Framing

The magic possibility of framing a certain space and time is what brought me to photography. This process of recording elements of 3 dimensions in the flow of time, and fixing them in a 2 dimensional image, creates a new context for the elements of the photograph.

Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

(See his photos)

What seems to hold you

Only frames you fleetingly

You were always free.

I have been thinking about and playing with frames in photographs.

How they can change an ordinary scene into something special.

How they can focus the eye, capture light, create intimacy with the vast.

You have escaped the cage. Your wings are stretched out. Now fly.

Rumi

Maybe this is something you can try yourself, if you’re interested. Go for a walk with your smartphone or camera and look for objects, doorways, fences, holes in walls, forks in trees - anything that you can look through to emphasize your subject beyond, within, or possibly even perched on your chosen frame. I would love to see what you come up with! You can either send it to me directly or just post it and tag me if you’re on Instagram @randomrho.

Thank you so much for being here! I am going to be traveling for the next couple weeks with unknown connectivity- so I might be posting on a slightly wonky schedule - but I’ll see you next week-ish 😊.

Potential frames are everywhere. Green Heron on the ropes at the Miami Beach Marina.

Mindful Marathon

It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.

George A. Sheehan.

I decided to do something a little different this week. A couple of months ago, I learned that a yoga instructor (Lucas Rockwood) living in Barcelona, Spain, was hosting an unusual “race” that he was calling the Mindful Marathon. I have run a few regular marathons, and pretty much decided I never wanted to run another, but this was going to be different. Over the span of twelve hours, the runners would run 26.2 miles for the full marathon or 13.1 for the half, but instead of just running them flat out, they would be running 1-2 mile loops at the top of every hour. The first loop was the longest, either 4.2 or 2.1 miles depending on whether you were doing the full or half; and then every hour after that you would run either a 2 or 1 mile loop. I decided to try it. After each loop, there was a journaling assignment, in a small book, the MIndful Marathon Journal. Some people would run in person in Barcelona, but others, like me, would map out a loop to run at home, and keep in touch with other runners via a private chat group.

I decided to give myself the extra challenge of taking a picture during each loop. Here is the result, all taken with my iPhone, over the course of twelve hours (7am - 7pm) on September 24, 2023.

No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes.

Don Kardong

The Long Day of Running

Loop 1: 7:00 am

I started without thinking,

as I do when I know

the thing is hard.

Just start.

Lace the shoes.

Put on the layers.

Go outside.

Start running.

Don’t think about the long run.

By mile three, the sky was blue.

I was home at 4.2

Loop 2: 8:00 am

A few minutes to rest

between the first

and second hour,

second loop.

I didn’t change,

kept on my shoes -

just went out

again and ran.

I saw a hawk

above me in a tree

get chased away

by a bunch of crows -

then I was home.

Loop 3: 9:00 am

These little segments

of running and rest

go by so fast-

I drink water,

eat a little,

write a little

and then I’m back out

on the road

stopping only to see

the dew drip

from a pink

hydrangea.

Loop 4: 10:00 am

After the third loop -

I take off my shoes,

wash my feet,

change my socks,

and splash water on my face.

This is the heaven

of clean dry feet.

I write about seasons passing

before I go back out

on the road,

where

a single red leaf

falls

Loop 5: 11:00 am

The miles are stacking up,

the temperature is rising.

I am hungry -

and there’s a ripe

tomato in my garden. (12.8 miles)

Loop 6: 12:00 pm

Oh I must be getting tired -

I stopped

to get a picture of the bee

resting on the guardrail

only to see

it was a hornet

and I was way too close.

Luckily, it flew away

without a sting. (14.97 miles)

Loop 7: 1:00 pm

I am a new person.

I took a cool shower

after lap six -

changed my clothes,

changed my shoes-

went out to find

blue water, blue sky

and a white sailboat

drifting by. (17.13 miles)

Loop 8: 2:00 pm

Fierce little squirrel

with a nut your mouth

bigger than your head,

and another nut safely

wedged below you

in a cracked limb -

I’m working pretty hard

for my next meal too,

but not nearly as hard

as you.

(19.29 miles)

Loop 9: 3:00 pm

An audience of deer

greeted me

at the beginning

of loop nine - staring.

I felt a little like

Snow White -

until I realized

they were just waiting

for me to pass by

so they could

finish their game.

(21.47 miles)

---

Anyone can run 20 miles. It's the next six that count.

Barry Magee

Loop 10: 4:00 pm

I’m feeling the miles.

Rubbed some oil on my feet

Changed my socks.

Bravely went back out -

saw a doe standing

by the edge of the woods

eyeing me,

unimpressed.

(23.64 miles)

Loop 11: 5:00 pm

How happy i am

to see the black crow

in the green grass.

Knowing this is my last

full loop; I will only

have a half mile left to run

on the last one -

then I can really get clean

and eat and be done.

(25.79 miles)

Loop 12: 6:00 pm

The marathon can humble you.

Bill Rodgers

I finished. Along the way I picked up acorns and acorn caps, and tucked them into my mailbox at the end of every loop so I could make the sign for my last picture. What can I say. I love to run. I loved this day. It is so different than a timed, flat-out race. It still tests you. It’s still 26.2 miles, but you can take care of yourself along the way. I am taking it easy running this week, but I feel better than I ever did after a traditional marathon. It was hard and I was tired, but I already want to do it again. I am so grateful for Lucas Rockwood and this brilliant idea!

Thank you so much for being here!

P.S. Also Thank you Tom and Lisa for your support all the way through!

Early Morning Musing

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Racing Sunshine

On Sunday morning

I woke before dawn and ran,

sunshine at my heels.

Sunday morning - The sun rises earlier and earlier, and temperatures rise with it. I try to start my run early enough to beat the heat of the sun; but then I can’t resist stopping to take some pictures - so it catches up with me.

Mornings here are special - the lifeguard towers are not open yet, beach rental sheds and concession stands locked up - and only a few of us are out to greet the sun.

Pelicans fish close to shore.

Kindred spirits try to capture the beauty of sunrise.

Tuesday - Even a dark morning is beautiful -

- especially when the sun breaks through the clouds for a moment.

I don't ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful.

Pete Hamill

Thank you for being here with me: here in this photo journal where I’m clumsily learning my way, and here on this beautiful, fragile planet.