If there is one photographic skill that 365 has honed in me, it would be the power of observation. I've always enjoyed taking shots of the unusual or less common views of every day objects, but 365 has refined my ability to see them or to consciously seek them. Case in point- todays Same Sensation shot. I've chosen sight as my sense-ation and have enjoyed looking at the details of the world around me for patterns which cause me to take a second look. I'd taken some shots of a whisk this morning and was all set to post a shot that featured its curves and lines. And then I noticed the pattern created by the water droplets in my kitchen sink. Instead of the measured patterns of the previous three weeks, this pattern is random and uneven. Yet, to me, it's quite lovely, especially with the way the morning light is coming through the window. I began the month with an inverted shot to highlight a pattern, so I decided to end the month with the same process and it really brought out the irregular shapes.
We have been programmed to think that unless someone is perfect, they do not fit the criteria of beautiful. Industries have been built up around our obsession with being perfect. Our pictures can be doctored to make someone appear flawless; sending us a message that we should look that way too. Gazing at these irregular water droplets I ask myself, "Why am I being forced to believe that "perfect" is the only definition of beautiful?" The older I get the harder it becomes to obtain that perfection, and honestly, I want it less as well. Because it's not real and the means of getting it often exploit and mislead. The bottom line of beauty is often whatever is popular and sells at the moment; which is not really beauty at all. True beauty is not just an outward thing, it is something from within. And sometimes it is even irregular.
That is so interesting, yesterday I found myself trying to capture photographically the rhythm of the rain pounding on the pavement! Beauty is the eyes of the beholder... I like the grey tones on this photo intermingled with the droplets
You've done really well capturing those gentle/subtle splashes, and who needs perfection in anything? I understand that the knitters of fairisle sweaters will purposely make a mistake if they haven't made one by accident, on the basis that only God has the right to be perfect! I kind of like that :)
@potsbypam Thank you Pam! Raindrops are elusive, but I have seen some lovely shots of them on here- put the tag in the search box and see what comes up. It might inspire you or give you an idea of how to capture yours. @filsie65 Thanks Phil! That is really cool what those knitters do! How wise they are! @httpgeffed Thank you Colleen! @henrir Thank you Henri! @digitalrn Thank you Rick! lol The question I usually here is, "What are you taking a picture of now?" (in an impatient tone of voice most of the time!) @salza Thank you Sally! @woot Thank you Davide! @kerristephens Thank you Kerri! @espyetta Thank you MaryBeth!
The one thing I love of 365 is seeing things from someone elses perspective. Yes 365 has taught myself so many things and I certainly look at life differently because of it. Thanks for sharing this with all of us
well said/written. if one is devoid of artistry in his/her being, they should try picking up a camera and try to find that "perfect" shot and they would promptly realize there isn't one. you are right: perfect is only industry's perception and that's what is imposed on us. you notice we both have our kitchen sinks in the album this week? great minds, eh?
I think I have to agree with you. I worry that my pictures aren't perfect enough for this project any more....yet I need to remember that it should be about that at all. I should just document my day. It's hard though....
Thank you for reminding me. And this picture is beautifully created.
@cimes1 Thank you Carole! @kimmistephens Thank you Kimmi! @sparkleplenty1 Thanks Joyce! @eniaral Thank you Laraine! I can't tell you how upset we were when we had to turn back the second time this morning! What an ill-planned race to take out both '01 and Rt. 209! And thank you so much for the fav!!
@maggiemae Thank you Maggie! @summerfield Thank you Vikki! @netkonnexion Thank you Damon! @mrssmith Thank you Carla! Oh- your pictures are lovely and thoroughly good enough for 365! I don't always have the opportunity to be out and about, but when I see one of your barns, I feel like I've taken the drive with you! Don't be so hard on yourself! It's been harder at school this year and you're making a lot of adjustments because of that. You might have to adjust the way you do 365, post on weekends rather than daily- whatever makes it enjoyable for you and not a burden to add on top of everything else. I don't always have a "beautiful" shot- in fact I think I had a bumper crop of bad ones in September! But I just kept plugging away at it. I hope to be a bit more creative in October. Sending a hug your way and letting you know you're doing just fine with those pictures of yours!
From a first look, the elongated water droplets resemble a group of fish in the deep waters ( as I see them in NG documentaries). It is abstract art. I Absolutely agree with you. our last photography outing was to an abandoned sugar factory that is in ruins, and the shots we took show the beauty of the imperfect.
What a beautiful and incisive short essay on the imperfectibility of beauty. Everywhere around me in Nature and in the city, I look for patterns and connections, and they all communicate something to me. Photography allows you to capture these patterns and think about them as you view them and see something new each time.
@congaree Thank you so much John. I take that as a very high compliment from someone who has been a journalist! I am finding a very strong connection between my photos and my thoughts. The pictures will often trigger some sort of musing and it usually ends up on a page somewhere! Although I am not a professional in either realm, I do think that these kinds of pictures are a strength of mine. I hope to improve my camera some day so that I can treat the shots more seriously and improve technically. Thanks again for the feedback!
@tanja_1211 Thank you Tanja! It was actually taken in color and then inverted. But because the original was water droplets in a stainless steel sink, it appears to be black and white.
@nicolecampbell Thank you Nicole- oh please don't feel bad- I get behind too. Especially now that I have reached the 200 mark with followers and so many are commenting. I've had to redo and rethink the way I view and comment on pictures- it was taking so long my old way!
Wow! Stunning! I would have never guess this was water on the sink, I thought it was a window. I really do like the color and the eye you had to capture this! Beautiful words as well :-)
@filsie65 Thanks Phil! That is really cool what those knitters do! How wise they are!
@httpgeffed Thank you Colleen!
@henrir Thank you Henri!
@digitalrn Thank you Rick! lol The question I usually here is, "What are you taking a picture of now?" (in an impatient tone of voice most of the time!)
@salza Thank you Sally!
@woot Thank you Davide!
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
@espyetta Thank you MaryBeth!
I like the dark into light in this. Brilliant abstract
Thank you Brian, Wendy, Livia, Alia and Dione! I truly appreciate your kind words!
Thank you for reminding me. And this picture is beautifully created.
@kimmistephens Thank you Kimmi!
@sparkleplenty1 Thanks Joyce!
@eniaral Thank you Laraine! I can't tell you how upset we were when we had to turn back the second time this morning! What an ill-planned race to take out both '01 and Rt. 209! And thank you so much for the fav!!
@maggiemae Thank you Maggie!
@summerfield Thank you Vikki!
@netkonnexion Thank you Damon!
@mrssmith Thank you Carla! Oh- your pictures are lovely and thoroughly good enough for 365! I don't always have the opportunity to be out and about, but when I see one of your barns, I feel like I've taken the drive with you! Don't be so hard on yourself! It's been harder at school this year and you're making a lot of adjustments because of that. You might have to adjust the way you do 365, post on weekends rather than daily- whatever makes it enjoyable for you and not a burden to add on top of everything else. I don't always have a "beautiful" shot- in fact I think I had a bumper crop of bad ones in September! But I just kept plugging away at it. I hope to be a bit more creative in October. Sending a hug your way and letting you know you're doing just fine with those pictures of yours!