By Brenda Tharp
Am old friend of mine, Dewitt Jones, once published a book title "What the Road Passes By". It was comprised of interesting and beautiful scenes that were oft-overlooked in our searches for that greener pasture, for the magic of beyond. His goal was to prove that Beauty was right here, right at our feet, and that interesting things were never very far away, if we just opened ourselves up to the world around us, we would see some great stuff. I made that idea a sort of mantra in my life, and whether it's nature subjects or travel related scenes, I have tried to always go out with an open mind, with the awe and wonder of a child or an enthusiastic visitor, to try and see things that other people may miss.
© Brenda Tharp. All Rights Reserved.
While in Italy in May 2006, I was walking through an indoor market, and I came upon this funny scene of a woman shopping for fish. Surely this was a bored dog - maybe even "dog-tired", but the message was clear - it wasn't interested in going any further. Now if it had been a cat, it might have shown more interest in the fish, but you don't see too many cats on leashes - even in Europe!
On a more recent trip to Tuscany (Sept 2006), my partner and I had decided to explore some villages we'd never been to, and knew little about. Todi turned out to be pretty quiet that day, and it was hard work to find the people moments that I enjoy photographing so much. Exhausted and hungry, we stopped for lunch, and a rest. On my way out of the terrace restaurant, I spotted this cat - who obviously had the right idea of how to spend the entire day! I could learn from that cat, I remember thinking. Take it slow, let Life come to you...
© Brenda Tharp. All Rights Reserved.
© Brenda Tharp. All Rights Reserved.
Finally, in one other village, we saw the most humorous thing. Either this was a very large dog, or these were very tiny chairs! The reverse scale made this picture so funny, I had to snap a few - but one was all I got before the dog, aka salesman, came forward to greet me. "Wanna buy a chair?" he gruffed.
I have a whole file of funny sign-spotting, expressions of people, animals doing funny things, and subtle humor (that sometimes only get - sound familiar?) but those images are a way for me to connect with the moment, the experience of being there, in that moment.
Have a great week, and keep your eyes open!
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