Aspen Shadows

The light playing through the aspen grove was magical on the evening I took this photo. I just wanted to walk deeper and deeper into the grove where I was certain I would find some kind of treasure or spiritual revelation of sorts. It was like a portal to another world where anything was possible. I sat for awhile and watched intently as the sun gently bedded itself behind the mountain, darkening the grove and stretching the shadows. It was a Colorado evening I will always remember.

Much love,

Viki

Ace of Wands Photography

Interpretation

Helping the observer interpret our photos is a little dicey at times. Usually, we use a well chosen title to guide the viewer. Sometimes, the observer is unaware of the title or theme of a work we have spent hours on. In that case, anything goes. This is not necessarily a bad thing but I find people like to know what they are looking at. People want to know what our motivation was to spend time crafting our work. This knowledge deepens their experience (especially if your work is more abstract).
On the flip-side, we don’t want to lock in our work and tell our viewers “this is a picture of (whatever) and don’t you put your spin on it”. Titles must leave room for the viewer to use their own imagination as we merely provide the sign post.
Taking time to produce a well crafted title is just as important as the work itself.
By the way — Happy Black Friday (whatever that means to you)
Much love,
Viki
Ace of Wands Photography

A Message of Gratitude

The message for today is gratitude. Frankly, today acts as a reminder of how we should be all year long. Just as the message for all the holidays of December is one of peace, again reminding us of what should rule our lives. Sure, one can quibble and tear apart the historical origins of every holiday from every culture, but then are we not missing the point of the actual messages that evade culture and time and in effect, are timeless?
Throughout history the archetype of the messenger has been a dubious character — full of flaws and most times, a scoundrel, more interested in selfish interests than delivering any message that may help humanity. This character, unwilling as they are, ends up being persuaded and accomplishes the task. The messenger is also portrayed as just an ordinary Joe called to impart information that will change the world, so to speak but does not believe he/she can do so. In the end, the message finally gets delivered. The biggest caviat however, is will the people listen. They didn’t listen to Moses because of who he was as messenger. They focused on the messenger instead of the message and you see where that got them.
History itself is the greatest messenger. Events that are flawed and even scandalous at times do speak to us and deliver messages to us constantly. Are we going to focus on the the messenger and ignore the message?
The message today is to be thankful, grateful for all the good things in our lives instead of giving so much attention to any lack or misfortune that has come across our path. We need to stop for a moment and take stock of our life and examine what is really important — what really matters — and carry that forward in GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING all year long.
With much love,
Viki
Ace of Wands Photography

Lapses in Time

How in the world does time pass so quickly? I haven’t posted anything in so long and yet, it certainly doesn’t seem so. Life and all it’s proverbial drama haunts us daily and we frequently lose focus. Literally. What has gotten the cart back on the road was a shovel. Sometimes it takes it takes a seemingly mundane stroke of serendipity to get us refocused... even if it is only meeting up with a shovel. See you soon and stay imaginative!
Much love,
Viki
Ace of Wands Photography