All living things move--animals, vegetables, minerals--so we’re pretty sure we can find some great shots with this in mind—just need to get stuff to go slow enough to be photographed!
Keep Moving…Or…
A before dark walking photo tour of Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia had all the makings of a chilling but educational experience, just not sure whether we were looking for animal, vegetable or mineral! While not necessarily superstitious, we were still happy to have scheduled our visit for daylight hours. There was a lot of history at our fingertips, as we discovered many famous people with diverse backgrounds and talents buried there: Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell and Kenny Rogers, to name a few.
It also dawned on us that all local residences of the cemetery had one obvious and basic thing in common…they no longer moved, had little to say, and thankfully did not show signs of life during our visit.
We courageously roamed around looking for the most creative shot, pausing now and then to read headstones for names and dates. Oh wait…up ahead we saw a shovel propped against a tree with tombstones in background, so we stopped for a moment to take this shot. Would you believe that the instant we gripped and focused our camera, the grave spoke to us, “If you can move, keep moving!” No? We didn’t think you would, but honestly, that thought was exactly what came to both our minds as we peered at that shovel, just poised ready to dig another grave. Photo shoot over, we quickly packed up and headed home.
Next day, we decided to make lemonade out of our graveyard adventure and took some creative liberty in adding the words “Keep Moving” to the final picture. We use it for daily motivational and inspirational purposes, reminding us to move!
When we are moving, healthy and active, we can more likely fulfill our life goals, and have a greater sense of value. When it's time to work, we are more productive, and when it's time to play we have more fun. We are alert and ready for action (That is what the world needs anyway...more "Lerts"!) And surprise, surprise: we wind up being better company for our friends and each other. We vow to be more active.
Running Buddies…
(Bill): In a more cheerful location, working as a free-lance sports photographer a few years back, one of my favorite assignments was an Atlanta Track Club race in Piedmont Park called the Peachtree Junior. At the race, both parents and children spilled over with joy and life, an expression of childhood energy and enthusiasm at its best. What a jumpstart on life these young people have!
I sat on a large paint bucket right near the finish line with my camera poised, waiting for action. Around the corner came the lead runners, two young boys who were running side by side and stride per stride, with eyes on the prize. While running competitively, they still couldn’t contain themselves, and were both laughing out loud as they sprinted by, being urged on by the supportive cheering that filled the air.
I knew right then that this was going to be a terrific shot. But wait, it gets even better! As I reviewed this picture after the race was over, I noticed that the runner in the blue shirt was running with his fingers of his left hand crossed for luck, and that the man in the crowd who is shouting and cheering (slightly leaning over the fencing), happens to be the father of one of these two enthusiastic boys. What a moment! Who said running isn’t fun? Just change the word exercise to the word “play” and bring a friend.
Flowing Water…
And mineral life, how do minerals move? While a diamond takes thousands of years to develop, water moves a bit faster, depending on how cold or frozen it is. But what direction does it take?
Full of visual and audible wonder, this is a great capture of Mudd Creek Falls in Rabun County, Ga. With a vertical drop of 100 feet, this waterfall trip reminds us that life flows forward.
How’s this one? “When it rains, it pours.” Or this one, “Like a waterfall--keep moving, and you will eventually get over it.”
Moving Together…
Bill: Animals and humans often work and move together. At this frisbee dog competition, from a full run, super dog leaps forward off the trainer's back, jumps in the air, as the wide-eyed trainer tosses and positions the frisbee out in front for super dog swooping into a flying retrieval. Yes! Dog man and frisbee all meet up at just the right time and place for a catch and superior results.
My assignment as photojournalist is always to aim for superior results: anticipate the moment, then position and focus my camera at the right angle, on the right target, and squeeze the shutter at the right time to get superior results…easy, right?
How many participants in this image had to be in just the right place at the right time? Of course, the flying Frisbee, the flying dog, and the masterful trainer had to be there. Also, the mindful judges and the very clever and creative photographer had to be ready at just the right moment in time.
Seems best when you are moving, to move to the right place at the right time. So now we have gone from just moving to moving with a purpose…aah--teamwork.
The Color of Movement…
At Atlanta Botanical Gardens, we shot some veggies on the move. From seeds, they grow, then ripen and mature. And just like us, some move and mature faster than others, like the two on top—first fruits.
Pretty sure we two photojournalists are maturing too—and always for the better, of course!
Music Moves Us
We have to include here the obvious: music always moves us AND it makes us move! The right music makes you tap your feet, sway, dance, and wiggle, and we use it to connect with each other and with others—a “moving” shared experience.
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A Moving Reality Check…
Bill: In the last two years I’ve had two knees and one hip replacement, all requiring assistance putting this “Humpty-Dumpty back together again.” A heartfelt “thank you” goes to my beautiful wife Sheri as Super Caregiver. Her patience and thoughtfulness exceed expectations. I am loved.
And kudos to the staff at Back In The Game (“BIG”) , my rehab specialists. With compassionate, knowledgeable, and personalized treatments, the “BIG” staff helped me regain function, decrease pain, improve strength, and build confidence three separate times. A very “BIG” Thanks!… now all I need to do is KEEP MOVING!
We hope your life is a very moving experience!
Positively Speaking, “Sheri & Bill...Story Tellers in Word, Image and Song.”
InOurView.com offers a collection of inspired blog articles, original photography and original folk pop songs of everyday life from a positive point of view.
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