Making the best of the present moment

Strawflowers in one of my horticulture gardens

Photographs are a moment in time, but there are times when I feel my camera and my skills have failed that moment. In the past these photographs would be deleted, but now I play.

My toy is an app called Aviary. I often use it on even my best images to adjust the sharpness or brightness. But a less than favored photograph can be transformed into a new take on that moment in time. Just as my mind (at its best) can seek joy and hope in a failed moment, Aviary can do the same with a not to be deleted moment.

 

 

Celebrating the Blue and Violet Flowers of Longwood Gardens and my Friend Paul Grecian

Blue Flowers with Paul Grecian
at Longwood Gardens
Photo by Wayne Stratz

If I can hope for traditions to be created, going to Longwood Gardens with my friend, Paul Grecian, will be come an annual event. Twice we have gone on my spring break from teaching. The first time tulip blooms were peaking and we barely spent time inside. Well I did pray for an hour with succulents. This time it wasn't too spring like outside so we made our way through the glass houses. The blue beds caught our eye on the way in, but it was at the end of the trip that we spent time there.

Paul may be my favorite photographer. We own two of his pieces and spending time with him slows me down. I spend more time in an area and possibly come home with better photos to share here.  The drive to Longwood is filled with some great brainstorming about being in the business of creating and selling art. Hope to be back next year and the year after that... 

Hydrangeas that surely would have 

delighted Mosaic Woman ~

Hortensia Hydrangea
 Hydrangea macrophylla
Mathilda Gutges
photo by Wayne Stratz

Hortensia Hydrangea close up

 Hydrangea macrophylla

Mathilda Gutges

photo by Wayne Stratz

A poppy that was past its prime,

 caught my eye ~

Blue-Poppy
 Meconopsis
Lingholm
by Wayne Stratz

Blue-Poppy
 Meconopsis
Lingholm
by Wayne Stratz

Then I saw my chance to see Paul

 in a wave of Echiums

Pride-Of-Madeira
Echium candicans
photo by Wayne Stratz

Pride-Of-Madeira and Paul Grecian
Echium candicans
photo by Wayne Stratz

Watching, finding photos while being still

On Good Friday I sat for an hour with God and my camera (that post is still emerging). On that day I could take photos as the objects caught my eye.

My wordless Wednesday post featured three photos from my church (Holy Trinity Episcopal in Lansdale, PA) . On Sunday I sat and imagined photos and waited for the service to come to an end. Next to me was my favorite glass. Between us sat a large display of white flowers. A stalk of snapdragon blooms rose above everything. For the last 30 minutes of church I imagined a photo of those snapdragons.

And as people lingered or headed toward the exit, I plopped down on the floor ...




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P is for Photos by Purpleface and Paul

My photos don't do them justice, but I love the work by these photographers and I am glad that now that P has rolled around (doing O tomorrow) I remembered that I wanted it to be for two great photographers.


Paul Grecian is one of those people who it is an honor to be at a craft show with because his work is amazing. We loved his work even before we did our first show, before he became our friend, before I lined up to spend this Friday hanging out with the man at one of my favorite places.

Mosaic Woman allowed me the pleasure of picking out one of his photos, we chose Seating For Two ( I say we because I knew she loved the photo and waxwings). But I got to say that Downward Facing Dog (not what you will expect) among others were high on the list.

Friend Paul's art at Facebook.



Purpleface (Sarah Lewis) first entered my life at Flickr, then twitter, then facebook, then my studio. Well her photo is there and it has a special location on the top of a very special book case. On the side of the case are notes from a retreat at The Jesuit Center. Below the photo are many types of stained glass and below that my collection of books on spirituality... That white grid thing is where I cut glass, so Purpleface is close by when I am cutting and grinding glass.

Purpleface said something kind about a stained glass heart I had made, so I thought: Fair Trade Across the Atlantic. But then I had to choose a photo. Life can be hard when you hang out with such talented folk. It was not the speediest of transactions but it sure was joyful when we each finally had art from the other.

The photo is called Crisp, and a much more crisp shot can be seen here.

Friend her art at Facebook. She is one of the best friends I have never met.

Gratitude 3

I am blessed... color vision, glass, macro photography and the love of a good woman, who asked me to document her mosaics...






















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Flickr Sundays-- Atelier Teee's Riverwalk Fountain

Riverwalk Fountain
Originally uploaded by Atelier Teee

Flickr Sundays, a new habit. Sunday mornings before church I have dedicated to my Flickr site. I thank and comment back to folk who have visited my photos, I post new photos, and I visit my friend's new photos where I leave a comment on a photo that speaks to me. I am all about the communication

I want to show of some off these wonderful folk to my blogger friends, so lets start with Atelier Teee. Have you been to Chicago. This man is documenting the city and I think he should be on their pay roll. He has a great eye for architecture. Check him out. The Photo is called Riverwalk Fountain, click it to see it at his site. I commented on this one two months ago.

Mosaic Woman and I lived down state Illinois for two years, but did get a five day weekend in the big city before we headed east. I was introduced to Jerk Chicken at Taste of Chicago. Timing is everything. Maybe I should dig out some of my Chicago photographs and post them, I know one person who would get a kick out of them, just like he knows I will be drawn to his captures of stained glass.