A New World to Explore..

You know, there are many different disciplines in photography; Sports, Portrait, Nature, Street and many, many others. I’m trying to tackle a few of them, but right now, my primary interest is in Macro Photography. A simple definition of Macro Photography is “Close-up Photography”. In other words, the goal in Macro Photography is to take something rather small or normally unnoticeable and make it larger than life. Flowers, plants, insects and even discarded coins are reborn when seen through the lens of a Macro Photographer. Indeed, when successful, a good Macro Photographer is able to introduce others to a new and wonderful world that has always existed right in front of their very eyes.

One of the most important things that a photographer has to realize when venturing into the world of Macro Photography is that unlike the other types of photography there is a very limited depth of field. What that means is that in a great sports shot, for instance, the main subject will be in sharp focus, but likewise, most (if not all) of the other persons involved in the shot will be in focus too. However, in Macro Photography the primary subject will be in sharp focus and detail and yet other elements in the frame only a millimeter away will be out of focus. The difference is illustrated in the two photographs below:

Thus, in Macro Photography success is being able to focus critically on the most important part of the subject, as everything else, even a millimeter away, will be out of focus.

In a similar way the key to successfully understanding and applying the principles and teachings of the Bible to one’s own life must be applied in the same way – One has to critically focus on the aspects of scripture that are speaking to your life situation right now, and not be so easily distracted by the other passages that are great in and of themselves, but do not critically or essentially apply at the moment. Or in the words of the Lord himself:

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42)

Traveler, as you go through life, if you make it a point to focus on and grab hold of what’s really important; you’ll start to see a whole new world unfold in front of you, that was actually there all along….

Godspeed on your new adventures and discoveries!

Beauty is all around; if your eyes are open...

Today is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Dr. King was one of the pillars and champions of the Civil Rights Movement. It was his leadership, courage and ultimate sacrifice that made many of the civil rights gains in our present age possible; especially and including the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Because of the MLK holiday, the wife and I were both home, and as such, we took a walk down to Fiesta Park, which is only a short distance from the house. We had a good time and along the way we got some pretty good shots in.

One of my favorite from the day is the picture you see in this post. Its an ordinary California Wildflower, something most of us see all the time and never stop to pay them any mind. But through the lens of the camera, the beauty and majesty of this simple flower is unveiled.

In a similar vein, while we may seem ordinary to everyone else, when we are able to be seen through God's eyes, the individual beauty that he's placed in each and everyone of us shines through:

"When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:6-7)

Truly friend, there is beauty in each of us and God spread that beauty all around...you just have to be looking with your eyes open.