Leap year comes only once every four years, bringing an extra day that evens up the calendar with the rotation of the earth around the sun. With all that rotating and leaping going on, it seems like a perfect month to continue the theme of energize with our photographs too!
Out hiking in San Diego’s back country today I noticed this sign advertising the dangers of entering the area…along with the bullet holes evident through the metal! Luckily today was not a fire risk day and the hike was beautiful!
On a beach walk I took recently I noticed this surfer with his surfboard carefully balanced on his head. I couldn’t resist snapping a picture…and he smiled when he noticed me. It’s importance to practice balance in lots of ways.
I’ve been noticing other photographers “in the field” and have enjoyed photographing the photographer. Watching others with their cameras gives me a way to think about and understand my own processes. I couldn’t quite decide what this guy was focused on. You can see the fisherman in front of him, but I never did confirm his subject–he might have been photographing the waves.
I love watching seagulls and capturing their antics through my lens. Many of the photos are static, making this one even more interesting as I caught the seagull wading as the rising surf moved into his space.
And here’s one from a while back when I went to watch my niece dance at her university. This recital ended with an exuberant African dance to the beat of music played by drummers in the room. I love the energy of the dance and the way even the small movements seemed to leap from the floor. (I loved my niece’s dance too…but this African piece was contagious!)
When I heard the giggles of these kids playing in the surf, I immediately turned my camera lens to catch them in silhouette. I love all the ways to enjoy the beach–regardless of age–
from playing to meditating (like this guy crafting a meditative mandala maze)–there is something for everyone!
So for the not-quite-as-short-as-usual month of February be on the lookout for shots that energize. Look for action both subtle and obvious. Capture the moment of the leap, figuratively or metaphorically. To get you started, here is a list of verbs to remind you of the variety of action and energy you might find as you head out with your camera.
- Advertise
- Balance
- Bloom
- Craft
- Design
- Ease
- Flip
- Giggle
- Help
- Inquire
- Jot
- Knot
- Leap (of course!)
- Meditate
- Nurture
- Ooze
- Practice
- Question
- Revise
- Shine
- Think
- Understand
- Vanish
- Wait
- Wade
- e”X”amine
- Yawn
- Zip
- Your choice! (This day only comes once every four years!)
As always, our challenge will allow us to learn from each other as we shoot our own photos and study the photos others shoot. The prompts are there to help you find new ways to look at your world, to find the unexpected in the ordinary and the beauty in the mundane. You can use them in order or pick and choose as you like–you are welcome to add a new prompt into the mix if you are so moved. You can post every day, once a week, or even sporadically throughout the month…whatever works in your life.
Be sure to share and tag your photos with #sdawpphotovoices so we can find them! You can share on Twitter (follow me @kd0602), on Instagram (@kd0602), in the CLMOOC community on G+, on Flickr, or even link back to my blog here.
Energize February with your photos of action, leaps of imagination, and innovative designs. Let February be your muse as you view the world through your lens.
Thinking Through My Lens 