Slow down and smell the roses.  

We are in a micro wave society. The days of slow cooking on the stove are taking a back seat. In an effort to get everything in in a short amount of time, we run the danger of missing and enjoying what is around us!  

Isn’t this the same with most aspects of life? Hence the message, slow down and smell the roses!  Let’s apply the same to photography.

There are the snap and shoot photos meant to capture a quick moment and then there are the images that take time.  Time to see the intricate details and time to capture the mood.  Most of us know this, but its easy to forget in the effort to get the job done.  I like to remind myself when things get hectic and i start to loose focus.

I for one benefited from a lesson taught by one instructor  Stand still, imagine you are stuck in a circle.  What can you find within that space to focus on?  Look deep.  Is it the cracks in the ground, or an old trowel that has been cast away?  Immerse yourself in that spot and not only see, but feel.   You'll be amazed at what turns up.

On a lark, I did this during a hike and was pleasantly surprised with what I saw.   Of course, the arguement could be that the area was scenic to start with!   It was beautiful, however by standing still I had a new opportunity of looking at the vegetation that surrounded me.   

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So what about those not so pretty locations?  Take this warehouse scene for example.   It was a typical fix me upper special!.  Groody and full of junk.  When I stood still, I was able to see the details of the textures and lines.  There's no award winning photo here but lesson of   'stand still, take a breath, and look around you' came out loud and clear!  If you give yourself the time, there is always something interesting surrounding you.

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