bizarre

Have you ever spotted a scene so bizarre and other-worldly that you couldn't get your camera out fast enough? Your fingers fumbling with the camera settings at lightning speed, fearing that the moment might disappear. I don't know about you, but it's moments like these when I don't care how ridiculous I look - on my knees with my head 3 inches from the ground. As long as I get the shot.

Or is that just me?

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!

When You Look

When you look through the lens, you may find...

the weariness reserved for little girls up way past their bedtime,

the beauty of innocence,

the sweetness of waiting,

a new Alice in Wonderland ready for a new world, a new Queen, a brave new adventure,

a too long forgotten, tender lost part of you, waiting to be claimed once again.

Oh the things you will find, when you look through the lens.

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What are you finding when you look through your lens today? Tell us all things simple and true in the comments today, and don't forget links to your unique point of view.

This End Up

Have you ever seen a photo that was difficult to decipher? A picture that questioned your mind’s eye and turned logic on its ear? An image full of mystery and intrigue that begged the question, what the heck is that?

The shot above was taken from street level, lens pointing straight up as I leaned against the wall of a hotel in San Francisco. The architecture is what drew me in; ornate and opulent in its detail and curves. The angle felt dizzy enough but the window’s shape and reflection was the visual component that added that little extra huh? to the image.

Have you captured something that made you question what was really happening? Something that was both compelling and confusing? Disorient us today.

Hand it Over

Sometimes as I'm clicking away, making sure to record each event or small detail in our lives, I have to remind myself to hand over that precious camera and ask someone else to take my picture. On this day, it was my husband John. We were at an Earth Day festival in the park and I was busy taking pictures of our surroundings and of him. But I made sure to plop the camera in his hands and say "Will you take a picture of me so people know I exist?" Sometimes I worry that my future children will look at our old photo albums and ask me if I was even there. So I try to make an effort to be in a few shots at every occasion, no matter how small. So consider this your reminder! Don't be afraid to hand over the camera and ask someone to capture your beautiful face.

Has anyone taken your picture with your camera lately? If so, leave a link in the comments. And self portraits don't count this time!