2013.06.17 The leaping greenly spirits of trees

Later, Jenny would say she seldom knew

what she would take a picture of when she picked up a camera,

that she only knew once she peered through the viewfinder,

as if the photograph had finally found her.

~ Whitney Otto in Eight Girls Taking Pictures

I thank God for this most amazing day;

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky;

and for everything which is natural,

which is infinite,

which is yes.

~ e. e. cummings

His great works are too marvelous to understand.

He performs miracles without number.

~ Job 9:10

[ FotoFlexer Fresco desaturate ]

2013.06.13 Get out of the way

The camera’s only job is to get out of the way of making photographs.

~ Ken Rockwell 

Dwell on the beauty of life.

~ Marcus Aurelius

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.

~ Philippians 4:8

[ The CoffeeShop Blog's Orton action ]

2013.06.10 Within our reach

Photography is not selfish.

Although it captures the moment, it doesn’t keep it.

Photography gives back to the viewer the fraction of time which it once captured.

Making it generous for years and even generations to come.
~ Mickey Burrow

We can never be 'not enough', because we are part of this greater whole.

There is no need for us to be bigger or better, or more of anything.

We are already exactly the right amount of that greater whole.

Each of us is already perfectly equipped to love and serve

the part of the world that is within our reach.

~ Marianne Elliott as quoted in Desire to Inspire by Christine Mason Miller

The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

~ Mark 12:31a

[ PSE ink outlines 4-16-1 / crop / add contrast ]

2013.06.06 The less I know for sure

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances,

but nothing is what it appears to be.

~ Duane Michals

The more I see, the less I know for sure.

~ John Lennon

Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men

but in the power of God.

 ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5

[ Poet's narcissus:

 Pixel Dust Photo Art's Vintage Vellum vividlight 40 / Shadowhouse Creations AllHellBreaksLoose overlay ]

2013.06.04 Establish your worth

 

A picture is the expression of an impression.

If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it?

~ Ernst Haas, photographer

Your worth is not established by teaching or learning.

Your worth is established by God.

Nothing you do or think or wish or make is necessary to establish your worth.

~ from A Course in Miracles

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
~ Ephesians 2:8

[ Pixel Dust Photo Art's VintageVellum texture using overlay and multiply / PSE vignette ]
[ mouse-over for the "before" photo ]

2013.06.01 Where you start

It's as if when I open myself up to every perception,

things create their own focus.

~ Kristin Cashore, Graceling

Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go;

they merely determine where you start.

~ Nido Qubein

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said.

~ Matthew 4:19a

2013.05.26 Filled with glory

Look at everything as though you are seeing it either for the first or last time,

then your time on earth will be filled with glory.
~ Betty Smith

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "Thank you," that would suffice.

 ~ Meister Eckhart

Oh Lord, . . . the earth is full of your riches.

~ Psalm 104:24

[ Krinkled White peony / duplicated layer with ColorBurn 35 / Topaz Adjust MildContrastPop / PSE vignette ]