Tag Archives: photography

Sparking Joy Through Photographs

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This weekend was spent pouring over memories. I sat in a room with with about 50 other ladies (and the occasional man) scrapbooking. Technically, it was a scrapbooking “retreat” — but I’d like to think of it as time spent recalling happy (or sometimes sad) memories … with a little paper and tape mixed in. Okay… a lot of tape, and glue, and patterned paper, and embellishments, and ribbon, and die cut machines and lap tops and…oh, nevermind.

Ask any scrapbooker or photographer (or blogger for that matter) why they do what they do, and one of the first responses is this: I want to capture the moment. To savour a unique blip in time that brings an emotion to life. And, we want to share it. How many grandmas pull out those precious pictures of the new grand baby? How many times have you looked through that trip to the mountains album and discovered you have taken 101 shots of the same piece of dirt? Photographs produce memories. Visual cues to a time and place stuck in our brains forever. Moments to be recalled and re-lived. Moments that spark joy. Or moments that bring a flood of tears as you remember challenges… and how you are overcoming them.

I skimmed through a few articles about how our brains and memories work together to store and interact with images — and no surprise here — looking at pictures helps to recall memories. We remember: who, what, where, how and sometimes the why of those pictures. Lots of research is being done to see how scrapbooks and albums are helping Alzheimer patients and people with learning disabilities cognitively connect. I will try and Pin some of the articles on my Pinterest board for you to check out.

Having discovered all these great facts about pictures, I decided for this blog entry to ask a few of my friends to share some of their favourite pics. Images that capture “joy” for them. Some of my friends have studied photography. Others are still learning. For this project, though, I simply asked them to send me photos that “spark joy” for them. I love the results. When you google “joyful images” you get a lot of smiles, a lot of hand raising… and for some reason: bubbles. I suppose “joy” ignites the feeling of freedom for some of us. Therefore, without further ado, here is the collection of a few images that “spark joy” . Please check out the links to follow along if you like what you see –and share the joy around!

  • Love this one! Valerie Lancia
  • Valerie Lancia
  • Instagram@valerieannelancia
  • Susan Anne Page
  • The Hawk posed!
  • Facebook/groups/agconfb/

As Easter rolls around this week, I am musing about what it would be like if there were photographs of that last trip of Jesus’ ministry. What a contrast of images from the triumphal entry on palm Sunday to the dark hill and the gruesome scene on the top of Golgotha. What would the Instagram accounts of the disciples document in the eventful three days of the first Easter? Does it spark joy in your heart? We’d love to see what images kindle joy for you! Share with us on our Facebook page and tell us why !!

How to be a Superhero!

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If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you will know that I love a great photo.  A great photographer captures something in that photo that allows it’s viewer to experience something through the photo.  Grief.  Joy.  Peace.  Haunting.  Something gets triggered when we view images.  (This is why it is important to guard our hearts and minds… images are so powerful!)  So… when I came across an article about photographer Josh Rossi, I was impressed with his work… not just because he is a super photographer, but because of the feelings he leaves behind his work.  If you clicked through and read his story, Josh Rossi is a full time photographer who has developed a few projects for some super kids.  The article I first discovered was about his justice league project — using sick kids.  Many of these kids faced lifelong or terminal illnesses and he wanted to create a project that gave them power… the power of a superhero!  His recent images features kids passionate about stopping the bullying issue.  His images portray the children as the true super heroes they are.  Strong, courageous and willing to fight.

So I began to muse again… what constitutes a “superhero”?  Why the fascination? Why do we long for superheros and stories of power and strength?  They have been around for decades… and the fad continues as Marvel, DC and even Disney want to cash in on our cravings for the ultimate “saviour”.

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Photo via Twitter

According to quora.com, Superman’s appearance in 1938, is considered by many as the first “superhero”.  The man of steel.   Faster than a speeding bullet!  More powerful than a locomotive!  Able to leap tall buildings… Well… you get the picture…  The debate among comic book enthusiasts is whether characters like John Carter (1911) or Tarzan (1912) were the true start of our superhero quest or was Superman the first?  Which is better?  DC or Marvel?  No matter when the first comic hero was hailed, the result carries through to our recent creations… Black Panther, Wonder Woman, Justice League and the like.   Heck, even the Lego Movie’s, Emmet, LEGO Emmetcan be awarded superhero status if we consider the definition as follows:  a superhero is a character that has special powers that are used for fighting evil or helping people.  The definition has been expanded to include persons who’s character, through their actions/achievements are far greater than what people expect.  Mamoudou Gassama, the immigrant who scaled the four story building to save a four year old child is being hailed as a superhero.  Father’s day has just passed.  Perhaps your dad is your superhero — the one who saves you when the rent is due, or was able to fix everything when the car was dying, or seemed like the strong, stable one in your life.  Maybe it was your wonder woman mom who yielded the truth out of you every time with her lasso of truth (or her penetrating laser-eyed stare)!  I think we simply have a need somewhere deep in our souls that crave a hero.  I also think we were meant to be one for others.

I am convinced that we were created to fight against the evil in this world… to stand for truth and justice and to defeat the villainous notions that creep in to our society.  The hard part is deciding what side to stand on.  Moralities are easily swayed by time and the voice of a few vocal radicals.  Many areas are “grey”.  The next generation is growing up in a world where absolute truths are nonexistent.  There are very few black and whites left.  Society oscillates on the pendulum of good and evil almost daily.  Each of us have our own personal kryptonites.  And yet, we are told that we are “…more than conquerors…” (Romans 8) and when we pray and ask and seek … we have the power to move mountains!

the_incredibles_by_arunion-dbjz3zv

Photo via DiviantArt Arunion

That is strength, people!  Supernatural, superhuman strength!  So why do so many of us feel defeated?  Do we not have enough faith?  Do we let our own insecurities get in the way?  Why have the Incredibles all gone back to leading mild mannered lives?  Hung up our super suits for life as boring insurance brokers?  Perhaps we simply have to take the first step.  To be willing to stop the pendulum swing.  To declare that atrocities must stop.

 

Henceforth, my fellow warriors… I hereby challenge you to take up your swords and shields of faith to follow me as I join you in the battle against injustices!  We must truly study as well-informed sages, to follow the leads of good, wise and patient masters, to test our skills and practice and improve upon our weaknesses.  So that when the enemy approaches, we can stand against the wicked schemes and fight as super heros.  To be hailed as one who’s actions and achievements are far greater than what others expect. It will not be easy.  It may involve blood, sweat and tears.  It might mean facing fears.  It will certainly be difficult.  Yet, when our photograph is taken at the end of the battle and stuck up on the refrigerator for others to see, will you and I be hailed as a heros?   I trust we will be able to wear our badges of honour with pride, and know that within our small circles of influences, we were able to stand tall, to be strong and courageous, and to make a difference in our world.  Now go do it.armour of God

 

 

The Search for the Perfect Photo Among the Cherry Blossoms

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mittonmusingsIt was a most gorgeous weekend when the hubby and I went to visit a new (at least to us) tourist attraction in our city.  We journeyed with hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of other park goers to participate in the century-old Japanese tradition of Sakura Hanami, or cherry blossom flower viewing.  He was out to walk.  I was out for the perfect close up photo.  Both of us marveled at the shear number of people out enjoying the spring weather… and a little frustrated when we discovered that most of them drove.  Traffic was brutal.  Some quick prayers for patience and the perfect parking spot had us on our way.  We weren’t quite sure what we were looking for as we descended the steep steps and made our way to the interior of the park.  So far, the hubby was getting his workout wish. I was getting dirty feet and tired knees.

According to the “Sakura Project” websites, this tourist’s marvel came about when the Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakurathe (cherry trees) to Toronto citizens on April 1, 1959 on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo, Japan as a gift for Toronto’s support of Japanese-Canadian refugees after the Second World War.  The city has added to those numbers, and now a grand display of God’s handiwork awaits the visitor who descends the hill.  It really is breath-taking.  Visions of royal weddings and Pride and Prejudice scenes are complimentary backdrops to the cherry blossom.  Romantic photos of girls in flowing dresses, bicycle rides and picnics with finger sandwiches and chilled champagne …well… you get it.  In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom tree represents the fragility and the beauty of life. The brief bloom period of the blossoms act as a reminder that life can be incredibly beautiful — but that it is also tragically short.  Wind and weather affect the blooming period as much as our trials and joys affect our lives. This is why the cherry blossom is used in so many Japanese items… stationary, dishes and special gifts.  It also accompanies many poems and paintings.  Perhaps a gentle reminder from our Maker as well?  I think so.

I wanted photographic bliss from this event.  I have been learning and playing with my camera and was hoping to get some good shots.  Alas, there are too many buttons on a camera.  Too many dials and never the right light.  Practice makes perfect, they say.  Tell that to my photo editing software.  *sigh* I will keep trying…  Here are a few of my favourites:CBCollectionsepia Cherry Blossom

So what can we learn from the cherry blossom? Besides the fact that we were happy to spend some time with just each other (flower gazing is not a family event– at least not without picnic lunches and lotsa snacks… and maybe a soccer ball and way less photo shoots).  We were also reminded that we need to make the most of our moments… because time is fleeting. This tiny, elegant flower only blooms for a short time.  Here… and then disappears.  It’s blooming season is easily affected by outside influences… rain, cold, wind.  The heartier varieties of cherry trees are the ones who don’t necessarily have pretty, ornamental blooms… but they produce the best fruit.  Maybe all that we do to get the most “pretty” The Perfect Photolook will only work for a short while.  I am astonished at how many beauty blogs are out there… the quest for the prettiest face is so real, my friends!  Perhaps the true fruit comes when we are well planted and are aware of the fact that we are fragile. The perfect photo doesn’t exist. Not even on Instagram. We have to practice and learn from others.  We have to descend the steps and walk a bit of life’s journey to see real beauty. We have to be patient with others.  We have to be kind to those who are fragile.  We have to recognize that outward appearances, although exceedingly beautiful at times, are not the final destination.  Our “blooming” is tragically short… and we need to make the most of it while we get a chance.