5.26.2010

some self-portraits to go with some introspective thoughts + this made me cry...

self portrait dip

"this" being this.


i don't know... i guess i'm a little weepy today. but the video in the link above was so touching to me. and it made me think a lot about photography. i mean, even though the images seen in that film are of movement, they were still very much like photography and what we do with our still-life images... slices of life.

it's why i want to take pictures. these are the very things i want to captivate... those moments that captivate me. i think one of the first images in the film was a baby, and of course, that just got me. then tears welled up through the rest of the film. it made me think of two of my favorite photography quotes... both of which are in my sidebar:

"we photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing, and when they have vanished, there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again. we cannot develop and print a memory."

~ photographer, henri cartier bresson


"time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life."
~ photographer, brian andreas
anyway, i've also been thinking a lot about other photography blogs out there. if you are like me, you visit several blogs, each with very distinct styles or signatures that are uniquely their own. each with their own gifts to offer. some short on words, but tall on thought-provoking imagery. some humorous. some serious. some where writing is the main art and the photos are merely a complement to that writing.

some give glimpses into intriguing city life, while others offer views of the quiet everyday occurrences inside the home. some are all things floral and frilly, while others are all things street- or travel-related. some are all about people. others are about the beauty that can be found even in inanimate objects. the list could go on and on. and many are a unique blend of all of the above.

it's why my blog roll grows constantly. i'm so interested in so many things that others see. it's a way for us to live outside our own little world. a chance to travel and "see the world". a chance to learn or relate. a chance to appreciate things we would not otherwise get to.

and it got me wondering... "why do people come here? what is it that they hope to or have come to expect to see." what is it that draws you here? i'm curious, because i truly don't know. i photograph and write the only way i know how. and both of those things are always evolving, and hopefully growing in a better direction. same for blogging. i blog the only way i know how to... from the heart. i'm sure that is how the majority of bloggers blog. don't get me wrong, i visit so many blogs and think, "oh, i love their work, or their style. i'd love to have such a recognizable signature like that." i go through blog envy all the time!

and if i wanted to, i could emulate what i see... in fact, every once in a while, i do, but never sacrificing what is utterly me and my heart. i couldn't do it, if i did it that way. i can honestly say that my blog is 100 percent me with dashes of inspiration and motivation mixed in. and i am glad about that. but like i said, it is always changing. sometimes subtly. sometimes obviously. sometimes cyclically. sometimes with abandon.

but i never want to lose the things that draw you here. and so i ask you, what is it that keeps you coming back to look at my photos or read my words? i'd really like to know. {please don't take this as me fishing for compliments. i'm more interested in hearing how people see my blog as opposed to knowing if people like, love or even hate it.}

i can tell you all the reasons i visit the blogs i do... the things i receive. peaceful thoughts and images. clever and creative or thoughtful writing. color. excitement. realness and honesty. helpful tips on becoming a better photographer. the way you make me laugh out loud. escape. ideas and inspiration galore. friendship. sheer artistry. a chance to discover things like the video i linked to above. so very many photographs of so very many different things! a chance to learn about the world. a tear from time to time. knowing others think the way i do or are going through similar things. connection. words. a different perspective. i could go on an on.

i don't visit a single blog that embodies every single attribute i listed above. so, i would never expect to be able to offer them all myself. but i hope at least a few of them are in there.
to be quite honest, i often sit and think, "what in the world am i doing here? why do i blog?" i start to compare my blog to other blogs, which can often lead me to feeling inadequate as a writer or photographer. {perhaps you do this, too.} but then i'll always return to what i think more often than not... "i am passionate about this space, no matter where it happens to be on my blogging journey. no matter how it compares to other blogs out there."

i'm interested to know how you see it... my blog and yours as well {if you have one }. like i said in my "about this blog" page, whatever the reason you visit, i'm really very glad that you do. always. but lately i've been curious as to what those reasons are.

26 comments:

Meri said...

The answer: I come here because I know I'll glimpse your soul in your telling words, sometimes so searingly honest that I feel pain that must come from you, sometimes gentle and questioning. I know I'll see beautiful or intriguing or ethereal or zippy images. It has a certain soul signature that must be you.

sMacThoughts said...

OH, my gosh, Georgia. First of all, no, you are not alone; I totally cried at that video!!!!! How wonderful it is, and please, please, please forgive me for also posting it on my blog. I had to....

Second, you are not alone in having blog envy. I have no idea why anyone visits mine, either. I suppose each of us have things to share which really aren't always 'news' to us; these things our lives, but for others, they might be novel, unusual, or interesting because they're so different (or perhaps very similar) to their own experiences. In addition, I think having a need to network.... the internet, so odd the possibilities... making a 'circle of friends' which you may never have any intention of meeting in real life, yet feel very fondly for; it's another form of relationships which so many of us spend time cultivating. You often say things or share things which make yourself vulnerable; you are inspiring, and interesting, and without having a specific thing I can point my finger to, I come back to visit. xoxo

georgia b. said...

sMac, no need to ask forgiveness... i did the same. i kept it going. when i saw it on hula seventy. i have a feeling it will spread like wildfire all over blog land over the next day or two. in fact, several other people commented on the post where i found it about putting it on their blogs, too. glad you saw it. like it, cried, and linked to it!

thanks to you both for your thoughts.

jacs23 said...

georgia,

i find your blog so raw and real. i, individually, find myself loving the very process of life that we go through as we yearn to grow..learn...gain something from each occurence that happens. I think that is why I like your blog: you are processing your feelings, your raw emotions, your talent ...and all the while, trying to improve. i think at times, as we process, we sometimes become too critical or maybe even question our greatness. In one sense, I appreciate that about people...as to desire to become greater...is a gift and will make you amazing! However, it will also drive one mad...and so at times, we need to be reminded of how truly awesome we are: at this very moment...just as is. I think, without speaking for others, keep writing and feeling and taking pictures as you do...just as is. Be in the moments and know that because of that current gift: you have so many people seeking to find a little word, phrase, connection into you: just as you are. Today. Right now. Your words. Your pictures. They are your gift .....and your talent. ><> I simply love your blog. :)

ELK said...

because ..
you write while I cannot ...
you photograph in a way I admire ... you share both highs and lows ...
you comment on my blog ...


all reasons I call you friend ...

Ryan said...

I totally dig your style. Like you, I like to visit a lot of photography blogs to see how other people are doing the art form known as photography. With the availability of high-quality point-and-shoot digital cameras nowadays it seems that everyone labels themselves as a photographer. But there's a huge difference between taking a picture and "taking a picture". My Dad has always complimented me on my composition, which I didn't quite understand at first, but now I do. The space that the camera points at is the canvas. The subject is the paint. What happens after the button is pushed is the brush.

So that's why I like coming to your blog. You have an incredible use of the canvas, paint and brush. And when coupled with some poetry or words, some great, inspiring photography happens.

ELK said...

ps ..LOVED the video..a glorious piece of everyday moments

georgia b. said...

i like that, jacqueline. i like to think i am processing things in my life here. so i appreciate you saying that, and i'm glad you notice.

i'm also glad to know there are people who are drawn to that... or okay with that, because sometimes i feel i'm too personal here. that helps me to know that. : )

ryan, thank you so much. i have to say... i agree with your dad 100%. your photography is beautifully composed always. it's one of the things that makes you seem so "professional" for lack of a better term. in other words, your work is very very good. thanks for chiming in today. it's been nice seeing you around here lately.

Jenny said...

Yea, I understand. It is your perspective.

georgia b. said...

thank you, jenny.

thank you, e l k. isn't the video just wow? probably many of those clips by themselves would not really seem moving. but all put together... just breath-taking.

mrs mediocrity said...

because you write from your heart, you take pictures that show your heart, you are not afraid to show us what is there, in your heart. and don't change it, it is perfect.

S. Etole said...

Because you are you and I like that!

georgia b. said...

thanks, miss kelly and miss susan... for letting me show my heart {or the non-ugly parts of it, anyway} and for letting me be me.

Bob Towery said...

We all have cameras. And blogs. But differing points of view, experiences, talents, subject matter at hand. I visit blogs to get inspired and to share in others' talents. Maybe I meet someone that becomes a blog-friend. Maybe someone that becomes a friend in real life. It has happened!

georgia b. said...

you are absolutely right, bob. i speak from experience... i have been able to meet three bloggers since i started this... two in nashville when i went to visit for a friend's wedding, and one who lives just a couple of hours from where i live. we hung out for a whole day! that right there makes the blogging thing worth it!

Unknown said...

As new follower, I am intrigued by your photography! You have an amazing talent and so glad that you are willing to share it!

Sueann said...

Love your photography and your words. They meld into a sweet caring heart and a wonderful eye!
Hugs
SueAnn

georgia b. said...

thank you, melissa.
thank you, sue.

Hi Kooky said...

I've been reading the comments and I have to agree. Your writing is very open - I'm drawn to people who are not afraid to just tell the truth about what's going on with them. Also, your faith comes through when you're writing about your experiences, and I like that too. So, I guess I would say I feel a sense of camaraderie and inspiration from your writing.

As for the photos, well, I love art! Particularly photography! I love to see your beautiful images, and I think you have such a gift of adding just the right words in just the right spot and just the right font... I love that you share your experiments - the process.

So, camaraderie, inspiration, beauty. And friendship.

P.S. I LOVE the running robin. :)

georgia b. said...

:)
thanks, jen. those elusive little buggers! i thought it an appropriate image for that post... to symbolize the elusiveness of sleep.

and thank you for your friendship, too.

Steve Gravano said...

Why do we pick the friends we pick? Or the music we listen to? Or the books we read? Your photos and words touch something in me, and I like that.

georgia b. said...

i like that, steve. thank you.

spread your wings said...

i couldn't see the video for some reason and I very much want to now that you have spoken about it.
i come here to visit you because i appreciate your honesty - your very real writing style that feels like conversation over coffee - it makes me want to be your friend. your photos have a freshness that i don't see often - you are very talented all around. you are very sweet and sincere young lady who is not afraid to share everything - your ups and downs, likes and dislikes - it's very evident that you do not try to be anyone but who you are - it clearly shows and it's refreshing.
thanks for being my friend and commenting on my blog.

georgia b. said...

leslye, wow. thank you.
... for being my friend, too.

Rochelle said...

Hi Georgia - I'm playing blog catch-up but I had to comment too!

I come to your lovely blog because of the openness and from the heart honesty of your writing and your grace-filled photography sometimes take my breath away.

BTW I'm "stealing" the Moments video for my blog. It made me cry too and I love it!

Betty Anne said...

I am just new to your blog -- did some 'bloghopping' recently to expand my blog reading into the area of photography -- so far I am loving your blog for the photos, but I think even more so for the way you write -- it is so real and open -- not afraid to share the negative, but not depressing at all. I will be back often -- Blessings