This time of year always feels overfull for me. As some of you know, I am a faculty member at a large university and this point in the academic calendar always kicks my ass. In addition to the “regular” teaching of courses and conducting research, we have interviews for applicants to our doctoral program, annual reviews on our current students, paperwork and minutia due for our annual reviews as faculty, and a host of other tasks that hit in January and February of each year. Suffice it to say that working full-time and finding space to practice photography (let alone do anything else!) can be a difficult balance to strike. I am sure I am not alone and that many most of you can relate to this. Life is busy — for all of us.
Since I’m also nearing the end of my current 365 Project, I do have to shoot every day! So given the busyness I just described, being mindful to pull out my camera on a daily basis proves challenging. The short winter days with less hours of light adds yet another wrinkle. To combat these forces and forge ahead with my photography, I’ve been sticking close to home to find sources of everyday beauty.
I’ve found this to be good practice to notice what’s in my everyday environment that I might overlook. I am seeing the beauty in our small door decoration, the distressed window covered with vines, and the landscape of the prairie that surrounds my Midwestern home.
What are you noticing in your everyday surroundings that brings beauty to your lens?
Meghan of Life Refocused
lovely photographs, and I agree, there is so much beauty close to home
Agree with Justine, a lot of beauty if you take the time to really look. Good exercise to do everyday. Lovely images from all above.
Thanks, Barbara!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful scenes! I love the little details… there really is beauty all around. Here’s a recent post of mine that touches on that… http://www.meganbelcher.com/2013/01/neighborhood-surprises.html
Those trees! Beautiful!
I too can relate to the Spring semester kicking my ass as well. 13 more weeks left, not counting, just saying…
Love these images. This time of year I try to focus on the winter sun as it slants differently where light usually doesn’t fall other times of the year. Take a walk in the neighborhood, you will see it. Thanks Meghan.
I love that you’re “not counting,” Maureen 🙂
Beautiful. Love that peace symbol.
Thanks, Celina!
Yes. Practising mindfulness on a daily basis with your camera is such a lovely way of getting through the winter.
i sooo agree and i love what you see and how you shoot it!!!! my busy season in work is about to begin and i am also doing a 365. like you i find this time of year is a real challenge with the lack of light and the enormous amount of time i am in the office and i think that i, too, have found myself finding the beauty in the places around my home and on the commute to work!!! just when i think i have seen it all WHOOSH comes something in my path!!! i have been trying to practice getting up and expecting that something wonderful will happen–and it does–everyday!!! this morning, on my way to work i saw a brilliant red head who then bent down to greet an adorable dog named Duncan and i caught their greeting with my camera!!!! if i am expecting beauty i know i am sure to find it!
a great reminder to seek beauty in the everyday. thanks meghan.
That photo of the window is gorgeous! Also, that one with all the SKY — very nice! I work from home so I spent a LOT of time in my apartment. It’s been wonderful to watch the changing light here, and capture it once in a while. Here are a couple of examples: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shewee/8429109953/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/shewee/839433763
Yes, beauty is all around us!
Lovely images Meghan! I find myself drawn to a climbing rose outside my kitchen window even in the dead of winter. There are still some dead roses hanging on as well as some beautifully shaped leaves that have a beautiful silhouette in the late afternoon light. I have shot this particular rose more times than I can count and I enjoy each and every time.
This hit close to home indeed for me – thanks for the reminder, Meghan!