Last Friday, a 365 friend, MaryBeth Daily, helped me to realize the need to stop and smell the flowers more often. The need to take a break and relax. I kept posting all these relaxing photos of vacation, these seats to kick back in and I realized that I only took their photo, I didn't sit down to take in the scene and enjoy it, snapped some shots and went back to my bustling life.
So last Friday, I went for a run, planned to go to the gym next and thought "Darn it, slow down already!!" It was my last couple hours of the kids being away at VBS and they would be home with me for the rest of the summer...weeks of kids full time. I decided that I can work out anytime, but a peaceful stroll alone through a sunflower field, that is not something I can easily do with them. I set off with my camera to the flowers. I so need to stop being so driven by time, driven by guilt...need to take time for myself in ways other than just sitting at the computer, too.
That morning, I thoroughly enjoyed God's glorious creation! And I even took the time to smell a flower. It was yummy. Hope that you can take the time to see and enjoy the beautiful world, too! And shoot a photo and upload it on here so we all can enjoy it, too, would you?
@espyetta Thank you for helping me to see better. Here is what I got to enjoy the day I took some time for me:). I went back again with Mike on our date that night which is when he took the photo of me all gussied up in my non Sewer Tart garb.
Lady, I love this, and I am a self-proclaimed top-notch anti-flower-photography snob. I love what this stands for. For most flower photos I see, I get the feeling the artist did exactly what you mentioned about the relaxation shots - doing it only for the picture, not for the moment. They're pretty, but hollow. This one is not missing the substance. Kudos to you!
Also, the idea behind the title is a genius observation :)
@graemestevens Thanks, Graham!! I went all creepy yesterday with a Shining shot and one of me with a gun (eek) and had to sweeten it up with some color and something flowery. How's it going sans cigarettes? Hurt anyone yet?
@lindacarol Thanks so much, Linda. Really appreciate that!
@nanderson Awesome, thanks, Nancy. I needed some color this afternoon to brighten things up.
@louuncouth You have the best comments, my friend. So well put and thought out. I tend to be...nice photo or love this or...blah, blah blah...not much. Thank you for your great words. So appreciate them. I, too, am not normally a big huge fan of flower shots. I take them at times, but the flower has got to be pretty darn spectacular for me to bother. And there always has to be a story behind it...always...otherwise, it's just another pretty face:).
@gerry Thanks so much for that, Gerry. Would you mind repushing the button?:) Appreciate your kind thoughts and words!
Glad you sniffed them too. There's a sunflower field near my home, this year it's not doing well, too much rain early in the season. I'm actually planning on stopping there to check out the progress after work today. I will be leading a hike there next week with a Meetup group.I love the brightness and the dof here.
@bill_fe I almost didn't and then though...you gotta smell the flowers...sheesh. They smelled surprisingly good. I had no idea how sunflowers smelled before, at least not fresh in a field. Hope your trip is equally relaxing and peaceful. Yeah for meet ups!!! Thanks, Bill!! Did you see my gun response? It is a Colt .38 revolver.
I'll have to take the time to sniff them. They are allowing people to actually go into the field for photos this year. Last year you wouldn't be able to, they were so thick.
Good on you for slowing down, stopping, smelling and absorbing. Went for a walk alone the other night and vastness of the sky just got me, in a peaceful way.
@sjoblues Thanks so much for telling me about it. I went last Friday, maybe the morning after I saw your photos. And yes, the place was crawling with photographers.
@skipt07 Yeah, I can see that, but I do like a good mixing it up. I like to not have any set style or subject. And I do love to tell a story. I tend to do more light and fun than macabre, though. I'm comic relief moreso than dark, typically:). thanks, skip!
@summerfield Come on over...I'll share mine, but come quick while they are still purty. Maybe just don't worry about a shot a day. Shoot when you feel like it and post what you like. That's what I do:).
What a wonderful story Amanda, so glad you decided to have some "me time", that's always hard when you have little ones but probably the time of life when you need it most.
@amandal - Amanda, since there is no way that I am aware of for communicating other than this way with fellow 365ers, I wanted to say, please don't read too much into my post. You are the artist and you create art. Usually not everyone is going to like everything an artist creates. But there are those rare occasions when some do. Some people have favorite authors and as soon as a new book comes out, they gobble them up. I see you have many followers and some might even wait with baited breath for your next posting of a photograph. I just made a comment on a personal preference of mine. Please don't think I was suggesting that you stop being creative. It's just that with all the bad things that we are bombarded with in the news that is going on in the world today, I prefer seeing things that make me feel good for a change. ツ
@skipt07 Wait, so you are saying that ax murderers make you feel bad? Just kidding. Really do appreciate your great comments, Skip. Thank you for them. And I so get what you are saying.
@jsw0109 We've had so many gray days this summer. And it's cold now, too...fall like. Don't much mind that, though. Thanks, Jeff!!
Love this bright, sunny pic!!! Fav!!! So glad you took a few moments for yourself! Reminds me of my fav quote from Ferris Bueller "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it".
What a beautiful photo and a unique opportunity...I love how the one flower is open and the other is closed! Congratulations on the Trending Page! Well deserved! FAV
Such an awesome shot, Amanda. Love the detail you captured and the beautiful colors too. Love your alternate title. Wise words given to you and passed along as so many of us focus on getting those shots and not enjoying the moment or some time at a beautiful place. FAV
Wow, guys...thanks so much for your awesome comments, words, thoughts and faves for this shot. Blown away by your response. Thank you. Take some time out to enjoy, think, take a breather. A great life lesson.
You're right, Amanda. We've got to be more mindfull and give ourselves a breat in time :)!
I love this great, wonderfully screen filling, cheerfull flower shot! FAV
Also, the idea behind the title is a genius observation :)
@lindacarol Thanks so much, Linda. Really appreciate that!
@nanderson Awesome, thanks, Nancy. I needed some color this afternoon to brighten things up.
@philipmad1 Thanks so much for that, Phillip!
@jocasta How to be slow? It's hard with young kids...and my wiring. Must be slow more and just be. Take time to think and all that. Thank you!
@kerristephens Thanks, Miss Kerri!!
@juliac Oh thanks so much, Julia!!
@louuncouth You have the best comments, my friend. So well put and thought out. I tend to be...nice photo or love this or...blah, blah blah...not much. Thank you for your great words. So appreciate them. I, too, am not normally a big huge fan of flower shots. I take them at times, but the flower has got to be pretty darn spectacular for me to bother. And there always has to be a story behind it...always...otherwise, it's just another pretty face:).
@gerry Thanks so much for that, Gerry. Would you mind repushing the button?:) Appreciate your kind thoughts and words!
@pittcj17 Thank you so much, Cindy!!
@sassyinma It was so cheery to see these pretty flowers. Thanks, Sandi!!
@jsw0109 We've had so many gray days this summer. And it's cold now, too...fall like. Don't much mind that, though. Thanks, Jeff!!
Wow, guys...thanks so much for your awesome comments, words, thoughts and faves for this shot. Blown away by your response. Thank you. Take some time out to enjoy, think, take a breather. A great life lesson.
I love this great, wonderfully screen filling, cheerfull flower shot! FAV