Diversity Makes the World Go Round

Yesterday's shoot was fruitful in many ways and I wanted to share another photo from the rally because I learned so much about myself, my camera, and people.

I've always considered myself shy and introverted but what I discovered yesterday is that I am actually not that shy. When I am by myself, yet out in the world with other people, I am very willing to interact and engage with them. I am keenly listening to my intuition as it guides me to the locations and interactions I am supposed to have. For the most part, I find people fascinating and am willing to open my heart with a total stranger. I think the reason I have been labeled as shy is because when I am with my friends, family or beloveds, my focus is on them, not the outside world. Huh.

I learned that my camera is ideal for Street Photography because it is super quiet, small, and unobtrusive. I also learned that a prime lens might be a better option for this genre so I don't rely on shooting from a distance and zooming in. There is something about being street level and getting close that make the images more compelling.

People are just people. Yesterday, I observed everything from big, burly, bearded men cuddling their babies to leather clad biker chicks taking selfies with their best friends. We all want connection. We all want to feel safe and secure in the world we live in. We all want to know love and affection. No matter what image we play in this life, we are all one humanity.

Realities Ride, Downtown Fort Collins, 2015Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 122.60mm • F/8 • 1/200s • ISO 400 — ***Realities Ride, Downtown Fort Collins, 2015***
Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 122.60mm • F/8 • 1/200s • ISO 400

Land of the Free?

Let me start by saying this, I love the country I live in and the planet I live on. I just want to be clear about that part because for those of you who know me, you also know I am very cognizant and critical of our political systems (world corporations) and our so called leaders. Even as I write this, there is a part of me that wants to reframe it all and make it "not so bad" and avoid any possible conflict. But I can't. I made a commitment this week to speak the truth of what is showing up for me.

I may step on some toes when I say that not only America, but most of human kind, has lost its way in the search for freedom. The major issues in this world such as war waging, destroying the environment, discrimination, subjugating others, poverty, violence, irreparable political systems, gross violations of basic human rights and dangerously corrupt leaders stem directly from corporate and individual greed, the dissemination of fear in an effort to control, radical religious craziness and the addiction to power.

I know....the U.S. is truly one of the better places to live on the planet in terms of basic needs and comforts. I get that and I give thanks on my knees everyday for the abundant and the relatively peaceful life I lead. I also understand that these "freedoms" have come at a HUGE cost over the course of our history. Maybe there will never be peace on this planet or a day when everyone has enough. Still, I pray for the day when we fly NO flags to claim our freedom but simply recognize that we are all in this together, no matter where we live on the planet. We, the human race, must decide what that coexistence looks like and know in our heart of hearts we are already free simply because we have the ability to choose.