Hello 2017!

As so here we are 2017 already! amazing. I wonder what 2017 will bring.  

Before I start this post I want to share a little pic of what many Australians do on New Years Day - go to the beach of course! Yesterday we spent the day with our extended family at my sister's summer beach house.  How did you spend your New Years Day?

 
Do you make New Year resolutions? I'm not going to make any outlandish New Year resolutions. But I do hope to travel more, photograph more, write more, exercise more, eat more healthy, listen, be still, spend more time with family and friends, and be brave to put "myself out there". This last one probably means being brave to take new opportunities that come along which may test me and take me out of my comfort zone. It might also mean taking a risk and exposing myself to critique by entering a few photography competitions.

But for today I send a prayer for PEACE throughout our troubled world, and a prayer that people will be kinder and more tolerant of others despite their race, creed, abilities, looks, financial status.... whatever. We all have a story, and we don't know all of the story of those around us. As they say, we can't walk in the shoes of others. So please don't judge, don't try to push your beliefs onto others. Just try to be a good person, listen, be open, and try to understand. 

The last couple of days I've been playing around with what I hesitantly call "fine art photography". I know it isn't for everyone, and I know I have a long way to go. But I hope to experiment more with fine art photography in 2017. 

Please click here to see my slant on fine art...
 

 
And also to do more with black and white - or mono - photography. This is my Flamenco dance teacher Nicole. So elegant, even putting on shoes!  (that's me in the background - and yes I deliberately put myself in the shot - it's a story about both of us 😊 )

You can click here to read more about fine art photography at Digital Photography School 
They are a wonderful resource for all things photography.
They say: " The work should be about you, and what you are passionate about. Don’t worry about what other people think. If you know what your vision is, what your subject is, and how you want to create your work, then your statement should come easily and you will find yourself on a new path, an exciting one."

I hope you enjoy this little selection from my summer garden.

gerbera

lavender with Quiet Dreams texture from Kim Klassen

 

rose

hydrangea

 

some blur amongst the leafy plants in my garden

And spinifex in the late afternoon light from way up in the Pilbara

 I hope your 2017 as started well. I wish you all that you dream for in 2017.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
 

Mosaic Monday 
Life Thru the Lens 

Our World Tuesday
Through My Lens 
Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 
The Lovin' Life Team over at Lifestyle Fifty
The Weekly Postcard 
Sky Watch Friday