Capturing What I Find Beautiful

  Corner statue

 

Above where I stood angels placed a crown on her head, roses of the softest shade.

My steps along the old streets of France, where bits of history came to take my hand.

Caressing my path, guiding my desire, leading me deeper into beauty… I sighed.

"You are under my skin."

The petals of her crown landed at my feet.

Their scent released when I walked upon them.

 

Olive tree shutter

 

Though it is not all a bed of roses in France, no place every is, it is a matter of choice, it is a matter of how one sees beauty or the beast around them.

The hand of both reaches out asking us silently,

"Which will you hold? The rose or the thorn?"

 

French door knocker

 

How many times have I wanted to knock on such a door, and take a peek simply to see what is inside… "If it looks this good on the outside imagine what it is like inside."

Imagination helps weave a path.

So does trust, so does believing, so does holding on to that which is good.

 

Pink-hinge corey amaro

Call me crazy, but I find this beautiful.

Some would say, "Yep, crazy!"

Peeling and cracking turn me on… I could walk a thousand streets just to see more.

Have you ever felt something that is hard to explain, that has gotten under your skin, that leads you to yourself and sets you on fire?

Love. Life. Peeling and cracking the wonder of it all.

 

Window view

 

Perfection.

Not shiny, not new, not in style, just standing in the test of time, still winning hearts.

No need to change: Shutter, lantern, stone wall, roses climbing… Classic Provence.

"God, is that the gift I see?"

That I can be myself, simply me.

The history before me, the soul of time, I am a part of that, so are you, woven piece by piece.

It is beautiful.

 

Passage between

French

 

Like a crown above a doorway a few carved words remained: "Au Lait"

"Milk." it said.

"Cream!" I smiled.

Two hundred years old or more, I am so glad it remains.

France how did you become so faithful to old beauty? 

 

Hinge shutter

 

A hinge on a shutter, with a curl at the end.

That is what I am talking about.

The moment of surprise, the wondrous little surprises!

A curl.

The eye opener, that makes you catch your breath, quicken your step and fills your heart with enough "Wow" that smiling stays with you throughout the day.

 

Peeled back

 

Art without trying to be.

Living art.

Being art.

An artistic way, layer by layer, lives intertwined, with the passage of time.

Seeing beauty when nothing is telling you that it is.

 

  French alcove

Between two windows an alcove,

a pedestal of sort,

a base and a crown though the statue is missing.

Pregnant space.

Waiting for us to plant our wish.

 

An angel

 

An angel overhead, 

under a broken window.

A lady walking down the street asked me, "What are you taking a photo of?" 

I offered, "The angel above the door, with the broken window above it."

But under my breath I thought, "Capturing what I find beautiful."

 

 

 

 



Comments

28 responses to “Capturing What I Find Beautiful”

  1. BRAVO POUR TES PHOTOS COREY,ELLES SONT MAGNIFIQUES !!
    Biz
    mo

  2. I so agree with you. Just beautiful. Don’t you sometimes wonder about when it was the shutters or doors were painted last? How long ago? I do.
    xox,
    dede

  3. Becky F

    Hi Corey,
    I have been sorting through the 2000+ pictures I took when Frank and I were there. Thank goodness for digital.
    There was just so much beauty everywhere you looked. I felt like I had to capture it all. I didn’t want to forget one moment.
    I was showing the pictures to my 10 year old niece and she did comment that I did have a lot of pictures of windows and doorways. As she was looking at the pictures she said, “I must go there someday.” Absolutely!
    Becky

  4. It takes imagination and the thrill of surprises to notice what you notice. I love the heart you share here.

  5. “Art without trying to be.
    Living art.”
    That is exactly what I consider art. If I walked those streets I would take pictures of every door, shutter, and window. And every small detail in them. I love these. The older the better.

  6. Susan young

    Vraiment magnifiques, je suis d’accord!

  7. I’m with you, Corey. When I was in Europe I took pictures of exactly what you have in this posting. Over and over and over. In Notre Dame Cathedral my husband was surprised to find me taking photos of door hinges and floor tiles. Beautiful.

  8. Thanks again Corey. Your photography never grows old.
    Thought you might appreciate this quote-
    “Art is a microscope which the artist fixes on the secrets of his soul, and shows to people these secrets which are common to all.” Leo Tolstoy

  9. I love all your pictures of details – I find those peeling walls and cracked shutters beautiful too. Life is so rich when you take the time to see… and share with us too – thank you, I’m feasting my eyes!

  10. Gorgeous… I totally get what you see as beautiful. I find myself photographing similar details — architectural elements, especially when I’m lucky enough to be visiting France (which isn’t often enough ;-(

  11. I love the filters you’ve used on your photos; they are just gorgeous!

  12. I am very pleased by all the things you find beautiful
    enough to share. Is there a name for this group of people who love to photograph old, peeling, rusty,
    faded things?

  13. Corey, so inspiring. We are travelling to my husbands home town in Provence soon and i have been reviewing all your recommendations in your region. i too will be looking for the little jewels that capture the imagination. with gratitude…
    *

  14. another beautiful post….i am just so happy to be able to read you again everyday calmly and excitedly…not in a hospital hall or lunchroom or my dad’s room and that is a beautiful thing for me…i agree rose or thorn sometimes i admit it is the thorn but the pain is too much so quickly i change my mind and go for the rose…i like it better not always easier for sure but more than not better!

  15. IAM SO JEALOUS Of your EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
    xoxoxo
    I SO GET IT!

  16. Corey, have you ever considered leading photographic expeditions of Provence (even if just day trips) — or for that matter, any place where you can take your eye for detail! — in order to teach others some of your artistic photographic skills?

  17. littlebadwolf

    another bouquet of lovely photos you have brought us, corey, and for which i offer thanks…..m

  18. mary blanchard

    Wow you certainly have the gift to write and vision beauty that surrounds you everyday…..I wish I had just a pinch of that gift:-)
    One part when I was reading your blog reminded me of one of my favorite quotes
    “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass….it’s about learning to dance in the rain”

  19. What a great way to start my day seeing the wonderful images thru your eyes!!! I love love all you have shown here and it takes me back to my wonderful trips to the tiny villages! Thank you!!!

  20. Corey, you MUST write a book!!! This post was so beautiful, as all the others, showing us the beauty of France.
    Please…
    Rita

  21. I am taking my granddaughter to Provence as a graduation present, this July. Can you recommend a drive for us to take to see the lavendar in bloom? And the sunflowers?
    And old crumbling castle ruins? Of course, we will be at every brocante we can find!! I love your blog and it is the first thing I read in the morning to begin my day.
    Merci,
    Marilyn

  22. Cheryl in Wisconsin

    Captivating, Corey. I know exactly where you’re coming from with this. My little city is filled with the same type of details just waiting to be admired.

  23. carolyn

    thankyou corey. come walk in pittsburgh and see our pretty old details. i love walking with you.
    carolyn

  24. You and I are attracted to the same beauty Corey, my husband thinks I’m nuts for liking the old peeling things….but each photo you have listed here portrays such timeless beauty. How wonderful that the French, and indeed most Europeans, still treasure the old instead of replacing it with the new. Once these soulful objects of beauty, be they architectural or something else are gone, they’re gone for good. I’m glad you treasure them as much as I do.

  25. Your words and images are enchanting.
    I share the sentiment expressed by so many of your readers —
    you should write a book and/or publish
    a ‘coffee table’ photography book of your images.

  26. Sue Morris

    If you do come across such a group An, could you please let me know also……I also have the same love of taking pictures of ‘Old and Peeling, rusty, gnarled and interesting’….Smiles Sue.

  27. @ An & Sue … the name of the ‘dedicated group’ of people who like to photograph the old, the peely, the rusty, the faded, the gnarly and the interesting … as well as the tattered, the torn, the dented and tarnished is: ‘nostalographers’, and we usually gather or commune in charmingly picturesque, out of way places where the time worn and forsaken become art, and the ramshackled holds sway … or, for the more courageous and socially adept of us … we find our way to local flea markets, yard/tag sales, city thrift shops and foreign brocantes, looking for trove no one in their right mind (or so they say) would find neither interesting, nor delightful. However, without going into the psychology of it all, suffice to say we are the movers and shakers of a generation of picker/salvagers, and the unchallenged artists of whatever it takes to get the raggedy shot. (typed with ‘TiC’)
    … and yes, Corey would be perfect for the ‘Leader of the Pack’ … !

  28. You write really well. Your writing and photos are compelling. This is art in its perceptible form. I especially like your last photo and your last line, “…capturing what I find beautiful.” I’m fascinated by how you appreciate old windows, doors, and parts. One of the most subjective and artistic pieces I’ve read online.

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