Flutter flutter...

butterfly from JeanneMarie/Flowrs on Vimeo.

I used my macro lens to capture this tiny little butterfly.

She kept me captivated for a while.

We are having a mini indian summer and it's been warm and breezy...

bringing in the bees and butterflies.  And I'm loving it.

Gives me hope. 

Finding moment of peace...

I haven't been participating as much as I would like to but I'm keeping up with the lesson plan.  And I'm loving all of it.  Our weather hasn't been conducive to heading outdoors for photoshoots and I have had to get my camera lenses in order.  I'm mostly going to be using my iPhone and my daughter's digital camera when she's back from her travels.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and I managed to get up close and personal with my fav tree in my garden.  The leaves are so minute and being able to capture them here - I'm thrilled.
I used my macro lens here and no adding of brokeh or tilt shifts - just the super focus of my macro.
I love it.  I forgot how soothing it is to go photo hunting.

Class is session...

Yay - class is in session.

You should have received your email from Galia for week 1, to dive right in.

If you haven't received your email yet, please message me.

I will be getting to class a little late because I'm still on the farm.

I will be back home on Wednesday evening so I will be a little on the late side.

But I am so excited to jump right in.  Can't wait to journey with you all.

I'm already excited to see what's happening.

And to those who joined class via my button - I don't know who you are but I just wanted to say a huge thank you.  Your love and support means the world to me and I look forward to interacting as we learn and discover together.

Hello...

Greetings - I am {Jeanne}-Marie.

A sweet way to introduce ourselves in class.

Writing out Jeanne-Marie felt like a bit of a stretch, so I settled with Jeanne.  I'm on the farm so I'm out of my usual habitat, but I managed to find organic matter that I found on my walk around the farm.  We had a beautiful walk and I loved it.  The days are warm here.  Winter sun - precious!

Can't wait for class to start tomorrow.

Day 1 - Prompt 10 - it's a Wrap!

Prompt 10

aStillLife

"To stop, to pause and breathe. right here. right now. this moment. this precious moment. is your life."

- Galia Alena

I think this is my constant pursuit - to find quiet. precious sacred moments in time, in the quiet stillness of life.  My soul requires it.  Choosing #astilllife daily is how I pay attention...

"Instructions for living life.  Pay attention.  Be astonished.  Tell about it." - Mary Oliver

I am looking so forward to being in class.

I have loved these past 10 days, thank you Galia and thank you for those who journeyed with me.

Day 2 - Prompt 9

Prompt 9

Self

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can you tell me who you are? Can you pin yourself down in one image, one phrase, one description? I can't, I don't even try, I'm fragmented, multifaceted and full of glorious contradictions. The self can be as mercurial and fleeting as time, layered, textured, weathered, full of subtle and grand details, rooting down, reaching up, dancing with the shadows and seeking the light, ever unfolding, still being written, still being dreamed up, always exploring and being touched by life- all of it, all of it and that's just a day.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

 - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross 

I used one of my Lomography double exposure images, perfect for fragmentation.

I loved this post too.  I've loved them all.

Finding a little bit of magic...

I really wanted to share how taking a very mundane, seemingly boring picture can be transformed into a beautiful image with a story or message.  I took this picture about a year or so ago - it was in my then studio.  A butterfly trapped in my curtain.  It was so beautiful in real life but I couldn't capture that so well, due to the lighting at the time.  I abandoned it and filed it away and when I was looking for an image with wings, I found it again.  I didn't even remember it was there.

In the image above - I used PicFx, zoomed in and used one of the filters to highlight the beautiful yellows and contrast the colors on the individual wings.  I wasn't thrilled with the angle.

In Instagram, I flipped the image around and straightened the horizon lines, especially the main line.  Those lines were the lines from the curtain.  In the Rhonna app, I added the script.

I love how dreamy this image is - the lines draw my eyes across and the horizon line makes me feel calm and collected .  I love the dots on the wings and subtle outline of the top wing and the translucentness of the whole image.  It's delicate and soft.

I love how no image is wasted.

I am starting to believe that you can find magic in almost any image.

You just need to find the courage to play.  Be encouraged...

The most arb photo, with limited edits may be carrying something very special.

Day 3 - Prompt 8

Prompt 8

"Sometimes everything has to be inscribed across the heavens so you can find the one line already written inside you."

- Davie Whyte

How far do you need to travel in order to find that home is within, that home is always with you?  Sometimes it takes crossing the seas, facing down dragons, buying mystery beans, climbing mountains, digging for gold and seeking grails all in order to find that your home was always with you, that home is a place you find within.

How do you feel a home coming?

I think I have been a seeker my whole life.  Finding where I belong and perhaps to whom too.  Maybe that has to do with not living in my country of birth, maybe it has to do with being a little nomadic.  Maybe it has to do with our cultures and subcultures and trying to find something that feels right and true.  Maybe it has to do with being lost for the longest time.

I guess taking that first trip to this remarkable place, I found a bit of me - my heritage, my story and my joy in these ancient streets... maybe the start of my calling home... who knows but it was definitely the start of something.

I have a winner....

I got quite a lovely response to my 1 free space.

I'm so thrilled to see everyone getting excited about photography.

So basically for every comment on my blog, that got a name in the bag, a comment on my Facebook, that got a name in the bag and a share of my post on Facebook, also got your name in the bag - so if you did all three then you got your name in three times.

So thank you to everyone who did that - it was such fun!

I'm thrilled to announce that the winner is...

And the winner is... from JeanneMarie/Flowrs on Vimeo.

Well done Phyllis.

A deserved win - you did so much to share the post and the love.
Time to turn your automatic off on your DSLR.

I must say though, I did want everyone to get a place.

I was definitely feeling the pressure.

Day 4 - Prompt 7

Prompt 7

Textures & Layers

"Each memory, each experience, each dream a new layer, some transparent, some weathered and scarred, some impenetrable, all of them the exquisite touch of life"

Even when we leave a place or an experience behind, we take an echo of it with us, layered into our skin is the texture of a memory.  Being human is to be multifaceted, layered and textured. Sometimes we are shedding layers that no longer serve, that no longer fit, and at other times we are layering new layers upon old. Some of the texture is deep, scar tissue the reach of which extends way beyond the surface, changing layers within. Some layers cling to us, like lint collected from the journey of our life, imperceptible, we may not even know they are there and yet they change the make up of our being.

“No man steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man."

- Heraclitus

{from Galia's prompt today}

Wow - so deep.  I got a little chocked up reading these words today.

Deeply profound words today.  Whether we know it or not, each moment is a echo we take with us.

Moulding us and perhaps even changing us, some more than others.

Day 5 - Prompt 6

Prompt 6

The Goddess is in the Details

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life."

- William Morris

This is pretty much the details of my everyday life at the moment as my baby is packing up for her school tour.  Our focus is on the destination and the details that are leading up to her trip.

It's been an incredible journey getting her to this point.

Day 6 - Prompt 5

Prompt 5

Roots & Wings

5. Roots and Wings - "my heart wants roots, my mind wants wings, I can not bear the bickering."

-  Harburg

This prompt was challenging not only with it being winter and finding pretty winged creatures is a challenge, but also because this week it felt like my wings had been clipped with being in bed and not being able to do much. My heart had to have its roots deep for me to feel secure. This was a picture I had in my resources... A moth trapped in our curtain creating beautiful lines and edit.

In the week I would love to share more about this edit.

It really is amazing what you can do with edits with the seemingly most basic image.

I love the magic of that, being able to transform it into a beautiful image and message.

Day 7 - Prompt 4

Prompt 4

Wabi Sabi - "Japanese word for the world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.  The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete."

Impermanent, pure, humble, simple, tranquil. harmonious, imperfect, fleeting, such sweet sadness, barely a breath of the universe and life is exhaled all the more precious, leaving nothing but an echoing patina, the shadow of a memory.

How do you hold time?

How do you pause it?

How do you grieve when it has passed?

- Crowfoot

I can't tell you how resonating this prompt was for me.  It kind of broke my heart a little.  The fleeting moment captured and gone.  It's fragility.  I want to hang on all the moments and hold them close.  Precious close.  There is a kind of grieving that happens, perhaps daily without realizing, perhaps a longing and it's in that longing that we find the sweet ache of beauty and perhaps even love.

I love this image so much.  It's a tree we have in our garden.

It actually feels like a little Japanese tree.

1 free space...

With about 1 week left to go before CameraCraft starts... I have some exciting news to share.

I have one free space to give away for this class, a perk for being a contributor.

So if you comment on this post and/or blog post and/or share this message - your name goes into the draw.

I love the generosity of this so much.

I hope you will join in and be part of this wonderful group of contributors.  I, for one am pretty excited not only about the content and the contributors but also about the people who have signed up.

It's a beautiful bunch already!

I am so excited.

Day 8 - Prompt 3

Prompt 3

Shadow dancing...

"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul".

- Pablo Neruda

I am without a doubt a Shadow Dancer.

It is in the shadows where my soul rejuvenates and is restored entirely.

But Galia is right it is "a perfect dance of light and shadow... on the edge of awareness".

I so get that - my tendency is to stay quietly in the shadows.

Follow this tag #aStillLife  to sign up for the 10 daily prompts.

Day 9 - Prompt 2

Prompt 2

Into the light...

"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astounding light of your own being". 

- Hafiz

So appropriate for me...

I'm literally sitting in darkness with no electricity or sun today.  They are working on our power lines outside and it's quite possibly the coldest day in winter so far.  Plus I have a household full of sick people.  Not the best time to be without warmth or light.

But we have the fire going and I have a headlamp on my head, casting light to help me see.

Finding beautiful light in an unusual way today.

Follow this tag #aStillLife to sign up for the 10 daily prompts.

Count down begins to Camera Craft... Day 10

Prompt #1

The Art of Seeing.....

"To pay attention is how I pray... to really see, to pause and hold a moment gently"

- Galia Alena

This is my favourite space and time.

I crave the stillness so much - it's sacred ground for me.

I hope you will join us as we count down to CameraCraft.

Follow this tag #aStillLife to sign up for the 10 daily prompts.

Galia is a beautiful poet and her morning words resonate deeply.

#aStillLife

A message from Galia - Camera Craft

Hello there lovelies, its the final countdown until Camera Craft begins and I'm getting super excited so I've decided to funnel all that energy into a Free Photo Invitation- A {Still} Life. I hope you'll join me.

This is a FREE online Instagram Photo (challenge) Invitation. It is a 10-day offering based on some of the lessons/themes of Camera Craft with prompts to get you reflecting on some of the things I love about photography (and Life) and its expressive potential.

A {Still} Life refers not just to the traditional still life (although that's one way to go) or to a life in stills, but rather to the contemplative conversation we can have when we get still and go within and how photography can guide our introspection- it is such a wonderful tool for both exploration and expression.

You can join us by simply following along on Instagram or if you would like prompts right into your inbox then pop your name on the link in comments (link below) and I'll deliver them right to you to be sure you miss none.

I'll be posting a new Photo Prompt every morning, June 13th until June 23th on my Instagram feed.

Once you get the daily prompt, create your image, post on your Instagram feed with the hashtag ‪#‎aStillLife‬ so we can all connect together and support each others soulful and expressive work.

#aStillLife

Vintage Love

Kodak Vigilant Junior 620 made by Kodak Canada between 1940-48

The box Brownies are a dime a dozen but I don't often see the concertina ones.

I got it for a steal.

Other than making me feel delighted about using it, they really aren't worth much anymore.  You can literally pick them up for $10 on eBay.  Not only is it a beautiful piece visually, I know how to get her working.  For me, it's the delight of working with such an old piece of equipment that is valuable.

I currently have 6 vintage camera with film in them - I need to take some pictures.

But I literally can't wait to get this sweet piece in my hands so I can play. 

I pick her up at the end of June.

#besotted

There is still time to sign up for class - see the sign up link on the right.

I hope you will join us and and learn how to use these incredibly old cameras for fun.

Little Discoveries....

So both these Brownies belong to my Momma.

The Kodak Six-20 Brownie C was my Grandmothers.  My mom said I can play with it but she would like to keep it.  Hmmm I'm not sure I'm going to be able to part with it.  But she's given me the Kodak Portrait Brownie No.2 which is specifically for portraiture, right.

So after much research, getting 620 film is near impossible.  I discovered that if you have the original 620 reels - you can roll 120 Medium Format Film onto them (in the dark).  I loved this idea and or course I have 120 FilmStock.  So I rolled my film today.  But thought I would get them serviced first.  When I phoned my service company, he laughed at me and basically said there is absolutely nothing to service as there is nothing inside, no mechanism really.  It's basically just a box.... and my mind was like "of course".  So I didn't delay - I found a tutorial online how to load up my film stock and now I have two loaded Brownies.  I'm beyond excited.  I know it's silly but I feel like a child.

As for this sweet tiny little camera...

It's a Rex 4 Colour Luna.  It's been in my home as an ornament since before we got married.  I believed it didn't work - well I opened it up and I'm thrilled to say it completely works.  It's my hubby's grandfather's camera.  Now I have two Grandfather's cameras in my hands and my daughters are fighting me for them.   It's as basic as my Lubitel 166+ run on the same premise.  I'm getting more 35mm film stock tomorrow.

I now officially have 6 cameras in my camera bag.

Big Week... taking deep breaths.

Oh my goodness - I have been working like crazy this week to finish my class insert for Camera Craft.  But I'm thrilled to say, I think I'm virtually done.  And now I hold my breath and hope that my content is good.  On Wednesday, I picked up my final developed film and scanned negatives - it's been full on.  My nerves are a little shot, I'm not going to lie... it was not easy.

That being said, my learning curve has been huge the past few months, in terms of filming myself and talking on camera (the introvert in me almost died), editing and uploading content.  And even with my photography work - I feel like I grew in leaps and bounds.

We also had some incredible filming adventures.

All I'm going to say is I have such a new found respect for online teachers.  I have always honoured and loved my online teachers and what they do.  They make it look so easy - but I assure you, it is anything but that.  It's incredibly hard work.

But for now - I will find rest.

It's my hubby's birthday and we are celebrating tonight.

I think we are celebrating lots tonight

Exams are over, my class material is mostly done... and birthday love.

Can't wait.

Train Track Chronicles...

I picked up all my film developing today and I'm a happy girl.

So this is one of my favorites from our day at the train tracks.

It feels like a magazine shot.  I love the depth and distance in this shot.

I love the girls and the dots.  It's dreamy and I want to be there.

I still have one film spool to develop - but it's not finished yet.

But with the results I have on hand - I'm stoked.

My black and white pictures were also incredible.

Next job is to load a Black and White 35mm spool into my Lubitel and I'm hoping for some pure clean shots.  Let the journey continue.

I"m loving this.

Collecting data...

This weekend we headed out for our final little photoshoot.

I wanted to try black and white film in my Lubitel 166+

It was cold and moody but so beautiful out in the forest.

Leaves falling all around us.

I'm collecting the film development today and I'm beyond excited.

Nervous too.  I'm hoping that the beautiful images I saw in my viewfinder, will translate onto film.

It's the first time I've used black and white film in this camera.

So I am holding my breath big time, this side of the world.

I also get my TrainTrack Chronicles back from development today.

It's an exciting day.

Film stock...

I am using my first black and white film stock this weekend... Sooo excited!

Can't wait to see what my Lubitel can do in black n white!

Stealing moments and making memories...

InstantLove

This day will be etched into my brain forever.  Not only do I have these precious images to hang onto.  But as my days are running out... the girls are going to be heading into the big wide world soon, to start their own lives.  I want to film them as much as possible... I want to create moments, make memories and have keepsakes of our precious sacred time together.

Like this crazy day... when the train came too close, the old man who loved my camera, the wave that drenched us... and the beautiful girls on this beautiful autumn afternoon that we all had off...

We made a perfect memory today... one I'll never forget.

SneakPeaking...

I love my funky camera bag... filled to the brim with toys...

Can't wait to share all about my little gadgets.

#gadgetjunkie

Film shoot fun...

I love this capture so much - it totally captures the essence of her carefree spirit.

She's wonderful on film and when she's in front of the camera - she literally comes alive.

This is a digital snap of her but it's a glimpse of what we were doing with my film cameras... it was truly a beautiful afternoon.  The sun was out, the ocean, the tracks, the trains whizzing by and the two beautiful girls...

Made for beautiful images, beautiful lomography play and the best memories.

I'll remember this day for a long time.

Lomography sneak peak...

My film spool was developed this week and I'm once again blown away.

I can't wait to share more about what happened here... in class.

But I'm over the moon with these captures.

A little photoshoot...

On Sunday I headed out for a little photoshoot.

To play with this sweet Lubitel 166+ and of course my grandfathers old Kodak Retina.

And of course a little Polaroid fun.

I was in heaven.

We went to an old abandoned graveyard.

At first Corks wouldn't be my model but then gave in and all I can say the shots I got of her were breathtaking.

I'm blown away how creatively playful this camera is.

Each time I use it - It literally astounds me every time.

I've busy putting my segment together and I'm getting so excited.

To teach or not to teach...

Why now...  

I get asked to teach all the time and it's something I've always said a resounding {NO} to.  My introvertness, coupled with fear and shyness, has kept me saying "no" with ease...  I am always left feeling torn between feeling ungenerous/ungiving in sharing the things I've learnt and feeling like I really don't have anything new to share in the world of incredible online teachers already available to us.  Many I've learnt and grown from through the years and through their own levels of generosity.

Click on the image to sign up :-)

My heart is definitely not ungenerous and I would willingly share anything with anyone.  I'm trying to be brave and say yes to more things this year that are completely out of my comfort zones...

This being one of them.

So why did I say yes to contributing in Camera Craft - well, it had to do with a growing connection I've been having with Galia the past while and loving what she's about.  That together with discovering this incredibly cute little Lubitel 166 {Russian Camera} by accident and teaching myself how to use it and my fascination and love for Lomography and old film cameras (that I feel is once again a growing art form}.  I would love to share that with anyone who is willing to learn.   I am passionate about playing it forward and sharing what we know especially new delightful discoveries... it's part of community.  And I just love that.

I think if you are anything like me, the technical side of photography is a little daunting and overwhelming but I've discovered something in this cute little camera that I think can bring much joy with quite simple ease, which is completely available to all of us and that is beautifully share-worthy.

Well that and I guess even though I'm sharing something... at last.  I still kind of get to hide behind the camera.  I hope you will join me together with these incredibly creative ladies and learn much about something which is equally creative as it is beautiful.

I will be spending the month of May putting my segment together.

Playing with my cameras and going on photographic play dates.

Looking forward to sharing the journey with you.

Welcome...

I'm so excited to share that I will be one of the Guest Contributors for the Camera Craft Collective class this year.  A photography class to help you express yourself more beautifully with your camera.  I'll be sharing and focusing my segment on Lomography and Film Photography.

I am completely in love with it and how it has taken me down a new avenue of creative play.  I'm captivated by the old world feel these camera's offer me and I'm excited and delighted to be sharing something I'm so in love with, with you.

Please click on the image or here to sign up and I hope you will come play along.