 The setting seemed familiar. I knew I stood in this scene once before, however it was a different time, in a different place. Memories came flooding back. My dreamlike recall carried me to the marshlands of Scotland. The year was 1855, outside the town of Sutherland, on the west coast of Scotland. I followed a footpath through the tall reeds in search of solitude. There I stood amongst the flaxen grasses, tangled brush and assorted wildlife. They welcomed me, I was home. Photography can transport you.  On a recent Cape Cod photography workshop lead by John Barclay, https://johnbarclayphotography.com and Rad Drew, http://www.raddrewphotography.com, that is exactly what happened to me. Our group consisted of our fearless leaders and 13 eager participants. Before the crack of dawn we arrived to a seaside site that offered a wide range of photographic opportunities. Forever in search of solitude, I broke away from the group. I followed a dirt path, in the dark, through the ensnared brush to a grand opening alive with waterfowl, enveloped by lush, windswept grasses. A sliver of golden light appeared on the horizon. With my camera down on my side, I watched the morning unfold. The first blush of light cast a sepia tone on the landscape. It was then I was transported.  Was I really the young girl I had imagined wandering alone in the marsh? As my 19th century sweeping epic, in glorious technicolor began to fade from memory, I slowly awakened to the present moment to find the marsh, the morning and little ole’ me.
Who needs movies and popcorn when you have an active imagination and camera at hand? Live in color, Abby P.S. If you are looking for an excellent photo workshop please check out the links to John Barclay and Rad Drew. They are both passionate and gifted photographers, who effortlessly guide their students to a better understanding of both the technical and artistic sides of photography... and they're highly cool guys to boot!
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 Effortless beauty is grace in my eyes. When I speak of grace I am not speaking in a religious context, but more of the harmonious alignment between something and it’s surroundings. Recently I came upon a circular Koi pond in the center of a bustling hotel lobby. Flecks of golden light drew me in, however the grace of movement held me. The longer I looked at the Koi being Koi, the more I recognized how elegant these creatures truly are.  I remember as a child being captivated by a television star, Loretta Young. In my 6 year old mind, she epitomized grace and elegance. I remember nothing of her work, just her patented entrances. It was always the same, a door swung open, she crossed the threshold, twirled to close it, then glided across the stage in an elegant haute couture gown, never losing eye contact with the camera. WOW! Now I understand she had make-up on that was probably applied with a palette knife, layers of Aqua Net holding her do in place, and her torso painfully squeezed into a designer gown. Illusion or not, her movement appeared effortless. So what is it about effortlessness that is attractive?  In each case there seems to be a lack of struggle. Being in harmony with their surroundings creates a dynamic equilibrium which in turn exudes grace.
There is grace in the fluid lines of the Koi, their elegant expression is mesmerizing. Don't think of this a as fish tale, just a lesson in grace. Live in color, Abby |