THE WINGS of ANGELS...ANOTHER CHRISTMAS STORY...

THE WINGS of ANGELS

THE WINGS of AN ANGEL's FIRST CHRISTMAS

The THREE LOST FEATHERS

Another year, another story. I wait till the last moment to write it, so that it is fresh and spontaneous!



In our home, we have a cupboard. Nothing extraordinary there?
Except, it is opened only once a year, it is where our Christmas decorations are kept.
I still feel the same excitement I felt when I was a little girl, and I'd climb the stairs, behind my dad, up to the (huge) attick, yes... open 'the cupboard' holding all the cardboard boxes with the shiny glass baubles, the sparkling garlands.. It wasn't heavy, so I was allowed to help, and ooooh, when I opened the first box, I smelled the pine and wax from years past...
Most of the treasures you remember and look forward to seeing again, many are a renewed surprise.
Last Sunday, it was the moment, the day the tree was put up, the lights were working, the wreath hanging on the door, it was all going smoothly...
Wind and sleety rain battering against the windows, nice and snug indoors, I was slowing down, growing a little tired... when I heard the most heavenly music, voices singing of a Silent Night, I opened the door, three little angels stood there, bedragled and cold.
I rushed them quickly inside, rinsed off their wings and hung them up to dry.
Made the angels a nice warm drink, in no time, they'd recovered and sang their songs of bells that jingle, chestnut roasting, some little drummer-boy,things in a pear tree?
They helped me decorating in a festive and jolly mood, lighting the candles, arranging the Holly.
One of them felt the feathers, they were dry, they fluffed them up a little, stroked some smooth, time to go...

Two were quick to don their wings, I noticed that one was a bit slower, turned to me and whispered: "I've not been an angel for very long, this is my first Christmas, bbbrrrr..."
The music echoed in the distance for a brief moment, aaaahhh, what a lovely dream, now I still had to finish what I had started!
I carried on with renewed zest, smiling...when I suddenly saw, where the wings had been haninging... three lost feathers...

I wish you a life full of peace and goodness, thanx, M, (*_*)



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IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

OF GRASSES, COMPOSITION and THE GOLDEN RULE OF THIRDS.

GRAPHIC GREEN GRASS

TRICHOTOMY

MY 'INTERPRETATION' OF THE GOLDEN RULE OF THIRDS....

HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED AT THE SPLENDOUR OF WILD GRASSES?

Or should the title say, my 'interpretation' of it...

Lately I've had a 'rekindled' interest in the compositional rules...
It came through the curiosity and eternal question why certain images 'seem' to work better, please more than others?
My flower photography actually evolved out of that hunger to understand, ( of course it also had to do with lighting, the effects of colours, shapes and textures!)

I am still fascinated by stark compositions... and I love (need) new challenges...

The Golden Mean or Golden Section is a mathematical constant, a ratio that appears in nature and was discovered by Pythagoras in the 5th century B.C.E.
The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in visual arts namely painting, photography, design and across cultures and history, designers such as artists and architects, composers and poets have adopted the Golden Mean as a ratio that is pleasing to the human eye.
Rotation of plant leaves on a stalk follow the Phi (φ) ratio insuring that the same position is not used twice, affording optimal exposure of underlying leaves to sunlight.

In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice.
To the Greek mentality, it was an attribute of beauty.

I know the 'rules of composition'... and personally, once I knew them... I loved to 'break' them... creatively that is...

This is a good site for information, simple and direct!

http://photoinf.com/Golden_Mean/Petteri_Sulonen/Geometry_in_Composition.htm

The last image  is of YORKSHIRE FOG or Holcus lanatus.

On a tour in our garden last Summer, in between two showers, I found these grasses, they love this type of weather, thrive on it! Very common in grassland and moorland, also in waste ground and neglected gardens.
The birds must have brought in the seeds, or they glided in on the wind...
When I looked closely, I saw all the beautiful colours, the shimmer... the beauty!

Decided I could make a lovely, strong and graphic design, comp in camera. 

Up close and personal, there's beauty in everything? (well most...lol.)

During a stop on our outing this Summer,  last Sunday to Malham Moor, the views were stunning, the silence deafening, the sky high, the grasses glisteningly waving on the breeze...

I'd taken my shots and was just enjoying everything, while Paul was still busy (aah, the joy of both being photographers... we understand and have a lot of patience with each other)
I looked at the verges and discovered grasses, amongst the abundant Yorkshire Mist (www.flickr.com/photos/9550033@N04/4422947132/in/photostream ), I had never seen.. picked three and photographed them for you...
Now last weeks grasses, well, not wanting to throw them away, I put them in some water, to my surprise, they flowered, well, as you can see, different stages.
Sadly they are gone now, the pollen not so good for Paul!!!


For years I 'experimented' in the studio, to get that Flemish painter's light? Well, I was born in Flanders, it must be in my blood? LOL.

NEW!!! A NEW TREAT HERE, a second choice of some of my images:
 youtu.be/IzRM4viw-7g


Lead and enjoy a good life, do and say things that enrich... and do not forget to tell the people close to you,  how much you love them!
With love to you and thank you for your time, M, (* _ *)

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved


WHAT PART of DO NOT USE is it that you DO NOT UNDERSTAND?
I  find my images on numerous blogs and websites EVERY DAY, without my permission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ON and FOR FATHER'S DAY, in England 19th June 2011

THE FURTIVE KISS

It is never easy being a parent!
Each child is an individual... does not come with an instruction manual! LOL Have a great one dads.

A lifelong commitment, that's being a parent, to care about smaller and bigger things, the being there, we have a duty, the morals that we teach them... that's what will (ideally?) shape them, let's not underestimate the impact we have on our nearest and dearest.
The 'father' figure is often one of strength and discipline, never forget that bit of tenderness, so needed in all our lives.

An unforgettable moment in my youngest son's life, she is the apple of her parents eye... not every child is that lucky...

The little girl had been playing very intensely involved in a game, the adults having a vivid conversation, when she suddenly jumped up, ran to her daddy and gave him a kiss. I only had time to lift my camera to my eye and grab this precious moment. The settings all wrong... I was able to 'retrieve' what I wanted, everybody else would have deleted the raw file!

A perfect example of the fact that it is NOT only about the technicality but the emotion in a photograph.
In a studio, the light would be perfect but you would NEVER be able to 'create' a moment like this!


I believe we have become too obsessed with the 'technicality' of the manipulation rather than with the content of the pictures.
Personally, if a photograph touches me, that is the first criterion!
Unfortunately I must admit, if it has been 'massacred' with some software, that rapidly takes away ALL emotions except, GGGGRRRRRR.
 Technically perfect images are often , dare I say it? ...BORING???
So  feelings and emotions in an image, so often discarded yet so essential!
Mine is pure, unadulterated photography, I'm old school, darkroom age, haha.
It is great fun to 'try' out some of the new gimmicks, however, it is not for me.


Lead and enjoy a good life, do and say things that enrich... and more than ever, do not forget to tell the people close to you,  how much you love them!
With love to you and thank you for ALL your faves and comments, M, (* _ *)

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved


WHAT PART of DO NOT USE is it that you DO NOT UNDERSTAND?
I  find my images on numerous blogs and websites EVERY DAY, without my permission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of stage fright and portraiture...

OOUHH-LA-LA... STAGE FRIGHT...

Stage fright Is Good and Makes You Better Looking Too!
Before you learn how to deliver your lines, it is important to be ready to deliver your lines.
For me the same applies in photography! If your portrait is going to be taken, get ready for your close-up and remember it is a good thing 'to not like to be photographed', lol!
Most people 'freeze' as soon as they feel the lens aimed at them...
It is so nice, the odd occasion that someone does NOT say 'I do not like to be photographed'.
It is also the responsibility of the photographer to put your subject at ease, give them time to adjust, have a chat, explain, talk about different possibilities, keep asking if a 'pose' feels natural, comfortable... if not, start again, otherwise you WILL see it in the image!
Stage fright is a phenomenon that you must learn to control.
Actually, stage fright isn't the most accurate term for the nervousness that occurs when considering a speaking engagement. In fact, most of the fear occurs before you step on-stage. Once you're up there, it usually goes away. Try to think of stage fright in a positive way. Fear is your friend. It makes your reflexes sharper. It heightens your energy, adds a sparkle to your eye, and color to your cheeks. When you are nervous about speaking (or posing) you are more conscious of your posture and breathing. With all those good side effects you will actually look healthier and more physically attractive...
( parts used from www.antion.com/articles/stagefright.htm)

I don't talk to flowers, they talk to me and I gladly listen!

This Golden tulip seemed OOUHH LA LA, so FLUSTERED... in a studio? Being portrayed, MOI???


For years I 'experimented' in the studio, to get that Flemish painter's light? Well, I was born in Flanders, it must be in my blood? LOL.

A NEW TREAT HERE, a second choice of some of my images: youtu.be/IzRM4viw-7g


Lead and enjoy a good life, do and say things that enrich... and do not forget to tell the people close to you,  how much you love them!
With love to you and thank you for ALL your faves and comments, M, (* _ *)

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved


WHAT PART of DO NOT USE is it that you DO NOT UNDERSTAND?
I  find my images on numerous blogs and websites EVERY DAY, without my permission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPHER, IN SPAIN. DAY 5.

WHERE DO I BEGIN...

NIMBLE FINGERS

CATFISH?

DEVIL CATFISH?

THE APOSTLE

MORE CATFISH

YASSIN

OCTUPUS

JAWS

OCTOPUS BEFORE

OCTOPUS AFTER

THE GREAT ESCAPE

NET FLOATS

PACKED CATCH

Day 5.

Like I said, wherever we travel, we love the sea, the working harbours, so much the same (hard work!) and yet all different...
We decided to explore the Fuengirola fishing area that day.
Often you will see the older fishermen, they cannot stay away and often it is sons and family who continue the traditions, they tend and mend the nettings.
Their eyes are keen on spotting a hole and their hands are nimble!
Also, like everywhere, they are camera shy. I always try and engage in conversation with them, letting my camera in my bag or have it casually hanging on my hand...
Walking on, we saw this gent, gathering small fish from the nets drying on the quayside, there was a resident cat and he was giving them little fishes!
Later, turned out there was another cat, both very shy, and yet, everybody tried to feed them!
Boats came in and out, all were helping each other. Some young guys were curious and wanted to know and see what we were doing... following us around...
Yassin was into his bubble-gum!

Fishing folk each have a right to their 'portion' to take home, so before the cleaning started, that's probably what was mostly left.

We have to understand, sad and distressing as it may be to us, fishermen and farmers... people who have to earn a living of animals... they have a different view on 'life' to us!

As we walked out, in the fishing mine/market, I took some photos of the ready catch to be sent to???????????????

We spent a good afternoon and were determined to come back another day, this was what we liked!

Thanx, M, (*_*)

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

I stand in STUNNED SILENCE for JAPAN, while my heart gently weeps!

Today, I saw some of the news for the first time... so far I had followed it in words and not in images...
What they showed... I had to stop watching, it is too much, how I feel such sadness for all those people, it will take generations...even then, it will be something that will always stay with them. A tragedy of such epic proportions! I cannot comprehend what it must be like!
Being 'brave' will not be enough... how do you go on? I know, have to... but how?

I heard that in Japan the colour red means: Courage.
This image is in honour of them, my kimono from Tokyo and my tabi socks, I know the Chrysanthemum is of great importance to them, especially White means mourning in Japan...
This is my Koden-gaes: Giving a token in acknowledgement of an obituary gift.


Now, countries are showing goodwill... getting together, helping out, why only ever when disaster strikes?


Lead a good life!

Thanx, M, (;_;)

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved


Please Donate For Japan Earthquake

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HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7cLnijKBs

It's a man's world - James Brown & Luciano Pavarotti.

International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day is marked on March 8 every year.

It is a major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.

Now you all know that I am a passionate photographer. One of the reasons why I love it is that it can be so versatile, it is NOT just working in a studio, it opens all kinds of experiences, because of my job, I had a (rare) insight into many different and more unusual lives. Examples include:

the inside world of BBC, both radio and TV and its people there, the introverts and the extroverts, I'll let you figure out who's who...…

Universities, the professors and their advanced research and researchers…

I experienced the tensions and vigilance on the bridge of a huge Ferry in one of the busiest sea-lanes in the world, the captain, his crew and their advanced technology...

A small shrimp trawler, the hardship of fishing during the night, managed by a skipper and his mate…

A veterinary surgeon performing complicated operations…

Ballet dancers in their studios, showing us the tough regime and performing their art…

A brief glimpse into the interesting world of travellers…

The behind the scenes of a casino, where you really get the sense of drama that goes on there often, it’s a place of ‘mysterious mood’ to me…

Several times travelled through Europe, in a truck, a world within our world… a world people do not know much about, day and night, monotonous drives on looooong stretches of road, and the people that transport EVERYTHING we have in our homes

As a woman, to visit and get the tour of a mosque, being shown and everything…

A lady at her home, mother and wife, waiting for a ‘better’ day, so that I could take portraits of her, with her boys, her husband… because she was terminally ill with cancer…

The world of horse-breeders, farmers, bikers, fish-smokers, painters, glass-artist, sculptors, singers, actors, business entrepreneurs, politicians and so many more...

I photographed the new-borns, the young, the’ in love’, the sad and lonely, the happy, the old, been in the presence of world-famous people… people are people to me… I enjoyed it…

Yes, I enjoy it, in case you had not received that message yet, lol!

There is very little, if anything, we cannot do!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9550033@N04/5502358791/ Get Real! Wise Women Speak...official trailer (for once I was in front of the camera not behind it; a self portrait was used as a still in the film).

This film fits right in! Please promote it, send it to your friends!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Magda (*_*)