365 project 2: Day 7. Farewell

   Today my phone's camera died. Just like that. All of a sudden and without any hope of revival. I never knew I had been so connected to my cellphone until I started feeling physical pain in my stomach at the thought of having lost my ability to take photos. You might not get this. I take photos every day. To things that are inspiring or interesting and I want to remember. No, I'm not addicted to my phone, I'm not obsessed or crazy if I don't hold it in my hand 24/7. It's just that, as an artist, that camera was like an extra limb. But even though, my reaction was definitely unexpected. I literally felt sick until I realized that no matter what I do I can't save my phone and I need a new one. Did this ever happen to you? It's weird, isn't it? 

   Years back we didn't even have a cellphone. I had my first one in 11th grade. That would make me around 17 years old. I never cared how my phone looked like or how "intelligent" it was, I just needed to be able to call people here and there. Until I discovered the world of photography and phone cameras became better and better. You'd say taking photos with your phone is such a poor choice of "an artist". I'll correct you. Sometimes my phone took better photos than my camera. So I started appreciating it more, using it more for my random snaps and for other memories. 

   I have a feeling I'm not the only one really connected to their phone. Maybe you like certain apps, some like to play their usual games, others use it to connect to their friends. Either way, one thing's for sure: in 2016 we're way more connected to our phones than we used to be. Is it bad? Is it good? Who can be the judge of that? 

   After 3 years of friendship I'll say... Farewell, dear friend! You were really appreciated! 

Day 361. Glimpses

   I love watching people pass by on the street, in the park and everywhere else I go because this way I get to see glimpses of their soul. 

   Every day I see beautiful women with wonderful taste in clothing, women who aren't overly attractive but who know how to make a casual dress, a pair of nude trousers, some delicate sandals or an elegant pair of flats stand out, women who could look amazing if they cared more, women who try too much. Every outfit is a state of mind and sometimes you don't even need to see their face to read into their life. 

   I only wished my eyes could be a camera so I could take a photo to all the wonderful bits and pieces of the souls I meet without distracting them. Then put the photos in a huge album and keep it for gloomy days when life seems too random. Open the album and be amazed by all the beautiful lives I've witnessed. Then smile because life suddenly doesn't seem random anymore:) 

Day 272. The perks of being brave

   Today I went the extra mile. I got out of my comfort zone and I jumped into a whole new type of experiences for photography. Today I was brave.

   I've seen a terribly beautiful house all covered in roses somewhere near where I live and I decided to go take some shots of it. After a lot of planning I got there and I struggled to mingle my camera through the fence and I actually succeeded to take a photo when I saw a man. I freaked out and I quickly went away. I wanted to leave with just that one photo I had. But my photographer instinct told me I needed more than just one photo to own a piece of art of that house that deserved to be praised. So I went back and I decided to ask the owner if I may enter the yard and take a proper photo. 

   He was an elder in his 80s dressed as a gardener. His face was kind and his voice was mild. He said photography and roses were also his passions so not only did he let me take as many photos as I wished but he also explained to me how he tended the beautiful roses covering the old house and he even invited me to follow him behind it.

    I followed him and then my eyes saw more than I could take. A huge garden full of all sorts of roses. All types, all colors, all shapes. And not only roses but also cacti and lily pads and ferns and trees of all kinds. I literaly felt like stepping into a Botanical Garden. And it was even more than that. It was a piece of heaven that made me go from surprise to ecstasy, from smiling to being in awe and saying "wow" every 2 minutes. 

   We took a long walk in the beautiful garden while the old man gently presented to me the types of roses (he had more than 40 types) and let me take photos to anything my heart desired. He even said "Here are some roses you haven't seen, enjoy yourself":) After a while we bonded so well that I felt like walking with my grandpa. I felt so much peace, happiness and amazement. I felt it all at once. 

   When I wanted to leave I took my bag and I saw a red rose inside of it. The old man gave me one of his beloved children. I guess he noticed we bonded too. Because when I left, we were both smiling like we had known each other for ages and this was just another visit I used to pay to him. 

   One thing though. He asked me not to share the photos of his house and garden on the internet so be my guests and imagine them as you please, but make sure you make them top perfection. Because that's how I felt today:)

   What a day!:) And how different might the things have been if only I didn't turn around.