It used to be that if a picture didn't have a face in it, it was hard to for me to really relate to it. As my children grew older, I found that I was forced to take pictures of inanimate objects. This has stretched me in ways I would not have thought possible.
I find myself being more aware of my surroundings, how the light touches things and how a single object can come to life just by being at a certain angle or at a certain place at a certain time. So when we were challenged to select just one photo that we touched in January for which we had our strongest connection, I wasn't surprised that it wasn't one with my children because the truth is my connection is with them, living...breathing...the warm of their touch...the sound of their voice. No matter how perfect a picture I take of them and no matter how much I smile when I see one that brings a flood of memory, it can't compare to the real living, breathing them.
So my choice, the one that speaks to my heart, is one that was taken on a perfect January day. It started off overcast and dreary and somehow the clouds broke sparking a drive to Old Orange where I took this picture. It wasn't until I got home and began editing the photo that I made my connection. There is something about the beautiful, rugged brick facade contrasted against the blue that drew me in. I added some texture to give it a bit of a dirty look because life is messy sometimes.
Then I see the warning sign...do not enter. But I just might enter anyway because sometimes we need to heed the warning, but we need to understand if there is really danger up ahead or if it's our own reservations holding us back.
The ruggedness of your image is appealing to me, and the age of the building and the lettering makes me wonder what-all has gone on in the building since it was first constructed. Beyond that, I was struck by the contrast between the old-fashioned painted on building letters and the stark utility of the "do not enter" sign. Nice image!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you describe your connection to this image, beautifully captured and edited.
ReplyDeleteFantastic heart connection! It sounds like your journey has been similar to mine. Moving from capturing the important people in our lives to inanimate objects and finding a stronger connection to our heart. I love what you write, "sometimes we need to heed the warning, but we need to understand if there is really danger up ahead or if it's our own reservations holding us back." So. Very. True. Thank you for sharing this in the Photo-Heart Connection, I will enjoy getting to know you through your heart connections this year.
ReplyDeleteReally a gorgeous shot. Makes me want to venture down the street and see if anything is left, I somehow see the wind blowing through the buildings tossing trash about and sending memories to the dust heap.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great shot! Love the gritty,urban feel of it. Loved reading your connection to it and especially your take on the do not enter' sign.
ReplyDeleteFantastic image and words. Your words about heeding warning or it being our own reservations holding us back really resonated with me.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful image and I love your comment about the warning sign. All too often I am the one in my own way . . . thanks for sharing. (from the photo-heart connections)
ReplyDeleteI, too, really appreciate the comment you wrote about the do not enter sign. Wonderful photo-heart connection!
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful post and wonderful photo. The processing really adds to the beauty.
ReplyDeletewhat a great shot...and i love the added texture, so perfect with the brick. your words regarding the sign and how you tie it all together with the colors and the texture. a true photo/heart connection for sure.
ReplyDeleteA question to ask ourselves when feeling hesitant to proceed, is it our own reservations, fear, reluctance, old messages that are holding us back. Beautifully shown in your photo.
ReplyDeleteAh...great image paired with wonderful, reflective words. All too often my own reservations and fears have help me back...stepping out and into the unknown can be fantastically fun.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear you say that it was when you were processing that you made the connection. that oft happens to me-it is later I feel more. sometimes its in the moment, but others it has to roll around my heart for a big.
ReplyDeleteLove your thoughts on "do not enter"...a rule break here and there IS a good thing.
it is great the way you write and connects your photo to it!
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