What are you seeing?

This past weekend I participated in a photowalk of York. I have never done anything like that. I met over 70 other photographers on the square of York. We then proceeded to take a walk through York specifically looking at the diverse architecture. We even had an author who lives locally who has published a book about the architectures to accompany us.

All of the members of this walk were as diverse as the architecture. Some of the members had very basic point and shoot digital cameras, others had a camera like mine (entry level DSLR camera), and others had higher level DSLR cameras with various lenses and accessories. There were a few that had two cameras to make it easier to switch between lenses so they tell me. I was proud of my new camera even though I am still learning how to use all of the features.

I was walking with another member, (we will call her Sue). She had an impressive camera and set of lenses and other accesories. I stopped to take the pictures that you see on the blog today. Sue asked me, "How did you know to take that photo?" She went on to say that she regularly goes on these walks all over the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia area and she just can not figure out how people know how to take these "interesting" photos. She said, "I spent a lot of money on the cameras and accessories and I still take little more than snapshots."

She told me of a guy on the last photo walk who would find the "same kind of shots" as I was taking. She just couldn't get how to "see" these interesting things. I invited her to walk with me a bit and to feel free to take the same shots I took. I explained that all the shots I take don't always turn out "artsy" as she described it. After a bit of following me she thanked me and said she thought she would try it on her own for a bit.

This reminded me of my spiritual walk. I remember the times in my life when I bought the "latest study Bible" or the "newest book on spirituality" in order to deepen my relationship with Jesus. I often found I had all these new shiny tools (much like my friend on the photowalk), but I was unable to really make the kind of progress I was desiring. You see I thought having the tool was what would allow me to grow.

As I discovered recently I seem to have an ability to find some "interesting photos". I believe some of that has come from looking at the photography of others. I love to look at interesting pictures. I think that as you look at great photography you can begin to "look for" the same kinds of opportunities in your own world. Sometimes it takes walking along with another person who takes really interesting pictures to begin to look for these opportunities. Just like my friend Sue did with me.

In my spiritual walk I have learned to "look for" where God is at work in my life. Where He is moving and where He is showing me love. I have begun to do this because I have had the opportunity to walk with people who have the ability to see these things in their own lives as well as to point them out in my life.

My questions for you today is...Are you looking for the places God is working in your life and showing you His love? If you are struggling with this, is there someone in your life that can help you find those good "photos"?

Sunsets...

Last week I decided I wanted to take some pictures of a sunset with my new camera. So to prepare for the "photo shoot" I did a little research online. I found out what settings will allow my camera to take the best pictures. I also purchased a tripod. You see you need to be able to hold the camera very still in order to capture the shot. Well...I wanted to arrive in ample time before the sunset so I could be prepared. So...I arrived at Sam Lewis Park at 8pm (35 minutes before sunset). I took my camera and lenses and tripod out. I set them up. While I was setting up I also saw some hot air balloons float over...that was VERY cool!

By the time I had everything set up there was still 20 minutes before the sun would set. However the sky was pretty. I wanted to start taking pictures, however the sun was shining directly into the camera and really I couldn't get any good pictures. (I had read that would be the case.) So I had to wait. Then the sun dropped behind the clouds. The momentary drop behind the clouds allowed me to take some shots. They were beautiful. I played with the settings to find the best conditions.

The sun started to fall below the clouds and again...too much sun. My eyes could enjoy the shot, but I was unable to "capture" the beauty. So I just sat down and "enjoyed" it. I took it all in. The sky became a brilliant canvas for me to watch. I was enjoying so much.

Finally the sun dipped behind the horizon. Now was the time to begin to shoot the colorful sky. I was able to get some beautiful pictures. The pictures you see on the blog were the result of my evening.

As I was enjoying this time of sunset photography, I realized that this experience is very much like my spiritual life. There are times that I prepare to spend time with God. I gather everything I need (my journal, my Bible, a book I am reading, a candle...etc). I sit and I am ready to spend time with God. What I discover is that in order to truly experience the beauty of this time it requires "waiting". I sit and wait. This waiting looks like me "preparing myself" by listening to some music, or maybe praying, or maybe lighting a candle and just become fully present. As I sit there, I begin to experience an amazing intimiacy with Jesus. Sometimes I do not even have the ability to put words in my journal about the experience. I must just enjoy it and be very present. As I sit and I am silent, I find that I can eventually put words in my journal to record the experience.

So have you sat silently and spent time just "being present?"