We spent a week in Turkey in 2009, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great (but that's another story). After a long day of sightseeing we visited Eski Foca where the myth of the sirens is said to have originated. As the sun went down across the sea, I snapped this picture of Miles as I lay on the rocks. I did not think of myself as being able to take good pictures, but he was so happy splashing in the water that I wanted to capture that feeling, and I was very pleased with the result. My husband said it was like a Cartier-Bresson "decisive moment" photo when a man is frozen in time as he is about to step in a puddle, but I probably just rolled my eyes. When I returned home, I posted it on Facebook and loved people's reactions to it. I felt I had captured a moment of Miles's childhood that I hoped he would like when he was older. I started to think about how I might have made it better, how I could have improved it, why people liked it. And I started to believe that perhaps I might be able to take good pictures after all, if I worked at it a bit. And that's how it all started. A few months later, we bought a "proper" camera (an Olympus E-P1 with interchangeable lenses -- this was taken with a Lumix point-and-shoot). The new Olympus quickly became MY camera and here I am now, just over a year later. This photo was where it all started. It was a turning point for me.
I chose Megula's picture because of the beauty of the image combined with her simple words...
"I love the symbolism behind this shot; it reminds me our path stretches beyond our vision and that fact offers infinite hope and promise"
kirstin
x
Beyond Vision by *Megula*
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Do you have a moment that inspired you photographically? Leave us a comment and tell us all about it. We are having nine days of giveaways and special guests and because I have a foodie blog too, I am giving away a copy of this month's cookbook of the month, Nigella Lawson's new book "Kitchen".
We will be drawing the winners from the comments left during the entire 9 Days Of Inspiration from all three pages and announcing them in a special *muse flash* on October 31. Make sure to visit the Everyday Beauty and More Musing pages and comment each day for more chances to win. Each comment is an entry to win. Good Luck!
32 comments:
I love the photo! The sparkling light is gorgeous. And the story behind it is even better. I've seen Nigella on TV but don't have any of her books. So, I would love to win!
rinda
all the sparkles, it is like the stars were shining on the sea just for him I love this!
I love that this photo set you on a whole new path! Thanks for sharing the story.
wow, I love the story behind that photo, very inspiring. And in that photo, those sun glistens remind me of stars.
The sparkles on the water are so brilliant. I love Megula's image too. It's as if the bridge goes on forever.
your story is an inspiraton and how could megula's image fail to inspire anyone? wow! magic moments indeed!
My jaw is dropped... I can't believe my photo is featured!!! I am so honored to be a part of this amazing network of inspiration... thank you all so much XOXO
I love both the photos on this post!!! Yours seems like you got it just at the right moment. A second later would have been too late!
I would say that it is many things that inspire me. Travel probably started my love of taking photos but really it has been the people in my life who have encouraged and inspired me the most.
both beautiful photographs!
my love affair with photography started 30+ yrs ago, but since getting a dslr for mother's day in '09 it has really blossomed!
What amazing photographs. They really are an inspiration. My 'travels with a camera' only started a few months ago but I am totally smitten now and take my camera everywhere with me. The day I turn out photos like these two will be the day I am truly happy!
Both of these photos are beautiful...with beautiful lines...Love the line of sparkles and the line of the bridge...
both photos are amazingly lovely
Great shot, and great story! It makes me realize that there is hope for beginners like me!
Venice inspired me. I was in Italy for about two weeks and I loved every minute of it. But for some reason, I got more consistently great shots the day I was in Venice. It was a rainy day last November, the middle of the week, and not many tourists were out. We felt like we had the city to ourselves and it was perfect.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/sets/72157624401583896/
great photo
I have to agree - the silhouette, the shadow and the twinkling reflections are great! What a capture : - )
I'll have to drop you a note later about the camera - I'm looking in the same direction.
Cheers!
I love both of these photos. Both offer hopes of promise and adventure.
I am inspired when I look at my children's eyes and see these amazing catchlights shining back at me. It's all I can do not to constantly be aiming my camera at those eyes!
It warms my heart to see Megan's photo here. I have been loving this picture for awhile on her blog. Great job ladies. xoxo
Both photos are wonderful. The sparkly water of the first, and the way the bridge seems to go on forever in the second. Probably what inspired my interest in photography was when I got back my pictures from Africa. I went with my family on a safari in Africa for my wish granted by the Make A Wish foundation. I used a disposable camera on the trip, and one of the shots I got back was of two hippos in the water, with a reflection of the sky and trees in the water. When I saw that photo, and really all of the shots from the trip, I was blown away by the way a photo could tell a story, evoke emotion and memories, and that was when I wanted a real camera. I was 15 I think. A year or so later my parents gave me a Nikon film SLR camera. Love ever since, but not until recently that I REALLY got into it!
love these photos! i can see why you are inspired by them and call them "favorites".
I am a big fan of Megula, so I am so happy to see her beautiful work featured here. Hooray Megula!
Wow! Both exquisite photos!
Kirstin, I loved reading your story. Clearly you had a talent waiting to be recognized. My moment was a photo taken with a disposable camera in Hawaii on the Kalalau Trail in Kauai. In this case it wasn't necessarily any skill on my part but just a gorgeous scene captured that fed my desire to explore photography.
What a beautiful story to go along with the stunning photographs.
Great inspiration here. I was lucky enough to capture sparkle on the water years ago and it fuel'd my passion to continue taking photographs. I love it!
Beautiful, Kirsten! It's like stars on the water, and I love the other photo as well. My "moment" was actually a 365 project with my point & shoot. It got me very excited about the possibilities of photography.
What great shots. The first is as if stars are dancing around him. And the second is like and endless bridge driving straight into the heavens.
Both photos are such great shots, but the timing in the first one was perfect! Lovely!
This summer on the beach watching my kids play together in the sand with a nice backlight. I feel so many emotions when I look at these pictures.Michelle P.
love the photo! one moment that inspired me is just of me and my husband just lazing around at the park. we were just relaxing and we were just savoring that moment that we shared ♥ we just felt so happy and free. this photo was taken at that time - http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueelephantphotography/4819724653/
oh wow! both those pics are soooo gorgeous!
wow wow the sparkles and the motion are magical and then I scroll down to another breath taking image that says so much. Love Nigella and have been watching her latest TV series
Wow so you really can touch the stars, beautiful!
These are beautiful, and hopeful...
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