a story of hands

I find hands fascinating.  They are as diverse as the people they are attached to.  Large, small, strong, graceful, flexible, young, old, soft, or weathered.  I feel they hold stories all their own.  What have they held?  What have they made?  What work have they done?  We use our hands every moment of every day, most times not paying much attention.  We eat ~ touch ~ create ~ speak ~ love with our hands.   The same pair of hands can be fiercely strong one moment and then gentle the next.  We clap them in celebration.  We use them to make music.  We cup them to catch tears.  We grasp them in solidarity.  We offer them in greeting.  

 The other evening my husband was working with some bread dough.  I was drawn to the rhythm of his hands.  Like a dance they moved together then apart, never hesitating.  I especially liked this shot above.  One hand steady and still as the other moved wildly alone.  Those hands creating bread for us to eat.  Those hands that have held mine for many years now.  Those hands that once cradled our babies.  Those hands have many stories, some of which i know and are a part of, and some that will forever remain a mystery to me.   I like those hands.  

Today, share a story of someone's hands you know.

Comments

[Rebekah]

Such beautiful and inspiring stories and images! I love my children's hands and how they are constantly exploring the world around them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fullofbliss/4276023808/

[georgia]

i love hands, too. why they are so photographable, i don't know. it's funny too, 'cause i don't like my hands. i used to, but they are beginning to show my age, so i don't like them as of recently. but i love other's hands in photos. your image is so beautifully lit .

just tonight, i listened to a great interview of elliott erwitt about his latest book called "hanndbook" -- all photos of hands throughout the course of his profession as a photographer. here is a link to the interview:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1186040

so you see how i think this post is very timely.

as did the interview that i listened to earlier, your post made me think of some shots i took of my mama's hands last september:
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/09/please-pray.html
if my father were still alive, i would so love to photograph his calloused carpenter hands.

[Naveen]

Hi,

As i see everyone praising other's hands (dad's,Mom's,Boy friend's,Girl friend's,Husband's), i once happened to shoot my own hand with canon SX 120 IS and my hand was filled with seashells. Hope you all will enjoy it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46288512@N07/4255901478/sizes/l/in/set-72157623163951510/

[Michele]

My great Niece's hands -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalimom/4276661247/

[Willy]

Beautiful post! Last week I wrote two posts about hands:

http://gekakel.blogspot.com/2010/01/handen-ineen-voor-haiti.html

and

http://gekakel.blogspot.com/2010/01/handen-heb-je-om-te-geven.html

There is a translator on my site; it's all about sharing, to help Haiti.

[DianaDonaldson26]

People in every country receive the <a href="http://lowest-rate-loans.com/topics/credit-loans">credit loans</a> in different banks, just because it's easy.

[FRANKIESanders24]

The <a href="http://lowest-rate-loans.com/topics/home-loans">lowest-rate-loans.com</a> are very useful for guys, which would like to organize their own company. In fact, that is very comfortable to receive a financial loan.

[AlineSANFORD28]

I think that to get the <a href="http://lowest-rate-loans.com/topics/home-loans">home loans</a> from creditors you ought to have a great motivation. But, once I've got a financial loan, just because I was willing to buy a building.

[ROBINSONEloise20]

The <a href="http://lowest-rate-loans.com/topics/home-loans">home loans</a> seem to be important for guys, which are willing to ground their career. In fact, it's very comfortable to get a auto loan.