CREATIVITY IS A VERY DELICATE FLOWER... represented here by A PEONY.

They write (amongst many other things): It is the ability to "think outside the box" ! I ask: WHAT BOX???? LOL.

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him... a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death."
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create -- so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating."
— Pearl S. Buck writer of the book " PEONY"


I must admit that as a 'creative',
1, being a night-person, my 'best' ideas mostly come after midnight!
2, it is an urge, not a choice... and
3.... as soon as you have 'problems', however small, with client, family, health... the first thing to GO is: my creativity! So please, tee hee, do not upset me, he?

Characteristics of the creative personality:
Creative individuals have a great deal of energy, but they are also often quiet and at rest.
Creative individuals tend to be smart, yet also naive at the same time.
Creative individuals have a combination of playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Creative individuals alternate between imagination and fantasy at one end, and rooted sense of reality at the other.
Creative people seem to harbor opposite tendencies on the continuum between extroversion and introversion.
Creative individuals are also remarkable humble and proud at the same time.
Creative individuals to a certain extent escape rigid gender role stereotyping and have a tendency toward androgyny.
Generally, creative people are thought to be rebellious and independent.
Most creative persons are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
The openness and sensitivity of creative individuals often exposes them to suffering pain yet also a great deal of enjoyment.

Found HERE:  California State University, Northridge, From Creativity - Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
I recognize myself COMPLETELY in this!

Giving my flowers SOUL?  My Soul Flowers on youtube and   Studio Flowers 2011
Why not take a few minutes, click on the links, sit back and relax, enjoy the beauty, you'll feel replenished?
THANX for ALL your comments and visits, so appreciated.
Have a wonderful day, filled with love and beauty, M, (*_*)

For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE, visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk
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

SECRET CODE... and the (new/old) RULES of PHOTOGRAPHY?

SECRET CODE...

The title came simultaneously as I saw it, just an unpretentious image of something that made me laugh ... 

A bit of humour? Somebody called it 'chaotic minimalism'... is there such a thing? 

(for larger size click on the image!)
One of the first images I took, on the first morning in Fuerteventura, outside the hotel, that's how it came out of the camera and I love it, hope you do too.
Photography has a 'CODE', it is fluid, like all good things, stagnating is not good, new gadgets mean new styles, new media means new rules or should I say 'adapted'?
Here is something I think EVERY photographer enthusiast or pro, semi-pro, whatever... SHOULD read!!! ENJOY!!!
The few rules of composition are acceptable only as reference points, which may have many valid exceptions. Sometimes breaking the rules is a means to obtain a good photo. Of course, this is true if and only if the photographer is aware of what he’s doing.
So, here is how Feininger, in his book, dismantles many academic rules:
1. The golden section (and, I add, the rule of thirds, ie. to place the subject at 1/3 from one edge of the photo), while ensuring peace and harmony, can be boring.
2. The “S”-shape curve is one of the most repeated patterns in photography
3. The theory of “guidelines”, which lead the viewer’s eye to the main subject, is false, as demonstrated by scientific studies. The eye quickly detects the most interesting part of the picture. And then, not necessarily the main subject of the photographer coincides with the center of attention of the observer.
4. Threads of compositions based on triangles, diagonals and other refined geometric figures exists only in the minds of photographers who have invented them. The academic observer who is free from preconceptions, does not care about such rules.
5. The horizon line should never split the photo in two equal parts, to avoid a monotone (boring) images. But if the photographer wanted to express the sensations of boredom?
6. Movement and action should always proceed from left to right, according to the normal sense of the reading. False: Jews and Arabs read from the right to the left!
7. The space in front of the subject should be greater than the space behind him. It is not always true: for example, a running person, placed towards the edge of the picture in the direction of its motion, gives an impression of arrival, and this is important when you are photographing sporting events (such as running races in athletics).
8. In the portrait, when the subject looks at the camera, you should leave more space in the direction of his eyes. False. Violating this rule can give a state of tension to the photo.
9. The bright parts of a photo catch the eye more than dark. False, a dark form with well-defined boundaries, in a large and clear area, immediately attracts the eye.
10. Repetition and spatial periodicity of similar elements can produce interesting patterns. False. There is no reason why a grid or a series of many identical and uninteresting objects is better than one object worthy of interest.
On the other hand, as Feininger said in its book, there are at least three rules in which he has never found an exception:
1. The small white areas of the subject or of the background situated near the edges of the photo gives the impression of a print “gnawed by rats”. These areas should be burned (blackened) in the darkroom (or cropped)
2. Curves and round forms should never touch the edges of the photo, but should be cut with courage, leaving out of the picture a not negligible part of the curve
3. The straight lines should not end in a corner of the photo, but should terminate at a certain distance from it.
Hope your day is filled with smiles and thanx,M, (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to purchase, visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk
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

ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY UPLOAD-SITES...

ANY photo upload site is a place where you open yourself AND your images to outside 'factors'!
Someone complained that they were 'gaming places'!
And indeed, ALL of them are gaming places.
Like in any game, there are specific rules which you accept when you sign up, and either you play the game ... OR you don't... there IS NO MIDDLE-GROUND!!!
PLUS: YOU are on your OWN!!! Site owners, I am sure like many politicians, started out with good and idealistic intentions... then... the success and money started to come in... that is it... no more help or care... why should they? Forgotten are the people who actually 'made' their site (career?) successful, that is the way it IS TODAY in this world we created!
The sooner one accepts that, the sooner the stress will go.
There are people on the sites without any photographic incentive, interest or motivation, all they want to do is cause problems, they are the bullies and saddos... they are the ones afraid of you and your talent, it shows them up. Did they remain stuck in childhood or very bad puberty?
The Site-owners are NOT prepared to do anything about this 'problem', they must be overwhelmed by emails, don't bother to answer, creating even more grief and miscontentment, members try all kinds of tactics to stop it, to no avail and they often are the ones who get banned?
Most of the sites have a life-cycle, I see them come, I see them go, I have yet to see the 'PERFECT' one.
All I know, is... if I conducted my business in this way and mistreated my clients as such, not listening to anything they have to say, categorically sticking to my opinion... I would NOT LAST VERY LONG, certainly in this economic climate!

I am on sites, as I said before, to build up a portfolio, and some have served me well. I USE them to expand and broaden my social media profile (wow, another MUST today!!!), next thing you know, I'll be doing nothing else... no more photography lol.
I made a choice though, I do not have time for twitter or Facebook, what little time I have is for my (free) photography, my lovely husband, my faraway family AND the friends.
I made some fantastic friends over the last 8 years on these sites, quite a few I have met, some I am going to meet very soon... so, yes, I am happy!
All the rest is just useless annoyance and I am not going to get my knickers into a twist for THAT anymore, I'm way past that!


I just shrug and continue with the GOOD!!!
Maturity and wisdom (like good wine, cheese...) comes with age..., my dear friends, it is not that I don't understand your frustration, however, you are fighting a losing battle I'm afraid, do NOT give them the satisfaction of not uploading your images... that is what they want ultimately, take out the best photographers and they become the top Rooster! Once that happens, start looking for another, newer site, caus this one is dying...
Enjoy your photography! M, (*_*)

Flower Photography by Magda Indigo

Flower Photography by Magda Indigo

GRANADA, ANOTHER HOUR IN THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPHER...

Granada.
We arrive at the Flamenco School on time after quite a trek through narrow steep winding streets, it says on the beautiful old door: Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas. It is too dark to photograph, we must hurry. We are led into a cellar-like row of vaulted small rooms, introduced to dancers, guitarists, singers... onto the small studio where the advanced dancers are already warming up. As in every dance studio, the performers are NOT wearing the 'stage' finery! But comfortable warm'cool clothing, also always lots of water bottles, it is very dehydrating exercise! One wall of a dance studio is always mirror.
Paul and I look at each other and grin... interesting... the size of the room, the lights,the reflections... how are we going to keep OUT of the picture?
The teacher comes in, he shows the ladies some steps, they follow, the floor starts to shake and 'thunder', it goes right through you! What an experience! The rhythm is wonderful, I see the important attention also on the hand-movements. The counting goes on, the clapping, the feet so fast.
A guitar player comes in after a short break... a deep swallow of water and they're off again...

It is a Bulería, which originated in Jerez during the 19th century, originally as a fast, upbeat ending to soleares or alegrias. It is among the most popular and dramatic of the flamenco forms and often ends any flamenco gathering. The name bulerías comes from the Spanish word burlar, meaning "to mock" or bullería, "racket, shouting, din". It is the style which permits the greatest freedom for improvisation, the metre playing a crucial role in this. Speed and agility are required and total control of rhythm as well as strength in the feet which are used in intricate tapping with toe, heel and the ball of the foot.
Paul and I are transfixed... then it is over... Silence, the smell of perspiration, the sounds reverberating, atremble still, our adrenaline still pumping...  one young lady stays behind, slides down, takes off her dancing shoes, massages her feet, takes care of the blisters...
A wan smile, we say good-bye and thank you, disappear into the night, silent and still very affected by the whole thing. Another unique experience!

Thanks, hope you enjoy? M, (*_*)

A small series of 9 images.


For more of my other work visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk

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

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, (*_*)



 For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY OUR IMAGES!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS HERE on our website: www.indigo2photography.co.uk

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!