Thursday, October 29, 2015

On Photography - Reflection - David Travis / Raghubir Singh (Mar 1999)

Reflection - Chippendale (Thu 03 Sep 2015)

David Travis on and Photography and Reflection:

for many, the end of mid-career is a time that permits past experience to be substituted for spontaneous invention, as inner reflections create new meanings about that which is already known.
via Raghubir Singh: River of Colour by Raghubir Singh.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

On Art and Limitation - Mark Cohen / Samantha Melamed (Thu 28 Oct 2015)

Untitled - Molokai (Sun 11 Oct 2015)

Mark Cohen on Art and Limitation:

Limitation develops a very high aesthetic in your art.
via Mark Cohen brings his aggressive brand of street photography to Philly by Samantha Melamed .

On Love - Iain S. Thomas

Untitled - Always photograph a Heart - Erskineville (Tue 27 Oct 2015)

Iain S. Thomas on Hope and Love:

I hope you love whenever you’re given the chance to love
via 300 Things [A Free Book by Iain S. Thomas].

For some it takes courage to fall in love. A Heart is exposed and trusted to another and the world. For others it is the easiest thing in the world. Some are better at finding it than others. I hope you have the courage to fall in love if and when the chance arises.

Friday, October 23, 2015

On Photography - See, Feel, Connect - Colin Pantall (Thu 22 Oct 2015)

Jenny and Joanne - Glen Coe / Scotland (Sun 04 Sep 2005)

Colin Pantall on Photography:

You see, you feel, you connect. That's how photography works.
via The Best Photographers are Stupid? Kind of. by Colin Pantall.

Just loved the way the late afternoon light fell on the photo.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

On Photography and Discovery - Streetshooter (Wed 21 Oct 2015)

Untitled - Molokai (Sun 11 Oct 2015)

Streetshooter on Photography and Discovery:

We all start the journey of life different, but we all end up the same. The beauty is not in the destination but in the journey itself. That means to be in the here and now [..]

During our travels thru a life with photography, certain milestones or markers make themselves evident. These are points of inspiration or interest that we are drawn to. We see these being borne in our photos. [..]

If you take the time to discover what you are doing naturally without realizing you are doing it and make an effort to discover the points in your photographic journey, you will never be bored again.

via Streets of Philadelphia … A Visual Diary … Page 25 … Street … Memories of Future Past … Fuji X100s by Streetshooter.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

On Photography and Memories - Streetshooter (Wed 21 Oct 2015)

Jenny and Geoff - I remember it being very hot - Prague (Wed 30 Aug 2005)

Streetshooter on Photography and Memories:

Photography is one of the seductive means of making memories. So I wonder why many aren’t aware that they are making memories. [..]

What’s really going on is that you are making memories and maybe just maybe those photos will have importance to someone. [..]

[during the Vietnam War] I became acutely aware that photography is about memories. It’s about other shit too, but memories are the main source of image information transference.[..]

See, they are not just my memories. [..] All will be forgotten of the pain that still hurts 45 years later.

the photos, well… they are just memories…………..

via Streets of Philadelphia … A Visual Diary … Page 25 … Street … Memories of Future Past … Fuji X100s by Streetshooter.

The very reason I bought a small digital camera in Dec 2000. And just as important as recording memories, you need to make the memories happen. You have to live while you can. And we did just that. Thanks Jenny and Jo.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Importance of Elsewhere - Philip Larkin

Sunrise - somewhere between Lourdes and Col de Portet d'Aspet / France (Wed 23 Sep 2009)

The Importance of Elsewhere by Philip Larkin:

Lonely in Ireland, since it was not home,
Strangeness made sense. The salt rebuff of speech,
Insisting so on difference, made me welcome:
Once that was recognised, we were in touch.

Their draughty streets, end-on to hills, the faint
Archaic smell of dockland, like a stable,
The herring-hawker's cry, dwindling, went
To prove me separate, not unworkable.

Living in England has no such excuse:
These are my customs and establishments
It would be much more serious to refuse.
Here no elsewhere underwrites my existence.

Referenced in The Importance of Here by Kathryn Heyman - Good Weekend (Sun 15 Jul 2006) posted here on Thu 10 Sep 2015.

Not exactly sure I feel the same release from who I am when away from home. If anything I regress more into myself to the point that I make sure I am oblvious to anyone. Admire people who have the confidence to be themselves wherever they are. It's a great quality to have and it certainly would make life a bit more comfortable.

I am who I am and there is not much point trying to be something, or hoping to be something, I am not. It's too hard and I worked that one out a long time ago, though I do try every now and then to push myself a little.

Monday, October 19, 2015

On Reflection - Joel Meyerowitz (Fri 16 Oct 2015)

Reflection - Mitchell Road / Alexandria (Thu 03 Sep 2015)

Joel Meyerowitz on Reflection:

Reflection; the act of, not the image of, is a way of reconsidering where we are in relation to reality. Reflecting pools have for a long time been places where one could contemplate the difference between the illusion and the real.
via On Reflection by Joel Meyerowitz.

On Hope and Faith - Tanya Villanueva Tepper (Fri 23 May 2014)

Jenny - Lake Geneva / Geneva (Sat 20 Aug 2005)

Tanya Villanueva Tepper on Hope and Faith:

while life will go against our expectations and sometimes devastate us, time, change, hope and faith can carry us through to a life that is beautiful again. [..]

True contentment is felt when we recognize all of the many moments of grace and providence which lead us to come full circle and fulfill our intention. We are at peace because we're given meaning to our experience, no matter how painful the journey was in getting there.

via Rebirth at Ground Zero: Lessons in Life, Reverence and Resilience for a New Generation by Tanya Villanueva Tepper.

Tanya is right. It can be like this if you chose it to be. It all comes down to your outlook on Life. Your Intention.

Inspired by Rachel's visit to the 9/11 Memorial. Thanks Rachel.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

On Photography - Saul Leiter / Sam Stourdze

Shadow - Chippendale (Tue 06 Oct 2015)

Saul Leiter on Photography:

I go out to take a walk. I see something. I take a picture. I take photographs.
via Saul Leiter or the art of going unnoticed by Sam Stourdze.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

On Deciding - Lisa Gorman / Annette O’Brien (Fri 16 Oct 2015)

[l-r]Grandpa, Baby Eric, Lindy, Lynn, Baby Judy, Geoff with camera in hand (was afflicted even back then), Tim - Chifley / Canberra (Jan 1970)

Lisa Gorman on Deciding:

if you worry too much about your decisions, you won’t actually get anything done
via Extraordinary Routines • Lisa Gorman by Annette O’Brien.

Can be seen as a bit of a fence sitter (or a dreamer, as the photo shows me looking skywards), as I can often see (or at least consider) all the sides of a decision. Along with an inherent desire to see everyone happy (a fatal flaw I am trying to correct), it is often tough to make a decision, even when I know what I want or what is best.

Friday, October 9, 2015

On the Joy of Paddling - Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)

a little lift - gotta work for it!! - Geoff, Jo, David, Betty (that would be my amazing Mum in Seat 4), .. - Waikiki Beach / Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)

now enjoy the reward of the effort - Geoff, Jo, David, Betty (that would be my amazing Mum in Seat 4), .. - Waikiki Beach / Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)

Paddling has changed my life. It has given me so much Joy. It has given me purpose and goals through the good and tough times.

Going back to Hawaii just now for the biggest paddling challenge for an Outrigger Paddler. Thanks to all who have supported and encouraged us to get to this Moment (yes it's just there now ready for us to firmly grasp with both hands). It takes much effort by many people. It can be hard, uncomfortable and difficult but that's why you do it.

Hoping we might be able to catch a few runners just like we did here off the beach in Sep 2011, and minimise the mistakes as we do the 66 km crossing with 110 crews from all over the world. See you on the other side, all going well ..

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Explore More - Steen Jones - Cleveland Street / Chippendale (Mon 21 Sep 2015)

Explore More - Steen Jones - Cleveland Street / Chippendale (Mon 21 Sep 2015)

Believe in Hope - Cleveland Street / Chippendale (Wed 29 Jul 2015)

Believe in Hope - Cleveland Street / Chippendale (Wed 29 Jul 2015)

On Hope ..

Thinking about the future is a way of keeping hope alive

On Natures Beauty - Joel Meyerowitz (Mon 05 Oct 2015)

Summit - Mount Kosciuszko (Fri 01 Jan 2010)

Joel Meyerowitz on Beauty:

Earth, air, water, and the light was the last fire of the sun, and it kindled every thing together into a bloom of evening beauty. I always try and choose to put myself in the way of beauty
via Kindling (Mon 05 Oct 2015) by Joel Meyerowitz.

On Design - Chris Moller / Sarah Nealon (Sun 04 Oct 2015)

Symmetry - Alexandria (Wed 05 Nov 2014)

Chris Moller on Design:

What we often undervalue is the importance of thinking things through thoroughly before we do them .. The quality of good design makes a huge difference
via Grand Designs New Zealand set to launch by Sarah Nealon.

Monday, October 5, 2015

On Awe - Joel Meyerowitz (Fri 02 Jan 2015)

Water - Kangaroo Valley (Sun 22 Sep 2002)

Joel Meyerowitz on Photography:

awe comes in many different, and unexpected forms, and will surprise me if I simply take the time to stand before it and allow myself to be taken in
via Fri 02 Jan 2015 by Joel Meyerowitz.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

On Daily Routine - Joel Meyerowitz (Fri 02 Jan 2015)

Untitled - Alexandria (Mon 14 Sep 2015)

Joel Meyerowitz on Photography:

The challenge of staying with something every single day is one of the great learning experiences
via 02 Jan 2015 by Joel Meyerowitz.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Stuck in a Moment performed by The Edge and Bono - Letterman (Fri 18 Jul 2011)

Why Letterman was so good. In all the zaniness, there were incredibly touching, revealing interviews and live performances, this being just one ..

There are plenty of moments in life and most we move through as we should. Some we miss and let it pass us by. And there are those where we can get stuck. Inspired and written about the sad and tragic loss of a good friend ..

"It's just a moment
This time will pass"

Stuck in a Moment (more) performed by The Edge and Bono - Letterman (18 Jul 2011)

Saw this on the TV when I was in New York. It was shown in a repeat episode while the show was on a summer break. Thought to myself at the time I would put it here when I get back. Here it is. The music starts at around the 2m:20s mark. The interview before this is worth listening to BTW.

Stuck in a Moment Lyrics

I'm not afraid
Of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard
I'm just trying to find
A decent melody
A song that I can sing
In my own company

I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you. Ooh.
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
'Cause tears are going nowhere baby

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

I will not forsake
The colors that you bring
The nights you filled with fireworks
They left you with nothing
I am still enchanted
By the light you brought to me
I listen through your ears
Through your eyes I can see

You are such a fool
To worry like you do.. Oh
I know it's tough
And you can never get enough
Of what you don't really need now
My, oh my

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Oh love, look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Oh lord look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you cant get out of it

I was unconscious, half asleep
The water is warm 'til you discover how deep
I wasn't jumping, for me it was a fall
It's a long way down to nothing at all

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along this stony pass

It's just a moment
This time will pass

Thursday, October 1, 2015

On Activity - Seth Godin (Thu 30 Sep 2015)

that would be me and I was probably too young to be walking - less than one for sure - seen a colour version of this somewhere and I am dressed in a nice light yellow outfit for the portrait - definitely put a smile on my face - my Aunt Erica's hand writing. From a photo album Erica gave to her Mother on her 80th Birthday in 1993 - Goulburn (1960)

Seth Godin on being Active:

More important than the output, though, is the act itself. The act of doing it every day. When you commit to a practice, you will certainly have days when you don't feel like it, when you believe it's not your best work, when the muse deserts you. But, when you keep your commitment, the muse returns. When you keep your commitment, the work happens.

It doesn't matter if anyone reads it, buys it, sponsors it or shares it. It matters that you show up.

Show up, sit down and type. (Or paint [or photograph]).

via Susdat by Seth Godin.

Had many days like this here and in life, particularly these last few years. The mere act of showing up has got me through. Congrats Seth on your 6000th post. I was inspired to start blogging on your 3000th post back in Feb 2009.

We all need people to talk us up when we feel like all is lost, pointless or without purpose - sometimes it just has to be ourselves to do the talking. Seth and a few other bloggers have helped me here online, but there are a few in my life that have done the same thing. Thanks ..

On the Intangible - Alec Soth / Mick Brown (Sat 26 Sep 2015)

Untitled - I stood up from my desk and could not stop myself from taking a photo - Ultimo (Tue 22 Sep 2015)

Alec Soth on Intangible:

so much of what draws you in is intangible; it can’t be explained. It just resonates, in some way.
via Photographer Alec Soth: 'To me the most beautiful thing is vulnerability' by Mick Brown.