Opening new ways of seeing the world and those in it – including yourself. This is about so much more than taking better pictures.

Spiritual Photo Tip 9: Point of View

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There’s great joy in exploring the many facets of any subject, whether in life or photography. Here’s your invitation to open new ways of seeing by looking at your object of attention from many points of view.

Welcome to Spiritual Tip 9 – Point of View. This is the first of 10 Elements of Photography following the first 8 Tips on Composition.

Do you walk around taking photos from your usual way of seeing things – either standing or sitting and looking straight ahead?

Discover the power and beauty in witnessing a fuller picture.  

There’s no need to rush – stick around a while.

Look up, look down, get high, get low. Move a little to the right or left.

How would your subject look if you were crouching or lying on your stomach? Have you ever put the phone right down on the ground to take a picture? What about lying on your back looking up?  Using your selfie mode to shoot below flowers up into the sky can be a lot of fun, not to mention dryer if the ground is wet.

Then look at that same subject from above looking straight down. Stand on a chair, monkey bar or set of stairs to get even higher.

How would a squirrel, a dog, a child, or a bird see it?

There are so many ways to look at the same thing. Have fun with this.

By changing your point of view, you’ll find the best composition. You’ll also explore how each shot exudes a different emotion.

This not only increases your creativity and understanding of the subject, but offers your viewers unique perspectives they rarely see walking around looking straight ahead and in their heads – a plight of modern society.

By spending the time exploring the many angles and facets of a scene, you’ll produce a variety of great shots. You may not be able to choose a best one. You’ll simply have different ones.

Take a look at how the subjects below were explored. Try to imagine where I or the camera were to change the point of view.

For example, I photographed the yellow Laburnum tree from right below it and then from a bridge overlooking it.

See how changing my point of view on the toilet sign adds a bit of humour to one of the shots?

Do you like one shot more than the other? That’s a matter of personal preference. Perhaps you appreciate all of them for different reasons. Remember you can click on one to scroll through them full screen.

 

Heart Sight: Exploring Different Points of View

Isn’t that also true when sharing different points of view on a subject in conversation with your family, friends, and colleagues? 

It’s not about who’s right or wrong. It’s about seeing the situation or the person from all angles.

We all see & understand our world from different perspectives. Our cultures, personal histories, and personal development give us a unique way of experiencing and understanding those experiences.

As a teacher, I loved knowing that not one student in the room perceived me the same way. It helped me let go of control and brought my attention away from myself and to the students, where it belonged. All I could be is the best version of me in any moment to foster the best in them, whatever that might be.

Are you open to different points of view? Do you take the time to listen to what or how others think?

Be open to sharing, not judging or imposing your way of seeing things on another. Who knows?! You may learn something new.

Seeing Eye to Eye

What would a subject look like if you were of the same species? at the same level?

This might mean getting higher or getting lower with your camera.

When I used to teach English Second Language, I had my students role play. First they’d be one person and then switch roles, examining both the language and perspective of everyone in a situation.

When you come upon a challenge or disagreement, pause and ask yourself “How would I see this situation from the eyes of this person? That person?” Try to see the big picture. If possible, ask them.

You’ll find that your degree of understanding and compassion increases.

Your curiosity will lead you to greater inner peace as well as peace with those involved in the conflict. Ask, actively listen, and open to new ways of seeing.

Sometimes, you’ll end up seeing eye to eye. Sometimes, you’ll agree to disagree. Either way, you’ll all be richer for the openness to share.

Mindfulness Exercise

I’ll never forget the day I was hiking in Portugal Cove in Newfoundland, taking photos of the ocean. Then I looked down and gasped. I was standing on the most beautiful rock, a true work of art! It’s the first photo below.

Walking in European cities, I loved looking above the 2nd floor for architectural details. You miss that at street level with all the shop signs. It’s the same in nature. Looking up is fascinating, offering something you don’t look at every day.

Being mindful of your environment means being present to all that’s around you, but don’t forget what’s above and below.

On your next solo walk (or with a photo buddy), I invite you to pause often to look in all directions.

Appreciate the beauty all around you – then capture a few photographs to share your expanding way of seeing the world.

 

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 8: Size In Frame

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This is the last Composition tip before diving into the Elements of photography.

Size in Frame is all about what you prioritize and the impact it has in your photos and your life.

Welcome to Spiritual Photo Tip 8 – Size in Frame – opening new ways of being & seeing.

Large in Frame

I remember the first time I came upon a banyan tree in Vanuatu, symbol of immortality with aerial roots that grow down from its branches forming additional trunks and anchoring the tree to the ground. The sheer size of this stringy trunk took my breath away. That’s the feeling I wanted to capture by filling up the frame with it.

It was the same with an Alaskan mountain I watched from the deck of a cruise ship. I needed to capture its majesty, so I only included a tiny bit of sky and sea along with a huge chunk of rock.

As for the black bear in Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert National Park before tourist season,  I didn’t know wether to put my car in reverse or to sit still. So I took a picture out of the window with my zoom lens, filling the frame, and then sat in fear behind the thin pane of glass, hoping it wouldn’t damage my rental…. or me. Every time I see that photo, I remember the feeling of watching it thump its way in my direction.

These are examples of when to fill the frame with your subject – conveying a feeling.

Other times, you might want to bring attention to the details of an interesting object or focus on one person within his or her environment. What’s important is the object/ person, not it its place within that environment.

Take a look at these photos. Imagine how different they would be if the subject was small in the frame – if I’d stepped back or not zoomed in. How would they feel differently to you? Would the subject lose impact?

For example, if I’d photographed the ice tree to include its entirety with the sky and house beside it, would you get what I was photographing? Would it show how cool its ice robe was?  How about a crowd of mummers? Would you have noticed a detail like mismatched footwear?

Of course it’s great to have Context when presenting a series of photos from one location – but for a single shot, make sure it conveys your feeling about it.

Heart Sight: Big bucks, big time!

Now look at your monthly or yearly budget. Where is most of your money going? Does it reflect your values?

If your dollar power were truly aligned with your priorities, what would you change? What would you spend more on? Less on?

For example, I spend a lot on organic groceries because I value eating healthy. I also value living in a beautiful environment, but don’t value home or car ownership. So I rent space in someone else’s house and we share her car. Having found the right housesister to share a space with made this possible. It’s also why I’ve been able to transition from salaried work to less stable income (so far) as an artist.

How about your time? Are you filling up your time frame with what matters most? If your children or your marriage are top priority, does your schedule reflect that? If your health ranks high, are you putting big time into healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep?

Reflect on how your earning and spending time & money fill your life frame. What feeling does it give you? Are you focusing on the right things for you?

Go over your budget and schedule to eliminate or reduce what’s not aligned with your priorities, making space for what you value most.

Small in Frame

Making your subject small in your frame doesn’t mean it isn’t a priority.

Something tiny can have a huge impact in the big picture, depending on its placement, colour, and other factors.

What changes is the feeling you’re portraying.

For example, placing tiny people in the same shot as a big mountain, expansive rice field, or huge iceberg gives those scale. It also puts humanity into perspective – how small we are in the vast wilderness.

The tiny lighthouse in today’s top photo shows how easy it would be to get lost out on the ocean at night or in the thick fog.

The yellow rubber duck here may give off a feeling of loneliness or abandonment. Had it taken up the whole frame, it may have seemed joyous instead.

Heart Sight: Small Changes Making a Big Impact!

Take a look at the picture of your life again. Sometimes, making a small change in your diet, habits, or behaviour can have a huge impact on everything else.

You’ve probably heard about how putting a little money into your retirement fund every month can really add up with the years, especially due to compound interest.

It’s the same with all your choices. A bad habit also compounds over time.

Think about your health, work, community, personal growth, recreation, finances & life planning, relationships, and your environment. What one small change can you make that would make a huge impact?

For example:

  • Is there a piece of art or decoration you hang onto because it was a gift, but it makes you cringe every time you see it? Get rid of it.
  • Could you eat 1 less bag of chips a week or smoke 1 less cigarette a day? Could you eat one more fruit a day or park 1 block further from work?
  • Could you save a % of all your pay checks to put aside for a rainy day and another % for fun stuff?
  • Could you schedule 30 minutes in nature to contemplate every week?

You get the idea. Small changes can make a big impact. Have fun making life affirming choices. You’re worth it!

Try it Out & Share

Start with what’s easy – take your camera and walk down the block around your house. Come back with at least 3 photos of something big in frame and 3 with the subject small in frame.

Can you understand why you chose to create them that way? What feelings do they convey?

Then make at least 1 small change in your life this week. How does that reflect your values?

Share your results with friends. Who knows? You may inspire them to do the same.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 7: Diagonal Lines

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It’s natural to keep your camera vertical or horizontal to take a picture. You may find diagonal lines to include in your composition that way. But by turning your camera just a bit, you can create even more diagonal lines, making your image more dynamic.

The same can be true with life. We’re so used to doing things one way or another that changing things around a bit can be scary, unusual or even perceived as wrong.

Welcome to Spiritual Tip 7: Diagonal Lines – adding energy & creativity to your photo compositions & your life.

Diagonal Lines in Your Photos

I addressed exaggerating the tilt of your camera in my post on Horizon Lines. Here, we extend it to anything within your photo.

I’ll often take more than one photo of the same subject. The first captures my excitement. Then, I slow down to appreciate all facets of it, cleaning the edges in my frame and looking for the best angle and placement of the elements.

A straight line can render the image static or boring.

A diagonal line adds energy to the design.

This line can be real (Left) or implied (Right).

If you’re close anyway, see if you can make that diagonal from corner to corner to make it even stronger. Or if it’s not a complete line, start one end in a corner.

If you miss the chance to do so when you’re taking the photo, remember you can always crop the image in a way to adjust that angle in-camera or on your computer.

Heart Sight: A More Dynamic Life

Are you square? boring? bored? Do you always do things the same way? Walk in the same direction? Never waver from your routine?

Are you a victim of black & white thinking? I say victim because I know what it’s like to suffer from thinking my way is the right way and the only way. Your way becomes the straight way and everything else is plain crooked – which was a bad thing in my books.

Indeed, everything was either white (right) or black (wrong) with no room for grey (different perspectives, ideas, etc.). It made me a very effective autocratic leader & loner, but a terrible team player.

I remember when I broke that square into triangles when I was in my late 20s, leaving a lot more room for creativity and others’s ideas & opinions. 

If I extend the analogy, my straight lines gave way to a few diagonals in the mix, adding dynamism to the shape of my life.

I can’t remember what book or program helped me see how set I was in my ways and how fear-based my thinking was. I’m sure it was an accumulation.

But what freedom to realize that what I grew up thinking was only 1 possibility, one angle. What fun in trying something new, something outside my comfort zone.

When you let go of fear (of being wrong, of new situations, of being uncomfortable, of failure, etc.), you can take more creative risks.

I’m not talking about life-threatening decisions like getting into a car with a drunk driver. But I am talking about being open to new experiences.

For example, my decision to submit a proposal to CBNuit art festival in Corner Brook last September was a total stretch. I’d need to lead activities from morning until midnight, when my usual bedtime is 9pm. I’ll admit, I was scared. Driving 9.5 hours across the island to perform in a new setting during my sleep hours…. yikes!

But oh what fun, what fulfillment!

It went splendidly because I prepared as much as I could ahead of time, recruited volunteers, and took care of my energy levels the day before and the day after. Being a part of that festival made a real difference – in my life and for the hundreds who participated in my visionary art exhibition & activities.

I’d say that was adding a diagonal line in my usual straight routine.

Please Share Your Findings

Extend this week’s photo exercise by reflecting on your life. As you look for diagonals through your camera lens, see where you can add more energy and dynamism to your routine.

Try something new. Even walking in the opposite direction on your usual trail can open you to seeing with new eyes.

Then share your findings with your friends & colleagues. The best way to learn is by teaching others.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 6: Framing Your Subject

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Just as you’d frame a painting or photograph for your house, so too can you frame your subject within the image itself. That frame becomes part of the artwork, adding style & beauty while enhancing the main subject.

And just as with people and situations in your life, having a frame of reference or reframing first impressions can enhance both your understanding and the inherent beauty of the scene or scenario.

Welcome to Spiritual Photo Tip 6 – opening new ways of seeing & being in the world all the while taking better photographs.

Providing a Frame of Reference

Similarly to Foreground, the frame you use can help the viewer understand where the photo was taken – the surroundings around the subject.

There are all sorts of elements in the scene you’re photographing that can be used as frames within your frame – from architectural elements like windows, doors, and tunnels to natural elements like tree branches.

You’re looking for something to place around your subject to increase the focus on your subject and give it context.

One reason to add a frame is to highlight the relationship between the main subject and context.

At times, that frame – that story –  becomes as important as the main subject, either symbolically or aesthetically. They’re part of a whole, a package deal.

Heart Sight:

Isn’t it the same thing with the people in your life?

If you understood the frame of reference for those who annoy or anger you, wouldn’t you be more inclined to be more compassionate?

Often, being curious about a person’s history can open up greater acceptance.

If you listened to your child’s story before judging their behaviour, wouldn’t you be more inclined to love them unconditionally?

But sometimes, you need to look inside for the frame of reference – you were triggered by the mirror that person or situation provided. No one is responsible for your feelings and reactions except yourself. Nothing has meaning but the meaning you give it.

If you recalled the big picture before judging yourself, wouldn’t you be more apt to forgive yourself and grow out of such reactions and behaviours in the future?

We all have our reasons for being the way we are. It’s not an excuse, but awareness is key to

  1. personal growth, and
  2. love & compassion towards others.

Have you ever had a total paradigm shift after hearing why someone was behaving the way they were?

A frame of reference can instantly change your perceptions.

I’ll never forget hearing Stephen R. Covey tell this story in his audiobook “7 Habits of Highly Effect People”. It has stayed with me for decades, helping me grow more loving each time I remember & apply it.

“I remember a mini-paradigm shift I experienced one Sunday morning on a subway in New York. People were sitting quietly – some reading newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a calm, peaceful scene.

Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. The children were so loud and rambunctious that instantly the whole climate changed.

The man sat down next to me and closed his eyes, apparently oblivious to the situation. The children were yelling back and forth, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers. It was very disturbing. And yet, the man sitting next to me did nothing.

It was difficult not to feel irritated. I could not believe that he could be so insensitive as to let his children run wild like that and do nothing about it, taking no responsibility at all. It was easy to see that everyone else on the subway felt irritated, too. So finally, with what I felt like was unusual patience and restraint, I turned to him and said, “Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?”

The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly, “Oh, you’re right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.”

Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely. “Your wife just died? Oh I’m so sorry! Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?” Everything changed in an instant.” 

Reframing a Situation

Other times, framing your subject helps save what could be a bad picture.

For example, it can help simplify your image. The angel statue below, for example, was in a cluttered graveyard.  By crouching low and aiming my camera higher, I framed it with fall foliage.

Trees and other framing props are also perfect on overcast days to add character to white skies in your photos. It’s best to either crop those out or cover them up. Framing your image is one way of doing that.

With awareness and creativity, you can change both the mood and impact of a photo.

 

Heart Sight:

What challenge in your life can use a bit of reframing magic right now?

What if you saw that challenge as an opportunity? How would you feel, behave, or act differently?

It’s so easy to ignore the Truth because of all the internal clutter or lens we’re looking through.

Often, asking the question “What would love do now?” can help us reframe the situation or person. It can help us let go of our fear-based perceptions, changing the entire scene or scenario before us.

Go ahead. Try it with something that’s come up for you this week.

Please Share

Do you want to spread love & beauty in this world?

Have fun with this week’s photo assignment. Find creative ways to frame your subjects. If something catches your attention, look around for a way to photograph it through something.

Then share those on social media or other ways.

Next, let this exercise guide you in looking at what comes up in your life.

Ask questions to understand the frame of reference and seek ways to be more loving in your approach.

Everyone in the situation will benefit from it – you included!

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 5: Foreground

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Distant vistas makes for wonderful photographs.

Visions of your ideal life make for great daydreaming.

You’ll find, however, that including a piece of foreground in the picture can do 3 great things for your image and your life.

Are you ready to open new ways of seeing & sharing your life? Then dive into this 5th edition of my Spiritual Photo Tips to add more love & beauty to this world.

Foreground Creates Context

Where are you standing right now as you look into the distance? Are you on your way there? Is it reachable?

Invite others into your experience by not only photographing what you’re seeing far away, but sharing from where it’s being seen.

Placing something in the foreground can help friends, family, and colleagues become a part of your experience. It gives them a context of where you’re standing, crouching, or lying down when you’re taking that picture.

Heart Sight:

It’s the same with life. As you share the vision for where you’re heading, it helps to show people the context for your dreams.

Where are you standing right now? What’s the story that brought you there? From what perspective are you creating this vision for yourself?

Foreground Leads the Eye

Including an interesting feature in the foreground of your image also invites the viewer’s eye to travel within your photo, staying there a little longer.

Instead of flicking quickly to the next picture, a foreground element can keep the viewer interested, inviting them to slow down and take it all in. You’re leading them into a fuller experience.

Heart Sight:

When it comes to your own power of manifestation, if you recognize each step you take on your inspired path, that trust will lead you closer and closer to your dream.

By acknowledging each piece of the puzzle as you live it, you’ll more consciously see how your heart is leading you to your co-creation.

You won’t only be looking at a far vista, an unattainable dream. You’ll keep your eyes open for what’s being offered to you now by the Universe and your Team of Divine Helpers to help make that vision a reality. You’ll feel more encouraged to keep that vision alive.

By paying attention to your foreground as well as to the distant vista, you’ll be more assuredly led there.

Foreground Creates Mood

Sometimes, a foreground element is more than just pleasing to the eye. It’s pleasing to the imagination.  It can lead to questions, associations, story-building.

For example, I always wondered what these rings drilled into the side of cliffs might be for. It seems way too far up from the ocean to have anything to do with tying a boat. Or is it?

Someone told me they thought it was for rock-climbers. Maybe.

Whatever it is, this photo became about more than just a pretty atmospheric shot of sea & sky. There’s now a possible association with the boat in the distance or with me as the photographer.

Was I the rock-climber? Absolutely not… but that metal loop may spawn memories, stories, curiosities. It creates a mood!

P.S. If you’re using an SLR camera, you can select a high numbered f-stop to have the whole thing in focus from front to back. Or you can use a shallow depth of field and keep the front or back in soft focus. These are artistic decisions. With smart phone cameras, you can also play with this. For example, in these lighthouse shots, the default shot had most everything in focus. By tapping on the flowers in the front, I told my phone camera where I wanted it to focus – making the flowers sharp and the lighthouse blurry in the background. These photos tell 2 different stories.

Heart Sight:

What’s your story? What vision captures your fancy and what elements of your current life can be acknowledged as leading you closer to it?

If you can see how your current life relates to your dreams, you’ll likely be more motivated to keep that vision in mind and in heart.

If you can see the next best inspired action to take on your Path to your Highest Good, and you take & acknowledge it, you’ll likely trust your Team of Divine Helpers even more, removing any obstacles along the way.

Every challenge will become an opportunity, nourished by a strong relationship with your Guidance.

As always, if you’re interested to learn more about your intuition, check out my free 75-minute tutorial online. It’ll show you how to recognize what’s right in front of you.

Please Share

Adding a foreground element along with a far-off scene in your pictures creates context, interest, and mood.

The more you share your way of seeing the world – in your photos and in your way of living, the more interesting your life becomes.

So go ahead, take great photos and live a great life of manifested and manifesting dreams. You deserve it!

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 4: Horizon Lines

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Set Your Sights on the Horizon

Horizon lines offer ever-changing beauty. The way the light plays on land or water can be breathtaking.

In photography, when we’re talking about horizon lines, we’re not only talking about that traditional line between earth & sky. 

Your horizon line can be a flower bed, a fence, or anything really.

That natural line between things can become the main focus of your photo, or simply an element of composition.

Heart Sight:

It’s the same in life.

What horizon line are you setting your sights on? What are your goals in life?

Whether it’s a traditional one or one of your own making, make sure you know what you’re manifesting. Where attention grows, energy flows.

Keep your sights set high for yourself. Keep a vision in mind and in heart of the life you want to live. Infuse it with feeling & beauty and watch it manifest.

Broaden Your Horizons

Although there are times when having a horizon line dead centre in your photo is wonderful (like in today’s first image), it’s usually best to avoid it.

You can place it using the Rule of Thirds (see previous post) or experiment with giving it even more space – placing it super low or super high in your photograph.

It all depends on the emotion you want to convey – what you want to celebrate or honour with your image.

Do you want to focus on the sky or the sea? The logs or the village?

Be creative! Avoid boring shots with the horizon dead centre. Expand the space above or below the real or implied horizon line and see what happens.

Sometimes, that means lifting or lowering your camera, but more often, it simply means tilting it so that line changes place.

Heart Sight:

The expression “to broaden your horizons” means to open yourself to a wider range of opportunities and choices.

Are you bored? If so, maybe it’s time to expand your own horizons.

Mark on your calendar to try at least 1 new experience each month – by yourself or with others.

This can be in any area of your life: a class you’ve been curious about, a new restaurant, an alternative health practitioner you’ve wanted to go to, a new hobby, date night ritual, or approach to your every day work.

Try it…. you just might like it! Creativity is fun!

Growth comes with stretching your comfort zones. If it’s inspired, it’s bound to open you to greater health & happiness.

Keep Your Horizon Straight

There’s something disconcerting about a horizon line that’s slightly crooked. Most people don’t pay attention to it when they take a picture. But the viewer can feel it – even if they can’t identify the source of that feeling.

It’s easier than ever to keep horizon lines straight. The Edit app in my iPhone X automatically straightens the horizon when I select the Crop tool. My jaw dropped when I first discovered that!

To avoid having to spend time editing later, however, simply check before taking the photo if it’s parallel to the frame or the grid lines (that you can turn on in your settings).

Heart Sight:

Similarly, with all the tools and resources these days, it’s so much easier to stay aligned on our Path.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you get support from a book, online program, life coach,  group, or your Team of Divine Helpers – there are mirrors everywhere showing you when your life is getting off kilter. 

So when you’re feeling off balance, don’t wait too long to straighten up. It’s easier to correct the earlier you address it. You don’t want that slight unease to get worse. And the quicker and more often you self-correct, the better you’ll get at not wavering from your Path.

You’ve got what it takes to get your life back on track!

If this doesn’t feel true, ask your intuition/ Team of Divine Helpers to guide you to the right support for you. Then pay attention to what shows up in your life.

Or Exaggerate the Angle

Although a slightly crooked horizon line is just plain uncomfortable, sometimes it’s great to tilt that camera at a weird angle to skew that horizon in a totally unusual way.

Why?

It can add dynamism or emotion to your shot. Sometimes, a little drama can be a good thing!

For example, in the first photo, I wanted to convey the storm that may have led to the shipwreck, explaining the pieces of the ship strewn all over the beach.

In the other 2 examples, it was more a choice of design and playfulness.

If you don’t overdo this method in your albums, they add not only to the variety of your photos but of the viewer experience.

Heart Sight:

It can be the same in life. I’ll admit, I’m a creature of habit. I thrive on routine and am not a big fan of change. You can’t tell that if you look at my life, however – having lived, studied and worked on 3 continents and 5 provinces in 2 distinct careers before becoming a full time artist….

Why?

Because I’ve learned that if inspired, doing something completely unexpected or out of the ordinary can lead to the greatest growth.

Living an intuitive life isn’t a straight path. Its twists and turns can tilt your life into unusual angles.

Those guided big changes that seem illogical to others make life interesting and can open up so much for you.

Make sure to check out my free 75-minute tutorial on living an intuitive life to open to inspired change.

Please Share Your Photos & Your Life

This series is designed to open new ways of seeing, increasing the love & beauty in your life.

Know that by sharing your photos and reflections on social media or in other ways, you’re inspiring others

  • to set sights on higher horizons,
  • to straighten or broaden their horizons, and
  • to take healthy risks and make big changes.

So go ahead, be creative and have fun with this week’s homework – photographing, living, and sharing new horizons.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 3: Rule of Thirds

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The Rule of Thirds is by far the most popular when I teach my Composition & Elements of Photography workshops.

May it not only help you take better pictures but also open new ways of seeing your life and those in it. For this blog series is about so much more than photography!

What Is the Rule of Thirds?

The Rule of Thirds is about where to place your subject in your picture. Most amateurs automatically place it dead centre. There are times when this is great, but often it isn’t.

Instead, place your subject on the 1/3 line to the left or right or to the top or bottom. 

And if it’s small enough, place it on one of the 4 sweet spots – the intersection of those grid lines.

Most cameras, even phone cameras, give you the option to show these grid lines.

My Grid is permanently on in both my SLR camera and my iPhone. Whenever I take a picture, the grid is visible, guiding my choices.

Go to Settings, Camera and look for “grid”. Then turn it on.

Heart Sight: Your Sweet Spots

In order to live a life that’s in alignment with your Highest Good, it’s important for you to to know yourself – your True Self.

Often, we live our lives the way we were taught – by our parents, society, the school system, etc. We feel obligated to live dead centre, with the “norm”.

Eating 3 meals a day at set hours is automatic. Going to school, graduating, buying a house, getting married and having 2 kids is the standard many strive for. Working 9 to 5 is normal.

Maybe you’ve grown up simply accepting what’s normal or expected in your culture. Maybe that’s a fit for you.

But what if your sweet spots are off-centre?

What if  your life (or those of your loved ones) would be better if they deviated from your culture’s definition of normal?

What if you thrived on 5 smaller meals a day at strange hours?

What if your most productive hours are from 3-11pm or 5 am-2pm (like mine)?

What if working 6 months of the year at one job and the other half on your hobbies is your ideal scenario?

What if not owning a house or a car fits better in your definition of freedom?

What if ….. (you fill in the blank)?

Getting to know and live in accordance to your Sweet Spots in all areas of your life is key to health and happiness. This is as true for your career, recreation, finances, personal & spiritual growth, relationships, environment, community involvement and health.

Luckily, we live in a day & age when taking leadership of our own lives is more encouraged.

Your intuition will guide you. If you ask your Team of Divine Helpers to help you with this, they’ll give you clues. (Check out my free 75-minute Intuition into Action tutorial).

If you ignore those taps on the shoulder for too long, you may be hit by a 2 x 4, some drastic life event that you can’t ignore. You may get sick and have to leave the  job you felt imprisoned by or change your way of eating. Your relationships may break down.

Trying to fit in someone else’s perfect picture for your life can have serious consequences.

Living in alignment with your True Self means getting to know who you are and honouring those Sweet Spots. Often, they’re not dead centre with what society has termed normal.

Take a selfie through the eyes of your soul. How can you lovingly apply the Rule of Thirds to your life?

Heart Sight: Unconditionally Loving Others

Understanding that your children’s, your partner’s, your friends’ Sweet Spots may not be the same as yours or of the societal norm is key to building strong relationships. 

If you truly want their happiness without expecting anything in return (a definition of unconditional love), then helping them to recognize this truth and live with the Rule of Thirds would be such a blessing.

Health & happiness are not about surviving in a cookie-cutter life but thriving by co-creating the conditions that allow our true nature & gifts to shine. 

I invite you to think of a loved right now.

Have you judged their off-centre preferences, habits, characteristics negatively?  Are you looking at these through the eyes of love or fear?

Do you want them to be dead centre in your or society’s frame of reference or can you move your heart to both see & accept their version of the Rule of Thirds?

Let’s be clear. I’m not talking about their destructive or reactionary behaviour that results from not living authentically for too long. I’m talking about what would naturally evolve if they followed their bliss.

Please Share

The best way to learn is to share & teach others.

I encourage you to post a few pictures & reflections on social media to inspire others to reflect on how the Rule of Thirds can help create both better pictures and a happier, healthier life.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 2: Simplicity

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I’m a big fan of simplicity – in my life and in my photography.

By de-cluttering your images, conversations, schedules, homes, and so much more, you focus your attention on what’s truly important.

This gives you, your priorities, and your creations room to breathe and shine without distractions.

May this 2nd element in my bi-weekly spiritual photography series help you open new ways of seeing your world & your life.

Spiritual Photo Tip 2: Simplicity

Simple Subjects

Absolutely no-one sees the world the way you do. What catches your attention may go totally unnoticed by others. By sharing it in a photograph, you’re sharing your way of seeing.

It’s wonderful to get pleasure from the simple things in life.

For example, the line of the white fence against the blue ocean at a lighthouse on Bell Island (see above) caught my attention. Yes, I took  dozens of photos of the lighthouse… but this one was my favourite as it captured the sense of open space I was so grateful for.

Simplify Your Subjects

When someone looks at your image, it’s great if they can immediately identify its subject.  What is this photo about?

If you want to focus on your best friend, don’t place her in a crowd unless you can find a way to make it clear she’s your subject. If the crowd itself is the subject, then that’s different.

Here, the bush and water hose caught my attention. I liked the simplicity of lines and shapes as well as the questions it left in my mind.

 

If I’d photographed a wider shot of the scene, including the building behind the fence, you wouldn’t know what I was trying to show you. Even including a sliver above the fence was distracting (on left). So I took another shot without it. Do you agree that it’s better? (Note: click on an image to see it full screen.)

Clean Up Your Edges

This butterfly image was never a strong one, but it captured a moment before it flew away.

That’s where cropping comes in handy if it’s too late to take another photo. Smart phones make this easy with their built-in app or you can do it on your computer.

As the human eye is drawn to white/light first, the eye kept being drawn to the bottom left corner and a few other distractions on the edges. After cropping, the image was better. Not great, but better.

In the windowsill shot of the geraniums, the white sky totally takes away from the image. Simply change the height and tilt of your camera to cut out the sky.

By the way, white skies rarely look good in a photo. Cut them out. Overcast days, however, are the best for close ups, portraits, or many other kinds of shots without sky because there aren’t any harsh shadows!

Here’s another important reason to watch your edges. When I looked at the first photo of the wild grasses, I got a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’d cut off just the tip of that one stem, making it very uncomfortable.

It’s that same feeling if you have an almost full body shot of someone but cut off their feet at the ankles. There are natural places to cut off your shot... not at the tips/ankles. By taking another photo with a bit of space above that tallest stem, nothing distracts from the simple beauty of the scene.

Simplify Your Background

I rarely only take one photo of a subject, especially during this era of digital photography.

I’ll often grab a photo to capture that first feeling of excitement. Then I’ll come in closer or move around until my subject isn’t lost in its background.

Here, shifting just a bit put the shed to the side instead of behind the flowers, making it stronger.

With this hummingbird, I took dozens of shots before it flew off.

See how it’s lost in the chaos of the first photo?

I did 2 things to improve on that. First, I kept taking photos until we were both positioned to have a less busy background.

Next, I changed the depth of field for a shallow one (low f stop) on my SLR camera.  You can also do this on your smart phone. If you tap on the subject that’s close to you, you’re telling your phone where to focus.

The closer it is, the blurrier the background. With a soft background, your subject stands out.

Here, there are 2 photos of the hummingbird with a simple soft background. Whether you prefer the lighter or darker one is a matter of personal choice.

Here’s another example before you go out to practice.  With these lady slippers, I wanted an overall context shot. But the first was too chaotic. The second made it clearer what my subject was within its context. Then I kept working my subject to simplify both the subject & background.

Heart Sight: Simplicity

Simplify Your Subjects

It’s the same in your life as it is with photography.

By simplifying, you’re focusing your attention and others’ on what matters most.

When you’re talking to someone or writing a social media post, can you keep it simple and to the point? Or do you suffer from verbal diarrhea? 

Customer service reps will be the first to report that those who get the best service are those that clearly identify the point or question without going too far into the details or drama.

Simplifying your conversations gives more room for both to talk & listen. It takes the interaction from me to we. It can also be a sign that you’re coming from love, not fear of not being heard or other fears.

I’ve been accused of writing way too much in my blog posts. And although I can easily spend days without talking to anyone but myself, I can also embark on a monologue that takes the listeners all over the place or right out of the conversation (and connection). Awareness is key.

After all, it’s what I teach when it comes to asking your Team of Divine Helpers for Guidance. Stick to one subject at a time. With a clear question comes a clearer answer.

Avoid Distractions

How good are you at cleaning up your edges? your distractions?

When I’m in the writing or painting flow, it’s so important that I block out solid periods of time in my schedule without appointments, dinner dates, interruptions, social media notifications, etc.

According to Gloria Mark, it takes almost 25 minutes for the mind to refocus after checking Facebook (23 minutes and 15 seconds, to be exact). Wow!

I’m definitely the most connected & fruitful during my 12 to 16-hour marathons. They don’t happen every week, but if I have a big project, I prefer focusing on 1 thing at a time for a long time.

It’s the same for my nature walks. They’re so much more enjoyable if I don’t have a fixed time to get back home.

The less things in my schedule, the more space I have to follow my intuition and work on what matters most.

And if I do have a series of errands to run, I like to borrow the car once and get them all done effectively in a loop. Getting easily drained in crowded spaces has helped me become very organized.

Simplify Your Background

How do you function when surrounded by chaos? 

If my desk, desktop, walls, studio, or fridge are too cluttered, I don’t feel as motivated to create.

If my house is too cluttered, I don’t feel as comfortable or at ease.

And if my schedule is too cluttered, I can easily tip into overwhelm or frustration.

Creating a life by design that focuses on who or what’s important to you means saying no to other things. It’s all about priorities. 

Focus, clarity, beauty, and love stand out when you let go of the rest.

It may not have been easy financially to become a full-time artist – yet! – but I’m so grateful for the simple life I lead focused on what I value most: time in nature, creating art, sharing inspiration, 2-week trips to Ottawa to be with my family, studying, etc.

I’m certainly not suffering! I’ve just learned to spend wisely and earn creatively.

When I returned from a year of art studies overseas in 2014, I rented a room in a beautifully peaceful home by the river close to downtown St. John’s. I live in the lap of luxury at a fraction of the cost! I not only get to share this beautiful nature sanctuary and car with my generous house-sister, but I get to spend my time creating and sharing in ways that are aligned with my values.

I’ll admit, more painting sales would simplify both the management of my inventory and occasional concerns about finances. So if you’re moved to beautify your space & your life, check out my energy-infused art & intuitive services.

Have Fun!

How can you apply the photo & life tips in this blog post to live a simpler & richer life?

And please share some of your photos with your friends online or in person. It’s a great way for them to get to know how you see the world.

Remember last week’s Spiritual Photo Tip on Context and add Simplicity to the mix.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 1: Context

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Who wouldn’t want more love & beauty in their lives?

This spiritual photo tip series is a about a lot more than just taking better pictures.

It’s about opening a new way of seeing the world around you and those in it, including yourself!

Your camera, be it an SLR or your phone, can be a mindfulness tool for a greater appreciation of your environment and humanity.

If that appeals to you, make sure to come back every 2 weeks for the next 9 months.

Each post will start with a basic composition or element of photography tip followed by practical exercises to apply it to your life and the people in it.

Spiritual Photo Tip 1: Context

Wether you’re taking pictures for your own memory books or to share on social media, it’s good to give your viewer a context.

Go wide, medium, close & closer.

Give people a better idea of where you are. It not only creates variety in your snapshots, but brings people in with you.

I’m a big fan of close-ups. They’ve taught me to slow down and truly look at the world around me – the intricately fascinating details that can only be seen through a long lens or down on your belly.

But if I only shared an album of close-ups, it wouldn’t help my Friends from around the world know where these were taken. I like to give them the full picture of my experiences.

Try it yourself this week – on your walks, in your office, or in a new location. Take at least 4 shots: wide, medium, close, and closer.

Then share them! Let people in to your way of seeing. It’s as unique as you are!

Heart Sight Practice: Giving a Fuller Picture

The only way you can be unconditionally loved is if you know you’re being accepted for who you truly are.

And the only way to know that, is if you’re showing who that is to the people around you.

As Dr. Greg Baer explains in his amazing book series on Real Love, you first have to be seen to be accepted and really loved.

If you’re only loved for your masks, then you’ll never really feel loved.

Sure, it may not be appropriate or safe even to divulge your whole truth in certain contexts, but with this week’s spiritual photo tip, I ask you to think about where or with whom you can give a fuller picture of who you are.

First, think about where people already get to see either the big picture or just the close-up details of your life.

Then share a little more about the context of your life: wide (background, history), medium (how you spend or would like to spend your days), close (what’s most important to you), closer  (challenges, opinions, beliefs, feelings).

If people aren’t interested, that’s OK. Move on.

By showing more of the real you in more contexts, you’ll eventually find Real Love: true friends, a loving partner, more understanding colleagues, a closer knit family, etc.

Heart Sight Reflection: Seeing a Bigger Picture

The same is true in reverse.

Where are you so caught up in the details or drama of someone’s life that you’ve forgotten to look at the big picture?

Where in your life are you being asked to take a step back to breathe, regain perspective, and understand why that other person or situation is the way he/she/it is?

Have you asked? Or are you in reaction mode because of how it affects you?

Looking at the context can help give you a better appreciation for that person/situation and open your heart to compassion. 

How can you become unconditionally loving by truly seeing past the masks so that you too can see, accept and love the truth?

By the way, this applies as much to yourself as it does to others. Re-read this section with you in mind/heart.

Please Share Your Photos With Your Friends

Photography has taught me so much about being present, slowing down, and truly seeing the beauty around me. It’s everywhere.

I share thousands of nature & travel photos on Flickr & Facebook (my Page & Profile).

Why? It’s one way I honour & celebrate Creation. It’s part of how I explore & express my love of beauty and the beauty of love – my purpose in life.

It’s also inspiring more people to get outdoors for their own wellness walks. And for those that can’t, it’s bringing some of the energetic benefits of nature in to them.

Beauty is healing. It’s inspiring! And beauty breaks can be taken anywhere.

The principles you’ll be learning in this series apply no matter where you are, what type of camera you’re using, or your subject – indoors or outdoors.

But as you can see, it’s about a lot more than just photography.

If you’re looking for beauty, you’ll find it!

So join me for the next 9 months to train yourself into new ways of seeing yourself & the world around you.

Enjoy the transformational journey and remember to share it with your friends too, spreading love & beauty in the world.

P.S. My current home of Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada is rich in natural beauty, but the principles here can be applied to a city street or your backyard. The icebergs featured here were photographed in Twillingate & St. John’s. The other photos were of this past weekend’s hike with my friends Leslie Bridger & Benny Dalton along the East Coast Trail from Cape Spear, the most easterly point of North America.

Did you find this inspiring? Please share it.