A Thousand (Whispered) Words

Let's be honest, people.  There's a plethora of technically and aesthetically UNideal things about this photo.  For starters, no one's in clear focus.  The angle's a bit off kilter.  The black blob of a window frame is taking up a good quarter third of the shot.  The steam on the window is making Cadence's dress look all smudgy.  And that blurry hand is partially obscuring my friend Heather, the should've-been primary subject.  Overall, it looks like I accidentally clicked the shutter while tripping up the steps to my friend Mikey's porch.  For all I know, that may be exactly what happened.

Someone whose heartstrings are not attached to the people and moment captured in this photo may have very easily deleted the shot without a second thought.  For me, however, it was an instant favorite.  It's got magic crackling, the slice-of-life quality, that softer side.  You see, this one image conjures up for me a treasure trove of little personal tidbits and intimate moments that only I and my friends from that night are privy to.  For example, I know that there are adorable toadstools on the front of Cadenc's seemingly smudged dress, which I had found hiding forgotten and forlorn in the back of her closet that very evening.  Heather is entertaining all the guests doing goofy tricks on a big silver exercise ball.  The steam on the windows was made partly by the warmth in our hearts and partly from the indescribably delicious Ghanaian stew our host Mikey had made. That blurry hand belongs to my beloved and easily enthused friend Johnny, who was probably cheering on his much loved Heather.  Friendships spanning multiple states and continents, backyard chickens and bicycles, first kisses and percussive jam sessions--the stories are all there, in the hushed whispers of faded colors, soft light, subtle lines and dark shadows.  It doesn't bother me at all that I may be the only one who can hear them.

Mistakes, milestones or pure magic, share with us your images that whisper a thousand words--even if it's in your ears alone.  And in honor of National Delurking Day which was this past Monday, if you've never commented or shared an image of yours with us before, I invite you to jump in and join the party.  We'd be delighted if you'd say hello and perhaps share a link to an image that speaks to you.

We'd also like to mention that we will be honoring the big changes that America will be making this Tuesday. We will be participating in a special inaugural photo and post project that was brought to our attention by Alice at Peapods. We encourage you to join us. One photo - 44 words. Sounds great to us!

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

HELLO TO YOU, MY DEAR!!!!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2008/12/there-is-party-dicembre.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3171550082/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3145222174/

[Marcie]

I love this image. In spite of its technical imperfections..it speaks of life and relationships and - yes - that we are all imperfect beings. Here's a little 'magic' of mine:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=661

[ELK]

wonderful stories in these images of friendship!


a day of memories as we go through a box of books:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2721940523

[cloudscom]

With so many gray days this winter I just can't get enough of the few bright sunny days. I work in a library with huge picture windows that face West. When the afternoon sun is streaming in on the geraniums I have to leave my desk and forget about the stacks of books waiting to be reshelved, sit down with the kids that are quietly reading, and soak up the warmth. I can't stop taking photos of these geraniums in the sun. http://sandycovetrail.blogspot.com/2009/01/sitting-in-winter-sun.html

[kath]

Mine is also of a party. An impromptu visit with a friend of a friend turned into an evening of great enjoyment and everything converged to make it a perfect dinner party in our back garden

http://3yrplan.typepad.com/photos/kaths_photos/2008-08-17_3503.html

[Catharina]

Delurking to say that I love this site!

While taking this picture, I actually lost a memory card (this was back when they still cost a TON). I noticed hours later, when the snow had almost doubled and it was around midnight on my birthday. I went back with a few friends and after a bit of digging, I actually found it. Talk about birthday luck :-)

http://thiswindow.blogspot.com/2005/01/since-i-have-no-car-to-de-ice-or-skid_27.html

[Lori]

Whispered words...beautiful way to describe memories.

http://flickr.com/photos/momof4at5280/3206730628/

[Kelly]

We were picking up our Christmas tree when I caught this little girl flying into her father's arms. The only place the camera focused was on his hold on her, but this shot found its way into my heart as one of my all-time favorite camera moments.

http://anahnauwr.smugmug.com/gallery/7086754_YeDzn/1/456873982_CBKaZ/Large

[Kelly]

And let me just say - I LOVE your photo!

[~ kristina ~]

What a lovely image!

Whispers of magic one afternoon this week:
http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/01/clear-cool-day.html

[Cherie S.]

I've lurked on this site for some time and very much enjoy looking at all of the images and reading the posts. I shoot many different subjects but this one is very special to me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cstangis/2800952958/

This was actually shot with my point and shoot!

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

Great topic-this is my spur-of-the-moment, capture their tatoo machismo image. Not all I wanted it to be--nevertheless, I was looking for a picture for of the moment

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheryldoran-girard/3057617662/

[Wanda]

The photo is wonderful and the writing is delicious. Thank you for letting me in on your story. It's like I was right there in that moment with you.

[Sharon]

I love the "accidents." This week my boys, who have started fighting a lot, took a break and were completely enjoying each other and being silly. No time to change the ISO or fool with the camera. This is what I got, and it is a perfect reminder that under all the fighting, there is still a lot of love.

http://flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3195140519/

[hi kooky]

Great post. Love the words, love the shot. Mostly, I love the words and the shot together. Thanks for sharing.

[Charlane]

I love slice of life shots or "happy accidents" - this one was caught while driving one day and I immediately thought of Traci French and her shots of balloons.
http://flickr.com/photos/charlaneg/3202383149/

[Julie Alvarez]

I get the idea, totally.
I can share these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3183172551/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3196075274/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3196799351/

[Karyn]

I love this one I took this summer. Enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3206500241/

[Mod GIrl]

Two days ago... a sweet, funny moment captured with my little boy.

http://modobjectathome.blogspot.com/2009/01/wooden-snake.html

[mandy]

Gah! You caught me! Happy Belated Delurking Day! :) I don't even think the term 'novice' can describe my photography skills yet, but I'd like to do and learn more. My 'mistake' picture was caught in a quick moment on New Year's Eve, while my fiance and our two best friends were sharing a laugh at our traditional NYE spot. The picture's blurry and there's a weird flash in the middle, but it captures our true essence of friendship that can't be worn down by our layoffs, her oldest boy's Crohn's disease or my FIL's stage 4 lymphoma. I've found so much comfort in this picture of our friends.

(Scroll to the 2nd pic) :)

http://californiacheesemaid.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-eve-2008-marked-our-third.html

[Lizabeth]

Yes indeed. These photos are hidden family gems...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindwhisperings/3191666453/

[Toni]

I got this shot because of Sarah's previous post, Carpe Diem. It isn't the best photo, but I like it and it is a milestone post for me - I asked a stranger if I could take his picture:

http://dailyvignette.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/stranger-no-danger/

[tixie]

This is from Christmas - playing with camera settings, trying to get a shot of the slinky - my niece decides to ham it up for the camera... it's my desktop background - makes me smile with pure joy...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tixie12866/3207931216/

[Monica]

I found this blog only yesterday - I happened upon it quite by chance! In fact, I can't remember now what led me here - I was clicking around and browsing through blogs and tada! found you! :)

I came back today, because it looked right up my alley! I'm 22 and photography is one of my pet hobbies. I bought my first (110 mm! :)) camera at a garage sale with my *own* money when I was 7 or 8. I moved up to a 35 mm several years later and got my first digital camera when I turned 19. For my 21st birthday, my parents gave me an Olympus D-SLR, which is still my baby. :D

I've learned a few things from books and other things from trial and error. I've never taken any classes on photography, although it's on my "wish list" of things to do. Anyway, my love of photography runs pretty deep - my family, two and three generations back, was into processing their own prints at home...!

But enough said - I'm thrilled to have stumbled across your blog and I hope to share in it for a long time to come! :)

Monnie

[Shalet]

It seems that none of my photos are technically just so. But I keep on clicking ... to record moments and to symbolize my thoughts. Here are my thoughts (and less than perfect photo) from today:

http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-spy.html

[Monica]

Hm... my url didn't work that last time... maybe this'll work. Sorry about that!

[jody]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2781233197/in/set-72157607537558571/

A technically poor photo but FULL of memorys of our friend Joan's wedding. I esp love it that my friend was also snapping my hubby as he snapped us lol.

[Marcy]

I took one photo at a family birthday party that I kept looking at and thinking I should delete, as it was a bad picture. But I came to find it my favorite of the night, as it captured quite nicely the blur of activity and energy that are get-togethers with my large family. =)

http://flickr.com/photos/mightymarce/3132520918/in/set-72157611464807541/

[P2H]

I actually love this photo. There's something warm and spontaneous about the shot. Besides, what color there is stands out against the black window frame.

[whitney]

I love this post and your photo and storytelling. The concept just speaks to me because I treasure those photos that conjure up magic beyond the blur and technical "errors" - art emerges in curious ways.

[Bunny]

I have a whole bunch of blurry yet, lovelies...here's one from this week:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherbunny/3200664169/
and an old one I posted a long time ago for love Thursday, perhaps my favorite blurry moment:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherbunny/2216469179/in/set-72157602406182844/
I read every day and follow the Flickr stream, although it's quantity is often overwhelming. I am encouraged and inspired everyday by the shutter sisters.

[Puna]

I have way too many imperfect photos to show here but I wanted to thank you for this post. It is embracing the imperfect and never feeling inadequate for it.

[sheSaid]

One of our first hand in hand walks. This memory is his hand in mine is seared into me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplehouseonpearl/2945007343/

[alice]

Thank you for mentioning the idea for Tuesday! :)

[ginny]

I was trying to get a last picture of me in my 20's using my tripod and I was way too zoomed in. When I first looked at this pic on my camera, I didn't think I had anything decent. When I pulled it up on my computer, I completely changed my mind and realized it was a pretty good shot after all!

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-eve-of-30.html

[melissa hanson]

so excited you'll be participating in 44 tomorrow! thank you!

[June]

A thought-inspiring post. Here's mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/junedel/3216683949/

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