This is the library within each of our minds. It consists of a variety of assorted books arranged on shelves, sometimes in the most illogical order. The books neatly stacked one after another each with their own stories chapters within our lives. These stories contain the elements of who we are and what makes us up. Each book holds the different chapters within each of us, from humor, sadness, loneliness, thought provoking ideas, to our own internal conflicts as we struggle for balance and stability finally trailing off to the darkest reaches of our mind.

Age

As human beings, we struggle. Some of us struggle daily and have great difficulties in the challenges we face. While others seem to conquer insurmountable odds with great ease while we all try to put life into some kind of comprehensible idea of how we are affected. We seek comfort through interpretations in music, art, theater and pictures. We seek to express our gratitude, our sorrow, our happiness and our thoughts. Our emotions are delicately intertwined in the very fabric of our lives as we transgress through the various stages. They are part of what gives us inspiration, direction and meaning. William Shakespeare in the Human Odyssey gave us a good outline with his illumination of the progress of man from childhood to old age and death. “All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages” Whether it is one idea that identifies stages from conception, birth, sprouting, growth, flowering, fruiting, renewal, transcendence to the Hindu belief in a simplistic four main stages of life from student, to householder, to retired person, to ascetic, it is rarely that simple.
Age series is a collection of portraits designed to show the different stages in our lives, how we ponder them, conceive within our mind, visualize the ups, ride the downs and ultimately how we grow as a human being and affect the people and events around us. It’s how we can envision a better human race through provocative thoughts, deeds and ultimately our actions. This is my project to capture those moments, this is “Project Envision”.
Life Age One, Childhood; as a child, we think differently. Reality is radically different. Our imagination is pure and unadulterated joy. A child is naturally curious and equally playful. We take in the world around us with utter amazement. We begin to learn about the family and build strong foundations that will help us through the various stages in life. As adults, we forget that a child recovers from negative emotions and events in a way that amazes us. The innocence seen through the eyes of a child reminds us that every once in awhile it is good to detach ourselves from our own reality. The boundaries set are only limited to their physical capabilities. Life Age Two, Adolescent; in the adolescent years we begin to deal with the cards that life has given us. This is where we begin to question and identify ourselves, our passions, our morals. Life is still an exciting quest and adventure as we build upon our earlier foundations. As an adolescent, we begin to formulate the ideas and lifestyle that will take us into the next stage of our life. Life Age Three, Young Adult / Lover;Shakespeare said that as you enter the young adult age, you take on the role of both lover and worker. If you have chosen and prepared well, you love your work and you are ready to begin making your childhood dreams a reality. Even in our modern times, this philosophy is the same at its very core. The young teenager enters the workforce, begins to discover the opposite sex and put what we have learned to the test. Our morals and thoughts begin to come into question. We begin to push and at times, grow beyond our boundaries.
Life Age Four, Adult;In the fourth Age, as a young adult, we start to put down roots and create a place and a family of our own. Sometimes we take on the role as a householder, spouse or parent. Our values, thoughts and questions have been tested by time although rarely answered satisfactorily. Our thoughts begin to reflect inward and we ponder what we have accomplished so far and what the future may hold for us. Life Age Five, Mature Adult;As we transgress into mature adult life, our values have been cemented in time. We may take on new roles and responsibilities that have been directly affected by our youthful actions and indiscretions. We may have turned left at the crossroads in our life when we should have turned right sending us into some kind of mid life crisis. Change at this point can come with great difficulty and costs. Life Age Six, Elder;As an elder, this is the stage in our life where we you serve as a guiding light to family, friends and those that have had the opportunity to learn from our knowledge. We impart that which we have learned and pass our legacy on to our children as we enter the twilight years of our life. This is where we no longer ponder who we are, but give provocative thoughts and wisdom on life and the world around us. With retirement comes the option of doing what we love or better yet, returning to the pursuits of childhood that we put on hold in our earlier and formidable years. At this point, the circle is at near completion. Life Age Seven, Death & Transitions;life is winding down and we enter the final stage of life. This is where we face your own mortality and what lies ahead. We stand at the threshold of what befalls us and look back at the that legacy we have created. Our life has been fulfilled and yet we still question what our purpose and calling were. Welcome this experience of being ready for what is next if you can. A new stage begins, as the actor exits this scene. When the final scene on the human drama ends, three characters will be standing, love, hope and faith.
You can only hope that this play will be instilled on the hearts and minds of those who surrounded you past and present. I close with a thought from Henry David Thoreau, “None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”

My first model shoot

Well I went to my first model shoot, which was perfect timing because the topic in my photography class this week was portraiture shots. I am in this Seattle Flickr meetup group, http://www.meetup.com/SeattleFlickr/, and they have meetings quite frequently where photographers of all skills join and take pictures, share ideas and equipment. This was titled "UW garage shoot" which was located in the lower level parking garage on the University of Washington campus. This was exciting in two folds. First, it was my first real meet up to shoot models and secondly, I was actually working with models! The models were provided to us, free of charge I think, by Modern American Bellydance. I was limited on time so I just focused on one model, Amy Kate Horn or Amaryllis by her dance name and she was spectacular to work with. She knew what to do when it came to moving around and required very little direction since I didn't have any. Plus, I partnered up with Jim Kennedy who is a lifetime local photographer. So I picked up some tips from him as well. Amy was graceful and smooth in the way she moved that it just flowed so naturally for her. She had the brightest sincere smile and a "come and get me grin" that put me at ease probably more than her. Enjoy the pictures and I hope to get more opportunities like this later!

Determination

What does determination mean to you? In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, among many definitions;

a : the act of deciding definitely and firmly; also : the result of such an act of decision

b : firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end.

Determination is the desire to achieve a goal or an affect as a result of our actions. The end to our means, hopefully positive, is the direct result of our motivation to succeed in our endeavors. We push ourselves to the extreme when it comes to our passions and focus on our efforts that drive those needs.
Sports is a competitive and recreational activity that is governed by a set of rules that enable us to tap our physical abilities to win. We all want to win no matter what league but most of all, we thrive to be recognized for our accomplishments.
When we combine sports and determination we are at our best when we combine our mental and physical abilities to achieve our desired result. We are determined to succeed!

Old buildings and asymmetrical views

Just out and about in Georgetown and was taking some pictures of old buildings. Most of these are being torn down but there is a lot of opportunities to take pictures of these buildings. For the most part I was experimenting with taking face on and asymmetrical shots. By that I mean I was going against the rule of thirds, which I consider to be more of a guideline than a rule. The top photo I wanted to get the edge right in the center of the shot to capture equal sides and opposing views. I also liked the dark shadows and how they contrasted against the light. The bottom photo I didn't like at first but now it is growing on me. I think the combination of the old brick and the reflection in the large glass windows really accents the picture.
I love the old architecture in these buildings which really gives them personality. The arches and the decorations that align the pillars.

the butcher's knife of condemnation is good for little but making bloody messes.

This blog comes from Jesh de Rox Fine Art Photography who provides experiential photography for people in love according to his website at http://www.jeshderox.com/.

Jesh De Rox in his words "is fascinated with life and spends his time studying the way people perceive and connect with each other and the world around them". Jesh has a deep and spiritual understanding of mankind and his own soul. I can tell just by reading his blogs. Now if the rest of the world would just take a moment to read his entries and reflect, we would be much better off. His site is accented by the beautiful musical voice of Amy Seely singing "Gravel Lines" which speaks so much about life.

In his journal section are many blog entries. This one in particular had a powerful message. I encourage you all to read it and reflect for a moment. Please go to his site and read it to capture the full experience accentuated with the music that plays.

Enjoy ~

Monday, April 13, 2009

if someone has been a friend to you,,, (life)

a good one, a real one,

someone who has given you something that no one else ever exactly has,,,

then be slow to give up on them, find it in your heart to see them with patience.

if they are quiet, seem to be acting differently than you've come to expect or maybe not giving at the level you are used to, perhaps they are in hibernation, playing dead in an attempt to survive a pain or a difficulty stronger than they know how to handle gracefully.

be slow to believe the worst; assumption is a ruinous and untrustworthy advisor.

the surface of something is most always the smallest percentage of it. look at how much of what is vital about you exists beneath your skin.

things are rarely as they appear, and when you judge something before its time, you separate yourself from much worth experiencing - like biting into and spitting out a sour apple, weeks before it is ripe.

the butcher's knife of condemnation is good for little but making bloody messes.

sometimes people need room to grow. what benefit is it to you to hold other people to your measurements? perhaps they travel in a different direction than you have been, are dealing with a terrain that has different challenges than your own, and at a different speed. there is no way for you to know for sure.

even if an assumption is popular, it doesn't make it true. a thousand people staring at the surface will see no deeper than one, and lend no more credence. watch for the tendency for your fears to give such shallow perception non-existent weight.

in this world of flux and flex, an open heart and a ready shoulder are often the best gift you can give to a friend who's going through a rough time. and, those being offered, a peaceful space - so they can find their way through their mazes at their own pace.

good friends are worth the wait.

remember we often receive in relation to what we have given; you never know when it may be your turn to face the lonely mountain passes. believe me, they are more easily overcome with the help of good friends.

love to each and every one of you,,,

jesh *

Posted by Jesh de Rox at 4/13/2009 11:59:00 AM

Downtown Bellevue at night

Shot with Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT:
ISO 1600; f/18 25mm focal length; auto WB


Shot with Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT:
ISO 800; f/22 18mm focal auto WB


Shot with Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
ISO 800; exposure 10; f/22 18mm focal auto white balance

These shots I took of downtown Bellevue at night. They were taken from a freeway overpass and I was experimenting with exposure settings with passing cars. In the middle picture, there was a car travelling amongst all the others that had those halogen headlamps with a bluish tint. I took the picture and then when modifying it on my computer, I saw that they gave the lights a purplish streak. That just added to the effect. The bottom picture I wanted to capture a bunch of passing cars as I was overhead. The streetlamps with the star like pattern effects really boosted the quality of the photos.

Small, photochallenge 132

Small in the Merriam dictionary is an adjective defined as:
1. Of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little

2. Not large as compared with others of the same kind

3. Having but little land, capital, power, influence, etc., or carrying on business or some activity on a limited scale: a small enterprise.

4. Humble, modest, or unpretentious.

Now when I think of small, I think of something not large, such as a small Lego toy that I most likely will step on with my bare feet in the middle of the night as I navigate through the maze and quagmire of house I have. When you have 3 boys, you have a quandary when it comes to items not being put back where they belong.
In any sense, small can also mean something on a much grander scale, in an irony, something much bigger. Have you ever heard the sound of booming thunder and marveled at how overbearing it can be. Have you stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon, and gazed out across the vastness of the Arizona desert and peered down below and amazed at how Mother Nature can carve out such a magnificent event over time. Whenever you see a mountain range, marvel at its peaks and valleys, how each one is different than the other and ask yourself how far does they go? Next time you are on an ocean beach, be still close your eyes for a moment and concentrate on the sound of the waves crashing ashore. Then with your mind, reach out across the large expanse and depth of the water and try to see the other side or imagine what thrives on the bottom. Now, open your eyes and look out again, realize how small you are compared to that large body of water, then realize that you are something smaller in a bigger plan. Imagine that as a child, those feelings are tenfold.

Challenge 109, Clock

Wikipedia defines time that is a component of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify the motions of objects. It also defines a clock is an instrument used for indicating and maintaining the time and passage thereof.
I once heard a movie quote that said “Someone once told me that 'time' is a predator that stalks us all our lives. But I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because it will never come again”
A clock starts at birth with the announcement of what time we are born and the clock ends at our death.
Throughout our lives, everything is measured by a clock. As a child, were told of a story about a mouse that ran up a clock, and the clock struck twelve and the mouse ran down, hickory dickory dock.
So what is a clock to you? Is it a simple device to regulate your daily routine? Is it used to watch a pot to see when it boils? Is it more complex in your life in that it controls your life leaving you with a feeling that there is never enough time in a day to do everything? Maybe a clock is the last thing you look at and your day just flows like the tumbleweed along a desert highway.
Time and clock are intricately related and yet can serve two different functions. Both are companions in how we govern our lives, one on our right and one on our left.
So whatever your definition of a clock and time are, there is one unmistakable characteristic, they are constant never fast or slow enough. Time just marches forward and the clock keeps it on rhythmically humming along.
Treasure time; make sure that your clock doesn’t stop ticking before you realize you have missed out on the important things in life.
With that, I once saw another quote; it went “The hours of folly are measured by the clock, but of wisdom no clock can measure.”

Sacrifice, Photochallenge 101

Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning "to make sacred", from Old French, from Latin sacrificium: sacr, "sacred" + facere, "to make") is commonly known as the practice of offering food, objects (typically valuables), or the lives of animals or people to the gods as an act of propitiation or worship. The term is also used metaphorically to describe selfless good deeds for others or a short term loss in return for a greater gain.
Self-sacrifice, the act of deliberately following a course of action that has a high risk or certainty of suffering or death (which could otherwise be avoided), in order to achieve a perceived benefit for certain others, is a powerful theme with a well-established place in many cultures, myths, and societies. Self-sacrifice may also be more broadly defined as selflessness, or the readiness to inflict pain upon yourself to save others; it is this definition which, for example, Leo Tolstoy embraced and espoused.

This theme has many different meanings for many different people. Sacrifice could mean what you gave up for lent for the upcoming Easter or Resurrection day. Perhaps to someone else, sacrifice means a military member who goes in harms way, knowing and despite those costs, so that others can live in peace and have the luxury of knowing that someone is out there watching over them. To a chess player losing a piece in an exchange to open up an opponents defense for attack or maybe the contract bridge player bidding at a higher level knowing it will fail but also knowing that cost will still be less than his adversaries score. Sometimes a sacrifice could be in the form of a sacrifice fly when a baseball player intentionally hits a fly ball deep into out field so that a runner can easily advance to the next base and perhaps putting them in a better scoring position if not scoring at all.
To me, the term sacrifice has the most value in meaning when someone gives their life for others. The ultimate sacrifice comes in the form of a soldier, a sailor, a marine or an airman who willingly goes into harms way to protect those freedoms we cherish and take for granted and then pays that price with his or her life. Anyone who can sacrifice their life for that of another is a tremendous price. One that very few are willing to pay.
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” ~ John 15:13

Photochallenge 98, Urban life and culture

From the Wikipedia definitions, an urban area is defined as an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it.
Urban culture is the culture of cities. Cities all over the world, past and present, have behaviors and cultural elements that separate them from otherwise comparable rural areas
For today’s theme, see what you can find that says “urban”.
For this set, I travelled around the south Seattle as this area is an older area of the city and full of urbanization in many different forms. The area is a clash of cultures, businesses parks and buildings new and old alike. This mural was painted alongside a building as it ran past an alley. The school bus in one picture at the end of the alley seems to the constant no matter where you live, whether it's a rural, metropolitan or urban area.

Photochallenge.org

The idea behind photochallenge.org came from the site's owner and his personal desire to grow in photographic skills. He challenged himself to do something new and post that to his personal blog. From there it has become a challenge for amateur photographers to expand on their skills by submitting photographs of different topics. This year, the requirements are a daily submission based on a topic that Trevor Carpenter and Jeremy Brooks set out. Their website states ''The current goal is for you to commit to one of many photo challenges that will stretch your photographic skills...PhotoChallenge.org is the link between you the photographer, and your photo-sharing site. This is where many of us can join together, and commit to view and critique each other’s photography.''Join the challenge, I dare you!