Seeing
I just finished a terrific photography workshop with Brenda Tharp, an inspiring and talented professional photographer from California. Practicing the art of seeing is a central theme in Brenda’s presentations.
During our photo shoot, I wandered the gardens looking for a creative spark and came upon this Sago Palm with its wild center. I found this busy plant difficult to capture as a whole and wasn’t thrilled with the results.
However, as I stood there looking, pondering and trying to see a composition, I noticed this little snail amidst the tangles and composed these close-up shots. If you look closely, you can you see him at the top center waiting for his close-up.
“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”~John Lubbuck
Someone is Hiding, Sago Palm Center
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ~Confucius
A Snail’s World After All
”Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing.”~ Bill Cosby
Hold Tight and Chew
“Always seeing something, never seeing nothing, being photographer” ~Walter De Mulder
Just fantastic, what a wonderful find! : )
March 27, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Thank you, Karen. You have helped me to see in different ways as I study your beautiful work.
March 28, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Oh my goodness! That snail — Now we can have a chance to ‘see’ too, with your help of capturing such fabulous details & sharing them here -Thank you thank you! dsupple
March 9, 2013 at 8:44 am
Hi Diane, Glad you liked my little friend! Thank you so much!
March 9, 2013 at 8:46 am
Love the photos! You are amazing! And the quotes. You will see a few of these as my Life Lesson of the Day coming up…
February 18, 2013 at 9:16 am
Hi Adrian! Thank you! Will look forward to seeing the quotes in your Life Lessons… xo
February 18, 2013 at 9:37 am
And there you go, wow this is incredible and prove’s worthy of your search! Fantastic photography.
February 14, 2013 at 10:59 am
Thanks, Mary for your kind comments. Much appreciated!
February 14, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Very nice! I love to look closely at things. I always discover much better shot opportunities. This reminds me of a great quote:
“There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown and those who do not see.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
February 14, 2013 at 1:34 am
Milka, I love that quote- very true. Thank you and so glad you look closely.
February 14, 2013 at 8:40 am
Jane, capturing the snail taking refuge in the Saga Palm and having a meal is so unique, and what a surprise upon discovery. You have a great eye and this was beautifully done!
February 13, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Hi Sylvia, Thank you! It was a fun discovery. Great time together at the critique- your photos were wonderful and everyone seemed to get a lot out of the session. Appreciate your feedback!
February 13, 2013 at 9:29 pm
I love the quotes in this post!
February 13, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Thank you, Erin! They hit home with me, too.
February 13, 2013 at 7:45 pm
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”…wonderful.
February 13, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Hi Sharon, I loved that quote– glad you did, too. Thanks.
February 13, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Very cool photos. Wonderful shots.
February 13, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Thanks, Jane. A slice of the small life…
February 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Wow! We didn’t get the shot of him chowing down on the Sago! That’s soooooo awesome! Was that your macro lens? Thank you for staying to watch mine also
Mary Lynn
February 13, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Hi Mary Lynn, I used my 70-200mm at 200mm f/2.8. I almost put that one in for the critique- I thought it was comical how he was grabbing his dinner! Such fun to see the submissions together. Great to see you- loved your images. Thank you!
February 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm
A lovely mix of image and words. A double whammy for the senses.
February 13, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Hi Corrine- Thank you! So glad you enjoyed both. Appreciate your comment.
February 13, 2013 at 7:38 pm
I echo April’s replay and so beautiful! K
February 13, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Hi Kath- Thank you! Great minds think alike
February 13, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Isn’t that the wonderful thing about photography? You see so we can see; loved the middle shot best. Thank you.
February 13, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Thank you, Leah! Photography is a magical medium…
February 13, 2013 at 7:37 pm
These are wonderful. I especially like the second one.
February 13, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Thank you, Maralee. I enjoyed capturing it. Thanks so much!
February 13, 2013 at 7:36 pm
this is absolutely magnificant that something soooo tiny could be sooo powerful……u truly do have a very talented eye….thanks for sharing!!
February 13, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Hi April, It was a little gift to see this little guy. Thanks for enjoying him, too!
February 13, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Began loving the sago in TX. So glad they flourish here. Getting ready to add another. The snail adds another amazing dimension.
Thanks for sharing your seeing!
Ann
February 13, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Hi Ann. They are quite fascinating and beautiful. Thank you for appreciating these!
February 13, 2013 at 7:34 pm
That particular palm never ceases to amaze
February 13, 2013 at 11:54 am
It is rather bizarre, isn’t it, Wendy? In researching it, I think it is poisonous… not that I was tempted! Thanks for stopping by!
February 13, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Excellent!
Learning to see is a challenge for all of us – some more than others! I teach a “Basic Photography Course” and the first week’s assignment is designed to help them “see” photographs that previously they would have passed without noticing…
Love the snail!
February 13, 2013 at 11:54 am
Thank you, Larry! “Seeing” assignments are essential. Glad you like the snail and I bet your course is terrific.
February 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm