December 30, 2015

Photo of the Week - Church Steeple Framed by Branches



Primitive Baptist Church, Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Here’s an offering that is a little bit different from my usual fare. In this composition, the dormant tree branches provide an organic frame for the church steeple. The black/white treatment also gives the image a more stark and simplistic perspective. Do you think the photo has a bit of a spooky vibe?

Yesterday, I announced on my other blog, A Personal Photo Challenge, that I would be permanently closing it. I simply do not have the time and energy to maintain it and host new photo challenges. I will keep the site “active” in case blogging friends wish to revisit challenge topics and posted web links.

To be honest, I don’t have much of an inclination to maintain this blog. I don’t want to talk about details of my solo life, especially since I have former local friends who stop in here to find out tidbits of my life, but they don’t want to interact with me as a real person. (How weird is that?) And I am so busy that I simply don’t have sufficient time for blogging, including visiting my many blogging friends. So I have essentially resorted to posting travel photos on a weekly basis.

As the calendar turns to a new month and New Year, where do I go from here? The answer will be in another post at another time…

14 comments:

  1. I didn't think about it having a spooky vibe until you mentioned it. You are a gifted photographer.

    I wish you well, Donna, with whatever you decide. I hope the New Year is a good one for you. You've been through such grief, and are coming through it with grace.

    Maybe those local friends, aren't such friends after all? Weird indeed.

    Deanna

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  2. Sounds as if it is a good time to allow a few things to slip away, including some "friends." I feel similarly about my blog for different reasons. Selfishly, I hope that you will allow me to continue visiting here to see your exquisite photos. If you don't want to chat much, that's okay.

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    1. They already slipped away on their own accord because I am now a widow & they can't be bothered. But they come here to lurk and read about my life. Pretty sad, huh?

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    2. You are always welcomed to visit, Miz Vee.

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  3. That's a beautiful photo, and it has a very cold, wintry vibe to me. As if lots of snow is about to fall.
    I'm glad you're leaving the other blog up, for I check in there for photography tips once in awhile. I learned so much from those challenges. I received a macro lens for Christmas and now I'm on a whole new learning curve. I'm checking out some of the photography sites you posted for information.
    I always enjoy seeing a post from you, Donna, but fully understand that life takes different turns. You've had such a difficult year and I pray that 2016 will be filled with hope and love.

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  4. I always so enjoy seeing your beautiful photography so I am glad you are at least keeping the other blog up for a while. As for this one I totally understand if you want to stop posting but please don't close down so you can let us know how you are doing once in a while. I care.

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  5. I don't get a spooky vibe from the photo. I see it as more solemn. I like the simplicity of it.
    I saw that you were closing the other blog and I can't say that I blame you one bit. I tried at one time to take care of two blogs and I just couldn't do it. It's nice that it will still be there though so people can go back and look at challenges

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  6. I love church steeples and the branches that frame your photo are perfect! As I looked I wished I could find a church steeple that is close to trees so I could get the same effect. I always seem to have sky and clouds in mine. I'm glad you are making decisions that are good for you and, yes, it's weird that local 'friends' don't interact with you but come here to see what you have to share. They are not true friends, I would say. Whatever you decide, I can be in touch with you. I've learned so much from you, my friend, and I wish we could meet. Perhaps one day we will. I upgraded my camera a bit - not much of an upgrade but I have so much to learn about its features. I got a Nikon D3300 - a big improvement from my little Olympus that has served me well. Until now. Hugs to you.
    ~Adrienne~

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  7. Hi Donna, I just returned from the Smokies and remember visiting Cade's Cove many years ago as well. I agree with Ann, above...I see it as silent and still, almost worshipful. I must say, I did enjoy your photo challenges and it was always so much fun to see what others were sharing. I do understand how difficult it must be keeping both of your blogs open. I do look forward to your stunning photos that you share every week and I wish only the best for you in the year 2016!

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  8. I love your photo, it's not creepy... not until you mentioned it. I'm sorry to hear you are giving up your blog, I do hope you'll post once in a while, love to see your wonderful photos, you've been an inspiration to me, and I'm sure I'm not alone. I do understand, or at least I think I do, if you decide to give up posting, I'll miss you. Wishing you a peaceful New Year. Wish I lived closer...

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  9. Dear Donna, I think of you often and wish you strength for continuing to adapt to your new life. I'm finding that the grief really hits now, 6 months later, when most people have forgotten it, and assume that you're 'over it'. And each family member reacts differently, so ultimately you're on your own. I also find that there are certain things and people in your life that you just want to set aside and forget. It's a sort of ruthless feeling about focusing on what's really important, but it's very emotionally draining to find a way forward sometimes. I do hope you keep up this blog, even occasionally, so we can visit. I'm sorry you're shutting down your other blog, but I certainly understand. It was the most helpful photography blog around, and I can only imagine how much work it took. I hope you don't see me as one of those who come to lurk! We all react to grief differently, but one way or another we need to build a new life. And we all feel a deep sympathy for others who are suffering loss. Even if you close your blog I'll keep you in my thoughts. It was only when I read the other comments that I realized where that church was; we saw it three years ago on our trip to the Smokies.

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  10. I truly enjoy coming here and visiting you and to see how you are doing and what beautiful photograph you have to offer. This one is stunning! I hope you continue to blog here Donna. Your photos deserve to be shared and enjoyed! And we love you!

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  11. I care about you also, Donna, and don't want you to go away from this blog. I would miss you terribly 'cause I love you. The photo is awesome! xoxo

    I hate that former friends have left you since Jim passed; I've never understood why that happens. With that said, I guess it's true that when bad things happen, we find out who our real friends are. I could say more, but won't. You know what I mean though.

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  12. You know I love b/w photography Donna - and I would like to do more of it, meanwhile I mostly just edit color pix to b/w which could be called 'cheating' perhaps? What say you.

    Hope so much you will stay around blogland - it just wouldn't be the same without your fabulous photos, and your help with the creative process which you always proffer so kindly.

    Love and hugs - Mary

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!