DOUBTS & CERTAINTIES

"If a man will begin with certainties, 

he shall end in doubts;

but if he will be content to begin with doubts, 

he shall end in certainties."

-Francis Bacon

HELLO VIVIAN MAIER

VIVIAN MAIER (1926-2009):

A Renaissance In The Art of Street Photography 

Self Portrait - Vivian Maier 

Self Portrait - Vivian Maier 

Self Portrait - Vivian Maier 

Self Portrait - Vivian Maier 

Self Portrait - Vivian Maier 

If you are a fan of photography and are not yet familiar with the fascinating and mysterious story of Ms Vivian Maier's photographs, you owe it to yourself to click on a link or two at the bottom of this post. Who is Vivian Maier?  I'll try my best to give a quick snapshot of what is quickly becoming the Vivian Maier legend.  In short, Vivian was never a professional photographer.  Rather, she spent most of her adult life as a Chicago nanny.  Taking care of others' children may have been her occupation but her true life's calling was hidden from world view until shortly after her death. Vivian Maier enjoyed capturing the comings and goings of strangers on the streets of mid-century Chicago as well as the cities far and wide that she traveled to on Holiday.  Street photography.  Camera in tow, she captivates us with her ability to compose and expose - the likes of which many feel rival anything produced by trained masters of street photography.   Her eye adeptly attuned to capturing human emotions, clever vignettes and the various oddities of urban humanity. It's believed she never really shared her images with anyone.  Never married?  No children of her own?  No close friendships to speak of?  So far, she remains a bit of a mystery.  Passionate about photography to the end, she was also an intensely private person.  Photography, as it seems, was an escape for her.  So, as the story goes, fate had plans for the wealth of imagery Ms Vivian had amassed with her various cameras, most notably a Rolleiflex TLR and later a Leica Rangefinder.  In the twilight of her long life and living alone in Chicago, she took a terrible fall one wintery afternoon.  She lived out the remains of her days in a nursing home.  As a result, the contents of a storage unit belonging to Vivian Maier fell into collection for nonpayment - destined for the auction block.   Enter John Maloof, Ron Slatterly, & Jeff Goldstein - current champions of Ms Vivian's work, all of whom stumbled upon bits of her life and imagery from the above mentioned Chicago auction.  Each captivated by the quality and breadth of her photos.  Each man choosing to share their discoveries with the world so that we too can come to appreciate her artistic eye.  In the end, all of this excitement also begs the question: What do you suppose Ms Vivian would have made of all this publicity?  This past spring I attended a viewing of Vivian's works at the Chicago Cultural Center - curated from Mr John Maloof's collection.  I too was captivated, like the many others in attendance.  Her images are now beginning to appear in galleries around the globe, encouraging others to examine for themselves a new found celebrity in the world of Street Photography: Vivian Maier.  All my best - Cate.

NEED MORE OF VIVIAN?

Valuable Vivian Maier Links To Share & Enjoy:

Vivian Maier Website - John Maloof Collection

Vivian Maier Prints Inc. - The Jeffrey Goldstein Collection

Vivian Maier - The Ron Slattery Collection

Vivian Maier Blog - John Maloof Collection

Vivian Maier Newsletter Subscription - John Maloof Collection

Wikipedia - Vivian Maier
Wikipedia - Famous Street Photographers

YOU ARE YOUR OWN POET

You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you.  
-Joseph Joubert

Added some fresh tunes to the Days of Cate blog radio.   Enjoy.  
-Cate

31, a photo by Days of Cate on Flickr.

LETS MAKE SOME MISTAKES

If I grow and grow, I can give you more of me.
I learn so that I can teach you more.
I strive for wisdom so that I can encourage your truth.
-Leo Buscaglia


Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

Art is knowing which ones to keep.

-Scott Adams

PLAY LIKE YOURSELF

You have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.

-Miles Davis

Well said, Mr Davis. -Cate

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE

I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn't photograph them.

-Diane Arbus

The more comfortable I become with photography technique and the workings of my cameras - my tools - the more I crave studying the history of art and artists.  I still collect books on technique but more and more these days I find myself borrowing library books and even making an occasional coffee table book purchase (these big gigantic tombs of knowledge) on the people who create the art we love to love.

I first studied the work of Diane Arbus back in college.

Every now and then I seem to come back to her, grab a book or two from the library and delve a little deeper into Diane's world.  If you are not familiar with the intriguing and mysterious world of Ms Arbus, you may want to start with a quick google search.  Although, to really know her work, I encourage you to read a bit about the thoughts (and controversy) behind her images.  In my opinion, there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.  -Cate

Ps.  If you find you like the work of Diane Arbus, you might also be intrigued by the genius of an up and coming photographer who's said to be inspired by her style as well.  Federico Erra.   Federico's Flickr Page and Federico's Blog

WHERE DO YOU SEE BEAUTY

When you respond to something because it's so beautiful, 

you're really looking at the soul of the person who made it.  

- Alice Walker

Don't wait for inspiration - pursue it.

-Sarah Forster

Where do you see beauty? 

What type of beauty do you like to find with your camera?

Cheers, Cate

THE DUST OF EVERYDAY LIFE

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

-Pablo Picasso

A bit of fact on the much celebrated and talented artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973):

It's said that he died in the middle of a dinner party he and his wife were hosting, for friends, at their home in France.  His last words: "Drink to me, drink to my health, you know I can't drink any more." And then he dropped dead. What a grand finish for a brilliant life.

And on that note, Elvis has left the building.  -Cate

A WORLD WITHIN YOU

Think of the world you carry within you.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

*

We ask ourselves,

"Who am I to be:

Brilliant.

Gorgeous.

Talented.

Fabulous?

Actually,

Who are you not to be?

-Marianne Williamson

*

Your past is not your potential.

In any hour you can liberate the future.

-Marilyn Ferguson

I'm feeling in need of some inspiration.  Looking through some favorite collected quotes, I thought I'd share some inspiration on Days of Cate today.  -Cate

GROW! GROW!

Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, 

"Grow!  Grow!" 

- Talmud

What a lovely thought.  Do you suppose the same is true for artists?  All my best, Cate

SLEEPING AT LAST

I have to say, blogging has turned out to be a wonderful experience for me.  It took me quite a bit of time to finally take the plunge.  Months?  No, maybe more like years.  Sigh.  Was it because I thought it would be technically difficult?  Did I fear that I would have nothing to say?  Or that what I did say would be of no use to anyone?  Yes, all of the above.

I have to admit, I'm notoriously private.  My closest friends might say as much of me too.  As it turns out though, blogging has given me an artistic home base.  An opportunity to be editor and curator of my own creativity.  A fertile source for tapping into other souls out there that share similar interests.  A place to record bits and pieces of me, if for no other reason then to be a source of future self-reflection.  I'm only just beginning.  This July celebrating my 5th month online and glad to be here.

As a special treat to the growing number of guests I've had check out Days of Cate this summer, I thought it would be lovely to share what I think to be some beautiful music.  The perfect paring for summertime drives, creating art, getting lost in thought, or maybe even blogging!


The band Sleeping At Last - have you discovered them yet?  Their lyrics - poetic.  Their melodies - enchanting.   Scroll to the bottom of my blog and you will find a playlist.   So many beauties - I had a difficult time choosing which to feature here.

"Dive in, with your eyes closed, for the life you were born to claim." -Watermark song by Sleeping At Last


Oh, and for the record, a few of my favorite Sleeping At Last tracks (at least for this moment because I do love them all!):  SNOW, EMPHASIS, DEAR TRUE LOVE.  Until we meet again.  ~Cate 

SLEEPING AT LAST WEBSITE

GARDEN GAZING - 3 FLOWER PHOTO TIPS

Photographing flowers - it's a great way to create some instant artwork.
Have you ever came across an amazing flower, snapped your camera at it and looked at the final image only to be disappointed?  I know I have!  Why didn't my camera's version of this blossom or bud translate into the magazine worthy image I had envisioned when I clicked the shutter?   If you've ever been in this spot too, here are some tips you might enjoy playing with on your next garden gazing adventure.


TIP 1.  PERSPECTIVE: change your point of view from looking down (that's the common way to view a flower!) to looking up or straight on at it instead!  AND if you are using an SLR camera, try setting your camera aperture as open as possible (the smaller the number the wider the aperture).  This creates nice background blur (bokeh).  REMEMBER: Get down low for this majestic shot.


TIP 2. PROXIMITY: You can use a macro lens if you have an SLR but if that's a bit of an expensive plunge to take right now keep in mind that most compact cameras have a macro function (see owners manual) that allows for your lens to be just a few centimeters away from your subject and still focus properly.  Perfect for flower photography!  REMEMBER: get as tight as you can get - fill your viewfinder with an up close and personal peek at your flower.


TIP 3.  BACKLIGHT: place the sun behind the petals.  The petals become translucent.  This adds drama!  REMEMBER: Sandwich the petals of your flower between you and the sun for this glowing shot!

EXAMPLES:  See if you can guess which technique(s) I was using in each of these five shots.  In my next blog post I'll share the answers.

All my best, Cate.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

IF WE WERE CHILDREN I WOULD BAKE YOU A MUD PIE

This tune makes me want to sing along.  I have all the windows open.  

The breeze is amazing.  The sunshine is warm.  

A great summertime song.  Enjoy today! ~Cate

***

WHAT I WOULDN'T DO - by A Fine Frenzy

"If we were children I would bake you a mud pie
Warm and brown beneath the sun

Never learned to climb a tree but I would try

Just to show you what I'd done

Oh what I wouldn't do

If I had you, babe, I had you

Oh what I wouldn't do

If I had you, babe

If I were old, my dearest, you would be older

But I would crawl upon your lap

Wrap a blanket round our frail little shoulders 

And I'd die happily like that

Oh what I wouldn't do

If I had you, babe, I had you

Oh what I wouldn't do

If I had you, babe, if I had you

So lace your hands round the small of my back and I will kiss you like a king

I will be your bride, I'll keep you warm at night

I will sing, I will sing

It was now and we were both in the same place

Didn't know how to say the words

With my heart ticking like a bomb in a birdcage

I left before someone got hurt

Cause it was what I wouldn't do

I had you, babe, I had you

It was what I wouldn't do

When I had you, babe, when I had you"

BE YOUR OWN HERO

"We are the hero of our own story." - Mary McCarthy

Spending some time focusing on sights that inspire my eyes and words that enlighten my mind.  Taking full advantage of the weather to create with my camera.  Sharing a new batch of images on Flickr today.  Looks like it will be another lovely evening for a stroll with my ipod & d-lux5.  Until next time... -Cate

LOOKING IS A GIFT

"Looking is a gift, but seeing is a power."

{Jeff Berner}

"In photography,

The smallest thing can be

A great subject,

The little,

Human detail can become a

Leitmotiv."

{Henri Cartier-Bresson}

WIKIPEDIA:  LEITMOTIV.  The term is German: Leitmotiv, literally meaning "leading motif", or, perhaps more accurately, "guiding motif".

WHEN I AM FILLED WITH MUSIC....

"I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music.  It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain.  Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music." 

{George Elliot}

I'm always on the lookout for new music to enjoy.  I'm really dig'n on the sounds of the band "CAKE" lately.  

CAKE:  http://www.cakemusic.com/music.html

IMAGINE

IMAGINE -John Lennon 1971


Imagine there's no Heaven 
It's easy if you try 
No hell below us
Above us only sky 
Imagine all the people 
Living for today 


Imagine there's no countries 

It isn't hard to do 

Nothing to kill or die for 

And no religion too 

Imagine all the people 

Living life in peace 

You may say that I'm a dreamer 

But I'm not the only one 

I hope someday you'll join us 

And the world will be as one 

Imagine no possessions 

I wonder if you can 

No need for greed or hunger 

A brotherhood of man 

Imagine all the people 

Sharing all the world 

You may say that I'm a dreamer 

But I'm not the only one 

I hope someday you'll join us 

And the world will live as one 


***


Hope everyone is having a lovely, lovely, lovely summer.  
 I'm looking forward to a fantastic weekend of picnic food and sunshine.
Cate

THE HEART KNOWS

"Only the heart knows how to find what is precious." {Fyodor Dostoyevsky}

USING UP CREATIVITY

You can't use up creativity.

The more you use,

The more you have.

-Maya Angelou

THE CAMERA IS MY INSTRUMENT

The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.

Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange is one of my favorite photographers.
She is most known for the amazing work she created during the United States Great Depression of the 1930's.  Documentary images, on location, tending crops, in the fields, and migrant camps of rural America.  If you are not yet familiar with Ms Lang's imagery, her work is worth a Google.  All my best, Cate

BEHIND DOOR # 1

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."  {Joseph Campbell}

PLAYING WITH MY LENSBABY AGAIN

YOUR OWN MONA LISA

You cannot paint the "Mona Lisa" by assigning one dab each to a thousand painters.

William F. Buckley

"REAL" - IT LASTS FOR ALWAYS

"Once you are Real you can't become unreal again.

It lasts for always."

{Margery Williams}

WORDS TO KEEP

More words for me to keep tucked into my journal.

Cate

"Live so that when

your children think of

fairness,

caring,

& integrity,

they think of you."

{H. J. Brown Jr.}


"Earn your success
based on service to others,
not at the expense of others."
{H.J. Brown Jr}

TRUE LOVE

Bonjour.  Comment allez-vous?  
(Hi, How are you?) 

Well, I'm in Paris 
and it is even more of a romantic place 
than I could have ever imagined.  
Not much time to blog right now but 
I will leave you all with some more special quotes to share, 
for now.  If you like any of these, I'd love to hear from you.  

Don't be shy, say hi.
Hope to have some lovely photos to post when I return...
Au revoir, Cate

"True love can not be found where it truly does not exist, 
Nor can it be hidden where it truly does."

{Unknown Author}

"Love is above all else,

The gift of oneself."

{J. Anouilh}

"Love begins when nothing is looked for in return."

{Antoine de Saint Eupery}

"Creation is born of love."

{Unknown Author}

"Soul meets soul, on lover's lips."

{Percy B. Shelly}

A MOTHER'S LOVE

Happy Mama's Day

"If there ever comes a day
when we can't be together,
keep me in your heart.
I'll stay there forever."
{A.A. Milne - Winnie The Pooh}


"A mother's love for her child

is like nothing else

in the world.

It knows no law,

no pity,

it dares ALL things

and crushes down

remorselessly all that stands

in its path."

{Agatha Christie}

THINKING THOUGHTS: VITAMINS FOR MY SMILE

I collect inspirational quotes.  

I've done this since, oh, as long as I can remember.

I stash them in pretty journals, 

or on scraps of paper in my wallet and pocket and camera bag.

Like vitamins for my peace of mind, 

they find me and nourish me just when I need their words the most.

This morning I thought I'd share a few on my blog,  

just incase a reader or two likes them too.  

Thanks for stopping by to visit me.  Cate

"Wherever you are,

Whatever you're doing,

Choose thoughts

That knit your heart

Together,

Rather than

Tear it apart."

{Martha Beck}

"To become learned,

Each day add something.

To become enlightened,

Each day let go of something."

{Lao Tzu}

SPRINGTIME IN PARIS

BLOSSOMS IN BLOOM

In a few short days I will board a plane for Paris.

1 week in France.

1 week in Italy.

Somebody pinch me!

I made this photo in my front yard this past weekend.

Spring has sprung and the blossoms are in full bloom here.

Imagination vs. Knowledge

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

-Albert Einstein

ARE YOU AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO TRY:

It's all about perspective.

There's this person I know.  I just adore him.  He's got the best perspective on life I've ever known.  When I first met him many years ago, he joked that he IS authorized personnel.  He lives his life on his own terms - with his own permission.  He authorizes himself to be the boss of his own life - to take a risk, to attempt, to keep moving forward, to try something new.  No prior approval necessary and no what if regrets.  This can do attitude has taken him far in life.  His winning attitude is also a gift to those of us who know him.  He's had a big impact on  me.   His motto really speaks to me, especially in my professional life, when I meet with obstacles and find myself wanting to give up.  It's given me the courage to find my opportunities.

For Today:

Here's to saying yes, instead of maybe.

Here's to making our own luck in life!

Until next time,

~Cate