Dragonfly Yoga

When it comes to photo-capturing the world around me, I’m an admitted amateur. My husband – who has mad photography skills – begs to differ, but alas, he is a bit biased when it comes to – anything – having to do with me. I began snapping photos, in earnest, about 5 years ago. My youngest daughter is severely physically disabled – and spends her days in the safe haven of her bedroom. I'm not "just" her Mom, but her fulltime caregiver. We love Literature – and read a lot – but I was trying to think of other ways to bring not just the world, but the Universe, to her. That's when I began paying more attention to what was happening outside the bay window of her room. I also began stepping just outside the door to our home - and I didn't just look at what was about me - I breathed it in. It's amazing what we can discover when we allow ourselves to live in The Moment, when we open our eyes and see, more clearly, the seemingly insignificant minutia that dwells within even the tiniest of yards. It's also profoundly awakening when we close our eyes, and allow Stillness to engulf us - listening to the songs of the earth, taking in the scents of the life about us.

I know nothing about the technical aspects of photography. My husband has tried to educate me on aperture settings and what-not, but it flits through one ear, and flutters out the other. I do listen and try to absorb it all, but bottom line is - I'm a "point and shoot" kinda gal. I'm always paying attention. If I see certain lighting that calls to me - even if it's illuminating something that, on the surface, appears innocuous - I focus in and with a slight pause, followed by the quick click of a finger, I capture it. Sometimes, I wait. One thing I can say about me is - I have immense patience. The type of patience exhibited by my feline companion, Sassy, while stalking and hunting bugs...or sticks. I'm super picky about my lighting, and there are days that I bide my time, waiting for light to intermingle with shadow - culminating in, what I consider to be, the perfect (as can be) dance.

I've also developed a passion over these past few years for photographing birds. And the moon. I find both to be fascinating...for different reasons, obviously, but they both elicit from within me feelings of peace and joy...as well as a connectivity with the Universe that I can't describe in earthly terms (and I am a self-proclaimed Wrrd Grrl). Avian activity can sometimes be a lesson in social consciousness. Witnessing the different species, each unique in their own right, interact...sometimes ferociously territorially, and, at other times, harmoniously, reflects similarly on how we can behave as human beings. In some cases, how we should behave has human beings. As for the moon? I am continually blown away by the fact that the moon we gaze at today is the same moon our ancestors looked upon, and in some cases, worshipped, eons ago. For me, it's just another way for me to feel connected not just with the Universe, but with those who paved the way for me, for us. It's a means by which I can reach through Time and Space, and feel the powerful bonds of my lineage...still there - molecular strands of a familial tapestry.

As with any hobby - or passion - it's all a balancing act. For me, at least. Finding your groove with something that brings you fulfillment - and solace - is such a beautiful thing. ...but as with the Dragonfly in my photo above, it's like Yoga...or my own special brand of it, anyway. The Dragonfly can only withstand that position for so long. I've learned that if I take too many photos over a prolonged period of time, I find the process to be almost - daunting. I feel as if I've been slammed with a barrage of images - and editing them and attempting to find just a few that call to me to share with others becomes overwhelming. I lose the joy. Because of this, there are days I step outside without my camera - to just - be - and experience life outside of the camera lens. I find that when I do this I gain - more - in terms of witnessing and experiencing the world in all of its glory, not just in snippets I find to be worthy of capturing in photo form.

(I'm still going through cyber-piles of photos, but I've selected some that I have easily on-hand. I use a Canon PowerShot SX70 HS. It's not super bells-and-whistle-y, but I love it, and I'm truly thankful for the photos I'm able to capture with it.)