Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Addictions

I am sure that we all have addictions of some type, whether it is that piece of chocolate before bedtime or looking for our cat before that first coffee. If the addiction is small or inconsequential we may call it a bad habit or tick, and if it is bad for us we know it and must find a way to shut off the endorphins provided or compromise our life greatly. If the addictions are rewarding to others we call them talent.  Someone I know is addicted to listening to others problems and solving them, and he is pretty good at it.  If not rewarding we may call them annoying or a bit crazy, like grandma's insistence that hanging the laundry at an exact time of day prevents rain.

I have a number of addictions, but certainly taking photos or editing photos each day, is one of them. I cannot take a walk around the yard without thinking about the way the light or shadow falls, the movement of some creature, the pattern of some botanical miracle, and then wonder how the camera lens could be framed to capture the feeling that I get when my eye falls on the object or scene.  This cosmos below was a quick capture this morning and I only adjusted the lighting levels.  The undulations of the petals of the cosmos are addictive.



I am most annoying when walking through a city as I want to stop and hide in a corner for a while and capture a zillion candids of all the activity or frame a neat story I see.  It is not as much fun when they know you are taking their picture as you hurry by with your 'pack', but there are indeed a million stories in those eyes.


The result of this "chasing the light" is thousands of photos that must be deleted. If I am honest with myself the majority of my captures are mediocre at best. The few good ones are most certainly derivative and the best is a happy accident if I am truly reflective.


Above I wonder if this street performer loves to mime and act and be the center of an audience, or does he do this so he can eat for the week?


What is your small or big addiction?

18 comments:

  1. I guess I'm addicted to painting. I'm happiest when I'm painting, even when it isn't going well.

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  2. Great photos and post. You are a talented photographer, writer, artist, art hearted. I hope you don't miss when those cosmos go by, how they dry, drape and hang like silk.

    I've been scared of being addicted/losing control to anything since I was a little kid. So I'm not sure I can say I can addicted to anything except looking at clouds. lol Okay, and taking pictures of clouds.

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  3. The camera is my addiction too and writing...and reading, oh and excursions around the island. A lot really!

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  4. Well I am not too sure that I am addicted, chocolate maybe. But taking photos (something I miss at the moment) is a great favourite, recording the changing scene of our small plot - it is a bit like keeping a diary...

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  5. I am addicted to several things some to my detriment....rose and scotch, chocolate and those chocolate cookies from a neighborhood bakery. I'm addicted to creating, not necessarily to the fuss that comes later. I'm addicted to giving back now that I have been giving a wonderful new life. I'm addicted to this new life and try and keep it moving on an even keel. It's not always possible, since it is life, but I try. I'm very addicted to feeling well, so every morning at an ugly hour you can find me in the local Y pool. Will those do?

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  6. Well, an addiction is by definition self-destructive -- isn't it? -- but your photos are a joy so maybe it's more of an obsession, or a calling, or ... who knows, but like I said, we're enjoying the results. P. S. I'm addicted to ice cream, and I might be developing an addiction to blogging, not sure.

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    1. I guess I was wondering if addiction is only negative and you have given me pause.

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  7. Oh, most certainly I share your camera addiction. I must consciously turn off my camera eye or I would never get anything done. That and chocolate, of course.

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  8. You do take lovely photos, they tell good stories. Mine are just utility, showing what there is to see.

    If i didn't have to work, i am adicted to leisure, reading, responding to others online. And coffee, which is a second religion down here.

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  9. I have serial addictions. I get into periods where I start a project (writing, painting, sewing, baking, whatever) and I can't stop. But eventually I move on to something else.

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  10. Before I start on addictions I have to comment on the photo of the guys with "a million stories in those eyes". Great photo and perfect description. I think my big addiction is coffee, keeping my daily intake down requires a conscious effort. Every day. I could kiss the scientists who recently announced that it's not bad for you after all. I have a handcraft addiction which kicks in about once a year and lasts until I run out of inspiration, usually a couple of months. When I'm in its grip I even put off socializing to get a creation finished. And then, of course, there is road tripping and the camera. They go together. Can't do one without the other. I don't think all addictions are negative. All of mine make me happy and that can't be a bad thing.

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  11. I am addicted to exercise and routine. Not to mention taking pictures, as you describe it here, I see myself also in your words. I think I have too many addictions to name them all. :-)

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  12. I have never thought about our habits in this way. I guess my addiction is somewhat similar to yours. That cosmos photo is really good IMO. Most of my photos are pretty awful as well, but one keeps trying.

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  13. By that definition, it'd be writing-- all sorts. There are other 'addictions' but not going there :)

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  14. I seem to go through phases with my addictions. It was writing on my blog for a while, then running, then photography. The problem with addictions (for me) is that they are so time consuming. Eventually, I just don't have that much time for my own addictions right now. My kids' addictions take precedence right now. ;)
    I appreciate your photography addiction. Beautiful!

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  15. Right now it's my Twitter feed.

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  16. I realized after my husband died I was much more vulnerable to addictions for a time. I discovered this when I became so fascinated learning to use a computer and discovering the internet plus almost simultaneously, blogging. Really upset my life for a time when I accidentally launched a blog, then tried to keep it going -- devoting too much time to it all. Finally realized I had a problem so adjusted. I would describe it as having been an obsessive addiction. When an activity controls me rather than other way around I think it's time to adjust.

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  17. It makes me happy but I know I spent way to much time viewing, cropping, deleting etc. I also have an addiction of sorts to thrift shopping. It's like playing the lottery to me. Lots of times there is nothing to win, but sometimes I hit the jackpot.

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Take your time...take a deep breath...then hit me with your best shot.