Morning Lesson

Sometimes being a full-time mum has its challenges. Being on constant call can be stressful. Wanting to take photographs while the light is doing exciting things on the sea, while you push your child repeatedly on a playground swing, can be excruciating to say the least. Yesterday, I proposed a family day out and took my camera and tripod as part of my current photographic project. Despite saying to myself that I must spend time with my family, I spent at least half an hour feeling miserable as the light slowly vanished from the waves. I found a gap and march grumpily to the beach with my tripod and camera. The next 15 minutes I took some of the worst images I have ever taken. Boring, flat, dull, uninspired. A bit like the beach I was standing on.

I took a breathe, changed focus, took a few shots of beach houses. Then decided to call it a day. Family must come first. As I was walking to the playground I saw this boat zoom in, I quickly took the shot. It was my favourite image of the day, mostly for its moodiness and the yellow colour of the boat injects just a bit of life into the shot.

I learnt a few things yesterday. Family is what is important, most important. Sometimes you have to just watch the beauty before you and thank God that you can experience something so lovely, even without a camera. Photography is more about headspace than completing a project. It is about recognising and revelling in the world around us. Grumpy people can’t be easily creative. Motherhood sometimes involves sacrifice. Yellow boats can pop out of nowhere and make your day!

The lighter side of Teddy Bears

My father-in-law is an avid Teddy Bear collector and has enlisted me to photograph is collection of bears. This is not exactly a serious artistic endevour with deep and meaningful images that move the viewer to contemplate life, the universe and everything. It is a lot of fun, though and a great way to enjoy photography from a different level.

In the process of taking these photographs, I have learnt a few “How to photograph Teddy Bear tips”

• Get into the character of your bear, let your imagination run riot a bit and give them a “life”.
• Make sure their eyes are free of fluff and can be seen
• Eye contact helps give them character
• Experiment with different formats, crops and viewpoints
• Eat or drink whatever food or drink you have photographed afterwards
• Have fun

Crown of Thorns

“and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.” Matthew 27:29

I found the above old dry branch 5 years ago in the Cedarberg mountains. It’s beauty struck me and I picked it up and took it back to the cottage. I have kept it with me on my mantlepiece, always planning to photograph its stark and weathered lines. This week I finally did and no matter how I tried I just couldn’t shoot my usual close up macro shot. It didn’t work. The branch needed to be shown in its entirety. While I was photographing it the words “crown of thorns” came into my head.

Now when I look at it I am reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Message version of Isaiah 53 says:  ”But it was our sins that did it to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him – our sins! He took the punishment that made us whole, through his bruises we get healed.” I don’t often reflect on the unbelievable pain that he endured for us. The humiliation and shame that he faced. The Passion of the Christ burnt into my mind a picture of the crown of thrown being pushed down onto Jesus’ head, but only when I think about it.

What amazing loving and sacrifice that he should endure that all for me. Not only for my salvation, but also that I might be made whole.

Feel the reins in my hand.

Should I risk the path of service,

Release my needs to the will of an other?

Reach into festering humanity.

Give up my wine for daily bread?

He freely walked into hard-baked agony.

Knelt in the sewers of society.

Carried other’s burdens in torn flesh.

Bled into the cup of victory.

Will I trust His perfect sacrifice

and let Him change my life?

Hold My Hand

I took this photograph while out with my family and friends in one of my favourite places, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. I caught a moment when my daughter took comfort from her father’s presence. She was looking for acorns. The ground she was walking on was uneven and there were probably more strangers lurking around than she would have liked.

There is something about leaning into the Father. Holding his hand while the ground is uneven and possibly even shaky. There is a comfort in leaning into His presence even while we are actively engaged in something else. Knowing that He is right alongside us while we are busy looking for our own acorns. We are so often told to look at Jesus and this is so very valid. However, I find it hard to focus on more than one thing at the same time. It helps me to be aware of His presence, His guidance, His comfort and maybe even His voice while I am busy living the life that He has called me to live.

I know that he takes delight in my discoveries. I know that He is right beside me making sure I don’t slip or fall. Sometimes I can’t stare fully into his face, but I can stretch up and take His hand while I go about looking for acorns.