Saturday, January 4, 2014

Focus on Life: Week 1


Week One: The Minimalist Photograph
Capture an image using a single subject.

As each new year approaches, we take time to reflect on the previous twelve months, trying to assess our wins and losses. We find ourselves living with regrets of unfulfilled resolutions, time lost and opportunities passed by.

Then, the process of renewal begins. We start to set goals and expectations for the coming year. And while the goals and resolutions we set are noble and good, they are often unattainable. We set ourselves up to fail, once again.

This year, let’s not over-estimate our capabilities and level of commitment. Select fewer goals, ones that are not so lofty and can be realistically achieved. Set yourself up to win this year.

Take the minimalist approach and you will find that ‘less’ ends up being ‘more’. More success, more pride in your accomplishments, more happiness. Let 2014 be your best year yet!


If you enjoy photography and would like to join this year long challenge, you can still register to participate at The Sublime Studio. Thanks to Sally Russick for organizing this event again this year.

40 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful picture Bonnie. Candlelight is so hard to capture and you've done it so well here.

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    1. Thank you, Nelly May. It was a photography experiment that turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. *smile*

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  2. Lovely refelctions! Great picture! Are you buried under ice and snow too?

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    1. Thank you, Lynne. It's really cold here now. For two days before the holidays, all we could hear outside was the sound of trees breaking and huge limbs falling to the ground. The weight of the ice was too much for them. We were without hydro for 72 hours. It got pretty cold in here.

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  3. You are a talented photographer!! I am loving this gorgeous photo!

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    1. Thank you, Amy. I'm pleased with how it turned out too.

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  4. Gorgeous photograph. I like how the light reflects on the foreground.

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    1. Thank you, Mary K. I took photos of two other candle holders and the all turned out nicely. It was hard to pick just one for the blog post.

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  5. A very pretty photo. The candle light looks very cozy.

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    1. Thanks, Alice. The photo was taken in a dark room without the use of the flash.

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  6. Bonnie your photograph is absolutely perfect! Reflective, yet hopeful. Completely setting the mood for our minimalistic approach - beautifully done!

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    1. Thank you, Shel. That is exactly the reaction I was aiming for.

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  7. Great candle picture. The reflection on the table is especially striking! A wonderful start to year two.

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    1. Thanks, Beti. You could technically say it was a photo of two subjects, the tea light and the holder, but one would not be complete without the other.

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  8. It is stunning - as others have written before - it is very hard to get candlelight to look magical and you have certainly achieved that.

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    1. Thank you, Patty. I figured that I might as well do something constructive during the ice storm. We were living in candlelight for 3 days.

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  9. What a wonderful picture! So warm and cheerful!

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    1. Thanks, Karin. A single light to start the year, with the reflections representing things to come.

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  10. What a beautiful photo! Candlelight the way it should be!

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    1. Thanks, Annette. Not all of my photography experiments turn out so well. I'm glad that this one did.

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  11. You captured the ambiance perfectly! What a wonderfully warm photo.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle Ann. I appreciate your kind words.

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  12. Beautiful post Bonnie! Wishing you a very happy 2014

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    1. Thank you, Emma. I hope that 2014 is a happy, healthy and productive one you you too.

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  13. What a beautiful shot, Bonnie. It makes me feel warm and cozy during this frigid weather we are having.

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    1. Thanks, Nan. But let me tell you, by the third day without heat and hydro, it certainly wasn't warm and cozy here. *smile*

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  14. Wow! you really captured the light beautifully in your photo. Great job Bonnie.

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    1. Thank you, Becky. I love how the light flickered out onto the table top.

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  15. What a beautiful photograph, very atmospheric.

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  16. A gorgeous photo, Bonnie! Such a quiet stillness about it...
    Happy New Year :)

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    1. Happy New Year, Claire. Thank you for your kind words.

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  17. Wonderful sentiment Bonnie, and your photo is magnificant. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you, Marlene. It's going to be a great year for all of us.

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  18. Absolutely beautiful photo, Bonnie! Sometimes, I think, last year I lost my "photo" in trying to capture the "theme" if that makes any sense...you did both beautifully!

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    1. I totally understand what you are saying, Lori. I often went off in my own direction last year. I likely will this year too. *smile*

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  19. Really beautiful photo! Love the way you've captured the light of the flame. Happy new year to you Bonnie!

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  20. A really beautiful photograph, and I love your wise words too!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Diana. I appreciate you taking the time to look and read.

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