BEAUTIFUL WEEDS
I think as a 'group,' we photographers tend to be more observant of our surroundings. We often see details and beauty that others miss. We are always looking for something beautiful, unique, funny, noteworthy, etc. to capture and preserve. When I photograph landscapes and nature I have a greater appreciation and reverence for this beautiful world, our divine Creator, and all his amazing creations.....flora, fauna, human, etc. When I photograph people, I am really focused and in the moment, and so I gain greater insights into peoples' personalities, uniqueness, and have greater empathy and understanding for their life circumstances. Being a photographer has taught me to be more grateful, more observant, and to take the time to find beauty each day. Which brings me to this picture. These are weeds growing right by the curb on a vacant lot on my street. This spring I've watched the weeds get taller and taller, and would think it will sure be nice when someone builds a house there so that vacant lot wouldn't be such an eyesore. Then a couple days ago, on my way rushing to an appointment, I saw this flash of magenta color out of the corner of my eye. I stopped for just a minute to discover the 'flowers' of these weeds had popped open and they were interesting and, yes, 'beautiful'. I impatiently waited until early the next morning when the light was right, to capture their beauty. While I was doing so, several of my neighbors who were rushing off to work, drove by, and I'm sure they thought I was nuts standing in a bunch of scraggly looking weeds with my camera. But I bet if they saw these photographs, they would have no idea this is what they were driving by every day!!! When I downloaded these photos and saw how 'beautiful' they were.......that was PHUN!
