Stance - Streetshooter (Wed 11 May 2016)

trees / rocks / shadows - Wilpena (Tue 12 Apr 2016)

Streetshooter on Stance:

I felt an energy come into me, not over me but into me. [..] What was born back then was not just me as a photographer but a photographer with a stance. I mean it gave birth to a realization of my own self worth. [..]

I don’t practice photography, I live it. I don’t just make photos, my photos define me as well. [..]

It requires a firm appreciation of the whole that we are and a total committed love of what we do and why we do it and how we do it.

via Streets of Phila … A Visual Diary … Page 76 … Unheard Voices … The Stance | Streetshooter by Streetshooter.

On Photography and Life - Eric Kim (Sun 27 Dec 2015)

Eric Kim - UNSW / Kensington (Fri 20 Apr 2012)

Eric Kim on Life:

Never forget where you Came From [..]

And never forget to always love yourself

via Photography is Escapism by Eric Kim.

Had the pleasure of hearing Eric talk back April 2012. Quite the philosopher and I always enjoy reading his posts and many a quote has found its way here, today being another.

What I have found about photography is that is a reflection on and of Life. The beauty of the act of photography and thinking of photography.

On photography as a form of escapism. It is perfect, because sometimes that is what need to get through. And for me, along with the paddling, that is how it has been and will continue to be I suspect And there is nothing the matter with that.

Jo, Eric Kim and Geoff - Jo's holdout - UNSW / Kensington (Fri 20 Apr 2012)

On Love and Loss - Joel Meyerowitz (Fri 20 Jun 2015)

Jenny and Geoff - St George Private Hospital (Fri 20 Jun 2009)

Joel Meyerowitz on Love and Loss:

All is being lost and yet there is nothing to do but love and care for them while watching the decline.

via All is being lost (Fri 26 Jun 2015) by Joel Meyerowitz.

Some might say I am stuck in past. But I don't really care about those thoughts. It's too hard to be anything other than who I was. These are my memories and they all I have now.

The power of photography to remember. They are all about the past from the very moment they are taken. So maybe all I am now is just a photography of love, loss and a life that was well lived.

On Caring - Adele Horin (Sun 11 Oct 2015)

Jenny, Jo and Geoff - the night before brain surgury - St George Private Hospital (Tue 16 Jun 2009)

Adele Horin on Caring:

In sickness and in health, we have our different ways of caring; it’s an extension of who we are, how we love, and our culture

via In sickness and in health: what sort of carer will be you be? by Adele Horin.

On Love - Skip Broussard / David Brooks (Wed 11 Oct 2015)

A Heart - Red - Newtown (Thu 17 Sep 2015)

Skip Broussard on Love:

there lies at our core an elemental desire to love and be loved

via PURPOSE: Children Know This by David Brooks.

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.

On Dogs, Humans and Love - Richard Glover / Spectrum (Sat 12 Sep 2015)

Me and Teal - "Always be nice to a dog - always say hello to a dog" - Victor Hugo Market Restaurants / Toulouse / France (Sun 19 Sep 2009)

Richard Glover on Dogs, Humans and Love:

Worse things have happened to you and worse things have happened to me, but there's nothing like the death of a good dog to bring tears that are so hot and unrestrained. [..]

Every dog has lessons to teach. They are experts, of course, in demanding love. Humans, quite often, seem to doubt whether they are worthy of love, but dogs have no such uncertainties. "Look at me, just look at me," Darcy would say and, as my eyes met his, it was impossible not to submit to his unspoken demand.

"What a good dog. What a handsome dog. You are the best dog that ever was."

Then Darcy would return the favour, looking back as if to say: "What's next boss? You, after all, are my favourite human and I would follow you anywhere, through hot deserts or raging streams or high mountains."

This giving and receiving of love seems so right, so nourishing, one wonders whether it might have useful application outside the world of dogs. I'm guessing that's what Darcy was trying to teach us.

via Do you ever get over the death of a dog? by Richard Glover.

Something about our pets that makes us more Human. A touching article and it brought a tear to my eye for many reasons. Some obvious, but others less so ..

On Loving What You Do - Andre D. Wagner / Tina Essmaker (Tue 26 May 2015)

Whosus - Sydney Harbour (Sat 11 Jul 2015)

Andre D. Wagner on:

love what [you] do and it’ll figure itself out.

via The Great Discontent: Andre Wagner by Tina Essmaker.

On Influence and Choice - The Story of Telling (Fri 03 Jul 2015)

LiVE (*) / LoVE (*) - Lisbon / Portugal (Wed 14 Aug 2013)

The Story of Telling on Influence and choice:

we each have more power to connect with and impact people [..], how we use it is a choice.

via The Purpose Of A Billboard by The Story of Telling.

Use your influence and energy wisely. I am constantly reminded of this and this note will remind yet again that you can't be everything to everyone. Start with yourself first and see what is left ...

On Love - David Brooks (Sun 14 Jun 2015)

All You Need is Love - Redfern (Tue 31 Mar 2015)

David Brooks on Love:

All of us love certain things: certain friends, certain subjects, certain dreams, certain professional goals. But you don’t really know the nature of your love until you’ve tested it with reality.

via David Brooks, Commencement Address by David Brooks.

Enjoy Life - Bronnie Ware (Sun 05 Apr 2015)

Pacific Dragons Mixed Orange - Penrith (Sat 04 Apr 2015

Bronnie Ware on Life

Change is constant. We make it easiest on ourselves by accepting that fact. Our ability in letting go of the need for control, giving up the insistence that things have to be a certain way, is a courageous gift of freedom.

It is also a gift of love and gratitude. By surrendering to life, accepting that change is a natural part of the flow, we learn to appreciate the moment for what it is.[..]

Life really is such a short and precious gift. It can also change unexpectedly in one tiny moment. So please, love yourself enough to commit to enjoying your life. Make decisions that support your happiness – your genuine, heartfelt happiness.

via Enjoy Life by Bronnie Ware.

Easter 2015 - Sydney

Jesus Christ - Redfern (Wed 01 Apr 2015)
All You Need is Love - Redfern (Tue 31 Mar 2015)
Cross = Heart - Ultimo (Wed 01 Apr 2015)

God Still Loves You!!! - Valletta / Malta (Sat 20 Sep 2014)

God Still Loves You!!! I Love You, Also - Valletta / Malta (Sat 20 Sep 2014)

On How to Get There - Yesterday's Suffering, Today's Inspiration, Tomorrow's Strength

God Still Loves You!!! I Love You, Also - Valletta / Malta (Sat 20 Sep 2014)

How to Get There
By Michael Leunig

Go to the end of the path until you get to the gate.
Go through the gate and head straight out
Towards the horizon
Keep going towards the horizon
Sit down and have a rest every now and again
But keep on going.
Just keep with it.
Keep on going as far as you can
That's how you get there.

.. And that is pretty much what I have done these last 5 years ..

These words have implicitly (I knew of them and their meaning before I even read them for the first time) and explicitly guided me when I was completely lost, and without Purpose and Hope .. "Just keep with it" I would say. And it's a pretty good approach to Life, I would think, given the Situation I found myself ..

At some point along the way you do get "There" - it's not overly obvious that you have arrived, but somehow you know .. just like when you were made aware of how far you had fallen without even noticing.

Now ..

You are strong enough to stand on your own two feet and embrace the world again. You are brave enough to start "letting go", to know there is more to "let go", and more importantly to know that is what Jenny would want of me. To know you have another chance. That what forced you to go "through the gate and head straight out" and where you have been to get "There", has made you a better person - and to know that I should not feel guilty about that. That you have been all over and its been all over you. That you are not a Hopeless case. That you are Awesome. That you are still here for a reason. That you know you still have so much to give. That it was not the End, like you thought, but just the chance for another Beginning.

A chance to show you are resilent. A chance to show you can change, adapt and reinvent yourself. A chance to demonstrate you can think of yourself as a survivor and not a victim of circumstance and Life. A chance to consider that you have been lucky to have shared loved. And through that love, empowered to live life to the full along the path you were destined to walk.

Thank you to everyone that have helped me to get "There" these last 5 years. It has been a remarkable Journey and a few Lessons in Life have been learnt!!! I can’t really believe where I have been. I could write a book about it but at least there is a blog - eljeiffel.blogspot.com.au

This is Life (my Life actually) and I have learnt we need to Live and appreciate it while we can. Jenny showed and gave me this. It was her gift to me ..

Why do I write this now? I write this for me and my timeline. And while it might appear a little self-indulgent, I have no regrets - it is who I have become along the way to "There".

More importantly I write it for others who are or will walk "out through the gate" and search for their "There". It's a choice you make and I know you can do it if you set your heart to it.

I know there is further to go but my outlook is different now.

“There” is always Hope - I am another shining example of this!!

Thanks again.

Yesterday's Suffering, Today's Inspiration, Tomorrow's Strength
Geoff (Wed 25 Feb 2015)

A Journey, A Home - My Legacy to the World - Alexandria (Sun 22 Feb 2015)

On Art, Life and Death - Matthew Sleeth /SMH (Tue 17 Feb 2015)

"Found - A Heart" - Diggers Beach / Coffs Harbour (Mon 16 Feb 2015)

Matthew Sleeth on the power and influence of Art in our Life:

Art is partly about changing material into thought, but, for many artists, it is also about changing yourself through the process of making the art and moving past the limitations of your daily circumstances.

via Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have earned a second chance by Matthew Sleeth.

My heart goes out to Myuran and Andrew and their Families and Friends. Their story of transformation and support is inspiring and it is this that I will take from the pain and suffering we witness and feel in ourselves, as their imminent executions unfold before us:

Very few people ever materially change their lives; I mean really change their lives, not just fiddle around the edges. It's very difficult to do and takes a great deal of courage, support and time. [..] The definition of rehabilitation is becoming a better, changed person and both Myu and Andrew have achieved this through their own courage and the support they have received from their community.

It is hard to know what to say in this time. All I think I can say is thank you Myuran and Andrew, your transformations and strength of character inspires me to be a better person in my own life. May you be blessed.

On Love and Succeeding - Khalik Allah (Fri 24 Oct 2014)

Reflection - Ceriva / Italy (Mon 08 Sep 2014)
Khalik Allah (*) writes Love (*) and Success (*:

When you offer only love to the world you can never go wrong. I am becoming an example of this. We all share the same function of forgiveness and healing, and for me photography is a channel to express that. Be well.

via Peace G. Just stopping by to show love, it's been a minute. I see you've been getting some good looks lately, [..] Keep building, you'll have books and exhibitions in no time. (*) by Khalik Allah (*).

On Love, Inspiration and Purpose - Khalik Allah (Fri 01 Aug 2014)

Love Foundation - Amsterdam (Tue 20 Aug 2013)
Khalik Allah (*) responds to the following question On Inspiration (*) and purpose (*):

Question: how did you find your purpose (*)? how did you know? how do you tap into that thing that inspires (*) you deep within and never leaves? thank you. Bless

Khalik Allah (*): When you’re in love (*) you’re inspired (*). Love (*) is magnetic. If I love photography (*) then I’m just gonna keep being with it. If you wanna consistently remain inspired (*) then you gotta have a purpose (*) bigger than photography (*), and then do it for that purpose (*).

via Tumblr (*) by Khalik Allah (*).

Obviously applicable to everything in our lives. Nice to see it so clearly abstracted and stated. Thanks Khalik (*).

On being a Critic - Jerry Saltz (Thu 17Jul 2014)

Love (*) - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
Jerry Saltz (*) writes On being a Critic (*):

being critical (*) of art (*) is a way of showing it respect (*).

via Facebook Post (*) by Jerry Saltz (*).

On Instinct: The Good and The Bad - Tony Fouhse (Fri 01 Nov 2013)

Heart - Oxford Street / London (Sat 17 Aug 2013)
Tony Fouhse (*) writes On Instinct (*):

In my experience (*) most people's good instincts (*) are remarkably similar, while their bad instincts are often particular. By embracing your good and bad ideas (*) and impulses, by figuring out how to incorporate them into your life (*) and your work, you somehow become more yourself. Plus, you'll probably end up in unfamiliar (*) territory, a place that will engage (*) you in ways you can't imagine (*), make you feel more alive (*).

via Follow your Bad Instincts: Dos and Don'ts of Tony Fouhse (*) by Colin Pantall (*).

On Life - David Alan Harvey - vice.com / Christian Storm (Wed 04 Sep 2013)

LiVE (*) / LoVE (*) - Lisbon / Portugal (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
David Alan Harvey (*) writes On Life (*):

Life (*) is all about how you look at something. It’s all attitude and philosophy more than actual reality, [..]

via David Alan Harvey's Beautiful Photos of Poverty and Beach Parties (*) by Christian Storm (*).