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
Jane Lurie Photography 
Just fantastic, what a wonderful find! : )
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Thank you, Karen. You have helped me to see in different ways as I study your beautiful work.
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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
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Hi Diane, Glad you liked my little friend! Thank you so much!
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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… 🙂
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Hi Adrian! Thank you! Will look forward to seeing the quotes in your Life Lessons… xo
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And there you go, wow this is incredible and prove’s worthy of your search! Fantastic photography.
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Thanks, Mary for your kind comments. Much appreciated!
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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
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Milka, I love that quote- very true. Thank you and so glad you look closely.
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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!
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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!
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I love the quotes in this post!
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Thank you, Erin! They hit home with me, too.
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“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”…wonderful.
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Hi Sharon, I loved that quote– glad you did, too. Thanks.
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Very cool photos. Wonderful shots.
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Thanks, Jane. A slice of the small life…
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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
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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!
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A lovely mix of image and words. A double whammy for the senses.
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Hi Corrine- Thank you! So glad you enjoyed both. Appreciate your comment.
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I echo April’s replay and so beautiful! K
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Hi Kath- Thank you! Great minds think alike 🙂
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Isn’t that the wonderful thing about photography? You see so we can see; loved the middle shot best. Thank you.
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Thank you, Leah! Photography is a magical medium…
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These are wonderful. I especially like the second one.
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Thank you, Maralee. I enjoyed capturing it. Thanks so much!
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this is absolutely magnificant that something soooo tiny could be sooo powerful……u truly do have a very talented eye….thanks for sharing!!
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Hi April, It was a little gift to see this little guy. Thanks for enjoying him, too!
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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
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Hi Ann. They are quite fascinating and beautiful. Thank you for appreciating these!
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That particular palm never ceases to amaze
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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!
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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!
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Thank you, Larry! “Seeing” assignments are essential. Glad you like the snail and I bet your course is terrific.
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