the act of observation (and a giveaway!)

I love how a single word can totally change my whole day.  Take the "shapes" prompt for instance--didn't you find yourself noticing things that you would normally just walk right by without a second glance?   When I have a word or theme in my head, my eye sort of takes on a life of its own--it's as if my brain goes on autopilot and starts observing things in my surroundings that I'm not even consciously aware are there.

And even when I don't have my camera (although I always have my iPhone so that's not an excuse!), or I don't have time to stop and take a picture, I still appreciate the fact that these words have such a profound effect on my everyday that they make me appreciate the details of nature, architecture, and the little things around my home like I never have before.  For me, the act of observation is like a welcomed side effect to the art of photography.

It seems as if perhaps Runner Girl 44 had the same experience. Her photo is of a reflection shining off the hot plate of her coffee maker.  I smiled as I imagined her in her kitchen...she suddenly noticed the cool reflection of light and ran for her camera.  I wonder if she had the "shapes" prompt or some other photography theme in her head at that moment?

If you like daily word prompts to spark your creativity, today is your lucky day!  Tracey Clark of Shutter Sisters has generously offered us one spot in her upcoming Picture Color class to give away to one of our readers here at Mortal Muses.  The class runs for 30 days starting June 1st.  Simply leave a comment here on this post before 10pm EST on May 27 and we will pick a winner from all the comments using a random number generator.  That's all you have to do--one entry per person, please.

Good luck!  We will announce the winner on May 28 in Muse Mosey's post.

~christy of urban muser

"Be glad of life..." by Runner Girl 44

Bubble fun!

Bubbles are a favorite activity at our house when it is warm enough outside, and not raining!  I bought a lovely little bubble machine that will do the work for me, so my blower doesn't get tired :)  Plus it does bubbles inside bubbles, how cool is that?

I will end with the lovely quote that htekmo included with her beautiful captured bubbles:

"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,

Kindness is another trouble, Courage in your own."

~Adam Lindsay Gordan

See you soon, literally!
April of April Newman Photography

"Life is mostly froth and bubble..." by htekmo

safety in numbers

All week I have been looking for shapes everywhere. But it wasn't until I visited the sweet shop that I realised I had been looking for single circles, isolated squares and solitary triangles. And then I suddenly noticed, as I was buying some sweets, that I was standing in a room full of all of these different shapes; each contained in a separate jar. And edible to boot!

Even though I couldn't resist the shape of the Sprogs, I'm not sure I'd like to eat them. They look like they might contain liquorice. And while I like a little liquorice, I'm not keen on that crunchy coating.

Runner Girl 44 took a picture of some straws. Stacked in a jar and all packed tightly together they take on totally different feel! Or as she puts it, Imperfectly Perfect.

See you next time for some self portraits!

kirstin of fleeting moments.

imperfectly perfect by runner girl 44

the beauty of shapes

It's no secret that I love old things. I've a soft spot for everyday items handcrafted generations ago, that have been cherished and cared for, and handed on. Often crafted with an eye for beauty, using what few materials that were found on hand. These utilitarian items brought a bright spot of art to an otherwise dreary existence. I have a collection of vintage quilts, all of them beautiful in different ways. They may be crafted with simple materials, but they provided an opportunity for women to express their artistic and creative self, at a time when those opportunities were nearly nonexistent. Using geometric shapes, color and repeating patterns they created masterpieces. A truly beautiful quilt is not an accident. Once the fabric was saved, the pattern carefully determined and planned, the pieces were cut, and then the work began. Most often by hand. Tiny stitches, endless tiny perfectly spaced stitches. What an amazing labor of love. To create a thing of such beauty to wrap a loved one in warmth and love.

Geometric shapes are the basis of so much of what we find beautiful. It's often the way we bring our creativity to our everyday environments. In bunte-knete's photo I love the way someone thought to use shapes and pattern and color and light to bring beauty to the everyday for those who pass by.

I'll see you next time, with a *gulp* self portrait. I really love seeing all of you in the flickr group, so much inspiration.

xo maureen of Cottage 960

Infinity and Beyond #3 by bunte-knete

the art of connecting with others

For the past seven years, I have made a living as a consultant. I am a natural problem solver and strategic thinker. I find curiosity in the unknown and love a good game of strategy. Growing up, I recall playing checkers (mostly at the Cracker Barrel, but that's beside the point). I loved the game because you were able to connect with another person through a simple exercise.

Now, when I see this image of a checkerboard, I realize it only tells part of a much larger story. Sure it's a game...but what if we tried to relate to people by playing “checkers” with them—treating them all alike, expecting the same things out of each of them, handling them like some generic product on a shelf. What if we treated people more like chess pieces - we discover what is unique about each person and relate to people based on their beautiful differences.

Speaking of connecting, I immediately connected with Better Nothing Than Almost's image below.  She wrote, "sometimes, when I look at photos I can hear certain music in my head, and this is what I hear when I look at this one." Much like checkers, "Connect Four" is a game of strategy...but also a game between two people...an opportunity to be "close to you." The pieces may all look a like, but if we pay attention we'll realize that it's not about the game, but the art of connecting with others.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

counting by better nothing than almost

well rounded

The rain has been beating down this past week, the wind lashing my tender vegetable seedlings patiently waiting a warm weekend to go in the ground.  Our local farmer's market started up this week, and I drove by to see the canopies of a few hardy vendors flapping madly and doing little to protect the produce below.  I pondered braving the elements but instead drove home and put on the kettle.  And then trolled my archives to admire the rounded produce from last fall's market.

Next week I'll go, rain or shine.  Really, I will.

In the meantime, I found Alicia's photo a perfect accompaniment to my apples, and am feeling strangely hungry for frittata, maybe with kale left over from my winter garden.  I wonder if she put all her eggs in one basket?  I'm sorry.  You know I just had to.

cheers,
kim (mosey) of mosey along

Eggs 2 by ajplmama

created by light

Sometimes, the interplay of light and objects creates the most amazing shapes. Last week I was at a creative retreat, listening to Hannah Nunn, the creator of these beautiful lamps, talk about her business. I have to confess that throughout the interview, I was completely entranced by the checkerboard shape of light and dark that appeared in this wine glass against the lamps and black background. I watched as the interviewer slowly sipped the wine down and the checkerboard shape disappeared. When the interview was over, I had to go and capture this amazing shape created by the interplay of light and liquid.

I had the same mesmerizing feeling in this image by betsyblue. The light in the darkness just draws me in. There is something about the circle of light created within the circle of candles; it makes me feel as if the wagons have been drawn around to keep the darkness at bay, and the center is a safe, sheltering place. A fantastically seen shape created by the candle light.

I am wow'ed by the amazing images in the pool, this is shaping up to be a fabulous week of musing! Thanks for joining us.

Kat of The Kat Eye View of the World

May 9 , 2011 ~ 54/365 by betsyblue

and the next theme is... THE SHAPE OF THINGS

trim 2 by lucy.loomis

For our next theme, we are looking for GEOMETRIC SHAPES. Your submitted photographs may be of any subject matter but they must contain a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, etc.  While it need not be the only item in the photo, it should be easily recognizable.

Thank you by Suki_Photography

Grab your cameras and seek out items from everyday life, either natural or man-made.  Try using this as a basis for a fun scavenger hunt and collect one of each shape.  I think you will be surprised at how many you will find. 

Day 240 by AprilMN

Are you ready for some RELAXATION?  Muse Kat starts us off tomorrow.

Until then, I am putting my feet up and grabbing a good book. Ahhhhh...

xo

tammy lee of bliss and folly