More people should stop and look - it would do wonders for collective mental health. Life is in the details, the in-between moments. Too much of our life is lived on autopilot - we unconsciously recognize it’s bad for us.
The area around my office (Bloomsbury, London) is unbelievably beautiful at this time of year. It has so much green space considering it's centre of the city. I'm trying to make a point to walk around more during lunchtime - to go through the parks rather than take the shortcut - and it really lifts the mood.
Love reading this, the pictures in it and the idea of capturing that transition into a new season. I live in quite a leafy area of North London and I’m always blown away at the first sight of magnolia trees in all their glorious full bloom when other flowers are still waking up to spring. It’s lovely to see how each day gardens and streets look slightly different as you walk by.
While going on walks with my dog, I’ve been noticing the small buds on trees. The first time I noticed I became so giddy. It felt like a promise of something beautiful on its way. A promise I hold tightly since we are currently navigating snow storms.
But onto Philly, you may or may not have noticed the trees with sweaters in downtown Philly? When you said you liked taking pictures of trees, that’s the first thing I thought about. They are near the swan fountain in Logan circle.
Yes I can relate. I can relate rather well. I tend to think that many people gain a sense of relaxation and find inner peace when in nature. I think it's very beautiful to capture that. I truly love that last statement shared because I don't believe that home is where you were borne. Many tend to believe that but in actuality home is where the heart is. Honestly, mine is in the U.S.A., the U.K., Scotland and Ireland. If I could, I'd probably go to live for awhile in each of them. Anyway, great post. Thanks for sharing it.
I've always maintained (since I got into photography, anyway) that there is beauty everywhere. It's not just about flowers, sunsets or "beautiful people". It's also about the flaking paint on an old window frame, or the patterns a couple of overpasses make as they cross one another. It's anything which catches your eye.
I think most people don't see that beauty. They just aren't looking for it. And they are surprised to find us taking a photo of something they would never give a second look.
crunchy nature guy! i kinda love it. Taking photos is extremely therapeutic when you get to flip through the gallery in your phone and remember what you'd forgotten!
Hmm, for me seeing starts when looking stops. It's like using 2 sets of eyes, one for looking, the other for seeing and the first pair's capacity to look goes quasi dormant when the second pair gets into the act. The second pair turns functional when it's that special time or moment to go deep, when the entire nervous system starts firing, not just the looking - the second set wakes up for special events exclusively; and although looking and seeing have some things in common, they essentially remain distant cousins ... so to speak. Ask an artist.
I'm starting to explore the idea that nature exists an a multitude of scales. From large vistas to the tiniest of bugs. Sometimes those little details make for great subjects / stories. Also, one of the best kept secrets of the Philly area is the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Drive east out of the city and within 45 mins you're in one of the largest nature preserves in the country!
More people should stop and look - it would do wonders for collective mental health. Life is in the details, the in-between moments. Too much of our life is lived on autopilot - we unconsciously recognize it’s bad for us.
So true!
It’s the in betweens. ❤️
The area around my office (Bloomsbury, London) is unbelievably beautiful at this time of year. It has so much green space considering it's centre of the city. I'm trying to make a point to walk around more during lunchtime - to go through the parks rather than take the shortcut - and it really lifts the mood.
Love reading this, the pictures in it and the idea of capturing that transition into a new season. I live in quite a leafy area of North London and I’m always blown away at the first sight of magnolia trees in all their glorious full bloom when other flowers are still waking up to spring. It’s lovely to see how each day gardens and streets look slightly different as you walk by.
There’s a mindful resurgence; we waking up to truth. That we are all of this 🌹🌸🌍
While going on walks with my dog, I’ve been noticing the small buds on trees. The first time I noticed I became so giddy. It felt like a promise of something beautiful on its way. A promise I hold tightly since we are currently navigating snow storms.
But onto Philly, you may or may not have noticed the trees with sweaters in downtown Philly? When you said you liked taking pictures of trees, that’s the first thing I thought about. They are near the swan fountain in Logan circle.
Hey, Razlyn! I wrote this last summer, so the views were different then. But I want to see these tree sweaters! Thanks for the note.
Whenever/if ever you go back, you’ll have to be on the lookout for them. When I first saw them I had a good giggle.
Yes I can relate. I can relate rather well. I tend to think that many people gain a sense of relaxation and find inner peace when in nature. I think it's very beautiful to capture that. I truly love that last statement shared because I don't believe that home is where you were borne. Many tend to believe that but in actuality home is where the heart is. Honestly, mine is in the U.S.A., the U.K., Scotland and Ireland. If I could, I'd probably go to live for awhile in each of them. Anyway, great post. Thanks for sharing it.
That's one of thr things I love most about photography—capturing the tiny often missed details of life! Sending you an email with some spring blooms 🌷
I've always maintained (since I got into photography, anyway) that there is beauty everywhere. It's not just about flowers, sunsets or "beautiful people". It's also about the flaking paint on an old window frame, or the patterns a couple of overpasses make as they cross one another. It's anything which catches your eye.
I think most people don't see that beauty. They just aren't looking for it. And they are surprised to find us taking a photo of something they would never give a second look.
Stopping to notice is a way to see the hidden beauty of things. Helps us have a relationship with the world around us that is less transactional.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece
Thanks for reading, Vince! Please share it with friends.
crunchy nature guy! i kinda love it. Taking photos is extremely therapeutic when you get to flip through the gallery in your phone and remember what you'd forgotten!
Exactly!
Love this! Reminds me of my mantra - Overcome boredom not through distraction, but by attention.
Love the vibrant and deep colours of Isa’s photo . Make me want to pain it.
I also stop at random spots just to take a photo, and by now, don’t really care if I look like a weirdo ☺️
Hmm, for me seeing starts when looking stops. It's like using 2 sets of eyes, one for looking, the other for seeing and the first pair's capacity to look goes quasi dormant when the second pair gets into the act. The second pair turns functional when it's that special time or moment to go deep, when the entire nervous system starts firing, not just the looking - the second set wakes up for special events exclusively; and although looking and seeing have some things in common, they essentially remain distant cousins ... so to speak. Ask an artist.
I quite like the way Isa photographs. Thanks for the rec.
I'm starting to explore the idea that nature exists an a multitude of scales. From large vistas to the tiniest of bugs. Sometimes those little details make for great subjects / stories. Also, one of the best kept secrets of the Philly area is the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Drive east out of the city and within 45 mins you're in one of the largest nature preserves in the country!