A Moment of Peace

Still Waters

“Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.”
― Hans Margolius

 

You may have noticed that the content has been a bit sparse round these parts. I had a great format going, I was working on expanding the brand and spreading the word, making connections with so many of you wonderful photo peers…and poof. Life happened. As they say, the best laid plans often go awry. And astray. And that line from that poem that the saying stems from…but in a Scottish brogue. Yup all of those things happen.

 

Since December I’ve been battling back from physical impairments (hand surgery and the flu…being sick for a full month stinks!) and more distractingly, a complete, very difficult overhaul of my personal life. 2013 is the year of big changes, but I am determined to make it a year of big experiences and opportunity too. After all, the only things that really limit us are ourselves and our resources.

 

After much soul searching, I’ve decided that I’m interested in pursuing happiness and finding some adventure this year. In a somewhat last minute decision (spurred mainly by the ridiculously low cost of flights to LAX), I decided to take a trip out to California. Land of Milk and Honey. I’m expecting to be handed a bowl of cereal and a plate full of tasty, sugary waffles when I get there. …Nevermind the fact that I’m not flying in at breakfast time……

 

The point of this trip is two-fold. A) I just want a break from the snow and cold of my native New England. I mean, it’s beautiful here…but so damn cold. And B) I’m going to be meeting up with some friends, including fellow photo-friend David Pasillas! I’m looking forward to several days of eating delicious food (David has a sweet tooth), driving (a lot) and photos! We’re planning to do some landscapes in Joshua Tree (thank you to Will Woodward for the suggestion!) and then take a few days to explore Big Sur.

 

Yes, I know they aren’t close. Did I mention the driving?

 

Beyond those two very adequate reasons for traveling, I intend to spend a little time centering my chi, finding my inner peace and generally getting my fill of photo therapy. My life for the last few years has been a beautiful, wonderful thing full of difficulty and life challenges. Haha It’s been a strange road, and I’m looking forward to finding a few moments of calm to re-energize and re-focus…and more importantly, get back on track with the photography.

 

This is, sadly, my first photo since a wedding in January…almost a full month without picking up the camera. (Awful, right?) It was a very cold day, and the sky was overcast…I wasn’t sure if I would get anything useable. But the itch to photo was back and my efforts were rewarded. It was a lovely (chilly) photo walk and I now have some images of a peaceful river on a classic New England winter day.

 

When I took this photo series, I envisioned a scene in black and white…so this is the edit I finished first.  I’m pretty sure the color version will rock though, in a different, wonderful…may I say, magical, way…  Well, actually, I may say anything I’d please.  I don’t have an editor to tell me ‘No’. haha

 

Stay tuned for a color edit.  In the meantime, thanks for your continued support.  Over the past month, I’ve seen a steady stream of kind words, photo-love (so many shares of the FB page!  You all rock!) and encouragement while I get back into the swing of things.  I can’t express how much that means to me.

 

XOXO,

Shann