We'll Always Have Paris

I recently went to Europe for a landscape photography workshop. (More on that in another blog entry.) My husband had never been to Europe, so I dragged him along (he's good at entertaining himself while I'm obsessing over photos) and we scheduled a one-night layover in Paris. As luck would have it, one of my friends was also planning to be in Paris on the day we arrived, so we scheduled to meet up for lunch. I knew we would be jet-lagged and somewhat disoriented, but I also knew I could not spend even a few minutes in Paris without my camera. Instead of hauling all my gear, I decided to take just my camera body with a 50mm lens. After all, the great Henri Cartier -Bresson shot only with a 50mm. And it was light weight enough and unobtrusive enough that I did not feel like I was "working."

I think it's good to work under forced restrictions sometimes. Sometimes it can be hard to let the camera just become an extension of oneself without feeling self-conscious. The 50 mm is a great working lens for practicing what Bresson described: "To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life."

The Man on the Metro

As we rode into Paris, a little drowsy and jet-lagged, I envied the man on the Metro's ability to snooze while the world whizzed by.

Paris is for Lovers

After a fabulous lunch of soufflé, Michael and I walked around Paris for a couple of hours before heading back to our hotel to rest for an early morning flight. We had lunched at a café very near the Pont des Arts - known world wide for the lover's locks that cover it. I had not seen it in my previous trips to Paris, so while Michael gazed at the Seine, I walked to the bridge to capture a few shots. My favorite of the lot encapsulates the feeling one gets in Paris - the City of Light really is a city made for lovers.

Here are some additional images I shot while traveling in and around Paris. You will see I loved the signs, the deco designs, the window displays and more.

Direct Print Ordering Is Turned Back On

This is just a note for those of you who have asked to let you know I have turned on direct print ordering from this site again. It is not turned on for a handful of images from my show. If those are images you want, please email me for custom printing prices.

Direct ordering enables you to pick the image you want and order from the site. All orders come to me to review before they are approved. That enables me to double check the cropping and make any changes I think necessary.

If you have been thinking about a particular picture you might have seen on my Facebook fan page, and you don't see it on the site, just send me a note and ask me about it. Some pictures I post to Facebook may not be high enough resolution or good enough quality for printing, but many are.

Thanks for following!

Have some tulips for your trouble.

It's been a while since I posted here. It's not that I haven't been taking pictures. I have. I just haven't found the time to add images to this site or this blog. I typically have time to post a few quick shots to Facebook these days.

But, now that it's spring, it seems a shame not to share a few recent images from a trip to Victoria, BC. If you have never been, it's a lovely city and a very comfortable walking city. We usually take the Tsawwassen or Anacortes ferry, but there are fantastic deals to be had through the Clipper in Seattle. You can even get there by ferry from the Washington Penninsula.

However you get there, I highly recommend taking some time to walk the city at night. It's quiet, it's beautiful and you never know what you might discover. For me, it was the cherry blossoms under clear night skies. And the Parliament building is always beautiful.

Enjoy.

I know a lot of creative people. Most creative people I know are introverts. Contrary to what many people believe, being an introvert doesn't equate to being a hermit. Being an introvert, as this cartoon so clearly illustrates, has more to do with whether one gives out or receives energy from interaction with other people. So, when a creative introvert puts their passion on display, by publishing a book, or having a show of their work, or acting in a play, it's an act of great courage. The introvert knows that this sort of self-expression invites an inevitable come-down afterward. 

Author Susan Cain has recently brought attention to the strength of introverts, and her popular TED talk is leading to greater understanding of the value of introverts in a workplace.

Nevertheless, it can be challenging for creative people to get out and mingle. I was reminded of this after my post-show exhaustion last night. It takes a lot of energy to support creative friends. Just showing up makes a big difference. By their very nature, creative friends are often the introverts who balk at the thought of being in a crowd. That's why I am so very grateful to the people who do show up. I get it. I really do.

Just keep this in mind the next time a friend seeks your support in any artistic endeavor. We introverts - it's important we stick together.

And for you extroverts out there - we love you. Now, give us some space.

We had the most unusual weather this winter. Two solid weeks of freezing fog. Everything familiar looked completely unfamiliar in the fog, and that got me to thinking about the new year. For me, the fog was a physical metaphor for the changing attitudes of the new year. I always spend time reflecting on the past year and setting specific intentions, or goals, for the new year. For me, this year is about de-cluttering and clarity - lifting the fog, so to speak.

Meanwhile - the fog does present some interesting opportunities for seeing differently.

Here are a few more images from our foggy January. Looking forward to more clarity in February and beyond...

Sometimes a word or phrase surfaces for me when it shows up in unrelated conversations again and again. This week's phrase is about being authentic - living authentically.

I think being authentic is at the heart of success. In this video, photojournalist Richard Koci Hernandez makes the point that the equipment used to create images is only a tiny portion of the photograph. I agree with him. Photography is about seeing, not about what equipment you use. And being authentic to your vision is what produces interesting work.

I recently had a big "success" in terms of material rewards for the imagery I've been shooting. And what was my immediate reaction? The work wasn't good enough. Yes, that's right - self-doubt!  That's what happens when you start to let the world judge what you do, or you start to measure your success by external acceptance.

I've had a few days to ponder that reaction of mine. When I finally caught my breath and stepped back from it, I realized that whatever happens, I am passionate about photography - in all its various manifestations. And I am grateful that I have received support that will enable me to continue to pursue my passion. I may have better tools for that now, but even if I didn't I would still be driven to create images. That's what being authentic means to me.

Here's to dreams.

I haven't posted much here lately. The truth is, once summer finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest I have been doing what everyone else around here has been doing - spending every possible moment soaking up the sunshine! We wait so long for it to appear each year, no one dares let the opportunity to get out and enjoy it slip by. In fact, this is the only place I've ever lived where a sunny day is a valid excuse to skip work. Seriously.

So, I have not been inclined to sit at the computer - to edit images I've shot, to upload new images to this site, or to write a blog post. That has to wait until the drizzle returns.

In the meantime, I do have some photos on exhibit (and for sale) at Rexville Grocery this month. I also have a selection of notecards for sale there. I've just ordered a new and different batch of notecards, so I'll post something about those later in the summer. In the meantime, here's a sampling of the things I've been looking at this month.

Millions of people have visited the Skagit Valley tulip fields over the years, but after the tulips have been topped and the tourist crowds have diminished, the valley is transformed. When the sun comes out - as it did the past two weeks - farmers work from dawn till well past dusk, prepping and planting the fields to take advantage of our very short growing season.

I am always impressed at the precision and artistry with which the farmers tackle this job. Their fields are organized, level, beautiful. The valley looks like it's been groomed for a special occasion, all spit and polished to the hilt. When the sun is low in the sky, their artistry is most evident. No wonder this place attracts so many painters. Who ever made dirt look so good?

A few scenes shot between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. last week:

A couple on a tandem bicycle happened to ride past just as I was shooting some pictures of the Bitters barn and fields. Talk about serendipity - his shirt even matched the flowers.

Rows of allium and freshly tilled fields. Rows of old poplars and clear skies. With the long shadows of the setting sun, the patterns left by the tractors make the Skagit Valley farmland look absolutely enchanted.

Finding Your Center

In the practice of yoga it is evident very quickly that when you are not focused, not centered, not balanced, you will fall over. It's a pretty simple concept with broad impact.

I have always taken photos, but it's only been in the past few years that I committed myself to staying true to my own vision and channeling my energy to one art form. I had been pursuing drawing, but made the decision to set that aside to see how far I could go with photography once I overcame my fear of switching from film to digital. I have, quite literally, done one drawing since I made that commitment. Instead of spreading my energy thin, I have gone deeper and farther into my photography than I ever imagined. I gave myself permission to buy a camera, to learn new things, and to experiment. It was hard to justify the expense and the time, but once I made the commitment, I jumped in with both feet. And it has been pure bliss. The last time I felt this kind of joy was the time I spent in film school.

I didn't set out with the intention of having shows or selling my images. I set out to capture the things I see. I started sharing them with people and one thing led to another. Which leads me to my thoughts about staying centered.

It's Just Digital

I recently had a conversation with a friend who was questioning why I chose to print my photos and frame them with museum quality glass for my show. I explained that once I knew I was going to have a show, I realized I had some pretty strong opinions about how I wanted my images presented. And, because I put time and work into getting the prints just right - I didn't want to just frame them in cheap frames and glass that might allow them to fade. After all, why print on archival paper if you're not going to protect them?

The conversation went on like that, and she mentioned that she had heard people saying they didn't think the photos were of value because they were "just digital."  That is a very interesting concept to me, especially when I think how challenging it was for me to translate all of my photography knowledge to digital--the classes I took, the tutorials I watched. Hmm. "Just digital."  I guess there's a perception that because it's digital anyone can do it. In a sense, that's absolutely true.

Digital imaging has revolutionized story telling and made photography accessible to everyone. I think that's a wonderful thing. If I had to pay to develop film, I would be less inclined to experiment and try new things with my camera. Digital comes with its own limitations and issues, of course, but I have a hard time seeing how it diminishes someone's vision.

When I was in film school, we still worked with 16 mm film cameras. Because processing and developing film was so expensive, it was necessary to plan every scene very carefully. It also restricted what people would try. Now that digital video has become so good, my film school friends are creating movies that might have lived only in their heads due to budget restrictions and we are all the richer for their ability to share their work. I feel that way about digital photography too. That's why I participated in the aDay.org event. I love seeing what other people see.

Staying The Course

So, back to my original point. I'm sticking to my plan. I'm following my vision. And hearing feedback that some people don't find it worthy is just fine. Another thing yoga brings to the table is the practice of detachment. It's okay with me if you don't love what I do. It's okay with me if you don't value what I do. To me, the point is doing. Anything that comes after that is gravy.

Just as I was composing this post, a friend posted this wonderful video. He sums up what I've been trying to say in a much more humorous and gracious way. Do take the time to watch.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we are at last experiencing a week of summer - in May, no less!  (In case you don't live here and don't know, "summer" traditionally starts July 5th. Until I moved here, I never, ever imagined needing a jacket and blankets to watch 4th of July fireworks.)

That means it's time for flowers. Also, just in time for Mother's Day. This year I bought a couple of baskets from my friend Rhonda. It's part of an annual fundraiser for Anacortes High School. I tihnk this is a particuarly wonderful way to raise money - and particularly appropriate for our lovely valley. So, I went to the "unveiling" - the delivery of all the baskets that are sold. Volunteers (aka Moms & Dads) organize and tag all of the baskets, then send them off for delivery by additional volunteers. What a cheerful and cheery way to raise money.

That's Rhonda above, organizing an order. You know me, though. I like the big picture, but I find joy in the details.

When the invitation to join an old friend on Kauai for a week appeared, I hesitated. I haven't taken a "vacation" in years. I have taken time off, but mostly stayed home. And it's been 20+ years since I visited Kauai. Still, the lure of warm weather proved irresistble and I opted to join her. Around here people have just been waiting for the tulips to bloom and the crowds of tourists to arrive, so a week away seemed like a good plan.

My first shock upon arrival was how brilliant all the vegetation was. It's been so long since I have been in a tropical climate that everything - and I mean everything - from grass to palms to hibiscus - looked brilliant to my eyes.  I kept ooohing and aaaahhing over and over and over.  And, even familiar plants, like philodendron, were transformed - so large in the tropics they appeared to be on steroids!

In fact, when we did a short (but strenuous) hike on the Na Pali coast trail, Elaine swears I stopped to take a photo of every single flower. I beg to differ. I left several alone. (That's me, looking closely at the scenery - and the blue flower is what I was looking at through my lens.)

This was a vacation, but my friend Elaine has a business that takes her to Hawaii. In fact, she has a couple of Hawaiian themed businesses. So, it was convenient for us to visit her customers when we were in the neighborhood (and that was often!) However, one of her customers in Kauai was just a wee bit off the beaten path. I'm talking about the National Tropical Botanical Garden gift shop. Are you getting an idea where I'm going with this? Of COURSE I wanted to go visit this customer with her. And, lucky us! We were invited to join a tour of the Allerton Garden. I, of course, was thrilled - and, conveniently, had my camera in tow.

Elaine was a good sport about it. I think she even enjoyed it.

Kauai is an interesting mix of laid back locals, earnest granola types, artists and farmers. We heard that Monsanto is growing a lot of GMO crops on the island, and people were pretty unhappy about that. But at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, there is a completely different focus. They are working hard to save plants that were brought over on the original canoes and so-called native plants (although no one is entirely sure how things evolved here.) They have even begun exploring how to share breadfruit with the world, to help feed the hungry. Their Breadfruit Institute recently received a grant from the Gates Foundation, so look for more information to emerge about the great work they are doing.

We didn't tour the institute, or the McBryde Garden (although our tram did go through it), we focused on the Allerton Garden. So many plants, so little time!

Everywhere I looked there was something new and different. I was particularly fascinated by the varieties of bamboo and their textures. In the Allerton Garden there is a large stand of golden bamboo that makes wonderfully loud clacking noises in the breeze. Apparently Allerton was hard of hearing, so he really liked this sound. I hear just fine and I liked it too! (Left to right: golden bamboo stand, new shoot, close up - each shoot has its own, unique, green markings.)

Hibiscus are brilliant and seemingly ubiquitous throughout Hawaii, but the National Botanical Tropical Garden on Kauai is working to save native species that includes a hibiscus without petals  (The green plant in my photo below, right). There are only eight of these left in the world. How lucky I was to be there when they were blooming!

I had such a great time wandering through all the plants and taking pictures that I was a little startled when I came face to face with a few locals.

In typical, laid-back Hawaiian fashion, they didn't seem to mind my presence at all....

It's tulip season in the beautiful Skagit Valley and tulip mania is in full swing. Last weekend our little town was overwhelmed by tourists, as were all the farm roads that go past tulip fields. The sun was out and the tulips worked their magic. Great for local businesses, and tolerable for local residents only if you're prepared to stay home.

Signs that tulip mania has hit included long lines out the doors of local restaurants and this entry from our weekly newspaper police blotter:

4/18, 6:25 p.m.:  Tulip thieving -- Somebody stole two clay pots containing tulips from a business on South First Street in La Conner.

Shocked?  Tulip thieves no longer shock me. I once witnessed a woman get out of her car and cut down tulips right in front of Rexville Grocery! When confronted by Stuart Welch, the business owner, she looked dumbfounded and said "Oh, I didn't think they belonged to anyone."

Tulips make people crazy, apparently, and they have been doing so for centuries.

Here are a few shots I grabbed from Tulip Town the other day.  I'll let you draw your own conclusions, but personally, I'd change that sign to read:

Caution: Tulips apparently impact one's ability to read and make people do very silly things...

Last night the wind howled, the rain poured, and the frogs sang a chorus as we fell asleep. This morning we awoke to another cloudy, drippy day. And then, despite all predictions, as the day wore on, the clouds rolled away to reveal a sparkling blue sky. People came out of their houses and basked in the sunshine. I took the opportunity to wander around the neighborhood with my camera.

There were other critters about, like my friend Chris's cat Sancho, who thought it made perfect sense to rub against my leg while I was crouched down trying to get a close-up of some primroses.  I indulged him and stopped shooting to pet him until his attention was diverted by the barking of a neighbor's dog.

I stopped by a house some friends are fixing up and found this lovely camelia blooming in the yard.  And then I made my way home, where I spent the afternoon trying to capture the mood. Although the sun was out, there were some soft clouds and a gentle breeze. 

I just got the hummingbird feeders out this week and they were already clucking at me whenever I entered their feeding space. There was a quiet hum throughout the neighborhood - the distant sound of lawn mowers, the quiet conversation of walkers passing by. Cyclists spinning past the other side of the fence. Everyone was active, happy, taking advantage of this fleeting break from the rain.

As it cooled off I came inside to do a quick edit pass. 

My husband took at look at the last photo on this page and exclaimed, "Wow, I really like that background! Where did you get that?"

I laughed so hard I almost choked.

He meant, of course, the blue sky. That's how long it's been. No foolin'.

I admit it, I am endlessly fascinated by plum and cherry blossoms. Since the cherry blossoms aren't quite blooming yet, here's a bouquet from this week's selection of plum blossom images.  ( have added all of these to the Cherry and Plum Blossoms folder.)

Conveniently, there is a plum tree across the street from my house. I watch it morning, noon and night and sneak in some shots whenever it looks interesting. These are all images shot at different times of the day.

Although it may look later, this first shot is an early morning shot.  Someone once said to me, "I've never seen anyone shoot the backside of a flower. That's different."  Is it?  I just thought it was an interesting angle. I guess most people think you have to shoot a flower straight on to capture its essence.

The next image is a sunset shot. I loved how the late light was warming those red stems. I'm okay sacrificing a little sharpness for this because of the colors.

The third image is also early morning, but shooting from in front, not behind, obviously.

Finally, the last image was shot in full, bright, middle-of the day light. What a difference that makes! So clear and bright, with its upright position, reaching for those rays. I know just how it feels - at last, sun!

Some days are better than others in the hunt for a good image. Yesterday, for example, I half-heartedly went out to grab some snapshots of the daffodil fields, primarily to let fellow photographers who are not in the area know what the blooms currently look like. I only had a few minutes and the light was really harsh. The fields weren't at their peak and, to be honest, I wasn't that enthused. Luckily, while I was by the side of the road shooting I looked up to see an adult tricycle peddling my way. It was a friend I'll call "Farm Girl."  Farm Girl is funny and smart and sweet and knowledgeable about farming.

As we chatted by the side of the road about the follies of tourists coming to our area this time of year she told me a story about a couple she saw one year. Apparently they were hell bent on getting photos of the woman, who was, by the way, wearing a tutu, running through the iris fields. They were so intent, or so ill informed, they did not even notice the sprayer who was just finishing up his application of pesticides on the fields. Yes, tutu woman ran out into the freshly - sprayed fields. Farm Girl yelled at her to get out of the field. She pointed to the pesticide applicant - who was wearing full body protection from the pesticides. Tutu woman took a minute to get the implications, but she did, finally, leave the field of blooms. Fields of flowers seem to make people stupid.

Which leads me to this morning. When I left the house the sky was blue and crisp. I just wanted a few good shots, and I wanted to see if the swans I spotted yesterday were in the same spot this morning. (They were.)

I should have just gone back when I noticed the clouds rolling in. Instead, I drove over to where I had spotted the swans. I don't have a long lens, so I really can't get a good shot, but I thought I'd look through the lens anyway. As I pulled over I spotted a curious little fellow looking at me.

He was right next to my car and wasn't moving very much. Just watching me. A little unusual, but I thought it a nice opportunity to get a picture.

When I got out of the car and started to walk across the street to the daffodil field, I realized what was going on. I was at the scene of a family disaster. There were two large birds dead in the middle of the road.  One was unrecognizable, but the other could have been peacefully sleeping.

There was another, smaller bird, dead on the side of the road.

Then, the little guy who had been eyeing me started to walk. It was then I saw that his wing was wounded and he could not fly. I tried to catch him, but he was too fast. Sadly, I had to let him be.

I realize this is just Nature and I should let things take their course, but I have a hard time understanding how three birds could have been hit by a car or truck on this deserted farm road. Someone was driving really fast - or they were distracted by the daffodil fields. Fields of flowers make people stupid.

After that, I decided I would rather work in my garden today than take any more pictures.

I try to shoot images without expectation because I know that every time I shoot something I am still learning. It took years to become comfortable with that notion. I fail a lot. In fact, I'm surprised every single time someone tells me they like a photo I took. Really. Surprised. I like posting new photos on my Facebook page, even when I think they're a failure, because I want to see how other people see them.

Lately I haven't had much opportunity to take photos. We've had so much rain that I find myself sneaking in five minutes here and there when there's a break in the clouds. I'm not particularly happy with anything I've gotten lately, but I try to just keep doing it because it makes me feel like I'm making some progress, even when the results are less than stellar.

A friend pointed me to this TED talk today, just as I was looking through the images I shot yesterday and debating whether or not to bother posting any. The timing could not have been better.

I had already seen her talk on vulnerability, which is a must-see for anyone who is trying to express their own creativity, but I rewatched it to remind myself of her message:

In the interest of allowing myself to be vulnerable, here are some images I shot yesterday. I think the clematis on the left is boring. The crocus in the middle is okay to me, but I see what I could have done better. The tiny daffodils on the right are just not good. I just couldn't find a way to capture their "springiness."  Where do you allow yourself to be vulnerable?

I know a lot of people think shooting pictures of flowers is a waste of time or frivolous. I don't really care what other people think. I love the endless variety and colors, the lifecycle from bud to seed, and everything in-between. I have found, looking through a macro lens, that I see things I never saw before - and I have always been a keen observer of flowers!

One of the great joys is discovering something entirely new in the things you see every day. We live in a valley that is carpeted with fields of daffodils, tulips and irises each spring. It's easy to stop seeing them the way you saw them the first time. That's one reason I started looking more closely.  Another reason is that no matter how often you look at a subject or view it, I think you always have the opportunity to bring a different sensibility to the image you produce. For example, the photo on the left is how I saw daffodils last year around this time. 

I remember being completely startled by the bug inside the daffodil when I downloaded my images and opened them up. Honestly, I had not noticed it when I was shooting the photo. I was concentrating on where I wanted to focus. It seems ridiculous now, but that happens a lot when I shoot flowers. I am thinking about composition or trying to focus and I completely miss something that now seems quite obvious.

We just got our first batch of field daffs this year - the ones picked directly from the fields and sold in bunches of 3 for $5 at local markets. It's a big day when they become available - a sign that spring is truly on its way. The weather has been just miserable, and having these fragrant, golden jewels fills the house with light.

I have been feeling more abstract about daffodils this year, though, so when a sunbeam illuminated the bunch I could only see shapes and color. (Below left).

I've been feeling the heaviness of our weather, too, with all this rain. So I even plunged one underwater to see if the brilliance would survive. (Is this a metaphor for wondering if we can survive until the sun shines again? I don't know - I just feel like we're wet all the time right now.)

And look what happened to it (right and below). The water, at least to me, seems magnify its very daffodil essence.

I'm no Van Gogh, but suddenly I understand his obsession with sunflowers.  Why wouldn't you return to the same subject over and over and over again when it can look so very different depending on the light, your mood and the vision in your head? Photographer Cindy Sherman has made a career of shooting images of the same subject - herself.  Many other artists have returned to the same subjects again and again. In some sense, knowing the subject you plan to shoot anchors your creativity - it forces one to think outside the box and look for a new angle, a new composition, a new vision.

What do you do to challenge your creativity?

Me, I shoot flowers.

A few years ago I read a book by author Susan Orlean called The Orchid Thief. Perhaps you have heard of it, read it, or even seen the movie version of it, called Adaptation. If not, I recommend it. A tale of obsession and deception, it's a fascinating story that started with the arrest of a plant dealer who was poaching rare orchids in South Florida.

But that's beside the point. I have never been good at growing orchids. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit I killed the last orchid from a friend's beloved grandfather's collection within a few months of his death. I love looking at orchids, though, so this past weekend I visited the Mt. Baker Orchid Society's show and sale at a local nursery. Lucky for me, the folks tending the plants not only didn't mind me sticking my big lens into the blossoms, they were helpful and friendly and more than willing to answer questions and tell me about the plants. I even came home with a purchase (yikes!). I'll definitely keep track of the Northwest Orchid Society in case I get into plant trouble.

There were so many varieties on display it was absolute sensory overload! If you ever get the chance to visit an orchid show, I highly recommend it.

I look at these flowers and so often I see something other than a flower. What do you see?

Many of you know I do yoga at least a couple of times a week, sometimes more. I did yoga for 20+ odd years before it became trendy.  My high school basketball coach actually introduced me to it. I wish I had kept it up even when the aerobics instructors jumped on the bandwagon (I couldn't stand that - couldn't find a teacher I liked) because it was after I quit practicing yoga regularly that I ruptured two discs in my back.  As an active person who has always loved sports, that was a bit more than a setback. It was a wake-up call. If I don't keep my core strong, I could do it again. And I definitely don't want to do that again.

So, when a yoga studio conveniently opened up across the street from my house, I signed up. That was more than a year ago and I have been going fairly regularly a couple of times a week. Besides the general health benefits, I realized yoga has significantly improved my strength and balance.

What does this have to do with photography? Well, I don't like to use a tripod if I don't have to. That's a pretty weird thing for someone who loves to shoot macro images, because holding extremely still is much harder than using a tripod. But, thanks to yoga I can squat in deep knee bends for long periods of time, maintain my balance, and control my breath to be still when necessary. That's why I am able to get shots like these, even when there's a breeze, without using a tripod. (If you have ever shot macro photography you know what I mean - the slightest breeze will send you reeling.)

 Why am I talking about this?  I was thinking about yoga today after I watched this ridiculous video. No, I don't breakdance when I do yoga. But I do get stronger.

I recently expanded my circles on Google+ to include thousands of recommended photographers. The stream of images and ideas is astounding. I could sit here all day just looking at what others do and commenting. I also set up a Pinterest account, although I am not particularly active over there yet. For one thing, Pinterest behaves poorly. It either ignores my pins or multiplies them so I have to keep going in and deleting.

These tools and Facebook are ripe with opportunity. And yet, I can't help but feel they are also distractions. I love intereacting with other photographers and seeing their work. But I don't want to do that at the expense of shooting pictures! Just like the PhotoShop tutorials I have on my computer - they are tools that I want to utilize periodically.

So, yesterday when my snowdrops were finally open, I was relieved to be away from the computer and behind the lens. My wish for everyone is to have quiet moments when something as simple as a blooming snowdrop can take you away from all distractions.