Sunday, July 07, 2013

Photo-Heart Connection: June 2013

The idea: At the end of each month, review the images you worked with in that month for the one that gives you the strongest connection to your heart and soul. Write about that connection to the image in a blog post... then link into the monthly link up.



I adore flowers. Their beauty, and honestly even more importantly, their fragrance. And every year I tell myself I'm going to get up to Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT to enjoy their rose garden, the week before their celebrated "Rose Weekend" of course, since I can't take crowds.

Well this year I did it. I went by myself after my kids were in school. I got there around 10am so I'd have nice light, and as I walked around sticking my nose and camera in to all that deliciousness I noticed that the light had gotten really harsh; it was already after noon. I had stayed for over three hours and took over 700 photos.

I am going through a period of huge transition in my life right now. After homeschooling my two boys for nine years they are both in school, and I am finding myself with a lot of time on my hands. And yet I find myself feeling guilty for taking time to nourish my soul with a few hours of something I love to do, that my other family members would only bitch through if I had dragged them along.

I think I love this photo the most out of the 711 that I took because it is one single rose reaching up above the others. Reaching for the sun even as it beats mercilessly down upon it. It reflects how I am trying to deal with the mixed emotions I have about all the changes going on in my life. I am joyful that my kids are in school now, and that I have a few moments to catch my breath to rise above the mundane. But I am still a white rose in the midst of white roses and miss my kids terribly. The trick, I think, will be to learn to allow myself these moments of alone time without feeling guilty.

Photographically I like this image because it really is quite lovely despite that mid-day blaring sun that professionals are always saying to avoid for the best photos. I've had my digital SLR for almost a year now, and I am still adjusting to it. My last SLR was not digital and was completely manual, and I am constantly challenged to take advantage of the new auto functions (focus, for example) while manipulating them to get the results that I want. Having hours to take photos of still images enabled me to practice.

What a lovely day that was.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the open space you left around the flowers! Nice!

Michele Matucheski said...

What a beautiful vivid sky blue the white rose is reaching for! 700 pictures in 1 morning! The magic of digital photography! Don't feel bad about nourishing your soul. When Mama's happy, everyone is happy!
--Michele at Sweet Leaf

Cathy H. said...

Beautiful, peaceful image! I love the angle you chose for this shot. I know it's hard to take time for yourself and not feel guilty, but in the long run, your family will benefit. Lovely post!

rakusribut said...

great shot, good example of how breaking the 'rules' (not to take photographs in harsh sunlight) is sometimes a very good idea lol! that sun not only makes those white roses 'explode' with light, it also brings out the beautiful details of those soft petals.... and the extreme blue sky adds even more impact, as ell as your use of negative space.

Prairie Jill said...

Gorgeous shot! I love the white flowers against the deep blue sky. A very fitting photo-heart connection.

Kat Sloma said...

What a lovely Photo-Heart Connection! This is a lovely image, regardless of the time of day, and I see the reaching and separation that you speak of. Transitions are always hard - you will find your way! (Sorry for my delay, I'm visiting June and July at the same time!)