In the November greys

Canon Powershot SD750, Landscape, Poetry

by Patrick JenningsNov 22, 20159:41 pm

In the November greys

In the November greys
Cold and wet
I have the beaches to myself
Mile upon mile
As if they were put here
Just for my pleasure

I stand here
Face to the wind
Speckled with the ceaseless drizzle
Wind buffeting my coat
My hair
My body

Yes
Here
Just for my pleasure
The good Earth tells me

I bask in the solitude
Connected to
Earth, wind and sea

All I need
All there is
All there ever was

Pacific Coast Highway
Oregon, United States of America

Taken during travels, 2009

9Comment

1

Melinda Kucsera on Nov 23, 2015 at 7:08 am
Reply

You make gray beautiful. I don’t know how you do it.

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- 2
  
  Patrick Jennings on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:30 pm
  Reply
  
  For several years, when I first started in photography, I shot almost exclusively in black and white — processing and printing in the darkroom. So, I am familiar with tone, texture and composition.
  
  I think it’s easier to be good in colour. People expect more from B&W.
  
  In fact, there’s a fair bit more colour in the originals of this image, and the one featured for Shrouded. I desaturated them fairly significantly, because the words I was writing/had written were rather … well, desaturated themselves. ; )
  
  Because, hey, grey is beautiful (a fact which my hair is striving to prove to me, btw)
  
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  - 3
    
    Melinda Kucsera on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:37 pm
    Reply
    
    I had wondered if the pictures were chosen before the words were written or the words came first and the picture chosen because it illustrated the words. B&W photography is tough to do well; I remember my college darkroom days fondly. Gray is not so bad though I say this with a head of dark hair and a fond wish for waist-length silver tresses. I am a strange one, I know.
    
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    - 4
      
      Patrick Jennings on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:40 pm
      Reply
      
      It can go either way — sometimes picture first. Sometimes word first. Usually picture first. And, on occasion — as happened with these two — they affect each other simultaneously in the process of creation.
      
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      - 5
        
        Melinda Kucsera on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm
        Reply
        
        ah I see, thanks for the insight into your process. I am always curious to know what sparks the posts I read.
        
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    - 6
      
      Patrick Jennings on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm
      Reply
      
      With things like the One Word Photo Challenge, or the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge, I start with a word, then go looking for a photograph which generates more words. The process of editing the photograph usually percolates more words.
      
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      - 7
        
        Melinda Kucsera on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:44 pm
        Reply
        
        I usually get the words first and then seek a picture to match. I’m going to have to try your method just for a change of pace to see what comes. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
        
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        8
        
        Patrick Jennings on Nov 23, 2015 at 8:51 pm
        Reply
        
        No worries. Have fun with that!
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person
        
        9
        
        Melinda Kucsera on Nov 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm
        
        Will do thanks!
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person

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