Solitude...
Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone.
Paul Tillich
No man ever will unfold the capacities of his own intellect who does not at least chequer his life with solitude.
Thomas De Quincey
Some moments can only be truly experienced and enjoyed if you're alone - when you can forget about anyone else's expectations and needs and just revel in the moment of being you. Whether it's daydreaming on a bench, enjoying the beauty of a winter's day beneath a tree, losing yourself in works of art, or trying to capture that elusive photograph you've been after - it's good to take time-out from the rest of the world... The people in these photos would no doubt agree with me, unfortunately for them they of course had me stalking them with my camera :O)
20 comments:
By eck you've got him well trained. The first quote is my favourite as it the photo of David's feet!!!! Hmmm!!
He works for cake :O)
I agree with Liz!!
Lovely shots - and well done, David - what a star:-)
Liz, Ruth. Bro here, As you both know shots of me are few and far between. I don't mind being shot by Barbara. She's the only photographer that ever made me look good!
Very interesting. I've never really recognized the different expressions of the same physical aspect of being "alone"....solidtude vs. lonliness. Probably because I LOVE my solitude! :) Great photos. I especially am drawn to your second one. Great perspective and DOF. Gives the "feeling" of solitude (NOT lonliness, haha).
Kathy
Thanks :O)
Kathy - we both obviously realise that you're never lonely with a camera!
The man on the bench photos...love them. Makes me wonder what he is thinking...is he sad, happy, remembering something, watching someone??? Depicts this weeks theme perfectly. Nicely done.
We all need a bit of solitude from time to time, just to be ourselves - exclude the world, perhaps. For a little while. The third variation for me.
I love the first and second photos, Barbara. And I agree with what you said. Some moments can only truly enjoyed and experienced wholly during times of complete solitude.
Thanks so much for joining us in the Poetic Winter Photo Challenge. I hope you remembered to grab the free texture over at my place! Next week's theme will be Warmth. Have a great weekend. :)
Forgot to mention that I pinned your second photo to our Poetic Winter Pinterest board. :)
Your hubby is such a great sport! I looove that first shot :)
Thanks Kristi :O)
Love the shoe shot! We couldn't do this with out our hubbies :)
These are so nice!! Thanks so much for linking up :) I especially like the 2nd one.
oh I love that one too!!
Thank you :O) David is a photographer too so doesn't mind being asked to do odd things like look pensive on a bench. Anyway, I crew for him sometimes so fair's fair!
I love this post, in part because I love and require solitude (in greater quantities than our extroverted society approves of), and in greater part because your photos are perfect, as usual. I also enjoyed the quotes, especially the one by Tillich, and your own observations about solitude.
My favorite photo in the bunch is the second one. I love the handsome bench, David's contemplative bearing, the shallow depth of field and the monochromatic effect. I think it captures the subject of this post perfectly.
I also really like the one of David beneath that beautiful tree, but I never truly feel alone if I have a tree for company. :-)
P.S. One of my favorite books is Celebrating Time Alone: Stories of Splendid Solitude by Lionel Fisher. Fellow solitude lovers might also appreciate it, and those who equate solitude with loneliness might gain a new perspective from it).
Just looked that book up on Amazon - fascinating. I'm with Sartre - hell is other people!
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