Here are some of my photography projects and outings.

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.

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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.

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Sacred Pilgrimage to Glastonbury

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Portrait of Dominique Hurley at the Chalice Well

Portrait of Dominique Hurley at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury, UK by Christine Radnich Photography

Oh Blessed Be! After years of connecting to the energies and waters of Glastonbury UK, I was finally called to visit in person. I’m so glad I answered that call.

Sixteen days was too short!

It feels like I was just starting to slow down on the doing to benefit from the being when it was already time to leave.

Back in November, my Team of Divine Helpers had introduced this pilgrimage as “The Gateway”.  

Do I fully understand why yet?  No. But that’s OK.

Three weeks after my journey across the Pond, I’m still integrating all that I learned and experienced in my time there.

This transformative trip offered me so much on so many levels – body, mind & spirit. 

  • day trips to Uffington, Wells & Tintagel-Cornwall
  • Multidimentional Energy Clearing & Realignment + Karuna Reiki training (Levels 1 & 2)
  • 6-day Sun Lover Goddess Conference
  • 3 nights at the Chalice Well Gardens with private access to the gardens after closing time
  • solo walks at sacred sites in Glastonbury
  • hours reading the amazing channeled book “Anna- Grandmother of Jesus”
  • a digital detox (no social media, blog posts, emails or newsletters)
  • and more.

Of course I took thousands of photos – all with my iPhone! That’s a first. My shoulder injury from last winter is helping me lighten the load. Although I’d brought my pro gear for my 3 days in the Garden, I never used it. You can see all my albums on Flickr or on Facebook.  But I’ve included my favourite 77 below.

The Sun Lover Goddess Conference


I only decided to participate in this intensive 6-day adventure when a friend told me it was happening during the dates I’d been intuitively guided to journey to Glastonbury

It was overwhelming, humbling, exhilarating and exhausting. I’d leave my B & B at 7:30am and often not return until 10 or 11pm. If you know me, that’s way past my bedtime! But I didn’t want to miss anything.

The whole town was a mega version of what I’d experienced pockets of in this lifetime. Hundreds of new age shops and a vibe unlike anywhere else!

Every day, we participated in full assembly (200+) ceremonies, presentations & rituals as well as small group workshops & conversation circles. There were venues all around town, including some art galleries, Goddess Temple, Goddess Hall, and Goddess House.

A group of 10 ceremonialists had been planning it for a year. What an organizational feat!

I laughed, I cried, I sang, I danced, I learned & I witnessed. I joined the crowds and retreated in solitude.

This was my first full immersion in the world of the Goddess. Wow! My mind, eyes and heart are definitely more open to the meaning of the Divine Feminine now.

I may not be one of those who travel yearly to attend this conference (next year’s 25th Conference will be for the Earth Mother Goddess) but I know I was meant to be there this year. What a blessing! My consciousness has expanded because of it.

The Chalice Well Garden

 

“The Chalice Well is among the best known and most loved holy wells in Britain.

The Well and surrounding gardens are a Living Sanctuary, a place to soothe the soul and revive the spirits. Since ancient times, wells have been regarded as sacred places, giving access to the mysterious and Divine. Here, we honour, as others have done for thousands of years, the Well and the healing and restoration it offers.

In the past, it was known as the ‘Red Spring’ or ‘Blood Spring’ because of the red iron deposit the water leaves on everything it touches. Many legends are attributed to its waters, not least among them is that they represent the blood of Christ, miraculously sprinting forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the last supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life and so a continuous spring like the Chalice Well is seen as a direct expression of unbounded life force.” (from the garden brochure – www.chalicewell.org.uk)

This is the real reason I felt called to Glastonbury. I bought a pendant of the Vesica Pisces Chalice Well cover in Saskatoon back in 2008, before I knew what it was.

When I moved to St. John’s in 2011, my friend and collector Regina Wright gave me a small bottle of both the Red Spring waters from the Chalice Well and the White Spring Water from across the street. I’ve been using these to bless my canvases ever since. Just as I was running out, Tristan of Otherworld Treasures in Ottawa gave me 2 bottles to thank me for a mediation I’d led in his shop.

When I was studying at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art in Austria in 2013/14, I learned about the sacred geometry of the Vesica Pisces: the two becoming one, the marriage of Heaven & Earth, and so much more. It called more and more to be included in my paintings.

I was so glad Regina told me the Gardens have a few rooms for Companions, giving you 24/7 access to the grounds. So I bought a membership and booked 3 nights after the Conference, thinking I’d cloister myself for some contemplative integration time. Well, that turned out to be 2 days & 3 nights with a day trip in the middle. One of the Conference participants, Donna Virgilio, who is also a tour guide, offered me a seat on her bus to Tintagel-Cornwall. I couldn’t say no!

I loved the Gardens. I experienced it through my eyes (camera), feet, and heart. Still, I feel like I only scratched the surface of what there is for me there. But having been in person and having brought back 2 big bottles of healing waters, the work continues from here.

Oh, and I’m still reading the channeled Anna books I bought there.  They’re resonating so deeply with me. They reveal an expanded version of the story and family of Jesus and of their time in Glastonbury among many other places; it’s a fascinating, heart-opening read. When I finished the first book, my whole being was buzzing with energy. I totally recommend them.

The Sweet 77 – A Photo Summary

If you visit my albums on Flickr or Facebook, you’ll also get descriptions of each place I visited. My Chalice Well Garden album of 186 photos, for example, will give you a slow meditative journey through the whole gardens.

For now, enjoy this visual summary of my trip. May it be another testimony of the value of following our inner callings. 

Note: Click on the first image and use the arrow if you want to scroll through the full-sized images.

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A Change of Scenery – All Within An Hour

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Can you go weeks without leaving the house? I confess, I could.

I love  my sanctuary and work marathons in my home studio.

Plus, I just have to look out the windows to see a river and hillside covered in evergreens.

After a long day of writing, administrative work or painting, I really enjoy going to bed early with my TV tray & Netflix movies.

But I also hunger for time in nature. I need it.

I never regret exploring the great outdoors –  kicking my butt out the door can be a challenge though.

You don’t have to go far for a change of scenery. Walking down a different street in your neighbourhood will do it.

But a change of scenery can do you so much good, especially if you’re feeling stuck, bored, disconnected, or lonely.

Even if you’re a happy hermit though, time amongst the elements will add to your existence on so many levels.

I know I’m clearer, happier, and more connected when I spend time in Nature. I can be like a kid in a candy shop.

So whether it’s a walk on the trails in your neighbourhood or a road trip adventure with friends, let time outdoors feed your body, mind and soul. You deserve it!

All Within An Hour From Home

These 3 Nature breaks were all taken within an hour from home within the last month – either by car or on foot.

Where can you go that’s within an hour from your place?

Make it Part of Your Routine

When I was Artist in Residence in Carbonear April 14-19, I committed to going on a community walk from 8-9 am every morning. I chose a different path every time. It became part of my routine. 

It was an open invitation to those who wanted to join me, but I ended up going alone most days. Still, I was committed.

Rain or shine, it added so much to my day.

Knowing me, I could have spent the whole week painting in the gallery without really knowing where I was. I’m so glad I made a different choice.

So find a buddy (your camera or inner child count), add it to your schedule, and get out!

Carbonear is only an hour from my home in St. John’s but I knew so little of it.

Do Your Errands On Foot

I’m so glad I embraced this opportunity. My housesister asked if I’d be willing to drop off her car at the mechanic’s in Shea Heights after an appointment.

We’d had freezing rain the day before, but I hadn’t really noticed. I’d been fully focused on my painting in the basement studio.

On my drive to the mechanic’s, my heart sang as the silver thaw glistened in the light.

He offered to drive me down the hill to spare me the taxi ride, but I was thrilled to walk. Even with all the photo stops, it only took about an hour.

During a snow squall later in the day, I went to get the car and made sure to stop at Beaver Pond Park again to add a few snowy photos to my collection.

Where Within 1 Hour?

I’ll admit, we’re totally blessed here in Newfoundland & Labrador to have so much nature nearby.

Bell Island is less than an hour away from my house – part by car and by ferry.

A few friends and I dedicated part of a day to explore it. Wow!  I need to do this more often!

Without a car of my own, it’s easy to stay home. But that’s no excuse.

Time exploring with friends can be double the pleasure.

Bonus

Confession. I spent the last week indoors. No nature breaks except in my backyard.

The weather wasn’t great and my regular walking buddy is out of the province, but that’s no excuse. I was just in happy hermit mode again.

So yesterday, I asked my neighbour if he wanted to go for a walk somewhere. I’d gone out to chat while he was giving his cats some outdoor time.

He suggested we go see the icebergs at Cape Spear. 

This is the most eastern point of North America and it’s only 20 minutes drive!

I’d never seen such waves there before. It was amazing. I couldn’t help but exclaim my awe and joy. This was better than Netflix!  Here are a few pics taken with my ‘real’ camera with telephoto lens.

Your Turn

Whether you’re a homebody, busy bee, or creature of habit, give yourself the challenge to appreciate a change of scenery this week.

Where will you go? Alone or with friends? On foot, by bus or by car?

Feel free to report on your adventure in the comments below.

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