Project Athena - Day 335 (Rocks)

Amethyst Rocks!

Amethyst is one of my favorite semi-precious stones. It's really the purple variety of Quartz. I have always found it to be a stone that soothes and calms my mind and my emotions. It also has a sobering quality to it, which may seem contradictory to its creative and passionate energy, but I find these opposing qualities work well together, especially when trying to be productive.

I have not yet purchased macro filters for my new camera lens so tonight's photo was taken using the new Fujifilm camera body, a lens adapter, and one of my older Nikon lenses with a x4 macro filter. Voila! Pretty pleased with the outcome.

Amethyst Close Up

Fujifilm X-E2 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 55mm • F/8 • 1/8s • ISO 200 (Macro Filter)

Project Athena - Day 77 (Flowers)

Purple Coneflower

“When you contemplate the mandala you are harmonizing inside.”
— Joseph Campbell

The flower theme comes to a conclusion today and I have to say this has been one of my favorite weeks of shooting so far. It makes sense. I have been observing and studying the most amazing natural mandalas everywhere I go, for an entire week.

Yesterday, my partner asked me, "Why are you so happy this week?" I found myself at first searching for the reason. Then I realized this happiness she was observing could actually be my natural state of being and the simple act of appreciating the beauty that surrounds me has raised my vibration to its uninhibited, perfect pattern. I immediately stopped searching for the why and let the possibility that I could be happiness itself just resonate in my awareness.

Experiencing a facial expression created by turning the corners of my mouth upward ;)

Purple Coneflower  ( Echinacea purpurea)

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 44mm • F/5.3 • 1/60s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 73 (Flowers)

Lavender Dahlia

“Don’t worry. Be Happy”
— Bobby McFerrin

This has to be one of my favorite flowers of all time. An explosion of radiant energy in perfect symmetry, it makes me feel happy and happy is a good thing.

Lavender DahliaNikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 55mm • F/5.6 • 1/30s • ISO 200

Lavender Dahlia

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 55mm • F/5.6 • 1/30s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 71 (Flowers)

The Color Purple

I am thrilled to start the flower week!! Tonight, I was drawn to the color purple. I honestly noticed both the uplift and the calm I felt when looking at these beautiful petunias. I could have shot a single flower but they were calling me to capture the whole bed of purple.
 I hope you enjoy this week as much as I know I will! Smiling.

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.”
— Alice Walker, The Color Purple

CSU Flower Garden, Fort Collins, Colorado

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 38mm • F/32 • 1/6s • ISO 400