Solvitur Ambulando: It is solved by walking.
A WALK
My eyes already touch the sunny hill.
going far beyond the road I have begun,
So we are grasped by what we cannot grasp;
it has an inner light, even from a distance-
and changes us, even if we do not reach it,
into something else, which, hardly sensing it,
we already are; a gesture waves us on
answering our own wave…
but what we feel is the wind in our faces.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Henry David Thoreau, Virginia Wolf, Immanuel Kant. Nietzsche, Einstein, Socrates, Aristotle, Dickens, and Wordsworth, all were fond of walking. Thoreau famously said:
“Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my pre-visualization begin to flow. My photowalks are my preferred pastime. I went out for a refreshing stroll recently. Clouds partially covered the morning sun, turning it into a giant beauty dish with a diffuser. This transformation created soft yet punchy light that gently wrapped around all the objects in its path. Soft shadows, subtly sculpted the objects in the scene. The pastel colors glowed, vibrant colors were punchier, and shadows retained details without blowing out the highlights.
Photograph of an amazing painting by Claire Jane Kendrick
chi·a·ro·scu·ro /kyärəˈskoorō/
Older and newer buildings are nestled together in the historic downtown St Augustine.
This tall, mature cactus overhanging the fence stands out, especially when blooming. It makes for an excellent foreground object.
The few weeks before and after Christmas are a special time to visit St. Augustine. All buildings and lampposts are adorned with holiday decorations.
The three As. Can you find the third one?
Lines, texture, shapes and forms, accompanied by a dash of color, are everywhere!
I love to look for symmetry wherever I can. Sometimes, it is obvious, and other times it is hidden in plain sight.
I fondly look at this restaurant that has been under construction for some time now. It instills a sense of optimism in me. Even after devastation, one can rebuild, though it may take some time!
See At Augustine.
Jolly old St. Nicholas
Now you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Tell me if you can
What's it gonna be, Santa
Underneath the tree, Santa
What's it gonna be, Santa
Be this for me
How about a fancy new camera, Santa?
Colors, colors, everywhere,
Colors, colors, here and there.
Sometimes the colors match very nicely!
Among westerners, color red is associated with excitement, danger, urgency, and love.
Red with green is festive, like the colors of Christmas and Holidays!
Indians associate color red with purity.
Among the Latin Americans red has religious connotations, especially in combination with white.
Red stands for danger in many other cultures for example among Middle Easterners.
Chinese associate red with luck and happiness.
And someone has to keep it all clean and spiffy!
Earthy and subtle colored walls are a perfect backdrop for the colorful foliage and flowers.
Some walls have messages inscribed on them, if you look closely.
I am partial to making images of storefront windows. Reflections, superimposed on the objects in the foreground and background create unique layered images., akin to collages in one frame!
And everyone seems to be gazing at someone or something.
Or pointing towards something,
If you visit St Augustine, it will welcome you with open arms! Or may be it will say Boo!
Stairs to climb, and doors to open!
And improvising a pit stop!
And finally, a place to sit, contemplate and pray!
As we see, hear, learn, and contemplate, we partake in the ancient tradition of Murakabah. Walks, or photowalks in my case, are walking meditations. See the signs, contemplate, witness the divine splendor! Wahdat al Shahood.
