What do you keep in the background? What do you focus on? These are important lessons for a photographer.
Ages ago, as I fiddled with my first camera I got talking to someone to whom the camera was but an extension of his arm.
He said, I remember clearly, ‘a good photographer learns what to include in the frame. You get better by learning to keep out EVERYTHING that doesn’t add to the picture’
That lesson, I have learnt. applies to business. And to life as well.
(at Isle of Wight)
Love “Its the winged nude. Of Eros, the greek God of Love”, my friend hollers into my ear. Beating a blaring siren.
His Roman counterpart called Cupid occupies more mindshare in the modern mind. That is another story for another time.
In a while I dig deep into our muffins and coffee. I look at Eros. He seems to leap out of the Shaftesbury memorial fountain in Piccadilly Circus in London.
The world needs some love, I think.
And then, much later, the internet tells me that the statue is not Eros afterall, but his brother Anteros. Anteros was “The God of requited love, literally "Love returned” or “counter-love” and also the punisher of those who scorn love and the advances of others..“. Quite a job, I think!
I chanced upon this photograph from my archives today. A coincidence, considering its Valentines day.
He must have a busy day, going about his tasks, I tell myself and smile.
And then I look up the immortal works of the magical Kahlil Gibran. "Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love. And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself”. Ah. Love well. Happy Valentines Day! 🙂 #travel #traveller #instatravel #instapassport #blogger #travelblogger #blogging #travelinsights #traveladdict #traveltheworld #London #UK #Londonwalk #lategram #valentine #valentinesday (at Picadilly Circus – London)
Row row row your boat,
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Sports prepares you for life. Like nothing else.
For life is but a game!
#sports #rowing #traveller #travel #UK #lymington #rhymes #nurseryrhymes #poems #travel #travelblogging #travelblogging #blogging #blogger (at Lymington)
When you stick your neck out, your neck will show.
When it does show, it has a good chance of it being a poor spectacle or holding a spectacular result.
But isn’t the very act of sticking your neck out, sectacular? Add a dose of courage, empathy and sprinkle it with some grace
You will bring smiles all around. Promise.
#promise #courage #creativity #evening #isleofwight #stickingneckout #empathy #grace #travel #UK #sea #evening #mountains #travelblogging #blogging #friends (at Isle of Wight)
The waterfront arrived unannounced.
We walked through pathways and roads that were remarkably well maintained given that there was practically no one there. We descended a flight of stairs and the sea was upon us.
Holding a lingering crimson of a setting Sun for just a minute longer. Like lovers hugging and saying goodbye in a train station.
A lady and her brisk dog walked by. Each anticipating the others move. With space, joy and untethered happiness.
It was a moment that the Sun would have rued missing.
#isleofwight #travel #travelblogging #Sun #sea #dog #dogs #UK #joy #love #colour #happy (at Isle of Wight)
What goes up necessarily comes down. That’s the cycle of life.
And then I thought of Gibran. And shamelessly reproduce it here. “
Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.” And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.” But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.“ #poetry #Gibran #KahlilGibran #joy #sorrow #Needles #UK #isleofwight #travel #travelblogging #travelblogger #life #quote (at The Needles at Alum Bay, Isle of Wight)
The Needles. Isle of Wight. Southern UK. Three stacks of chalk that jut out from sea. They add so much character to the sea.
In their resolute standing seem to signify much more than the mere chalk they are made of.
#Needles #isleofwight
#UK #travel #travelblogging
#archives #memory #sea #chalk #blue #white (at Isle of Wight)
The British Museum houses some of the most spectacular artefacts that you can see.
And when you see a piece that you relate to, in foreign shores, explained to you in a foreign accent, you just stand there nod your head and smile.
#London #museum #history #heritage #travel #traveldiaries #blog #travelblogger #UK #Britishmuseum
