Welcome to Moments Photography by Sandy's blog about photography and creativity. Always on the prowl for ways to keep learning, trying, inventing and shooting pictures. I will share my adventures, addictions, and antics below. Come visit often and share what you will. Live abundantly, giving, sharing and loving. . .
Living in the Clouds
The definition for skyscraper is a building of many stories. Now, define stories. My first thought is that in every one of these many buildings are people and all those people have their own story. That is not the literal meaning for "a building of many stories". But it fits. Maybe the definition would be better explained if it was a building of many layers, or flights of stairs (no, that brings other images to mind as well), or many floors, walls and ceilings. And there are so many buildings in this image!
The image was taken from the highest building in Chicago as the sun was setting in the west. The light from the sun on the west/east bound streets creates a dimension against the shaded north/south bound streets. This altered version includes graphics, filters, masks and text to add visual complexity and a whimsical edge for the oh, so many stories included within.
WIngs to Fly
Wings to fly only implies flight. I love the thought of flying. I imagine what things look like from above. And if I do get to see a map of an area I'm going to visit using the satellite view, I'm really good at navigating within that space on the ground. We did a lot of traveling when I was a child. My Dad was in the Army until I was in my 20's. Because I lived 800 miles from where my folks lived when they retired, my children learned to travel as well. We also took trips over 5 hours away from home every summer to vacation with friends. At the time I was a school teacher so I getting time off was a given. The road trips gave us time to spend just doing nothing but riding and talking or just riding. Back then music was the only addition. No cell phones, no DVD players, no hand held devices were available to distract us from learning our own minds. I enjoyed the time spent. But sometimes I wanted the option to fly home. After everything was said and done and I missed sleeping in my own bed, flight would have been an welcome option.
Walking Along with Spirit
You only have to ask. Ask whom? Well, so here it is, without reference to any published study that I know of, but true none the less: every person on this journey here are on Earth has at least two spiritual guides. So just ask. Ask your guides to guide you. And then be sure to say, "Thank-you." It's really that simple. A journal is powerful too. I recently found a journal entry from quite a few years ago that was written to my guides, angels, guardians or whatever name you choose. It was written like a letter. And I wrote the words in my head for the response as well. Yes, it is an awkward experience and I didn't repeat it which isn't to say that it won't go well for your attempts. I know there is much power in writing. Many books are written in just this way of be-ing that enables you to write what you "think". Wayne Dyer wrote all his books while in this flow of communication. I have found that it can just as easily be done in my head. I have also begun the practice of saying out loud, "Is there anything else I need to know?" This is especially helpful before leaving the house. It's pretty awesome most of the time. If this concept is a new one for you...
try it> cONSIDER the concept of your own spiritual self. Ask for guidance and you will receive it. Be observant. The messages come sometimes as feelings. Or you might glance somewhere in the room, so wonder what is there that you might need. Words of course are the easiest reminders, and sometimes they only come once. So act on them. Or notice what difference it made if you didn't. Don't beat yourself up with any phrase that has the word "should" in it. Live. Learn. (the "typo" errors, ie: no period available and random capital letters - yes, spirit loves to mess with my electronics...) Love. And enjoy this mysterious journey we call life.
Photo ARTist
The images below were created with a theme in mind. I am learning by doing. Most of my Photoshop and camera skills are self-taught. My first image using my new skills is in the previous blog post about Lizzy Pearl. Below are the next two images I have made while taking an online class called "The Photo Artistic Life" by Sebastian Michaels. More on all that at a later date. I have truly enjoyed learning new techniques and leaning into the curve of leaning for creating a composition, which is still in the self-discovery stages.
I designed this for the NSAI, National Songwriting Association International facebook page that I manage for my local area chapter.
The image below is my collage of how I see myself as an Artist.
Set the Stage for Lizzy Pearl
To set the sage for something means that 'conditions have been made right for something to happen". Whenever you see anyone on stage you have to know that there was much time and practice to get to that moment. Sometimes it is just attributed to talent. But even talent has to be used to prosper. I was raised with the thinking, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." And I would add that these gifts are given for a reason and when you engage in them, you are blessed with feelings that come from nowhere else. Below is the sage name that I have newly adopted for my performances. Given that my original songs are inspired from thoughts often times beyond my own "thinking". I piece them together into rhyme, rhythm and tones. Words and thoughts can come when I ask for guidance and at random times. These songs convey the messages given to me through life's experiences. The intent is to provide healing and help to others wanting to piece together the meaning of life with a compassion for this journey and all its inhabitants. I perform alone. This gives me the freedom to change the tuning of my guitar to that of healing. This frequency 432Hz is also called the "scientific tuning". It is mathematically attuned to the frequency of the earth which is 8Hz, making it "a harmonic intonation of nature." ( - link to more information) . It would benefit us all to make this change as the accepted frequency of 440Hz is disharmonic, while the 432Hz is considered a symphony. The song "Imagine" was recorded at this frequency. All together, all in peace and harmony with each other and nature is a wonderful thought. "You may say that I'm a dreamer but I not the only one." John Lennon, with the Plastic Ono Band
