Concepts versus Instincts

Aren't our minds interesting? Our concepts are what determine how our lives manifest. If I were to tell myself that I couldn't be a good photographer without proper education, then I wouldn't be a photographer at all.


 Some of the best photos can be the shots that are not supposed to happen at all. An example of this would be the photos I took earlier this week. I keep reading that one "should" only take flower photos on overcast days so that the light will be even.

Using my own instincts, as always, I went out to shoot flower photos at high noon (another no no) on a bright and sunny day. I got some great shots! This makes me want to apply this idea to other areas of life....using basic common sense, of course. Who knows what I may do next? I certainly will be less likely to let my concepts get in the way. In my life, instinct always trumps concepts.

This photo is available at my website SusanBStambaugh.com

Snuck Up on Me Sunset

You just never know, here in Tucson when the next great sunset is on it's way. On the way out to dinner I noticed that a pretty sunset was forming. Before I knew it, I had my trusty camera out and was taking photos from a parking lot. I have learned to carry my camera with me when leaving the house.

The sunsets continue to surprise me from day to day. We can have a few nice ones and then a series of duds. Sometimes when you least expect it, they show up beautifully. There needs to be the ability to be  flexible and go with the flow.... but isn't that the case in life in general as well? Everything seems to floweasily when we fly by the seat of our intuition in the present moment. That is how I usually get my photographs. Something just tells me to go outside, or go to a certain area. Usually my photo will appear in that place and at that time. I am not able to sit and wait for hours for a shot like this. I just have to trust.

The Thing About Owls

An owl lives behind my home and hoots me to sleep every night. One of my friends loves owls and so I have been paying more attention to them recently. I was researching owls and came upon an interesting article that explained the symbolism very clearly. Apparently, they are the guardians of souls as they pass from the physical body and go between worlds on their way to heaven. Owls are a power animal for a type of shamanic medicine. If you would like to know more, try this link. http://www.owlmedicine.com/faqs.html  Meanwhile, I actually got a good evening shot of "my" owl peering down at me through the leaves of a huge tree, and was the object of a swooping night dive, complete with the amazing view of his huge white wings. I became even more interested and decided to create an owl art piece consisting of parts of photographs. It will appear soon at my website, http://www.susanbstambaugh.com/ so go view it if it is of interest.

Photos in the Rain

The desert can appear inhospitable and harsh, that is a truth of it. It is also a place that fosters appreciation of all that is given. Each bit of rain is absorbed with great relish. Every piece of food for an animal or bird is celebrated. Like a great cactus it's exterior may be thorny but it's interior is moist and juicy. So are the hearts of those who live here. It is from that place of the heart that I address you today.

It is cool and raining and I have been sitting on the couch with a warm throw over my knees as I watch the water drops. Feeling warm inside the house and cool outside is a bit of a departure for Tucson, and therefore very fun.

Today I can't stop looking at raindrops. My eyes and my heart are drawing me in, so with my camera at hand, I am taking photos through the window. I don't know if I will be able to use the shots, but the act of recording such beauty is all it takes to give me a wonderful feeling.

Not everyone in the world has the time to record raindrops, so I like to think I am doing it for others as well as myself. Of course, closely studying anything can take me into the depths of my mind to a place of stillness. It is a restful place to be, away from the cell phones, traffic and chatter.

I would hope that viewing my work would invite you to that place as well. If possible, may your day be filled with peace and beauty, and if you think it's not, just use each moment to notice the small morsels of quiet found in the now where these things are present.

With love and beauty always,

Susan