Photo Heart Connection|May 2012

From the moment I saw this pink bike at the beach I knew I had to capture it. I didn't even care if the owner was around as I walked up close and saw to my delight, the rusted frame and bent basket, all the imperfections that come with age. Some might wonder why the owner didn't buff out the rust from the frame, replace the worn basket. But to others it would lose its value, it's uniqueness, it's richness. It once was young, but now it's not, kind of like what happens to us and that doesn't make it any less beautiful.

This is my photo heart connection. To learn how to participate in the monthly challenge or to see other photo heart connections, click on the link below.

Photo Heart Connection| April 2012

April was a very good month for me and my camera. Towards the end of March, I decided that it was time to cool things off with my iPhone camera and start sharpening up my skills again with my DSLR. I was getting lazy, using the excuse that the iPhone allowed me to concentrate on composition. The thought of setting exposure, framing up the shot, downloading pictures exhausted me, but by the end of March I was beginning to feel that if I didn’t make a conscious effort to put down my iPhone and pickup my DSLR, I never would.

I dusted off my camera body, cleaned my lenses and went on several photo walks, falling in love with my camera all over again.

It wasn’t hard to pick my photo for my photo heart connection this month. I took this on a photo walk that I went on with my nephew and daughter in downtown LA a few weeks ago. One minute we were on a trendy street with art galleries and restaurants, the next minute we crossed the street and were standing on the edge of hope and despair.

I was fascinated by the vast difference in scenery from one moment to the next. I stood in the middle of the street to capture the desolate street, strewn with garbage and in some cases, broken dreams and could feel the cold, hardness of life.

My cousin who used to work in that area, told me that while the children and families who live there are often homeless and often victimized, there is still laughter, lots of love and glimpses of hope and possibility. Looking at the picture, I see the stark truth, naked, harsh and, yet, I feel the hope that my cousin wrote of. Hope and a future. I hope you see it too.

Come learn how to participate in the Photo Heart Connection or enjoy the photos from other participants by clicking on the link below.