“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Humanity
“When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.”
~ Adrienne Rich
The Strength of One
“You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.”
~Maya Angelou
Trees and People
Shared Moments
“Compassion is the basis of morality.”
~Arthur Schopenhauer
Solitude
Reaching
Contemplation
New Horizons
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Jane Lurie Photography 
One word “Awesome”!!
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Thanks so much!
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Thank you for this beautiful, inspiring post. I wish I could put it before every hate-filled heart that they might be softened.
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Aw, I wish that, too, Melissa. I’m glad it touched you…thanks very much. ❤️
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I don’t know how to send you a hear, so I’ll send you hugs! 🙂
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Compassion is must…. Otherwise nobody will survive
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I absolutely agree, AIPS. Thank you for your visit and comment.
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Nice words
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Thank you so much, Shujaullah.
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Sometimes it’s hard to see the beauty of the sea when you are surrounded by dirt, which unfortunately is the case these days. All the more uplifting to read your post and feel you compassion for beauty and life. And of course your beautiful images.
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Thank you, Otto. Yes, indeed- well put. Glad you enjoyed my moment of catharsis. Much appreciated.
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In this pre-election season, when things look particularly ugly, it’s heartening to see a message like this, Jane. I love the positive sense of community in “Shared Moments.”
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Thanks so much, Lynn…felt good to put something down on “paper” after the depressing few weeks (months) we’ve had. I’m glad this one spoke to you.
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Sounds like Maya Angelou is one with strength. I now a Jane Lurie who produces amazingly strong clear imagery yet it shows her compassion
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What a lovely compliment, Abrie. Thank you very much. 😊 Maya is a hero.
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Hi Jane – I took a break from Blog-World last May … Great to still see that you still have such beautiful and inspiring images and quotes!
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Hi Michael, Welcome back. Hope all is well with you and happy you enjoyed this one. A favorite Santa Monica spot. Thanks so much!
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Great photos!!!
“Contemplation” is my favourite! ❤ 😀
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Hi Nuno, That’s a fave…thank you. I continually go back to this place to see what shapes and moods I will get. Glad you like them! 😊
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Absolutely love this post – words, pictures, silhouettes, which I can never spell.
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Thanks so much, Lisa. I rely on spellcheck for that one. 😉 Happy you enjoyed the concept of this post- much appreciated.
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Me too. Always.
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What a moving array of photos and quotes, Jane. My favorite is Reaching, so creative and exotic all at once.
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Hi Jet, Happy you enjoyed the combo, thanks very much. I love those skinny tall palm silhouettes…so LA. 🙂
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Such a thoughtful post, Jane. Those clouds look amazing!
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Hi Cheryl, Thanks very much. A favorite spot in Santa Monica for sunset and it went well with how I was feeling that week. 🙂
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AMAZING!!!!! I am speechless. The photos and the quotes are incredible Jane. Truly moving
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Hi Nicole, Happy this moved you…a bit of a catharsis after a frazzling week. Thanks so much and I hope all is well with you!
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Excellent images👏
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Thanks so much, Nidhi. 🙂
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Fantastic pictures and beautiful quotes. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Appreciate your visit.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks for sharing, Chuck. 🙂
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You took my breath away with the beauty of your photos and the truth of the quotes!! Bellissimo, My Dear, Bellissimo!!
xoxoxo
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Thank you very much, Chuck. I am so glad the words and photos spoke to you. It felt cathartic for me.
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Love the silhouettes. Excellent works.
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Thanks so much, Rabirius. I really appreciate it. 😊
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Gorgeous silhouettes paired with powerful quotes. This is very moving, Jane. For me, this was a reflection about our current political situation and a reminder of the power of our actions, convictions, creative vision, and shared humanity. Adrienne Rich’s quote about a woman telling the truth echoed what happened during the confirmation hearings last week. You gave us a message of hope and I’m grateful for that! 🙂
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Thank you, Patti. I’m happy this spoke to you…you get it. A salve on the wounds. 🙂
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I love the colors in your “Reaching” photo. Meanwhile the storyteller in me is intrigued by the narrative possibilities in your “Contemplation.”
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Thanks so much, Atreyee. I loved that progression of color against the palms. Agree about Contemplation… you could do it justice. 🙂
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Beautiful Jane ❤️
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Thank you, Hedy. A creative salve on my wounds for the week.
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Wonderful silhouettes and quotes! I love the cool colors in ‘Reaching’.
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Thank you, Denise. The CA sunsets are mesmerizing and this Santa Monica spot is perfect for silhouette play. Glad you enjoyed.
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I like the title you gave for each picture – such nice moods throughout – and the emerson quote is just sooooo good
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Thank you, Yvette. A favorite Santa Monica spot and my mood drove my quotes for the week. So glad you like that one!
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so nice
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After the week that has passed, these words and photos help no end. Thank you!
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It was a small bandaid for me, too, PC. Glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks so much.
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Incredible photography, Jane! Your pictures and the angle you took them at are jaw dropping gorgeous! And …. each quote I read, contemplated upon, as well as the captions you put on each image. Powerful post all the way around. I still cannot get over your sky portraits. I noticed how you captured the light pairing it with deep shadow. How can I put this? Your photography stirred me deeply. The depth perception especially in the last sky picture is mind boggling! Beautifully done!! It takes a long time to be able to develop a talent in order to capture beyond words as you have done so here in this post. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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Hi AmyRose, You’ve made my day with your thoughtful appreciation of this series. It means a lot to me that you are looking deeply and I hope that it opens doors for you in your work as the same does for me when I view other artist’s work including yours. Thank you so much and I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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You’re comment back to me really excited me because I’m always seeking ways to improve my technique and composition etc etc. I learn so much by looking at other photographers’ work and yours in particular in my opinion is extremely good. I hope as well that you are having a wonderful Sunday, a relaxing one at that. Much Love to you!
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😄❤️🌹
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These images tell beautiful stories, Jane! Lovely.
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Thank you, Karen. That means a lot coming from your artistic eye. Hope all is well with you.
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The black brings out the color and the color brings out the black. Yings and yangs. Planet earth!
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Well said, Bob! Thank you so much and your thoughts are always appreciated. 🙂
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Some stunning set of pictures, Jane! lovely
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Thank you, Arv. A favorite spot for silhouettes and finding a sea of people. 🙂
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Great 🙂
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i love sillouettes
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Thanks so much, My LWS. I love them, too. Appreciate your visit.
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Just a beautiful set and truly appropriate and appreciated, particularly by a philosophy major. Loved all the quotes particularly Schopenhauer.
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I knew you were a deep thinker, Kathy. 🙂 Happy these spoke to you. Thank you so much.
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I see no reason that we cannot be happy too! And these photographs make me happy 🙂
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Agree, wholeheartedly Jude — I just liked the other ideas in the quote. I am really glad that these photos made you happy! It made me happy making them. Thanks so much. 🙂
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Nice sunset series. Really like the underlying blue hour theme.
About the Emerson quote, it’s important to be happy, or at least have some happy moments too. 🙂
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I completely agree, David. I really liked the “honorable and compassionate” part of that quote, so I let it slide. 🙂 Thank you!
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spectacular lighting Jane!!! ‘shared moments’ just jumps out at me….colors r brilliant!!! Great post!!
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Thanks very much, April! Happy you like them…I love this spot in Santa Monica. 🙂
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Beautiful work Jane. Remember for every sunset there is also a sunrise to follow.
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We can only hope. Thanks, T. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Gorgeous photos, Jane. Thanks for getting my morning off to a beautiful start.
janet
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, Janet. Thanks very much.
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What truly gorgeous photos you have taken for this serie…I totally agree with Arthur Schopenhauer
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Thank you so much, Paula. It was a small “salve on my wounded soul” for the week. Glad you like the combination of quotes and photos.
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Lovely collection of sunset photos, Jane. Really like how the sillhouette of trees and people gel well together…they seem all together as one in the foreground against stunning skies. Beautifully done and lovely photo walk 😊
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Thank you very much, Mabel. A favorite spot in Santa Monica for combining silhouettes of people, trees and sunsets. Happy you enjoyed them! 🙂
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Wonderful images Jane 🙂
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Thank you so much, Knut. Happy you enjoyed these. 🙂
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wow – gorgeous and amazing as always – paradise!!
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Thank you very much for your kind words, Mihran. 🙂
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Amazing photos, as always! Hard to keep Gandhi’s quote in mind given the whirlpool of plastic out in the middle of the ocean… 😦 But I’m trying.
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Thank you, Gunta. That’s one interpretation…I thought more about Ghandi’s metaphor for humanity. Agree wholeheartedly about the curse of plastic, for sure.
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Your photos are superior and the companion words make this post spectacular.
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Thank you, Dor. That means a lot to me.
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A feast for my eye and mind, dear Jane
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Thank you, Cornelia. It was cathartic to put it together.
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Outstanding photos this week, Jane. Great reminders that the end of one day leads to the start of the next one, and a chance to continue our lives.
Ω
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Thank you, Allan. So true. Tomorrow is another fresh start…full of hope.
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Yes, Ma’am.
Ω
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🙂 See any Blue Angels?
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None. We were home all day and didn’t even hear them this year.
Ω
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The entire post is beautiful, Jane!
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Thank you so much, Sharon. Happy it spoke to you. 🙂
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Beautiful shot, Jane. Absolutely beautiful!
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Thank you very much, Ken. So glad this spoke to you!
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These pictures are so wonderful and the quotes, especially Maya Angelou and Schopenhauer, are so perfect!
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Thank you so much, ML. It helped to read them and put it together. Glad they moved you.
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♥
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💙Back at you, Ann-Christine. Thanks.
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🙂 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica?
It looks so familiar, so missed!
Have a very HAPPY weekend,
Claudia 🙂
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Yes, Claudia! A perfect blend of people and spectacular skies. Happy they brought back good memories. 🙂
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There’s nothing quite like a gorgeous sunrise and sunset Jane and these are spectacular 🙂
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HI Joe, So true! Thanks very much. It was quite a scene. 🙂
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Wonderful silhouettes! And wonderful words that go with your pictures!
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Thank you so much, Petra. Happy you enjoyed the combination this week. Much appreciated.
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Interesting and wonderful pictures, everyone has something special for themselves.
Greetings Robert
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Thank you so much, Robert. Yes. 🙂
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Very deep thoughts Jane and as ever superb images!
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Thank you so much, Brian. It helped to put it together in a post. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Sunsets give me a bittersweet feeling of solitude.
m
“One day,” you said to me, “I saw the sunset forty-four times!”
And a little later you added:
“You know– one loves the sunset, when one is so sad…”
“Were you so sad, then?” I asked, “on the day of the forty-four sunsets?”
But the little prince made no reply.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – The Little Prince
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Thank you, Marcelo, and for your beautiful excerpt. 🙂
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The serenity in these photos is amazing and soothing to the soul. Absolutely beautiful!
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Thank you so much, Jane. Means a lot.
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Beautiful and apt words. Xxx. Your photos are stunning.
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Thank you so much, Ali. Glad you enjoyed the quotes and photos. A bit of a catharsis this week.
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Jane you are the ultimate provider of outstanding theme based photography. More so than anyone I have dealt with in my photographic career as a professional photographer and educator. I just love the work you do and you are a inspiration. I think someday you should develop a blog article that takes others on a journey as to how your thought processes work from the start of choosing a theme to putting together your images and your text to a final outcome. Now that would be an incredible learning experience for others. Thanks for taking me on your journey.
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Well said.
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Thanks, Brian. 🙂
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Jane, I agree with Elliot – it would be really interesting to see how you work to combine your thoughts and photos. Loved that you took up the current political matter without spelling it out and paired it with perfect photography.
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Hi Kiki, Thank you for your encouraging words- you and Elliot have made me think more about my creative process. One aspect is that I trust my viewers to glean what they may from my photographs without any or much description. What I see in an image may not be what you see, and that is the fascinating and wonderful thing about art. And, with hope, the quotes add a richness to the theme without “preaching”. 😊
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Hi Elliot, Wow. Thank you very much. It means so much to me coming from your experience in the art of photography. Thank you. And, for your suggestion– will give it some thought. Creativity is somewhat mysterious, isn’t it? Like you, I find it fascinating. Your reaction to this post is greatly appreciated.
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Oh, to have sunsets on the coast.
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Hi Steve, Yes..they are special. Glad you enjoyed– thanks!
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Wonderful images, Jane, and good (and timely) quotes, too. I particularly like ‘Trees and People’ with the luminous sky and the silhouettes of trees and spectators. It feels grounded. 🙂
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Thank you, Eliza. What a week… happy you enjoyed Trees and I love your description of “grounded”. Hope we can all feel grounded soon. 🙂
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Amen to that!
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Silhouette — my favorite style of photography.
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Hi David, Me, too. I love silhouettes. Happy you enjoyed these– a favorite spot for them in Santa Monica. Thanks so much. 🙂
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