SUPER NOVA

"Super Nova" may seem like a rather forceful name (to say the least) for the center of a dying rose. However, it struck me as I looked at that sort of swirl where the seed stamens are still rooted and at how all the curves of the petals seem to radiate outward that they're not all that different. Transformation is just happening at a nano-level and slowed way down, but is equally awesome. And when I think on it, this sort of amazing change is happening all the time, in everything. Just sometimes in a more obvious, observable way. So it seems I could also call this photo simply "Sand Mandala," for the complex on-going transformation we call existence. (Sigh, the heavy titles some of my simple photos must carry on their backs.)

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

FAIRIES LEAD THE WAY

Hoo-kay. I'll fess up. I've wanted to post "Fairies Lead the Way" since first editing it, but just didn't have the courage. However, on seeing it again today I'm intensely drawn to the fairyland feel of it. I can imagine something similar illustrating one of the fantasy books I often read before sleep at night. By the way, those blue "fairies" at the bottom were large red blossoms that were falling apart. Yet even in their original akimbo red gowns I could see a suggestion of fairy wings ....

Which comment leads me to something I'm thinking more and more often as I post to this blog. I've been noting how much my highly associative imaginings determine what I choose to photograph, and even more so what I then do post production. I wonder if my imaginings aren't too "far out" (beyond the communal pale, i.e. too personal) for others to relate to. (Same is true for my poetry, especially those based on dreams.) I suppose there are folk who don't worry about a viewer or communicating. And at a very primary level, neither do I. But a blog is by definition about sharing with others. So just what am I sharing and what would I hope others might get from it? I suppose, as I've stressed with respect to my poetry, that they bring themselves, their experiences, to my pix and see what happens.

I hasten to add that the above paragraph is not intended to address issues such as artistic values (e.g. composition) or technical aspects (e.g. focus, white balance, etc.). But what I experience as the joyful creative imperative of imagination and where that leads me to wander.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

FOUND COLLAGE

"Found Collage" is brand spanking new. (To be clear, it is not a collage; I just think it looks like one.) As I've noted here before when posting a new pic, I should probably wait a few days for it to "cool." I do often see things I want to change in a photo after a little time has passed, and the same is true for my poetry. But occasionally the urge to "put it out there" over-rides any sense I should wait.

Usually I'm disappointed when spiderwebs don't show in a shot. But this time their almost total disappearance works in favor of depth and layering (along with manipulating the focus, contrast, and colors).

I took a lot of rain drop shots yesterday since we so rarely have the opportunity here in sunny CA. Most didn't work out. But I think that has more to do with my moods. I've noted when I take pix from a place of "I should" rather than "I really have to get this pic!" they rarely have good results. Not to mention that the mix of sun/shadow and shiny/tiny rain drops is rather confounding for this low-tech photog. :-D (I dare you to say that last sentence several times fast ...)

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

STARGAZING

"Stargazing" is one of my very oldest and favorite of pix -- though I'm always hesitant to post or share it as I'm so far from any real objectivity about it. I like the feeling it gives me, however. A sweet sadness. (I used it once with a memorial poem for a fellow resident who'd passed on suddenly.) The back lighting for these Naked Ladies came from building windows which are to the far rear and right, over some high hedges. This is one of those rare night shots I tried back then, using the day setting on an old camera that didn't like doing night shots under any setting. A happy accident, at least to my eye.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

ALICE BLUE GOWN

I noted here yesterday that I've been partial to and posting pix in the warmer color end of the spectrum. Well, that was a short run! "Alice Blue Gown" is what draws me today. And not only for the gorgeous color but it's shape. It's may be obvious to most folk, but in case it isn't, this is a hyacinth viewed from directly above its "cylinder" of little blossoms.

Here's the song stanza that comes to mind (from "Alice Blue Gown" written by Tierney and McCarthy):

In my sweet little Alice blue gown
When I first wandered down into town
I was both proud and shy, as I felt every eye
And in every shop window I primped passing by
Then in manner of fashion, I'd frown
And the world seemed to smile all around
'Til it wilted, I wore it, I'll always adore it
My sweet little Alice blue gown

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

A CLEAN SWEEP

"A Clean Sweep" is a recently edited old pic. I note that with it I'm continuing a run of photos on the warm color end of the spectrum. Which is not my usual wont at all. And that I'm actually finding myself drawn to the reds and oranges, and even yellows. Odd. But then again, maybe not. Might be indicative of the definite switch in my emotional state and consequent sorts of thinking. Ah well, I made a promise to myself I'd not explore my psyche here, but simply share photos and talk about them. So enough said in that vein.

The full version of this photo is of three open amarylis blooms; quite gorgeous. My "needs editing" folder is filled with pix of these particular blooms as they are in a rather inaccessible and somewhat visually obstructed space for me to get clean close-ups. So I have to take more distant shots from as many different angles as possible hoping one will afford a good pic of their "full face" beauty after cropping. Few do. Therefore I crop them really small and have fun drawing out different aspects of them. Their stamens are particularly interesting.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****

TIGERS ON THE VINE

"Tigers on the Vine" is another old pic I had in my "needs editing" category. These tigers may be on the vine, but I've cleaned them up at last and released them into the wilds of the internet. Well, actually more the internet's obscurity. :-) My visitor counter may keep clicking away -- 444 in three months of posting. But without many comments or emails there's no way to know who's been stopping by. Spammers? Folk who don't/do like these pix? Accidental tourists?

This photo is also on my desktop. It will probably stay there longer than most -- I usually leave one up only a day -- as there's something about it that tickles my fancy. It was taken with my first camera (actually a loaner) and I miss the quality of focus that old Gateway had.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****