Superhero Photo Challenge: Color Spectrum

I realize that I've been waiting to post, for that exact right moment when I'm not feeling fragmented and distracted. That moment when I'm not simultaneously checking my email, packaging a jewelry order, and wondering if we're too late to apply for preschools or if Ben needs therapy for his chewing issues. And speaking of food, do we have any food in the fridge? and oh yeah, I should probably brush my teeth today. Now which numbers of plastic are bad for you? Better throw away our Nalgenes today. Maybe after one more espresso.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, fragments.

My life is a little chopped up at the moment. My phone calls are all in little slices (call you back, baby just had a poo!) my work is fragmented throughout the day between his naps. My sleep is still fragmented by trips to Ben's room for soothing or milk. Sometimes I feel like I don't give anything my full attention, that everything and everyone gets a little bit less of me than before. Nevertheless, I've been learning to make peace with the the fragmented life.

I posted the above photo because as I look at these paint chips, I see how beautiful this cut up little landscape can be, little bits of color strung together (some you like and some you don't) but together they make quite a stunning composition. This is the lens through which I want to see my life right now. Little bits of beauty, or hurt, or tiredness, or joy all bound together. If you stand back just a little bit you can see how it all fits together and makes something beautiful.

This is what I offer as a photo challenge today. Find a color spectrum.... it could be leaves, or paint, spools of thread, a set of colored pencils, or even buoys.

Then notice how you need the drab icky taupes, the mustardy yellows, the pukey greens, the shapeless greys. Notice how you need all of them to make the spectrum beautiful. Notice that if you only had your favorite colors, the composition would be less rich, textured and ultimately less beautiful.

Comments

[jen]

mines up :)

[Arlene]

Just a touch of spectrum & a splash of light.

http://arlenestarr.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/something-new/

[Marcie]

A spring spectrum:
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/04/red-and-gold.html
And just for fun..an autumn one as well:
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/11/sugar-coated.html

[Shelli]

Oh my gosh! I love all these photos! Especially the one of the buoys. I will look for more color as I take my photos.

Here's one I took recently with a little color:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#29

[Karen]

I've been lurking here for months, but decided to join in today. Here's mine:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8243804@N08/2460773855/

[cuzamora]

Markets http://www.flickr.com/photos/74752856@N00/2431935768/
and crayons http://www.flickr.com/photos/74752856@N00/2429269269/
and people http://www.flickr.com/photos/74752856@N00/2431118321/

Oh My!

[Andie]

Paint and spoons:
http://wifemotherpainter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/project-spoons.html

[Kathleen]

Don't feel like this is worthy of a "superhero" challenge...but it has pretty colors. And a great story...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2460957789/

[Kimberly]

When you mentioned needing the dull khakis and greys for the colors to pop, this shot came to mind:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/polichick/210175723/in/set-72157594229316005/

[camerashymomma]

i hear ya on the fragmented life bit. little by little, right? color by color. i took this photo awhile ago. but it seems to fit the challenge today. great post! http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/1402655479/

[sandra]

Here's mine. I recently took pictures of my son's watercolors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artfullife/2396893826/

[Chris]

Taken during last year's vacation at Legoland.
http://flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2461458385/

[Kelly]

I have a whole Flickr set called "It's All About Color"! Colorful shots always make me smile.

This is one of my all-time favorite color spectrum shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2314205281/in/set-72157604051387756/

A lovely palette: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2313557636/in/set-72157604051387756/

Beautiful Easter eggs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2352693751/in/set-72157604051387756/

[Amy Nabors]

this is the first time i've been able to do any of the challenges. just posted mine on my blog- my spools of thread. really enjoyed this challenge.

[Ginny]

Found some old pictures that totally reminded me of this...can't wait to find some new opportunities to put more color in my photos!

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/shutter-sisters-superhero-challenge.html

[Heather]

Funfunfun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2462060985/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2462893638/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2462060099/

[Tricia]

So funny that you mentioned those buoys, I thought they looked familiar, and I actually photographed those same buoys last weekend in Rockport, MA.

My take on those here: http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/p_7951.jpg

and here:
http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/p_7974.jpg

and another 'spectrum' shot, my daughter's favorite umbrella, here:
http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/p_7557.jpg

and here:
http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/p_7565.jpg

[renee]

Nothing to post this time but I love the inspiration and beautiful photos.

[Liz]

Mines is posted. It was taken almost two years ago. I love this challenge and all the beautiful colors.

[Rachel Parton]

crafting colors:
http://flickr.com/photos/25753692@N06/2463355626/

[lizziemarie]

here are some colors I found at home today.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2463367184/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2463366548/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2463365722/

[Lawyer Mama]

The drab background makes the peacock all that more beautiful.

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2341789565/in/set-72157603638375698/

[Tracy]

What a great post and challenge!

Here's my spectrum photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/2463827826/

[Thea]

I found great comfort in this post. This is me too lately and I also want to embrace the fragments:)

I will try this challenge.

Thanks for letting me appreciate the yucky colors too.

XO

[cloudscome]

I am enjoying these and learning a lot. Here's mine: Spanish classroom windows. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudscome/2456987971/

[Mama DB]

oooo, fun assignment!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2464118701_3aee1d41fd_b.jpg

[organized chaos]

Thanks for the challenge it was fun. Here is mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23906601@N02/2464711552/

[Kelly]

Lovely lovely color shots!

I wanted to play too, so here is mine:

http://flyingmermaid.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/for-shutter-sisters-color-spectrum/

[kim]

Ok, my first challenge. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://scrap-to-my-lu.blogspot.com

[sarah]

How about some Sharpie love?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51674556@N00/2179548918/in/set-72157603636975954/

[psumommy]

A little late, but here's mine- http://psumommy.livejournal.com/114125.html .

[Dawn]

shampoo and conditioner bottles @ my salon...

http://nolegirl.typepad.com/my_weblog/

[Sheri]

love this post (and not just because it IS my life).

here's my color-ish snap: http://www.flickr.com/photos/storygoil/2466967162/

[Abra]

Thank you Andrea. After reading your post I was fortunate to focus on color for the rest of my day. I captured what I could and hope that you will enjoy even if I am belated in responding to your challenge. The photos are not as sharp as I usually take as I am still learning my little point & shoot.

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/05/color-overload.html

[allie]

i love all the colorful contributions. here is mine:
http://simple-pie.blogspot.com/2008/05/superhero-photo-challenge-color.html

[m]

vintage cashmere jerseys

http://creativevoyage.blogspot.com/2008/05/spectrum.html

[m]

http://creativevoyage.blogspot.com/2008/05/march-08-libertys-london-display-of.html

multiple colour display of clogs at my favourite department store Liberty's in London.