Friday Shoot Out Favorites

My first favorite from the FSO skyline is Heather's from Vermont at . I really liked the water shot because of the detail of the water. The photo really gives a sense of the water's flow, and you can almost here the sound of the water kissing the sand. http://simplyheathersblog.blogspot.com/

My second favorite is from Pauline at http://paulinespaddock.blogspot.com/. I like her cow shot. First, I always find cows interesting--not sure why! Also, one of the cows looks like it is looking at her, which is kind of funny. I wonder what the cow is thinking.

Anyway, another great FSO!

My FSO Favorites

One of the other famous quotes this shoot out assignment reminds me of is by T.S. Eliot, "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." One of the pictures that is most evocative of this idea is the silhoette shot of a little girl on the beach from Nancy at http://sciencegirltraveler.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-photo-shoot-out-childhood.html

We all can remember a time when we were children when there was a certain peace with the universe, a deep understanding of joy, maybe because we did not have the need to control or the inhibitions that grow on us as we grow. This picture reminded me of that fact when I think about being a child on the beach.

The other shot that evoked this idea for me was actually the assignment originator, Ellisa at http://ellisaathousandwords.blogspot.com/
In one of her shots, her little boy is standing in the surf, with his arms stretched open to the waves. It is a great visual metaphor for how we should approach life, open, willing, and welcoming.

My Favorites of the FSO

I love the my town FSO. It is a wonderful experience and it has been a joy to look at everyone's pictures. Usually, I discuss two of my favorites for the week. However, I must say that every post that I went to had such wonderful photos this week that I could not pick any favorites! Whether people captured all the ranges of colors that the sun creates in its ascent and nascent, or they captured the haunting colorlessness of the slow diminishment of light on a cloudy day, the photos came out brilliantly. It must be the nature of the subject, so kudos to Sherry for picking such a great assignment for the fso. Her FSO can be seen at http://sherripatterson.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-my-town-shoot-out.html

One of the great things that go along with the fso are the posts. Some people really write funny or profound posts to go along with their photos. I did have a favorite post this week that went along with the fso. It was from Barry and his fso can be found at http://anexplorers.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-my-town-shootout-sunrisesunset.html
His post is well-written and poetic--definitely worth a read!

My FSO Favorites and my New Blog Direction

This Friday's shoot-out assignment really generated some great shots. I loved looking at everyone's shots. It seems like almost everyone had really great tree silhoettes!! Also, it seems like silhoette shots often end up from accidents in photography--I guess they can be seen as divine accidents in the world of art.

My first favorite comes from the assigner for this week Carrie at http://westportwa.blogspot.com/
I love the shot of the kids all lined up together. That one represents to me what is great about silhoette shots, which is capturing an overall mood or idea without the distraction of details--the concept in art of balancing "universal versus personal".

My other favorite comes from Jen who is one of my favorite photographers in the FSO. She's the one that picks the shots of the week. I recommend all of her shots and posts. However, I really liked the one of the bride and groom with the wine (I think it is wine). I really like the color of the liquid in contrast with the bride and groom silhoettes. As an aside, I also love the picture of Jen herself against that beautiful stained glass.
http://skidato.blogspot.com/

For my blog, I have been contemplating how to layout my different blogs and have been so inspired by the FSO, that I have decided to make this blog my photography blog. I am going to do reviews and discussions of the creative process on another blog spiritsoflena.com

It took a lot for me to finally have the courage to jump into the visual arts. Since my strength has always been in the area of writing, I focused most of my energy there. However, I was always drawn to the visual arts. Finally, I decided to not let fear hold me back from my passion.

At first, I thought that I would try it and exhaust this passion. What I have found, though, is greater passion for it and a deep enjoyment. So, I am going to really delve into photography and practice all the past assignments and really try to self-educate through this process. I am going to blog about my progress because comments are really helpful in the growth process.

To see some really great photographs from all over the world, check out http://www.mytownshootout.blogspot.com/
On the left side of this site are the names and places of those who take amazing photos of their towns.

My favorites of FSO

My first favorite is from shabbygirl in Arizona. All of her sky shots are just amazing. I also liked her next post of the hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are so fast! Anyone who manages to get a photo of one is impressive! Anyway, back to the sky. From a young age, I have always loved looking up at the sky. During the day, there is the beautiful clouds in all different shapes and formations. During the night, there is the moon and stars. Of course, the in-between of sunset and sunrise create such amazing and unique colors. shabbygirl does a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of sky.

http://afishsbeachwishes.blogspot.com/

My next favorite is the road shot at http://skidato.blogspot.com/2009/09/friday-photo-shoot-out-my-favorite.html

The colors and content of this photo are perfect for the beginning of fall. It is beautiful, but also, to me has an archetypal quality representing the pathway into the new season.

If you are interested in my own favorite photos, you can check that out at http://spiritsoflena.com

My Weekly Favorites of the Friday Shoot-Out

Well, I have picked two of my favorite photos from Friday's shoot-out of domestic animals. I loved this theme because there were so many stories of animals being rescued. Also, the love everyone had for their pets really came through and was great to see.

First, let me say that the friday shoot-outs are fun and wonderful! It is really a great way to see places all around the world on a weekly basis. I have really enjoyed the experience and am thrilled to be a part of it.

Second, in general, the best photographs in terms of quality of photography, in my opinion, most often come from Jen in Michigan who really has an artistic vision in her photography and Patty from Crisfield, Maryland whose professional polish in her photography is amazing.

For this week's shoot-out, though, my first favorite shot is from Doreen in Grand Rapids Michigan http://luckebabe-reflections.blogspot.com/
Her last shot of her cat taking a bath is wonderful. The detail of the fur being combed out by the tongue is really fantastic and the beatific expression of the cat makes this shot priceless.

My second favorite shot is from Nanu in France http://sciencegirltraveler.blogspot.com/

The picture of the cows by the sea. I love the contrast of colors in this shot and the juxtaposition of cows and the ocean.

For access to all the great participants of the shoot out, visit http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com


There are so many wonderful participants! I really love seeing everyone's photos!