Thursday, July 21, 2011

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


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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



Friday, July 8, 2011

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.


Thursday, July 7, 2011

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"




Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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



Monday, July 4, 2011

LOOKING IS A GIFT

"Looking is a giftbut 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".




Sunday, July 3, 2011

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.