"When you
train your eyes to see the magic and miracles in the little things, you open
the door for your whole life to shift."
- Carol Woodliff
The warmish February afternoon was perfect for
shooting. Megan grabbed her bow and
arrows. I grabbed my Nikon.
I left Megan at the archery range to wander on the paths.
A lovely older lady watched me as she walked down the
path, "I have to ask" she said, "What
are you taking pictures of?"
"The milkweed pods." I say with a smile.
She replied in one, short, curt, disapproving syllable,
"Oh."
I started to open my mouth to explain...I wanted to tell her
how a few pods are open exposing their fluffy seeds. I wanted to
tell her if you look close you can see all the different textures and
the many shades of brown in the woods. I
wanted to show her what she didn't see...
But before I could utter a word, she had turned and walked
away.
There is a knowing within me that this world is
beautiful. It is a viewpoint not on the
highlight reels of the evening news, but I believe it with my whole heart. In nature, still life or real life, there is beauty to be found. I, we, just have to look for it.
One of the many reasons why I take pictures is to capture the beauty in my world. I want to point out beauty to those who may overlook it, including myself at times, and maybe...make the part of the world I touch a happier place.
I wish I could have shared all this with the lady at the park, maybe next time...
One of the many reasons why I take pictures is to capture the beauty in my world. I want to point out beauty to those who may overlook it, including myself at times, and maybe...make the part of the world I touch a happier place.
I wish I could have shared all this with the lady at the park, maybe next time...
Where have you found beauty in your world today?
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Have a great day!
Michelle
Oh, Michelle, I'm sitting here laughing out loud about the lady on your walk. When my camera is in my hand I find my mind gathering in bits of nature, scenes in a landscape, all the beautiful things out there going unnoticed by so many. I love your seedpods and the winter colors of brown bark. Loved reading your beautifully spoken words! Have a wonderful day, and thank you so much for sharing from your corner in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteSo true and I have had this happen to me so many times when I am out walking with my camera. It is a blessed thing we have as photographer lovers, knowing the true beauty in the details. Love these browns and this time of year for all the treasures to be found if only you look and see.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Been there too. I love to enjoy all of life's little things that make it special. The pods are so pretty and event the brown colors are too. I hope that you are well. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you wanted to run up and stop that lady to say...Look, Look, See what you are missing! You capture with your camera the beauty of nature all around us.
ReplyDeleteYou know the sad thing? This lady probably doesn't notice the little things...I love these pods. When I grew milkweed for the monarchs and the pods opened with all that fluff...it was a beautiful sight. Great post Michelle.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tones! So whimsical and lovely. :) Thank you for sharing your voice in words and images, Michelle. Always a treat!! Happy weekend!!
ReplyDeleteAll of these photo's are beautiful..I especially love the first one...just so whispy and light...Sometimes it's hard to explain to someone why we do what we do. They just don't see like we do...but yes, maybe next time she will understand if she slows down just a bit.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great story - and something I'm learning to do, to take a closer look at what may seem ordinary. Your photos are definitely not ordinary and really do capture the beauty in these pods!
ReplyDeleteI have encountered that question many times, usually while I am lying on my stomach trying to get a down low shot. Not a good position for giving any believable answer. Some people won't get it until it is printed and hanging on a gallery wall, and even then...maybe not, but that's their problem not ours, they people that are meant to see it will also understand it.
ReplyDeleteI was also asked this question when I was trying to capture little yellow wildflowers growing by a wooden fence in a village, they may not have seemed striking enough. I felt a bit foolish and the truth is that the photo didn't result in any breathtaking image but I still have it and will always remember the scene. I think that being able to see these little miracles is a gift, they enrich one's life so much, so instead of feeling foolish, I would choose feeling grateful nowadays... Thank you for sharing what you saw, I love that last photo with the bark. I wouldn't have seen it this way without you! :)
ReplyDeleteBeauty can be found in infinite quantities...especially when you aren't looking for it. I love your title of this series...it has been known that the color brown represents wholesomeness, security, and stability, which I detect in these pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe milkweed pods are beautiful! How could you have not taken a picture of them. This is the real beauty of photography I think - to find the overlooked beauty, the beauty in decay. I sometimes look for that when I go through my garden and look at the flowers and plants that are beyond their prime. The texture and shape often is so interesting. The monochromatic look in your images make them even more special.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you see the tiny details of nature and all that surrounds you. The milk weed pods are pretty. Keep taking those sweet pictures, Michelle, and keep seeing the beauty of God's world each time you do. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
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DeleteWe've actually had a couple spring like days, but it's been raining non stop for a long time. Today is sunny and pretty. Have a lovely Wednesday, Michelle. :)
DeleteGreat post! I, too, love the pods! Thank you for sharing your "views"! Aloha!
ReplyDelete