Eavesdropping on an Angel

ISO 800  26.8mm  f/5.0  1/220sec  6/16/2010

What would a angel child be praying for?  The dreams on the hearts of children are simple and pure.  If only we could remember what they were after the ravages of time and heartbreak have weathered them away.

Beauty is in the Details

 ISO 800  14.3mm  f/4.4  1/80sec  6/16/2010

 ISO 800  14.3mm  f/4.4  1/13sec  6/16/2010

ISO 800  14.3mm  f/4.4  1/15sec  6/16/2010

I rarely stop to appreciate the intricate details in flowers.  I tend to glance over them, call them "pretty" and move on.  Boy, was I missing out.  These pictures reveal the mini-landscapes you can discover if you stop to look a little closer.

Beginnings in Photography

ISO100  5mm  f/3.5  1/250sec  BW  6/15/2010

I am taking a basic photography class.  I have learned so much in the last week I can't keep it all in my head.  The exciting part is that I will learn how to transition from thinking about "taking" pictures to "making" photographs.  Photography literally means "drawing with light".  Not only does that sound like a romantic idea, it is exactly the creative outlet I have been looking for.  In the short time that I have begun this journey I am looking at the things around me differently.  Whether it is actually stopping to look at something I have never seen or stopping to look at something that I have seen dozens of times and never considered how it might be represented artistically.  I have to consider what seems interesting to me, something I rarely take the time to think about.  I have to pay attention to lighting, patterns, textures, and combinations of colors.  All of these things are an integral part of what makes a photograph moving or thought provoking. Some scenes are more interesting in color, others in black and white.  Then there is the opportunity to improve an image with tools that enhance the camera's natural limitations.  With digital photogrpahy you can make mistakes with no cost, making the possibilities endless.  There is no right or wrong, just the impression left on the person viewing the picture.

Flowers from McDonald's

Spring has Sprung

And so it begins again. Spring has sprung and everything is dripping green. Not summer green where the occasional lack of rain leaves everything a pale, almost dirty green. No, this green is rich and dynamic, almost like you can feel the trees breathing as they come back to life. The flowers poke back out of the ground to see the sun return and soak in its energy. The birds are so very busy in their tasks as they chatter back and forth to each other. The spring babies open their eyes to see the world for the first time as their mothers watch carefully over them. The world is waking up. It stretches and yawns, ready for the challenge. It has been a good sleep, restful and refreshing. 

This is all so very "natural", obviously because this is the way life continues, with instinct and purpose. There is no argument or fussing. This is the way it works, so this is what must be done. 

But humans reject these notions. They fuss, they argue, they do so many things that are contrary to the way the rest of nature behaves. They don't sleep when they should, eat what they should, or do any of the other things that ensure a healthy relationship with their own bodies and the other organisms they rely upon and who depend on them. How has the human species survived for goodness sake? 

It must be that for as perfect as the design of creation (whether coincidental or divine) is, there is a range of tolerance for imperfection. And sometimes those imperfections are the raw material for new life.

I wonder if my own imperfections can be the basis for a new life. This is why Spring is such an inspiration to me.

The Statistics are Staggering

I found it difficult to watch the Today show this morning.  They featured Bristol Palin taliking about the new PSA campaign she is working on trying to educate teens against the perils of pregnancy.  They repeated the phrase "the statistics are staggering" more than once.  I thought to myself, what is so staggering about those statistics?  The fact that teenagers have sex and get pregnant should not really be so shocking.  What is shocking to me is that society sees pregnancies brought to term as the "heartbreaking" side of the coin.  What percentage of those teenagers grow into being albeit a young parent, but a parent nonetheless.  Yes they struggle to finish school, and some don't.  They struggle to find a job to support themselves, and some are more successful than others.  But just like the rest of a bell curve, there are those that successful in life despite any obstacles and they are stronger because of it.  Then there are those who are the bottom of the curve who never seem to catch a break and life continues to be one crisis after another.  Chances are their life would have been that way regardless.  Ok, so back to Bristol Palin.  Do teenagers need to be educated about the consequences of sex?  Absolutely.  From pregnancy to STD's to sexual abuse, they need to understand the physical and emotional consequences of their choices.  But to take the stance that the all teen pregnancy is a "tradegy" worthy of solemn looks and heavy hearts is to refuse to acknowledge that there just as many stories of young men and women who rose to the challenge, did the right thing, and their lives have been enriched by the child they brought into the world, not destroyed by it.

The Biggest Loser

So this has stayed with me for a few days.  I caught a few minutes of the show "The Biggest Loser" the other day.  This show seems to be a cross between "Survivor" and "Celebrity Fit Club".  They go through challenges and weigh-ins and get eliminated if they don't lose a certain percentage of their body weight each week as compared to the other contestants.  What struck me is that these people have put themselves up there to be gawked at like a sideshow.  Then they get upset when they don't lose a certain amount each week, as if losing something isn't good enough.  On top of that, they are upset when they don't lose upwards of 5-10 lbs. EACH week.  This is ridiculous.  Even if these people had perfect nutrition and exercise throughout the week, they shouldn't lose that much.  That's not healthy or sustainable, besides the fact that they are beating themselves up!  What took the "cake" for me was when the host declared to the contestant just eliminated, "I am sorry, but you will not be the Biggest Loser".  Are you kidding me?  Like she was supposed to say "oh, no"?!?!