Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

Negative space, when referring to art and photography, is generally defined as, “the space around the subject of an image.” That means the ‘empty’ space around your main subject. It’s a shame it’s referred to as “negative” since it is a very important component of the whole image. The negative space actually enhances or makes the image successful.

Those of you who have read my most recent posts, are aware that I’ve taken a solid step back from too much time on the Internet while stepping back into spending time with real life. It has been like that spruce cone in this image, being allowed to ‘be’ in the real world allowing my best parts to emerge by the negative space surrounding me (which enhances its main subject: me). I’m not referring to the physical me, but the inner me.

I’ve truly worked hard to move forward, develop, and be creative. I’ve taken photos of ornaments, forks, glasses, plates, snow and more snow, horses, dogs, birds, twigs, bark, fences, barbed wire, toes, flowers, dandelions, food, corners of my home, and so on. I’ve created where I sit, where I am stuck, yet have seen so much through my lens, developing and growing as I went along.

If you’re feeling stuck, lacking creativity or inspiration, dig deeper. Perhaps you need to move away from the computer and the Internet or perhaps you need to find one or two very selective spots on the Internet. Seeking out the right kind of negative space to enhance us (the main subject) is up to us as individuals. Where we focus is just as important as it is in photography. Finding and using the right kind of negative space to surround us also is as important as it is in photography.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us.” ~ Helen Keller

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Visit Diane’s regular online home at Diane Schuller Photography and her photo journal.

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

It’s been two years since my Mom died. I still miss her immensely so tomorrow is not going to be easy for me. She knew she was dying and there was one thing she insisted I take before she died. It was a book of poetry she received decades ago as a gift. It was obviously something she treasured and wanted me to have. There’s a longer story to this but the important thing is that I have that book and I treasure it more than anything. I love her deeply and miss her intensely. Although I told her I loved her, showed her (though could have done more), I wish I had honoured her even more while she was alive. May you have a day filled with the treasures of motherhood and may you honour your Mother on her special day — and every day.

I love that I can sometimes hear her voice in mine. I hope others can see a part of her in me. {I was going to add a YouTube video here but don’t know how. Here is is: We Rise Again.}

PS: Thanks for the great input on social networking. Looks like we all agree — a waste of time!
PPS: I wasn’t able to get my new website ready for launch but watch on Monday for the big announcement and reveal — I think Monday is the day!!

the R.R. Venture coming in after a day at sea

ADVICE
by Robert Crawford

When you are faced with two alternatives

Choose both. And should they put you to the test,

Tick every box. Nothing is ever single.
A seed’s a tree’s a ship’s a constellation.
Nail your true colours to this branching mast.

Great advice whether in life or in our chosen career path, don’t you think?

Speaking of alternatives, do any of you use the social networking sites to further your business/career? I have solidly kept away from Twitter, Facebook, et al primarily because of the time commitment — I love life and would rather be enjoying and experiencing life than in front of a screen even more than present. I’ve seen those little excerpts from Twitter on some of the blogs and am astounded at the petty chatter so that’s been another good reason (in my view) to keep away. All that said, there are those who have found some of the social networking to be beneficial for business purposes. I don’t hear much on that end so if any of you have positive and measurable results from using social networking, I would love to hear about it. You see, as Mr Crawford advises regarding alternatives, perhaps I should reconsider and “choose both” — oh but I don’t have the time!

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

The top one was desaturated with some copper tones and some soft blurring added. The bottom one is a simple black and white conversion (though I always play with the blacks, the clarity, point curve and such) — after fiddling this is my black and white version. Do you have any preferences for which processing you prefer on this sister portrait?

Today is Earth Day around the globe. Being responsible stewards for the environment is not a one-day event; living responsibly every day is how we really make a difference.

Web of life. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved

“This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” ~Chief Seattle

The environment column I write for one of the local newspapers goes online a week after it appears in the newspaper. For a list of some of my recent columns dedicated to making a difference to the environment, with a focus on simple everyday changes, visit the Everyday Earth Wise archives index. Perhaps you will find some small way you can make a big difference — in your life and to the environment. If each of us makes an effort to make small changes, each of these small changes add up to make big changes. Consider talking to your children and your grandchildren about the environment and being responsible stewards. Help them grow a garden this year, learn to compost, and go for walks in nature. If we teach them now, they grow up learning the important habits of a responsible earth steward. Although it’s best to get outside with them, visit Eco-Kids Canada or Eco-Kids (World) for some great online resources and teaching tools. I’ve listed a few books below for you or the kids but there are many more available at your local library or bookstore. Turn a new leaf starting today!

Before you head off to take some green action, here are links to two of my archived environmental columns. Please note that the newspaper does take these down after a time so if you find either or both of these helpful, I’d recommend printing it out. Here are tips on Repurposing Around the Home and a Do-it-Yourself Eco-Clean Kit. Print them out and put them to use — you’ll be surprised how easy it is to be green and how much money you will save too.

Earth Day is (also) for the Dogs.

Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)

The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time

Everything Kids’ Environment Book: Learn how you can help the environment-by getting involved at school, at home, or at play (Everything Kids Series)

Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home

Invigorating: giving strength or energy to
 

Canada Geese in Spring near Valhalla, Alberta. Copyright © Diane Schuller. All Rights Reserved

Yes, that is the best word to describe my weekend. There are two reasons why it was invigorating: I spent the weekend with people and interacting with them plus I was able to get away from the farm and being tied down by the dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dogs but because of them I can’t go anywhere unless my husband is home to take care of them. As for the former reason, a reminder that I often go weeks (very literally) without seeing another human being. So, this weekend was fantastic! Saturday I was in Grande Prairie all day attending a workshop where I also led a session on goal-setting for writers. Sunday I spent several hours driving through the spring countryside heading north of Grimshaw to meet a woman for a writing consult. We spent a few hours together talking about writing projects and I helped get her started on setting writing goals as well as other writing-related discussion.

Spring calves, northern Alberta. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved

Just being around people, interacting with them, plus the time away from the farm was so invigorating. What invigorates you?