Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words…
… or in this case, 41. My morning muse came to the rescue when I attempted to write some prose to describe what this picture was saying to me.
The feeling was there, but I struggled with finding the “right” words. So, I jotted down some key words and ideas, and slept on it.
My first impression was of someone spreading their arms and holding an inviting pose, just before dancing around the room. From that inspiration, the following verse was born the next morning. (It’s funny how your perspective can change. When I look at this picture now I see a person dangling a long piece of string to tease a kitten.)
Dance With Me
Suggested movement stripped of rhythm,
while poised in silence a picture is given.
I’m rooted here with listening eyes,
my weathered truth witnessed by passersby.
There is movement in stillness, a connection is captured,
by a photographer named Sara, obviously enraptured.
The Sharing Connection
If you recognize this photo, then you’ve already been by Sara’s personal development blog called The Sharing Connection.
If you haven’t, last week she announced a new weekly theme called Photo Story with a contest. She invited her readers to submit a story, a poem or some prose to tell the story they imagined was behind the above photo… in less than 100 words.
My submission missed the deadline but Sara has kindly given me permission to post it and her photo here. If you haven’t had a chance to read the three chosen submissions, be sure to visit Sara’s blog. You’re in for a treat.
Although the entries are quite unique, they share a common theme of reflective melancholy.
The featured submissions were from:
Sterling Okura from Bizlift Blog — focusing on strategies for small business growth.
Evita Ochel from Evolving Scenes — a blog that shares beautiful photography and inspirational words.
Julie from Random Meanderings — a blog that meanders through self-development with gentle insights expressing appreciation and connection with nature.
The Sharing Connection has just posted another story photo and it’s a good one. Give your muse something to play with today. Pop over there and tell Sara what you think the flower is saying.
Are you an incurable photographer, bringing your camera with you wherever you go?
What about the shot that got away? Is it forever burned in your memory?
Photo credit: Sara Healy
Evita
Hilary
Joy
Linda
Megan "JoyGirl!" ...
Patricia
Tess The Bold Life
Tony Single
vered
{ 20 comments }
That picture is just flat out stunning. Of course I’m a sucker for anything with snow. Southern California gets less than its fair share.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Welcome to the Inkwell
“Are you an incurable photographer, bringing your camera with you wherever you go?”
Yes, but only since I became a blogger.
“What about the shot that got away? Is it forever burned in your memory?”
There are several of those actually. It’s weird how they really are burned in my memory – each and every one of them.
Vered – MomGrind’s last blog post..Skiing In Lake Tahoe, California
Davina, you’re a natural poet. :) You’re right, too, in how we can see something very different each time we look at a photo. I suspect it’s something to do with our moods.
Your questions: No, I don’t take the camera with me wherever I go, because I’m still trying to figure out how to use it. But, I see photos always, everywhere, and always wish I had my camera. The one that got away?… No, there are always so many more!! :)
Julie’s last blog post..What I Learned During My Recent Hibernation
Davina,
Thank you, thank you, thank you…for your beautiful writings and for your mention of my new Story Photo day. I wish what you wrote had been in the contest drawing, but LOVE seeing it here!
Also, once again I want to thank the all the talented writers who submitted entries to the first Story Photo!
NOTE: Photos can surprise us always, as this picture has done for several readers. Just so everyone knows…it’s not snow. It’s actually the white sands of Cape San Blas in North Florida. I have to admit, however, when I look at it does look like snow…just 45 degrees warmer:~)
Sara’s last blog post..Story Photo Challenge: What is this flower saying?
Davina,
What an artistic post this is, both the photo and the words. I started taking my camera everywhere when I started blogging, until I realised the shots I took didn’t look that good on the page. Maybe I need a better camera or better skills! Now I use Flickr photos, sad maybe but a lot easier!
Daphne’s last blog post..Attaining Spiritual Peace
Davina, you certainly write beautifully! What a great tribute to Sara too!
I need a new camera too….LOL!! Okay…maybe it’s more like I need to brush up on my photography skills!
Evelyn Lim’s last blog post..The Masquerade Play Of Life
Hi Davina
What a beautiful picture, you take great photo. It is amazing how some woods out in the open with snow create art work like this.
What I see when I look at this photo is: I see 2 chinese ribbon dancers, dancing back to back and waving there ribbons in the cool snow.
Thank you for this.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna Garcia’s last blog post..What your family really want is quality time and love.
To permit all thinking and external desires to fall away is often perceived to be difficult. And yet, you already understand and resist accepting inner knowing. Many kinds of people exist with different thougths and aspirations. Whether or not you attin what you consciously desire, you eventually return to the Source of emptiness. This is pure love and bliss.
Liara Covert’s last blog post..What if you made a radical shift?
Hi Writer Dad.
I agree, Sara took an interesting photo. If you want snow I know where to send you. I’m originally from northern Ontario, Canada. There is no snow in Sara’s shot, however as it was taken in Florida.
Hi Vered.
And I bet a lot of those shots are of your girls :-) Children are interesting to capture at the best of times, even when you’ve got your camera with you.
Hi Julie.
You must have a pretty nifty, high tech camera. With mine it’s just point and click. I hope you get it working soon then… there are many shots waiting :-)
Hi Sara.
You’re welcome. When I first looked at this picture I thought it was snow too, but because I know where you took it, I had inside information – heh, heh. Thanks for clarifying this Sara.
Hi Daphne.
Thank you. The same thing happens to me. I think I’ve got a really good shot, but then it’s just so-so. Maybe your’s aren’t as bad as you think. I don’t carry my camera with me everywhere because I take transit and walk. If I had a car it would be easier to toss it beside me on the seat. There are some excellent photos on Flickr.
Hi Evelyn.
Thank you very much. It was a fun challenge. You take great pics — I’m enjoying seeing that shot of yours that we used for the cover of The Quote Effect.
Hi Giovanna.
It is a beautiful shot but I can’t take credit for it. This is one of Sara’s photos from Florida — no snow, just lovely white sand. I just scrolled up to have a look at the pic again from your perspective and I see those ribbon dancers. Thanks for sharing your imagination. Neat!
Hi Liara. I had to think about this before replying and you know what I find interesting? Based on my personal experience, it appears to be easier to resist than to just allow. What’s up with that? Is this the doing versus the being scenario, where the doing is just too heavy?
that tree looks like an orchestra conductor to me. pretty cool. yes i do take my camera with me every where i go (95% of the time) and since i’m on vacation, i started a new series called A Picture A Day…pretty self explanatory.
i probably forgot about the shot that got away. i don’t remember too much. :)
Natural’s last blog post..My Two Left Feet
I photograph on occasion. I have my camera handy, but I don’t use it much, just when I find that little something, you know something like that tree.
Miguel de Luis’s last blog post..3 ways to never give up at school, 2.0
Davina that is so beautiful!!!!
I love your addition and I love Sara’s idea. I think it is so much fun and so unique to see what an image or situation brings out in people. I love sharing in and learning from the different perspectives.
As for me and the camera, I WISH I had it always with me, but that is just not feasible or just plain practical. Just the other day we were going out somewhere when along our path was a beautiful groundhog standing upright in the light of the sun – just a stunning image…but sadly no camera at the time. But not to worry, I think it is important sometimes to just enjoy the scene and take it in without any technical sides to it.
Evita’s last blog post..I CAN DO IT! Toronto 2009 Conference – Day 1
Yes, an incurable photographer here. Soembody’s stolen my camera tho, so I’m a little out of the swing. But I’ll recover!
To me the picture above is of soemone who went arse over tea kettle into a snowbank, with his feet sticking up in the air.
“listening with my eyes.” Brill, Davina. I think ya got a touch of the poeisms in ya!
Jannie Funster’s last blog post..Twitterpated (not!) (yet)
Hi Natural.
Yah, I can see that maestro guy making beautiful music. You “don’t remember too much,” like… um a matching pair of shoes? :-) I’m still chuckling over your last post Natural. You have a fantastic sense of humour. I can’t wait to see the photographs you will come up with. Bring em on!
Hi Miguel.
The same thing happens with me. When I do take my camera with me, it’s usually when I’m on a holiday and it might see the light of day for one day if it’s lucky. You probably store experiences more than photographs… experiences that you just happen write about for you blog, right?
Hi Evita.
Thank you. I love your attitude about seeing and letting go. There is something to that. Can you imagine the camera dangling around your neck and your eyes darting feverishly around hunting for that elusive shot — the adrenaline pump? :-) I couldn’t relax. I can see how it would have been nice to grab a shot of that groundhog though. However, you have captured some amazing shots for your blog.
Hi Jannie.
Lol, I love your story! “Arse over tea kettle”… lordy, I’ve never heard that saying before. Well, that’s too bad about your camera Jannie :-( Maybe it’s time for a bigger and better one for you.
With each photo I take, I try to put words to it, although not too many stories. However, I did do a story wrapped around a few photos. If you’re interested, it’s called A Boy and a Wave.
One reason I love photography is because I love sharing what I see with everyone, who in turn shares a bit of themselves.
LisaNewton’s last blog post..Torrey Pines, Dolphins, and another day in San Diego
I used to take my camera everywhere, but now I seem to simply live in the moment more than I capture the moment.
Stacey / Create a Balance’s last blog post..Authentic Happiness Series – Part Three (Community)
Hi Lisa. I did read your story and thought it was fun. It reminds me of those days playing at the beach when I was little. Photography really opens up the imagination. It’s neat how a picture can tell so many different stories.
Hi Stacey.
Now the moments are capturing you :-)
I like your little poem, Davina! That tree certainly invites some thoughtful words.
I don’t take a camera around very much, and consequently I miss lots of photos. I really don’t like it when I am taking a picture or movie of something and discovered I have missed the event.
Robin’s last blog post..Tomato Seeds And Delicious Fruit
Hey Robin, thanks!
I know what you mean. As much as I love photography, there is a certain pressure to not miss a shot when there is a camera nearby.
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