Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Creeper Disks -or- Curled Grass


"Creeper Disks"
Master Gardener's Garden, Time Machine
Odessa, Texas

"Curled Grass"
Master Gardener's Garden, Time Machine
Odessa, Texas

Today's "This or That" theme is mood. Is it terrible of me that I can't really explain the mood which I think they both share? They speak to me of a kind of quiet, yet with a dynamic interplay between the elements. Which photo do you prefer? (And I'll weigh in myself this time -- I really can't decide! ha)

This December experiment has been a gift. Your encouragement and comments have utterly infused me with renewed desire to take the best photographs I can take. Every evening I can hardly wait until 5 when I am free to dash out the door, camera in hand. Every morning I can hardly wait to show you the newest pair and hear your insightful comments.

I've also been doing some new things. For example, I've been returning to favorite spots, and trying over again to get shots that didn't work out the first time around. Instead of giving up on capturing what I want, I'm willing to try again in another light, on another day, and a little tiny bit smarter.

You see, I've also been reading my camera manual before bed every night. It's like a million light bulbs are going off. I am now understanding some features that I just didn't get before. Last night I learned how to manually focus! I could hardly sleep after that.

Mom, you sure knew what you were doing when you picked this camera. (Among her many talents, my mom used to be quite the photographer.) How can I ever thank you for the joy this generous gift has brought me. I can't sufficiently.

15 comments:

Hannah's Mom said...

This time I know which one I want to pick... :) "Curled Grass", in fact, I want it blown up and hung over my sofa in my living room. ;) Would you ever consider selling any of your photos? I LOVED everything about this picture. I am not a strait on picture taker so I love the angle of this one.

Thank you for sharing your brilliant art with us!

Bev said...

And I look forward to the evening when I can see your pictures!

I love 'Curled Grass' the most. It is a structurally perfect natural flower (or grass!) arrangement. If someone had spent ages arranging this they couldn't have got it better. The middle grass is perfectly furled around the others, whose pleasing (almost geometrically perfect) lines are pointing to the sky. I think the black and white accentuates these lines and displays them to the best effect. I like the way you have got it at a slight angle to highlight that this is out of the ordinary.

Kris Cahill said...

I like "Curled Grass" because of the light and depth in it. It also has a movement, while the other piece is more static. I like them both for their form, but I find "Curled Grass" more cinematic, and that is attractive to me.

I love your photos!

Bobbie said...

The joy of giving is in seeing the beautiful pictures that you take. Not only that, it is in seeing the joy that you have in taking them.

Another difficult choice. I like both and almost want to refuse to choose today. But in thinking about which one to hang on my wall I have to pick "Creeper Disks", but truly I love them both!rs

Audrey said...

Curled Grass

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

I love curled grass! That is a fantastic almost whimsical photo. The mood feels quite peaceful and serene. I am guessing that you were laying down to take it at this angle? It is just lovely. The definition of the seed heads and the straight sillouhete againts the soft cloudy sky.

I am pleased you find such enjoyment from this experience, you are truly enriching us also. I look forward to seeing what you have done each day!
You deserve the exctitement you feel, the joy of re-discovery.
*see* you tomorrow :)

Irene said...

I like the tranquility of "Creeper Disks" and that little spot of color. It reminds me of my childhood and something I saw then, but it is a very elusive feeling and I can't place it. Where and when did I see it? It makes me feel very peaceful and calm and happy.

You're a great photographer.

Debi said...

Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic votes.

Windy, thank you thank you thank you for your comment. You gave me the idea to make my little offer of a printed copy this month. If you don't win, I'm sure we'll work out something :)

Bev, I'm sure the ladies and gents who do the Master Garden had a hand in this perfect natural arrangement. I've vowed to do some trash clean up when I'm there next as my way of saying thanks to them.

Kris, thank you for your comments. You are right about the movement -- and I see you use that same love of movement and drama in your own work.

Mom, I'm glad you're glad that I'm glad. ha I figured you might favor Creeper Disks. I don't know why, but that one says something to me about you and many artistic things you taught me growing up. Including a love of nature's smallest forms, like those little disks.

Audrey, thank you for voting, babe.

Lisa, you've hit the nail on the head -- twice. Yes, I was nearly on my back when I took that picture. And, yes, this has been a time of re-discovery for me, and part of that re-discovery has been through the comments everyone so kindly has been leaving here. I am excited!

You know, Irene, Creeper Disks didn't get the votes, but your comments make up for it. It warms my heart to know that photograph reminds you of something elusive from your childhood.

The clear -- and curly -- winner is Curled Grass.

dianeclancy said...

Hi Debi,

You are making it hard again ... but not quite as hard - I do like them both.

But I have to vote for Curled Grass - I really like the delicacy!!

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Rima said...

I'm always playing catch-up here - sorry! My pick was immediate this time, and no surprise: I was inescapably drawn to Curled Grass. The contrast between the delicate, filigraned forms and the almost opaque background is almost perfect. It is intricate, yet unpretentious. But the mood that I felt coming through this vision was one of foreboding - not in a terrifying sense, but the expectation of something serious happening, something which is not necessarily scary but weighty. A sense of mystery, really.

Rima said...

Aha - just finished reading the other comments (I tend to dive in and write first, read after) - anyway, so, as I was saying... AHA! DRAMA - this is it, that's the word that describes CG perfectly. love it.

lebanesa said...

Curled Grass. I realise looking back at your pictures that I like your angles on space - I like to see the area behind the picture, so I preferred the photo with the long row of shoes with one red pair accentuating the angle and length of the shop wall and the shot showing the yard behind the gate. I LOVE the sky behind this lovely grass. It is probably partly because this gives a feeling of a glimpse of a world or narrative, not just a flat image, however beautiful. For me that is one area where photography can win out.

lebanesa said...

So glad I didn't read all the comments, sorry for the length of my text! I would have cut it short if I had had any sense! tee hee

Artists With Artitude said...

Like Rima and Frances, I write first and then read the comments. This one is not fair: can't compare both because there is a different technique involved (another twist to your fun challenge!). I prefer CG just because I can see it better (blame it on old age and fading vision).

You are so lucky to have Bobbie for a MOM!!!

Janet Kincaid said...

I'm going with curled grass on this one. It's otherworldly and full of possibility... It's the opening shot to a fantastical adventure...