Stop and Take a Picture
Most of my photography involves the practice of showing up. This is good, but it is often not simple. There are requirements: get out of the house or the car, carry a camera everywhere, slow down, hold still, stoop or stand tall, lean or lower, step back or step forward, reach, shift, and shimmy. Ask for permission. Play nicely. Keep at it.
Photograph the last thing that made you laugh. When the little boy standing in a long line at the farmers market, waiting to pay for his pumpkin said this. “I think it’s time to skeedaddle on away from this place now.” He had waited patiently but was clearly ready to go.
Photograph the last thing that made you cry. Thinking about my 93 year-old mother-in-law who is not in good health these days. I cannot take an actual picture of her, so I did the next best thing. I took a picture of her son, my sweet husband. Thinking of how much he loves me makes me cry, too.
Photograph a shadow. See those small shadows cast by the persimmons perched on the old cemetery stone? I stop by to visit the tree every day now.
Photograph a painting or other work of art. Then recreate the painting by taking a similar photograph. I found the painting in the thrift shop today for $5 (reclaimed art is the BEST). I didn’t have time for a ride in the country today to look for a similar scene, so I did the next best thing. A picture of a tree in an urban forest in full autumnal glory.