Day 24 - The Chenonceau Gardens

Just like Château de Villandry, Chenonceau has beautiful gardens. They might not be quite as large, but they're just as lovely. Places like this makes me think of novels like Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. It's been so long since I read it I have forgotten most of it, but I remember that there were several scenes set in gardens, and when I read it I pictured a place like this. So today's picture made me time travel again, just like yesterday's shot.

It also makes me think about how things have changed... Back when the chateau was in its prime there were no smart phones, computers or TVs, and the inhabitants spent their time doing stuff like needlework, riding horses or strolling through the gardens instead. It feels so far removed from how our lives are today, and yet, we're not that different from what they were. We're still the same species, with the same faults and virtues, and yet, those times almost feel like something not only from a fictional novel but a fantasy one. Weirdly, times without electricity feel just as foreign as elves and dragons. Isn't it strange how fast our lives have changed? On the scale of human existence, the speed in which we've evolved the last couple of centuries is astronomical. Our lives have practically gone from fantasy novels to sci-fi RPGs in no time at all. But now I'm starting to get philosophical, and when that mood hits me I ramble quite a bit, so now it's time to end this twaddle of mine.

I hope you're having a wonderful day :)

/MrsHjort

Day 28 - Old Town

As you've seen, if you've been following me this month, I adore Old Town. The old stone buildings are so pretty! I've been shooting the district from various locations, but this is the only shot that I'm completely satisfied with. The others either had construction going on in the background, modernistic buildings clashing with the old architecture or annoying elements that crept into the shots somehow... I don't know how they manage it. It must be magic, because shooting is like "ooooh this sure is pretty" *snap, snap, grin, grin* and then later, when I view the pictures on my computer, I go "dang, how could I miss that big white construction tent on that roof in the background, ungh"! I was happy to have gotten this shot though. Fortunately, this viewpoint from Canton Hill was just right. Actually, you can get loads of lovely shots from there. So, if you're ever in Edinburgh, do yourself a favor and climb that hill.

/MrsHjort

Day 16 - Officer's Chair

Do you know how sometimes you intend to write something with a specific angle, and end with a certain point, but get carried away with your memories and end up writing something completely different? Well, it happened to me yesterday...

I had intended to write about how I loved that the Medieval market turned me around, and how it made history come alive to me. However, I got too caught up in memories of anger and frustration to finish my original train of thoughts. I am still full of contempt for most of what higher education entails (at least in my country) - the hypocrisy, rigidness and self-righteousness it reeks of is enough to make any resonable person angry. But enough of that... I can make my point today instead ;)

Do I still hate history? Well the word itself still makes me feel aversion, but, I have to say, I really enjoyed spending that day right in the middle of living history. I loved seeing the knights, vendors and ladies in fancy dresses, not to mention the re-enactments and the shows! Wonderful!

I guess the answer is that I love the non-academic side to history - the side that makes me want to explore and enjoy discovery, rather than force-feeding me facts without context. That's the side of history I hate. Not the subject itself, but rather the practices it is associated with. Here's to making history come alive. If you ever have the chance to take part in an event like this, don't hesitate! It's a wonderful experience :)

/MrsHjort

Day 2 - Weavess

This photo went through more or less the same processing as the one I posted yesterday - minus the selective blurring. That made it easy in comparison. Making a fake DOF effect look good is a lot of work, so I'm glad I didn't have to today. But then this is a picture that thrives upon its many details.

This woman sat waving the whole day, and it was a treat to watch her work. It's always marvelous to watch a skilled craftsman. There were quite a lot of them at the market. Smiths (you'll get to see them an other day), glassblowers and carpenters. I really admire those who have learned to create works of art with their own hands. Nowadays we take so many little things for granted. It's so easy to pick up stuff at the local store, but there is something special about something that has been created by hand. Don't you think?

/MrsHjort

Day 20 - Library

This is part of our little library at home. We actually have one, though it's also our guest room with a hide-a-bed :). Anyway, Mr and I have organized it to our taste with genres and series in mind. Though I don't actually know how these three ended up together. Maybe they're all religion to Mr haha.

Me? I'm a fantasy girl. It started with "Lord of the Rings" way, way back, and I've never stopped since. My favorites? Andrzej Sapowski and George R.R. Martin. They have both managed that great feat of bringing a whole new world to life, with all its nuances and complexity. I love that it's not ever "happily ever after" with them, but rather "anything goes". Never before had I encountered fantasy with a higher sense of reality than many other "finer" works of literature. I've read far too much of that, let me tell you, and I never liked it...

A few year back, I studied "English Literature" at the university, or so it was called, even though the works originated from many different countries. We had to read a lot of "fine" works then. Works like "Disgrace", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Beloved"... I hated them all with a roaring passion! Just as I hate the very concept of "finer" literature. Why should one kind of literature be considered "better" than the other? Just because a it's a different genre? It does not automatically make it more enjoyable to read, and that's what counts. I say "to each his own". Read what you like and to disregard the critics. Everything is subjective anyway :)

What do you enjoy reading?

(And if you enjoy "Pride and Prejudice", that's fine too ;) )

/MrsHjort

Queen of Drama

I've always admired those who aren't afraid to show who they are, those who aren't scared to be different and who choose their own paths in life. They have always been my heroes.

It's never easy being different. Society has always been hard on those who are, which is sort of paradoxical when you think about it, because, we are all different. I find it hard to understand why some differences are harder to accept than others.

Very often people take things way too personally, whether it's about your religion, your diet, who you love, what you wear or what sports team you like. And when it boils down to it, what does our differences really matter as long as we are respectful to one and other? The way I see it, it's our differences that keep things interesting, that move the world forward and pave the way for change.

The free thinkers... may they always be there to challenge our convictions, to bring some drama into our lives and make things interesting! It would be so boring without them.

/MrsHjort

Perspective

It has been quite some time since I did abstracts, which is why this is today's photo. I did a lot of them about a year ago for the 30-day challenge, and I loved the way it taught me to look upon the world - in terms of lines, color and harmony, or lack thereof...

This is a picture of a wall, I've never been a fan of modern architecture, and I would hate to live in such a building, but, as a subject for photography, modern architecture can be quite interesting. Clear lines and color, blended with rugged materials is not a bad idea.

Pictures like this often generate one of two reactions - either you love them, or you hate them. I have to admit, that prior to last year's challenge I belonged to the second category, though that was the point of my choice back then. My trail of thoughts was that if you shoot abstracts every day for 30 days, you're bound to gain some understanding and appreciation of the genre, and I have to say that I did! Shooting a really good abstract isn't at all as easy as I used to believe, and even if someone hates your shot, hey, at least it moved them in some way haha.

So what category do you belong to? Do you hate or love abstracts? Do they make you think or make you shrug? There's nothing wrong with belonging to either category, as long as you take the works of genre for what they are - someone's attempt to move you.

Cheers
/MrsHjort

An Unexpected Victory, and Me and Worth

Sometimes things can really surprise you, like the last contest I entered at W1K. I entered three pictures, just for fun. You see, I haven't entered in a while and the theme - "Bugs" - actually fit something in my beloved shoe box! So, I happily entered, without a though of weather I would win or not - sometimes it's fun to play just for the thrill itself. Because believe me, no matter if you are actually close to the top or not, checking that leader board is really addictive!

I did not feel this relaxed and comfortable about my photography in the beginning, no, not at all! Back in 2012, as I joined W1K, it was so much more personal. I imagine it's like that for many of us when we're rookies. The step, to actually participating from just lurking is really quite a large one. You see, I've actually been lurking at W1K for many many years, on and off. A friend of mine told me of the site, and the first time I checked it out I was completely awestruck! The things you can find there are just... there are no words to fit the awesomeness of it, and to dare to become a part of that is a bit daunting.

I don't know what finally pushed me to competing myself. Maybe it was the university, and the fact that I really needed a creative outlet in my life back then. You see, learning about math can be quite dry at times (believe it or not haha). Or maybe it was the new camera that finally gave me the inspiration - DSLR cameras are so much more flexible than compacts. Or maybe it was a very lucky combination of both.

Anyway, competing is very much connected to the ego in the beginning. You take things very personally when someone gives you a comment that is not 100% positive. It takes a while to let those feelings of vanity go, and actually look at your own pieces with objective eyes. Worthians (people at W1K) are very good at giving you helpful comments, and once you learned to see behind the stinging surface, you'll really begin to learn, and you'll learn a lot.

My first entries, were no beauties, let me tell you! It's a long process to learn how to compose, use light, and post-process. But the fun of W1K is all the help you can find there, and all the helpful generous people. You'll find a lot of great tutorials on just about anything, and, if you want to, you can ask for help in the forum, or even get critique on specific photograph. They also have a great mentor program, that is completely free! I promise, if you keep the ego monster away, it will really jump start your journey towards becoming better. I learned so much from my mentor, and it's so much fun to get to know people from around the globe too.

Oops, sorry, I've rambled a lot now, lets get back to my original intent. So, I was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this last contest. The top picture actually actually made first place! But not only that, it is now my highest scoring entry ever! It got so very close to that "magical barrier"; the mean was 7.935 and I've set a goal to score an entry over 8. You see, all entries with a mean over 8 gets added to a special collection, and I would be so honored to be added to that group of select artists that have made it. But hey, I've passed a lot of my goals over the years - my first medal, my first gold medal, graduating to the advanced arena, winning a gold trophy, and finally, winning a master's gold trophy!

So, even though I've not quite made all my goals, I's nice to still have something to strive for, and I'm proud to have come this close!

Thank you for listening!

/MrsHjort

Out in the Rain

Today has been really "autumny" - rainy, cold and gloomy, you know, those kind of days when the cloud layer is so thick, that it seems like its twilight all day long. It has really suited my mood...

These past few days have been tough. The friend I spoke of before has passed away, and thus, I dedicate this blog entry and these pictures to her, this wonderful person who left us far too soon.

Life is a precious thing, can be gone in a wink, so you have to make the most of it. That's really something that this person did - even though she was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, she kept on fighting. She was one of the bravest persons I've ever known, who always wanted to do her best, who reached for the stars and kept on striving to achieve her goals. She was always positive and always had a smile on her face, kind to everyone she met and selfless in a way that is very rare today. I know that you usually say things like this about people who have passed away, but every word is true, without a moment's hesitation. She was something truly special.

I remember the last time I met her, she had a lot of heath related problems to deal with, and yet, she asked me how I was doing. She! It's people like her that really make an imprint on you, who find a way into your heart and sets a wonderful example to you. I admire all that she was and my heart goes out to her friends and family. She will be missed and I'll keep her memory with me forever.

~
Life is a precious thing...
... you have to make every moment count,
make the most of it,
and live every day to its fullest,
live here and now,
because you'll never know what life has in store for you,
for good or worse.

So make every day count,
reach for the stars and make you dreams come true
~

/MrsHjort

Day 26 - Life

This little hare stopped by my garden today. Usually they're very shy - so first I snapped a few shots through my window - but surprisingly, he didn't react when I opened it a moment later. He just sat there, calmly, patiently eating the grass. I rarely see animals in our garden, but their tracks can often be seen in the snow during winter.

I got some sad news today. A friend of mine is very ill. She's one of the most wonderful persons I've ever met in my life, and I've come to care for her a lot. I hope, with all my heart, that she will get better.

Life is a fickle thing, things can turn around in a wink, for better or for worse. That's why it's important to treasure every moment, and not to miss any opportunities. Even if it is just opening the window, to snap a picture of a hare.

Cheers dear friends

/MrsHjort

Day 9 - Thorns

Today has been one of those days, you know of which I speak - the really bad ones that you really have to struggle through. So, prepare for one of my more philosophical ramblings ;)

This picture got me thinking of life; it's sort of like a thorny branch - it filled with beautiful things, things that make you smile and good days that make you happy. But, when you come to the thorns, it really stings! Sometimes there are more thorns than usual, but, then again, there will be times when the pretty red leafs take over too. Hopefully nature balances things out and you just have make the most of things.

My life has had it's fair shares of ups and downs, like any other, but I'm lucky to be able to say that I've been very happy, even though I've had to struggle sometimes. So, in days like this, I like to remind myself of just how good life really is, because, if you only focus on the thorns, they will take over.

So here goes; I am lucky to have a wonderful husband, as well as wonderful loving parents (and in-laws) who live close to me. I'm privileged to have a beautiful home to live in, an education and a job that I enjoy. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to peruse my interests and hobbies, and I get to hang out with a lot of cool people. And at last, but no way near the least; I am blessed with good health! Life is good :)

/MrsHjort