AVOCADO PITAged, Solid,
Rock Hard,
Rich in color, texture, patterns
And oh so much more.
On its own, it splits in two
Peel the parchment skin
Find the heart lines, textures,
Ying and Yang?
Is there a message here, or do we simply accept it for what it is?
Beauty contained in the ordinary, often overlooked,
Sometimes never seen at all. [click to continue…]
Photographing food was our assignment this past week in The Photo Profits Secret online course in which I’ve been participating. As usual, I found myself drawn into the centers, and the art, rather than whole of individual and groups of fruits and/or vegetables.
I invite you to fully experience and be with each of today’s photos without further interference. Explanations are below.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –
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Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder brings my wishes for us all to have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, with the riches of love and joy and fulfillment of whatever intentions you may be setting for 2011.
There is also a mixture of seemingly disparate photos and a photo/drawing. Not exactly sure why these choices, I decided to simply go with what showed up for me as I prepared this issue.
These two garlic segments evidently have some special meaning for me. I think this is the third time I am featuring them in Picture to Ponder. Perhaps there is meaning for one of more of you. (If you missed the earlier posts you can catch them by scrolling down the page that comes up for “Garlic” in the search here on this blog)
For the next 5 photos and the Self-Reflecting Queries click on [click to continue…]
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This week I had fun spending a lot of time with raw vegetables and fruits, cutting, blending and eating them for my friend Rachelle Anslyn’s and her partner Thomas Radtke’s Make It Real, Make It Raw detox blast. Not surprisingly, as I was cutting vegetables, especially peppers, certain imagery grabbed my attention. I, of course, went for my camera.
Today’s Featured Photos –
The top photo is the cut half of a yellow pepper with the center section of the opposite half turned upside down placed in the center of the half we see. When the photograph first appeared on my monitor, I was unable to identify the lines on the right. I was puzzled for quite a while. Yet I loved the play of light and shadows on the wood, finding a peacefulness emanating from the whole picture. I thus decided to use it as one of today’s feature photos.
Once making that decision I needed to determine what it all was. I originally assumed that the pepper was on my wooden cutting board. I finally realized that, in fact, I had placed it on my table and that the angled “grey” lines were the slats of a white chair pushed up against the table.
The middle photo is a very close-up view of the pepper’s center, creating, what to me is, a very whimsical image. As I inserted that photograph here my eye was drawn to the color and grace of the dark, curving “line” on the left.
I went back to Photoshop Elements to see what it would look if I went in and cropped the photo to highlight solely that line. Thus the bottom photo was born.
I hope you have as much fun with these as I did. If you start “playing” with your own cut vegetables, I’d love to learn about your experiences.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today’s photos lend themselves to another one of the recurring themes in Picture to Ponder – looking at objects, people and things from a multitude of perspectives. In addition, of course, there is my constant message for “paying attention to whatever grabs your eye.”
So, as I did with the pepper, I invite you to firstly, to divide in half an object, situation, or your thoughts about a particular person. Then look at both “halves”. Do you see differences? Do they change with repositioning?
Then zoom in more closely. Does anything change? Can you find any humor in that at which you are looking either with your eyes or with your thoughts?
Lastly, with the latter perspective, find one thing that is appealing in what you’ve noticed. Zoom in. Move around it. What new do you see?
Despite my saying “lastly”, you are of course welcome to continue your exploration.
When finished, please post your experience in the COMMENTS section below.
As always, have fun and open up to new possibilities.
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Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder evolved from some of my experience of “creating” during the last two days. I wound up spending a good amount of time adding new images to products in my Nature Art Gift shop. This included creating prints of the silk painted mandala featured in last week’s Picture to Ponder as well as portions of the garlic bulb imagery below. Also at a customer’s request I put the “Sh*t Happens – I find the beauty” on a mug. She loves the message and wanted one for herself and one for a gift.
After working on the mug I went to the garlic bulb segments featured here and on the blog in September. I particularly love the photograph and wanted to have it on a calendar in my kitchen. (The calendars are actually a very cost effective way of getting 8X10 -approx – prints. I simply cut off the calendar part when finished, or before.)
As I started working with the photo in Photoshop Elements, I “accidentally” focussed in on one portion of it. I then became enraptured with the silky texture and created a page with some variations on one of my sites. Stilll excited, I’ve put a composite of three of them here for
Today’s Featured Photos –
As you can see the top two are the same view rotated 90 degrees, each projecting a different feeling. The “silkiness” that so appeals to me remains in both.
For the bottom image I created a “montage”, mainly to show the original image with which I had started. There are a couple of more images on the garlic page where it is easier to spend time with each image separately.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today’s experience and story relates to being open to the unexpected, focusing in and shifting perspectives.
I am assuming that more than likely you never pay too much attention to a garlic bulb if/when you take it apart to get separate the cloves. In the case of the above two segments I was taken aback when I made the “discovery”, kept the pieces for photographing and for further exploration with my camera. Ultimately, as evidenced by the above, the photographs themselves became another playground for exploration.
Is there anything that has caught your eye or attention recently that you chose to spend some time with and look at in a different way? If yes, what opened up for you out of that experience? If no, I invite you to find something very “ordinary” and see what new you can mentally/imaginatively create from it. And, of course, even if “yes”, I suggest you do this.
I also invite you to really zoom in on pieces of the object, person or situation and see what new you can find. Does the shift in visual perspective, create any other changes for you?
As always, have fun and open up to new possibilities.
Then please post your experience in the COMMENTS section below.
Upcoming – Jump Start Course for Your Brain
My friend Suzanne Holman, who is doing the three week Jump Start Course for Your Brain sent me five page report with tips for maintaining Brain Health. She said I can pass it on to you. In PDF format, I invite you to download it at BRAIN HEALTH FOR BOOMERS.
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Last week, I mentioned I had enrolled in the Create the Impossible program. Now I find I am stepping out beyond anything I would have imagined. Having an Art Rep, possibly Business Partner, is one of the things that surfaced for me when I started free flow writing from “I want…. ” “Wow,” I thought. “That’s certainly impossible for me and definitely not possible in 30 days!” So I registered for the program.
One of the first things I did was revise and update my Sheila Finkelstein.com home page. I wanted to make it easy for someone visiting to get a quick overview of the scope of my work and what might be possible in bringing it into a variety of markets. I invite you to visit the page, for your own pleasure, and should you know anyone who might be interested in the business end, please pass the link on.
If you scroll down the sheilafinkelstein.com page, you’ll find offers for two bonus eBooks. You are welcome to take advantage of them. They include a subscription to Picture to Ponder AND you will NOT, as an existing subscriber, be getting duplicate mailings.
NOTE: If the thought of “Creating the Impossible” intrigues you, check out CREATE THE IMPOSSIBLE. When on the page, click on Upcoming Events in the black horizontal menu bar near the top of that page for details. Apologies if you tried the link over the weekend. There were some technical challenges.
Today’s Featured Photos –
Today’s Photos –
The three pictures above are all photo/drawings that I did several years ago. The top and bottom images are of beets in a ceramic dish. The middle is of mixed vegetables and grapes in a colander.
Even several years ago, I was in the practice of photographing whatever caught my attention no matter what it was, wherever I was.
Today’s Photos Story –
I was having a huge challenge today finding photos, amongst my thousands, to feature in this issue of Picture to Ponder. So I decided to go for a Nature walk “hoping” something would “show up”, catch my eye, and nothing did.
Then I went to the supermarket for vegetables for dinner and started looking for one, or more, that might catch my eye. I wavered on a couple, half-heartedly bought a sweet potato to play with. When I got home I realized it would, of course, involve taking pictures, plus a lot more time than I had available for the rest of the steps that would be required.
Then, being in the space of vegetable imagery and art, I was reminded that lately I’ve been getting a “lift” each time I glance over at the three images above that are on tiles in my kitchen. It’s actually, finally, becoming inspired by my own art, after countless years, that’s having me be brave enough to put myself out, looking at the larger world of big business.
(Note – These images are available, along with others, in the vegetable TILES section of my Gift Shop.)
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Two themes run through today’s Picture to Ponder.
The first is around intention; the second is on honoring and owning ourselves.
When I went out “looking” for images to photograph, it was more of an “in order to” have something to use today, rather than an intention for and the belief in the possibility of it.
I invite you to look back at something recent that appeared that satisfied exactly what you needed or wanted. Can you recall your frame of mind and being that preceded it?
I extend the invitation to further observe your behavior this week and see what your state is when the “just right things” that you “need” or “want” show up. Is there tension? freedom? belief? or ease and trust?
Secondly, in relation to my becoming inspired by my art, what is it about you, your “beings”, your “doings” that most inspire you about yourself? I invite you to move it out of your “mind thinking” and recall the “feelings”, when something about you sparks you, or has.
As things come up, I further invite you to make written note of them, particularly if this is challenging for you. And, lastly, if there is any action, especially a bold one, I invite you to take it.
As always, you are welcome to share your responses in the COMMENTS section below. Note the new “Notify me…. ” option so you can get emails when others comment. Looking forward to our connecting there. Thank you so much.
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Today’s photo, for me, has a beauty, power and majesty, in and of itself. Yesterday we used it for a writing prompt n the writers’ group of which I am a member. Unique and powerful writing developed in four minutes. The caption in the title here “Pungent Power” came out of one of the member’s writing.
In the Picture to Ponder mailing of this issue I did not include further words about the photo other than explain that it was garlic.
I thus wrote:
Today’s Featured Photo –
Probably obvious to you, two segments of a garlic bulb.
Today’s Photo Story –
Again, I do not want to affect your experience of the image, so I’m adding nothing here in the ezine regarding the photo, other than what’s above.
I am posting other views with comments on possibilities of differing responses to changes in perspectives. You can check that out on the BLOG. More photos are after the Queries.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
If this photo evoked a particular response or responses to you, I invite you to explore, in writing, whatever that was.
And, if you did notice something are there other places in your life where that shows up?
Does whatever you saw empower you?
If not, can you reframe it so it does?
OTHER VIEWS of the same image –
Very elegant and by “herself”, the “Garlic Lady”.
Seeming to be the Yin and the Yang of oneself, below are the same as the initial image shown from different angles.
Does this angle evoke a different response in you? If so, remember this at other times… the power of changing perspective.
The above is the original angle from which I shot the photo. I turned it to be vertical for the presentation I wanted to make. Does it have a different feel for you?
The garlic skin honors and applauds your participation The “feelings” were important here, so the fact that there is no “head” in this image, matters not.
As always, you are invited to share your responses in the COMMENTS section below.
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Despite thousands of photos in my external hard drive, I was at a loss for featured photos for today’s issue of Picture to Ponder. Aside from some full moon shots and the roses of the past two issues, nothing much has grabbed my attention in the past week or so.
I then reflected on the fruit and vegetable cutting photo session, and some of the participants’ empowering experiences, in the last class of our Through and From the Lens Point and Shoot photo course and decided to “play” with that subject matter. Thus,
Today’s Photos –
My first action was to cut a mushroom in half. I started smiling immediately as two “faces” instantly showed up. Despite the fact the faces were not particularly happy ones, I couldn’t help laughing at the irony of how quickly, it seems, I see “faces.”
In the top and bottom photos, two different mushroom halves are resting on my stovetop. The half in the middle photo is in a ceramic dish I made on potters wheel years ago. Though more “artistic” in overall feel, the “face” seems to be angry or snarling, more so than in the other photos. It is same image as in the bottom photo. Yet, note the changes when on a different surface and viewed from a slightly different angle.
If you enjoy writing, these photos could be great prompts.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
As mentioned above, I was “stuck” for subject matter for today’s issue of Picture to Ponder, so I went for my camera. The latter, as you more than likely know, is one of my main tools, and “prescriptions”, for quickly shifting moods and perspectives.
What “tools” or methods do you use for creating state changes for yourself? I’d love to read your responses in the COMMENTS section below, including any writing your might have done with the photos as prompts.
In addition to simply cutting into a vegetable and then taking pictures, I went into creative mode by locating, positioning, and repositioning my subject matter. I became attuned to the differences by changing points-of-view. When you are in “stuck” situations, do you remember to look at them from different angles?
Lastly, are you aware of the number of ways in which you shift into creativity to make a difference for yourself?
As always, have fun with this.
Programs I recommend:
for Creavity, Writing and Getting to Expand your Knowledge of Yourself
Although not planned as such, my concluding query on knowing yourself and your creative strengths, interestingly, leads right into my friend, and mentor, Julie Jordan Scott’s one-week March Intensive Writing Camp starting this upcoming Monday, March 8th.
These five days with Julie are only $27, an incredible value! Get all the details at WRITERS CAMP.
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Today’s post will be, of necessity, a demonstration of “less is more” – fewer words than usual on my part. So many of them around the “right” words have been running around my head that I allowed myself to stay stalled. I’ve been wanting to ensure that you understand what’s available for you in my upcoming Through and From the Lens Course, starting this Tuesday, January 19th.
It offers new insights, artistry and breakthroughs through the discipline and guidance of photography. There is an affiliate program through which those of you in business can promote this course. See Affiliate for more information.
Today’s Photo represents another story or set of stories that have been running
around in my head. I purchased two new, beautiful red onions last week to continue my RED ONION STORY (email me if you wish the link for the first – “onion story” in the subject) and I’ve been creating stories, in my head, around the new ones all week, continuing to observe analogies in my life.
Today, in addition to passive observing I declared the bold action of taking the first cut and then more.
My photo/seeing course offers an easy, enjoyable way of taking first, fun cuts in your own life using a digital camera.
Without any more story around today’s photo, I’m inviting you to be with it, without prompts on my part.
Later, I will share some of my observations here on my blog. Check there tomorrow. Even before I add comments though, I invite you to share your experience in the comments section under this post.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Where in your life might there be places you are allowing yourself to be pinned down by stories you’re telling yourself or by waiting to say the “perfect” thing?
If you see something I invite you to take action NOW.
And, please do yourself a favor. Check out the Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course,
4 weeks, starting Tuesday evening, January 19th, or Wednesday morning, January 20th.
In this course you will be opening and expanding communication as you start seeing things you’ve never before noticed in your own world; get to make and share your own unique discoveries; learn to use your digital camera so it becomes your best friend, producing photos you’re proud to share.
For specifics and registration see Through and From the Lens Course.-
More Upcoming Important Events in which I am participating. You can too. –
1 – My friend, amazing Adela Rubio has just started a week of Conscious Business Summit: Mastering the Inner Game a global network of Conscious Business Experts(TM) ready to power up your potential in just 11 days.
Adela states: “Have You Put Off Your Dream to Start a Business Because There’s Always Something That Seems To Get In The Way . . .
Guess What? Chances Are That Something is You!
For specifics and registration see Through and From the Lens Course.
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You may be wondering, “Why onion photos again?” I had intended to go back to birds, or other nature photos, for this issue, and then these photographs kept popping out whenever I opened my photo files. A few weeks ago, for the last session of the June Through and From the Lens course, I purchased a new red onion. While at the supermarket the red garlic caught my eye, along with the white garlic which I needed for cooking; so I bought all three.
After photographing them separately and together from many angles and holding them in my hands, I became so attached to the “personalities” and “feel” of the three above that I bought new ones with which to work during the teleclass.
I’m following my instincts in continuing sharing them here, recognizing that there is something “calling” to me with these particular vegetables and hope they will thus resonate in some way with you. One thing I know for sure, is I’m delighted with how long they last in the original state, with no change or deterioration, from the time I purchase them.
For those who missed it, earlier this month I wrote on Onion #4, which you can see on the BLOG – Looking at the Old Newly
TODAY’S PHOTOS –
I am not what it is in the top photo of the garlic bulb in my hand that “grabs” me each time I look at it. The image is seemingly making a strong statement.
As you can see I grouped the three together, on my white kitchen counter, and then on the underside of a black styrofoam tray to get the contrast. I was only going to include one of these two photos here since they are so similar. Then when I looked again, I saw the feel was different, beyond the lighting contrasts.
In the third photograph the onion seems to be looking at the red garlic very protectively, as the latter nestles up to it. And, I’m wondering, in addition to the focus being slightly closer, if the fact that the white garlic’s position is altered, ever so slightly, is what makes the difference. Perhaps it’s that the latter is extra bright here and the other “needs” protection (in the imaginary sense).
I’ve included the fourth photo of the red garlic alone, slightly altered in color by Photoshop Elements, because now it looks like a piece of art. In addition to the colors, I love the rhythm and swirl in the whole shape.
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
By altering positions, “points of view”, in the onion and garlic bulbs above, we get a different feeling or communication.
Relating this now to you and going to one of my favorite Self-Reflecting Queries, I invite you to look into your own life. Are there places where you are facing challenges, places where a slight alteration of perspective might give you a whole new take on the matter? If a particular challenge surfaces for you, I invite you to “hold” it in your hand, if not literally, then figuratively. See if and how you can become friends with it. What opens up for you now?
Furthering my own Self-Reflections – For me, right now, I am looking at what it is in the red onion and, now, the added garlic that has me so intrigued and moved.
I’m realizing there is a passion in here for the “stories” I see in them. Last night, I wrote in Facebook, that I am open to finding a collaborator (a children’s writer, educator or idea person) who would enjoy co-creating with me products that would make an empowering difference in how children (and adults) see their worlds. This is a new opening and stepping out for me.
Lastly, if you have gotten this far in viewing and reading, and you have any strong emotional reaction one way or another to my featuring onions and garlic, I invite you to look at what’s coming up for you in terms of your own life in relation to your response.
As always, put fun into it. Where will you find faces and smiles today?
ATTENTION – WRITERS, or WANNA-BE WRITERS – If you are interested in doing more exploration in writing for yourself, my friend and mentor Julie Jordan Scott is Introducing the Summer Writing Intensive Creativity Camp (at Home or wherever you happen to be) See SUMMER WRITING CAMP for details.
MORE OF MY WRITING – If you appreciate my writing, you might find interesting what I’ve been posting on my WRITING FOR HEALING blog.
FOR ANY WANNA-BE BLOGGERS –
I don’t know if the following fits for you, and I thought I would pass it on in the event that you are one who has been wanting to set up your own blog, but have gotten frustrated with the technical stuff. My friend Traci Knoppe has put together a very easy to understand and use 4-week ecourse, with simple step-by-step procedures. You can learn more at BEGINNER TO BLOGGER.
Start-Up Business Owners –
If you are a start-up business, or know of one, I also have a website, listing and describing other helpful businesses I know, use and recommend. See SOURCES FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT.
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