"I am trying to be unfamiliar
with what I am doing."
~John Cage
Chasing shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday has primed my eyes to be on the lookout for things that previously I didn't give a moment's care for ~ the play of light vs. shadow. It's a play of more than four acts really. It can go on forever, but within that forever my eyes occasionally get weary and long to "see" in a manner that is unfamiliar. If we look at things with the same eyes day after day the process can become monotonous. Monotonous = mono + tone. In other words ~ tediously uniform.
One of my greatest challenges as an artist is to keep the "unfamiliar" flowing. When the flow stops, boredom sets in. When I get bored, I don't pick up my camera. But here's the thing. When I pick up my camera after that brief respite, the stream has changed course just a bit. And that change of course is just enough to fuel my continued exploration for that oh-so-elusive Unfamiliar.
January shadows on the Root River, S.E. Wisconsin
thanks for taking a look at my shadow shot this week. If you feel like exploring a bit today, head over to Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and spread some love to all the other shadow chasers around the globe. Happy Saturday everyone. Keep your toes warm -unless you're living in the tropics and in that case, dip them in the water.
43 comments:
Great shadow shot!
What a beautiful image Miss Becky. It`s been too long that I haven`t visited and I regret that, and too long that I haven`t put a shadow shot up. I have to change that. Hope you are doing well.
Where we too quickly think there is nothing, there is usually something...
BOOKISH SHADOWS
Darksome shadows in my path,
You are not the Grapes of Wrath;
And yet when I hear your hums,
Something Wicked This Way Comes!
May your darkness turn to light
Like The House of Mirth, all right?
May all sadness drift away—
Send Lolita here to play!
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Shadowy Path
i enjoyed your view this week, but also very much enjoyed your viewpoint. thanks, dear becky!
I don't look so much for shadows these days - since participating in SSS, the shadows find me! The play of light and shadow is not so monotonous to me, as the shadows fall over things living and fake. The interplay of these visual treats are what make shadowy art so fun!
Seeking shadows has definitely opened my eyes to so many things I would never have seen before.
Very nice shot today. Is that ice, slush on the river? Brrrr!!!
looks beautiful and like a perfect winter! We had some snow-rain this morning, but still everything in brown grey tones, coz it melted before reaching the ground.
A great shadow Becky, and a wonderful photograph!
Sending you wishes for a beautiful weekend.
xo
Terrific shadow shot for the day, Becky! I have to agree with Ralph, ever since I began participating in SSS, it seems I see shadow everywhere that I never noticed before! A great game it is! Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
A beautiful winter scene.
Hope you are staying warm too, even though you LOVE the snow... a fire blazing, glass of wine, and a good book, all sound lovely on a winters day.
Nothing better than snow on a sunny day to create great shadows such as this.
Love your shadow shot of the tree across the frozen water Becky.
ms. becky...i love you...you are a girl of my own heart. love your post today. also your header is divine. keep warm over on the other side of "our" lake.
Your shadow is beautiful! The icy river looks so pretty.
HAve a lovely day, Becky.
Beautiful shadow!
Shadows at my site. Looking forward to your visit.
The road seems to sparkle to my eyes-don't know if it is! Love the pattern cast by the tree.
That is beautiful with the texture too...
Beautiful shot!
The unfamiliar is like a joyous challenge! Where photos are concerned, it's like a re-processing of concepts and perspectives! Sometimes it involves the overturning of the pre-conceived! And what a fun journey that is! I never tire of taking one!
Love how the shadows in your photo seem to be taking a determined pathway - etching out their own identity, regardless of the regular "predictable" shape! There are light and dark, bold and fragile shadows, all on parade together!
And thank you so much for your amazing comment on my blog! I am still smiling!
Love the shot! I, too, am fascinated with shadows...and have found that knowing I need to have something to offer on my blog has made me get out and shoot even when I wasn't in the mood! I also enjoyed your thoughts...great post!
The texture of the shadows on the river - thumbs up!
I like your new header. A brief respite isn't bad when it comes to many things in our lives.
PHOTOO/WORD/PERFECT;~)
It is quite amazing how we now find great shadows in places that once were just ho-hum! Nice ShadowShot. Have a great weekend.
I like this very much!
A very nice shadow shot today.
Lovely shot Ms. Becky.
Aha! Putting down the camera and then picking it up....offers inspiration. I found the same after the daily 365 finally concluded. I am now giving myself and my creativity respite when needed.
Beautiful shadows indeed. And I like your new header too. I see it is snow covered. You must be a happy Wisconsian.
Beautiful shadow.
Please come see the Shadow of my dog in action.
Such a heartwarming shot.
Here's my Shadow shot. Enjoy your weekend.
Gorgeous shadow shot! It's nice to see the shadows coming out from the other side like that. I'm so used to shooting them the other way.
Amazing photo......I Love it!
I can really relate to what you said in your post. My problem is I want to be doing my embroidery and I want to be developing my pictures and there is never enough time.It is so frustrating. Now with Kim’s course I am going to spend more time on her assignment and less time shooting and posting. Love your photo this week. It REALLY is cold up there. The shadows are awesome.Thanks for continuing to stop by. I am getting my final Swannanoa post ready with the stained glass and the Tiffany chandelier. Tomorrow Bud and I are going to drive all the way up that mountain to try to get you all a good shot form the front. I need the wider angle lens and not the telephoto. Hope the weather will be good. genie
Nice wintery scene. The sun created some nice shadows, of the trees, on the pavement. Even from the shadows you can tell it is winter time. No leaves at all, kind of gives it away!
I'm late again, Ms Becky. This shot is spectacular with it's perfect placement of light and shade. I hope you continue to pick up your camera. Always.
x
Terrific shadows! So perfectly clear!
Beautiful....even tho there is sunshine in your photo, it still reminds me of Robert Frost's poems..."I have miles to go before I sleep...miles to go before I sleep."
Old Man and the Sea
Ms. Becky .. how true is what you have said .. I am so happy not to see only the mundane .. I can find points of interest in so much .. I think being a gardener has it's own special "eye" for scenery ..
This is a beautiful shot .. so many different textures and light values to see !
Joy : )
There is so much beauty in nature, you just have to open your eyes! Beautiful shot!
Debbie's Travels
Lovely shadows cast in blue.
I love this shot - the colours, the bare branches and of course, the shadows - very soothing.
Winter sun and light produces such beautiful shadows - a stunning shot indeed
Another renga for your inspirational photography!
(Duly Noted)Jan 23, 2012:
the sun wrote to her...
secret shadow messages
cuneiform branching
across the asphalt roadway
one has to be a quick read
as shadows like smoke
change quite quickly opinions
regarding gossip...
JP/davh
(...after studying the photo I thought that perhaps the shadows were on a newly frosted frozen river way as well... but it does look like a road)
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