“Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
“Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.” ~ Tony Robbins
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” ~ Mark Twain
“Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.” ~ Niels Bohr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These photos are taken with differing apertures using two different lenses. They are collections of the same scene.
As you can see, they each have their advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on, well, what you want to focus on. In photography, it’s important to focus on one thing. That one thing may be the big picture or it may be a small object. There is the shallow depth of field and the large depth of field.
It’s kind of like life, isn’t it? —dynamic arrays of focus. And it can be hard in this modern warp speed we are now immersed in. At every moment we focus on “something”. I don’t juggle it perfectly but I certainly try. I have a few big picture goals in my life that get squeezed out by all the little things that draw my attention.
Some of the little things I love, like an unexpected visit from my grandson or adult children. Or phone calls from faraway friends and family—just visiting or planning time with them. They are definitely worth my focus and relationships with them fall into my “big picture” goals. There are many other good things, too, but I do have to say “no” to a lot of those good things.
I sprinkled a few quotes that help me. What about you? What do you say “yes” and “no” to? Where’s your focus these days?
“Beware of overcommitment. You can’t “yes” to everyone. You must practice saying “no”. Otherwise, you may be at risk of compromising your quality or your integrity.” ~ Stephen Deal
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This is a response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with a theme of “Focus”. It was a lot of fun to experiment and I’m pleased with the results. I hope you are, too. Peace, Alexandria
Other links:
SimplySage: A Return to Organic Photography
Photography 101: Finding Your Focus
Festival of Flowers: Week 12
SimplySage 
Frances D
/ September 1, 2013Just had to “pin it” to my inspirational board.
SimplySage
/ September 1, 2013Oh my, thank you!
Frances D
/ September 1, 2013My pleasure and a pleasure for my followers 🙂
Becky
/ September 1, 2013Those flowers are beautiful! I admire your photography work, I only use my iPhone to take pictures, so I’m not familiar with different lenses, etc., but I am VERY impressed with what you have captured here. Thank you for gentle reminder about priorities too! 🙂
SimplySage
/ September 1, 2013iPhone takes great pictures. I totally respect it’s capability. I just go the 5 version and use it for close-ups. I do not own a macro lens and it takes great close-ups.
I appreciate the compliments. I’m putting effort into taking good pictures without editing. Glad my thoughts helped, too. Take care!
Amy
/ September 2, 2013Lovely post! I appreciate the pics and quotes. Well said about focus.
SimplySage
/ September 2, 2013Thank you, Amy. I so appreciate your comments. Have a great day!
Amy
/ September 2, 2013Have a relaxing Labor Day!
SimplySage
/ September 2, 2013Thanks. I do have to “labor” a bit at the day job today. Just a few hours, though, so not complaining. It did cause me to “rest” from big plans, though. Otherwise, it would be a big day of cookout and company. Such irony, isn’t it? 🙂
Amy
/ September 2, 2013🙂 Have fun with your “labor” work. I have minimum plan for today 🙂
Jackie
/ September 3, 2013Wonderful post and captures! Thanks so much for sharing – I’m so happy you decided to participate in Festival Of Flowers challenge! 😀