of room to stretch out and even chat with other people.

Also,

they have free wifi and I was able to write a few emails

and look up theatres and concerts to go to in the city.

I love the atmosphere

and it's a great meeting place.

This one is in High Holborn and near where I like to stay in London.

It was still empty at this early hour

and a few people were waiting for the door to open

to enjoy breakfast.

Here is a brief story of the bakery and restaurant

and its founder.

The next stop is Covent Garden

There's always something happening here

including free concerts.

Lots of lovely boutiques to browse too.

You can stand at the railings or go downstairs

and sit at a table with something to drink.

First there was an opera singer performing.

My favourite was a string quartet

playing classical music pieces.

Wonderful!

Don't you love the little boy?

He was playing his own violin made out of two small pieces of wood.

and he imitated every movement of the musicians.

A basket was passed round and we were able to show

our appreciation and even buy a CD.

It was time to visit a park.

Here is a fountain at Regent's Park

and some lovely pink blossom on a flowering chestnut tree.

Another lovely day in London.

There are so many things to do that I can never do them all

and

that's just the best excuse in the world to go back there again!