Articles from Frank J Casella

Going Deeper

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:15:54 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

"The stuff that’s for everyone, that’s easy to click, sniff, share, produce and learn–that stuff ends up having no character. It’s not memorable. Tater tots are for everyone.

But would you miss them if they were gone?

The goal isn’t to serve everyone. The goal is to serve the right people."

-- Seth Godin

Whether it is your work, your art, your website, or your relationships, it doesn't help you at all to know that you can't please everyone. But do use that knowledge to be more distictive, and do better for those who you can please.

"Everyone has the same message. If you can be different, you will lead. If you don't you will fall in with everyone else." -- Cal Newport

"If people see your work as a negative, it means go deeper with it to be more distictive and unique." -- Paul Klean, Artist

The Importance of Writing, and Reading

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 20:38:11 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

I just read a book by Glenn Reynolds, "The Social Media Upheaveal". He says that we are deep reading less, and learning from headlines more. He also says that many of us share on social media articles that we have not read, more so share by the head line.

I think it's important to write down our thoughts, so that we know where we stand on the issues of our time. My father used to say that you have to know where you stand, so you don't fall for anything. So, today, the best way to be more educated than the masses is to read more than the headline. Then write down our own thoughts.

Writing also helps those who come after us to see the person we were. It doesn't matter if it is a journal, a newsletter, a blog, or a spiral notebook. Sometimes it can speak to people here today, as well.

Like I just wrote a newsletter and shared it on LinkedIn, and it got many views. One person made a comment that what I said in the newsletter was an answer to prayer. To be honest, I didn't think I said anything profound. But we are all at different levels in life, and sharing helps each other it through life.

The thing about writing and reading blogs, is that you can connect the dots between thoughts and ideas. Although my newsletter is my favorite creative outlet, my blog is where I share thoughts that link it with the thoughts of others. A practice that is uncommon today.

For example, in the Art community I like to follow people who are successful doing the uncommon thing. Like it is said to be successful you have to have your own website or blog, with a custom domain name, and I have found this to be untrue. I also have seen several bloggers over the years who have moved back and forthe from having their own platform, to blogging on a community provider, just like I'm doing here with ipernity.

The big guy, known as "The Blogfather" is doing just that here. And an established journalist and Deacon I know does the same here. A very successful Artist does that here. Finally, we can't forget about the Blogger community, one example here. And the Tumblr community, here. You will notice that all of these do not have their own custom domain name, though one may be used to forward to it.

Some people say that podcasts are the new blog. But I say that more people are moving away from social media and migrating (back) to the open web with some sort of blogging. Just like it has been said that email is dead, but I would bet more people read email than social media.

All of this to say that the next step for my transition to ipernity is to forward my domain name - www.ipernity.frankjcasella.com - here (direct to the blog is fjc.frankjcasella.com), becuase this is becoming more and more the place where I develop my thoughts and ideas with pictures and words.

And I'm proud to do it!

Thanks for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Shadow Light and Lines

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 00:13:42 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

Shadows, light & lines captures the eye from this weathered wall. Believe it or not, this photo was made with the iPad Mini camera. Something that I always love to see is elements that create strong composition in the square format.

The morning sunlight through the trees casts a shadow onto the wall of this vintage garage in my neighborhood. The vertical lines provided by the plants create an added touch of the grid pattern needed to complete this moment in time. I chose black and white because not only of the drama of the light, but also to concentrate on the elements of the subject.

If you add color to this image I think it would be too distracting, as I try to give my images three-second-impact when you first view them. I can only imagine what this wall has seen since it was first built, and, as in life, the beauty that comes with age.

Thank you for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Why I Use A Pentax Camera

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:31:01 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

I am usually asked quite often what is the best camera to buy or give as a holiday gift, even though most of us have some type of mobile phone in our pocket. My answer is always Pentax or Ricoh, here's why:

PENTAX is owned by Ricoh, who has great (All-in-One) compact cameras that are Water PROOF. Shock PROOF. Kid PROOF. Pentax / Ricoh has an incredible line-up and it seems they think of every need.

Bottom line is with PENTAX you get more bang for your buck, so why spend more than you need to? Buy an extra lens or SD cards with the savings.

What first sold me to PENTAX twelve years ago - with the Pentax K-10D - is their clever marketing in that they, unlike the others, spend more of their time and investment in engineering a durable camera more than advertising it.

The second thing that sold me is how the CCD sensor collected the image in analog and then converts it to digital = an image that looks like it was shot on film. Just what I was looking for!

The third thing that sold me on PENTAX is simply every lens is far sharper and superior than any of my Nikon lenses I remember ever were.

Finally, when I loaded my RAW images into Apple Aperture editing software, I usually don’t have to play with the colors and tonal range (though I tweak it a bit to my taste) as I did with the other DSLR camera‘s that I tried out before I bought my first PENTAX K-10D.

Today, though, I shoot all JPEG images, post processed in-camera, or with PicMonkey. I don't have to play with how Adobe is controlling the digital negative market.

All of the buttons on the PENTAX are in the right place, and the camera system is easy to learn and put to work instantly. They are durable, well engineered, and many camera bodies and lenses are water proof.

One nice feature of owning a PEXTAX DSLR is that you can see your images on the PENTAX Photo Gallery, so go and get your PENTAX and submit your pictures to the gallery too!

Thanks for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

How to have true joy

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 19:11:10 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

If there is one thing that makes me smile is that when I see people with true joy. When we smile with joy, it makes people wonder what we're up to.

This is because many of us need more joy. We tend to focus on our problems, and not so much our blessings. Would you agree?

As a photographer who 'studies' body language, as this is what I use for the story telling in my pictures, I find that many of us try to live life in our own strength.

For those of us who believe, our conversion to God is not a one time thing. It is a daily thing .. and work in progress.

We also need to concentrate to replace our bad habits with our good habits ... or create new ones to begin with. And THINK!

For example, when each of my children started the season of their teenage years my wife and I would sit them down and explain the house rule of friendship love.

What this means is there is no dating allowed until they are old enough to be married. Because in our culture today, if you are dating someone it is common thought that you're having sex with them. If you are a Christian, sex is a sacred gift for the marriage bed.

The important thing is to be friends with everyone, and this relieves all the relationship issues common today with teenage love. ... and boy's testosterone changes.

When my oldest turned 21 I asked him why he's not a girlfriend yet. He told me the friendship love rule forced him to look at women as a person, and he also observed the confusion from his friends about who they should hook up with next.

He said that he didn't understand the rule to begin with, but then once girls befriended him because they felt his sincere respect for them, he came to realize that whomever he dates must be at a time both are ready for marriage, and he'll know by how they are a gift to each other.

You see, our daily life experiences, and how we respond to conversion, is what brings joy to our lives. And to keep things SIMPLE.

Anyone I know who believes they can do things on their own, without tapping into an outside source bigger than ourselves, does not experience true joy.

Instead they do things based on feeling or desire, as a wandering generality instead of a meaningful specific.

So, each day look at life through the eyes of God, and let me know when He shows you true joy.

Thanks for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Watermark Myths

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 00:58:43 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

There has been some talk around here about the use of watermarks. I have never had to use them, so I thought I would look into it and let you all know what I found out.

Firstly, at present all of the websites that I post my images on are for photography or photographers, so they have the security measures of the right-click-save disabled, and so forth. But after this was brought up here, and I looked into it, I decided it might be about time I start doing adding a watermark also.

One myth out there with the average website or blog is with those who talk about open source with regards to images. These are sites that do not use the right-click-save feature, and so forth. The ones that do when you right click, it eather does nothing, or it pops up a flag with the copyright and the photographers name.

In a moment I'm going to share with you how to add a watermark using the PicMonkey tool, for those of us who have the Standard Club membership plan, who can edit after upload.

Below are some 'arguements' for why it is important to think about using a watermark. My source is a forum discussion I took part in on Fine Art America here.

1. It is important to have the option to customize watermarks with artist name. Images do get ripped off all the time. But when they don't have your name on them, it simply does not benefit you at all. A watermark with your name has some minimal benefit in terms of not only attribution but legal standing in the USA.

2. Removing a watermark with a copyright owner's name is a crime, and if you are caught doing it you could owe a lot - plus legal costs. In a civil courtroom we only need to convince the judge they cropped it off better than you convince her that they didn't. You are not innocent until proven guilty in civil court in the USA.

3. There is just so much misinformation being spread around by all sides. By the same token nearly half of the population believes an un-watermarked image is copyright free. It’s a frustrating battle trying to convince people they can’t do whatever they want with our stuff because it’s online and not watermarked.

4. The argument is never that a watermark is going to stop anything. It’s that it puts you in a better position and gives people fewer excuses to be denying you compensation or at least attribution for your work.

5. Point is, all of this has to be framed in the context of business and what makes business sense, not in the context of you're angry because someone is stealing from you.

There is an example of the watermark in the picture above that I plan to use

You have to go into PicMonkey and use the text tool,
then make it white or black,
then fade it so that it doesn't over power the image.

There is no way to save it to PicMonkey in the Hub mentioned, at this link because it is actually our ipernity account.

One thing to keep in mind is that once you add the watermark to your image, you might want to make a copy of it. For if you want to do something else with that image you won't be able to remove the watermark that easy. For example, many of my images are for sale as art photography. Collectors don't want my watermark on their art.

Hope you found this informative. Please share your experiences in the comments so we can all learn together.

Thank you for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

WordPress Aquires Tumblr

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:32:02 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

On his Tumblr blog recently, the CEO of Automatic, the company who owns WordPress, announced their purchase of Tumblr microblogging site.

I think this is a perfect fit.

But, I maintain that having a blog on Ipernity is best of all.

I have blogged on LinkedIn, WordPress.com, Tumblr, my website blog - which is provided by FineArtAmerica, and even a bit on Flickr (though it doesn't have a formal blog tool). All of them have their own features, and I blog on each for different reasons.

It is said that you should own the 'online real estate' of your blog. But I think this is becoming watered down with time. Becuase even if I pay for any of the above mentioned services, they still can make changes beyond my control, except for ipernity because here I am part owner with the community who shares in the features, and changes, of the website.

Other than with ipernity, just because I pay for it doesn't mean I own it. That's why I stopped posting to Flickr, and paying for it, once the new owner took over.

I no longer think having your own separate blog is worth the time and money. I find many of those features (that I mostly use) for blogging right here on ipernity. And there is an great community here if you just engage with them. I also believe that a brand is not your domain name, but that people search for you online and what they see on page one.

So Automatic says that Tumblr will be like a companion to WordPress. Some members I've talked with on Tumblr take that to mean in the way Instagram is a companion now to Facebook. There are contact requests from one to join the other and link accounts together. This makes sense to me, since Tumblr is like a blog and Twitter together.

Tumblr most recently removed the porn content off the site, a subject it was most noted for. And many photographers that I developed relationships with on Tumblr have migrated to Instagram. I did not. ...

So, my main blog is here on ipernity to share general thoughts, like I'm doing here right now. I talk about my artistic photographs on my Art website blog, which is logical. I use my LinkedIn blog to share business and professional topics and themes. I've used my Tumblr blog like a back up portfolio of sorts, and been having fun lately sharing from ipernity.

Also, I use my WordPress blog as a back up for my content here and on my art blog, because they don't have the function to download or back this up. I also have a blog about my home town, but again all that is a duplicate from an album I have her on ipernity.

So the good news is that blogging is still alive in the shadow of social media, and it will be interesting to see how these latest developments evolve.

Thank you for reading.

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Photo: 'Sports Half-Time' by Frank J Casella All Rights Reserved.

Do Pro's Make Better Pictures?

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 21:35:21 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

So, if you don't want to read any further I'll spill the beans: The best picture is the one that moves you; and the best camera is the one you have with you in the moment.

Now, let us back up the train, so to speak, and correct some beliefs:

1) Pro's take better pictures. So, if you have a pro and a beginner make a picture of the same scenic, people say the pro will take the better picture. If so, it is because the pro has practiced his/her craft. But I have also seen an photo enthusiast make a picture outstanding because she has the spirit of the rookie and developing the eye of the pro.

Some photographers will tell you that a pro will make sever exposures to find the best image and work with that. And this is usually a photographer who has learned only on a digital camera. I, for example, learned on film so when I approach a subject with my camera I make each click of the shutter count ... I know how my camera and sensor see the light, and I know what perspective and story that I want the image to speak before I ever lift the camera to my eye. In fact, I don't use the screen on the back of my DSLR.

2) Takes same time to sell a picture at $100 as $1000. This is mostly true. And this is mostly brought up when a photographer wants to argue to sell pictures at a high price. My argument with this myth is that pennies make dollars. You might gain more status or trust to sell at a higher price, but you will sell more pictures at the lower price. This does not mean that you sell them cheap, because they won’t sell as much and this is when it takes more time to sell them. You have to know what market you are selling to.

For example, here in America, I know some Medical Doctors who refuse to be paid by the medical insurance system and instead are paid direct by the patients. When the insurance pays the price of care is higher, and when the patient pays obviously the price is lower. But in either case the care is the same, other than the doctor who works direct with the patient has more time to care for them as they see less appointments within an hours’ time.

Likewise, with cars a Ford and a Chevy are both about the same price. But when the late Henry Ford invented his assembly lines, he was able to lower the prices of his cars to around say $700 when other car companies where over $3000. Needless to say the other companies had to adjust their pricing to stay in business.

3) The more you pay means it is better photography or a better photographer. Over the years I have seen great photographers not be able to make a living, and (what I think is) lousy photographers become world renowned. What makes the difference? As Donald Trump said in his book 'The Art of the Deal':

“I’ve always felt that a lot of modern art is a con, and that the most successful painters are often better salesmen and promoters than they are artists.”

In other words, pricing is a marketing tool.

4) I need a DSLR to make the best pictures. The best pictures are the ones that move you. I have seen forty-inch wall murals made with an iPhone camera, that were very impressive with high quality. It used to be the size of the sensor or the number of megapixels, but that is no longer the case. Sometimes doing landscape photos with mixed light might need the DSLR but not for long.

So this is my ‘take’ on photos and cameras, and photographers. I don’t think I’ll change my mind until technology improves some more. In which case, you’ll see me update this article.

Thanks for reading.

Frank J Casella

www.frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Picture of Hope Day 2: Waiting

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 13:16:15 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

Dog Waiting for the Train

There is much to be said about waiting. What we do or experience while waiting can make life interesting or boring. It depends how we look at it. Waiting in line at a grocery store, or on a ride in an elevator. How Christians are waiting in hope on answer to prayers, or how we spend time in a train station or at the doctors office.

Waiting for the Train

I notice often while waiting how many people are focused on their smartphone, I personally use that time to think and ponder and daydream about (my) life and things that give me hope, or use my phone to call someone and have meaningful conversation. In this day and age of constant information of outside input, it is important for us to spend at least one hour a day with our own thoughts.

www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

The 5 Best Quotes On Art I've Ever Read

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 18:30:01 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

In any profession it's common to learn from those who've gone before us, through their words or experiences. As an artistic photographer, here are the five best quotes on art I've ever read in random order, followed by how they speak to me.

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people” ~ Vincent van Gogh

If you have come to appreciate my photography, then you know that I try to incorporate humanity in some form or way. Most of my life and childhood I would study people and human behavior, and then employ body language through my pictures to tell a story. Because of this, I deeply believe there is an art to love people, as in learning and getting to know (about) the human person.

“Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter.” ~ Ansel Adams.

I can relate to this because it has actually happened with me several times. Pictures are a tool to record a moment in time, and sometimes the timing of that can only be explained as a God moment.

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face - the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited; and the wealth and confusion that man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man." ~ Edward Steichen - In "Time," 7 Apr 1961.

In this day and age of the smart phone camera, more pictures have been made than in the history of photography. I'm sure Steichen himself would be flabbergasted. So if you take the pictures of the here and now, and apply them to a decade or century from now, you get not only moments that speak to us today about our lives and culture but also make a contribution to history like never before.

“What's great about this country is America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest. You can be watching TV and see Coca-Cola, and you can know that the President drinks Coke, Liz Taylor drinks Coke, and just think, you can drink Coke, too. A Coke is a Coke and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good.” ~ Andy Warhol

All of us, no matter our position in life, are born into this world the same way. Our experiences help us to respond to circumstances, but they are all the same just with a different name on it. God loves all of us the same, and these words are the best example from Warhol used to humanize this. I also appreciate how he kept personal the secret behind his art, and yet to express through it his beliefs as a devout Catholic.

"Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life." — Norman Rockwell

I've always related to the works of Rockwell. Not because he called his paintings pictures, which they were, but because of the detail of the story telling he used and the message he worked on each one to deliver to the viewer. Likewise, I've never considered myself an artist as much as I've viewed my responsibility to be a documentary photographer with an artistic flare.

Thank you for reading!

Frank J Casella

https://www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

Planting Seeds

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Fri, 24 May 2019 00:42:05 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

When it comes to plants, there is a certain way to plant seeds that will produce abundant growth and life from the plant. In life, whether we plant seeds with self or others, the results can be the same.

For example, I belong to this ministry at my church that the pastor started a few years ago. Now it is time for him to move to another parish, and someone mentioned how the pastor will be missed .... and he will be. However, I brought up the importance of noticing the seeds he planted, and that God is calling for him to go plant more seeds elsewhere.

In other words, once we plant seeds into the ground, we have to allow the sun and the rain, and the birds of the field, if you will, to do their part in the growth of the plant. Likewise, in life, we have to look to the skills and talents of other people to nurture things to let it grow.

As I often say, God uses people to do His work. We cannot do it alone to reach our full potential, or to help others to do so.

As you go through your day and interact with others, do you look for ways to plant seeds with others, or allow others to plant seeds into your life?

Think about it.

Thanks for reading.

Frank J Casella

https://www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

Every great movement has visionaries

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 20:29:44 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

I saw this statement on an art website and it got me to thinking ....

"Every great art movement is the story of small groups of visionaries working together to change the system.

In 1867, Claude Monet saw that the fine art business was tilted against artists who were doing original, innovative work. He got together with then-unknown artists like Degas, Manet, and others to put on their own show, outside the French Academy, and it was a huge success, birthing Impressionism.

This story of artists forging their own paths has happened over and over again. From the Young British Artists, to the New York Armory show to Gertrude Stein and Picasso, artists find a way to lead into the next movement of history."

Thanks for reading,

Frank J Casella

frankjcasella.ipernity.com

ipernity Copyright Protected vs. All Rights Reserved

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:01:26 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

I have been here on ipernity a few months, and have 'dipped my toe in the water', so to speak, and now I am ready to jump in with both feet. I love the community here and believe in everything we are doing.

So I have a few questions that maybe we can talk about, so that we are all clear on this subject and recent developments with Copyrights.

I read in the IMA newsletter this paragraph: "On March 26, 2019, the European Parliament adopted the copyright reform, which had been subject of much controversy until recently. It does not affect ipernity as a non-commercial community in its entirety. Nevertheless, we would like to ask you again not to upload any copyright protected content."

Reference link www.ipernity.com/blog/team/4720614

In reading about the copyright reform, it seems this is much about creators and their commercial works, yes? So I'm wondering if the above paragraph is using the correct words, that it should say instead 'not to upload any commerical content'??

I'm think that you can have copyright protected works that is not commerical. Likewise, we have an option with our images to mark it as All Rights Reserved ... which doesn't mean that it's commercial, yes?

Because I sell my photography on another website, sometimes (like when I was on Flickr) if my works saw an interesting response I might convert it for sale on the art website .. but leave it on Flickr. So in the context of this post, if I did this then I would have to mark here on ipernity those images private to better comply with the copyright reform?

One of the reasons that helped me to decide to participate in the iperinty community is this sentence found in the FAQ: "Artist? We will offer you a great window on the world and tools to protect your creations." Reference Link: www.ipernity.com/help/faq/general#50 So I'm wondering if this sentence still holds true, or needs a tweak?

I don't seek to sell my photography on ipernity, and only share a link to my artwork in the space provided on my About page. I didn't think I was able to do more, but am I? Like post a link to my artist profile on the other site on each picture description (like Flickr allows if you are a pro member)? Again, I am here for the community, but do like to share my work across platforms when allowed.

So what do you know about all this, or do you have any thughts to add?

Thank you for reading,

Frank

frankjcasella.ipernity.com

Photo Sharing, Following, and Making Contacts

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:52:04 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

Basketball is not exactly at the top of the list for contact sports. However, it is, like all sports, as much about making contacts as it is about the game. How we treat our teammates, and other teams we play, says a lot about our character, integrity, ethics, and morals.

And we need to be the same off the court, field, etc. as we are on it. It's all about developing relationships, and helping each other make it through life .. some people call it teamwork or networking.

For example, you never know if the person you played sports with on a high school team will later in life be the doctor that helps you with a cure, or is someone you can refer to a friend or family. You've both developed trust through your relationship, and now you're in the position for making contacts, and thus a positive difference in the world.

The same is true online as it is offline. Here on ipernity, for example, I've met many people in my now short time here who are becoming friends, from many countries around the glob as well as connected with people locally. It comes from caring about others and giving of ourselves, and developing relationships through pictures, and comments ... and following.

The internet has changed over the years with the infancy of social media. It used to be that we called the intenet the web, becuase of all the blogs and how they became a web of links that would bring thoughts and community together. Now with Social Media we have The Stream to feed us all with the content we desire.

I think it is best said in this article by Cal Newport on how things have changed:

"What we lost in this shift from the hyperlink to The Stream was the ability to encounter diverse ideas, radical insight, and transformative new perspectives. What we got instead was more of what we already know, delivered like a pre-masticated paste, easy to digest and sure to please."

One of the things about photo sharing is that it works like blogs used to, though instead we post a picture that tells a story instead of write an article. But there is a caution here. I think we have lerned in this culture of followers and connections is to take for granted our own work, that no matter how deep we go into our work we can be sure others will see it. Where if we didn't depend on connections but, rather, to create work that is so deep it creates and inspires ideas that spread, and makes the world a better place to live.

Which brings me to my point for this article. Today I saw a comment on my work that reads "It seems that you are no longer interested in my pictures. No problem and I will keep viewing your photos when I come across them. But I have deleted you from my contacts. Very sorry for that."

When I saw this it made me smile, because this is a person who keeps a close eye on who their contacts are and fosters interaction. It also made me sad, because life comes from caring about others and giving of ourselves, and developing relationships to the point that we don't expect anyting in return from our giving to the world.

For example, I don't follow many people and don't expect many to follow me. What I do, however, is visit groups and view this as an extention of my own contact list. Sort of how blogs used to work by visiting them for updates and finding new people as well as new ideas. In other words, if the people who's work I appreciate also share their work in the groups I appreciate, the only reason to make them a contact is if their works are really inspiring, or you find yourself visiting and commenting on their works all the time.

There is no follow for follow, or comment for comment, but rather a silent and mutual appreciation for each other and our works. You might be amazed at how much this has an effet on your activity feed and makes you smile each day.

This, to me, is the true way of photo sharing, following, making contacts, networking, and developing frienships.

Am I wrong?

“If you go out looking for friends, you're going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere.” -- Zig Ziglar

I DON'T BELIEVE IN COINCIDENCE

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:19:24 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." --Ansel Adams

I don't believe in coincidence. That beauty and timing like this is to me a sign of God's love in the world. As only He can do.

Whenever I try to do two things at the same time, they both fall short of their full potential. Things line up for a reason, with God there is no coincidence.

I mean, I was walking my dog when I made this picture. But I had to stop walking and make the dog sit, so I could 'focus' to click the shutter.

The lesson here for me, then, is to keep your focus on the main thing, and make the world a more beautiful place to be.

Enjoy your day.

Frank J Casella

www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

Being Thankful

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 02:16:35 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

When the paths that we take in life become overshadowed with obstacles, the best route to take is to be optimistic and thankful. The people who become successful use their struggles to become stronger, and surround themselves with others who see opportunities from each failure.

Know too, that when we focus on God instead of self, and tell our obstacles about God, instead of telling God about our obstacles, we see tiny bits of progress each day as if there is light at the end of the tunnel.

So when given a choice, take the path of being thankful.

Enjoy your day.

Frank J Casella

www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

Art Is Not A Luxury .....

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 02:19:52 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

…. but a necessity.

Because society needs images …. through works of Art.

…. That are examples of Goodness and Hope.

…. That share the Love of God in the World.

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Photography is a major force in explaining man to man

-- Edward Steichen

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For this reason, I believe in the universal idea,

…. That Art should serve a great purpose,

,... To be within easy reach of all people, and change lives,

…. To make life easier along the way.

My goal and pledge for 2019. Happy New Year!

Frank

www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella

WHERE DOES YOUR STRENGTH COME FROM?

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 16:24:54 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

I've titled this photograph - 'City of Chicago Old Water Tower Christmas' - because looking at this scene tells me about living with strength and faith.

Strength because the tower, built in 1869, gained prominence after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In the years since the fire, the tower has become a symbol of old Chicago and of the city's recovery from the fire.

Faith because of many Christians who are missing out on many of the religious Christmas symbols that permeate our society this time of year.

Instead, people become caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, while forgetting what those of us who are Christians are actually celebrating.

The most common symbols of Christmas, the Christmas Tree is an evergreen. It stands in stark contrast to the dead, brown, leafless trees of winter. It is ever green and ever alive, reminding us that we are created for everlasting life. The tree is often topped with a star or angel, reminding us of the Star of David and the angels that announced the birth of the Lord Jesus.

When I see these two symbols together in the public square, I'm overcome with joy and reminded of the scriptures.

"Jesus said to the crowds:

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am meek and humble of heart;

and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.""

Matthew 11: 28-30.

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;

blessed are those prepared to meet him.

Thanks for reading!

Frank J Casella

Branch Out

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 22:18:37 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

When I saw this moment of the golden hour morning sunlight illuminate the twisting branches of a tree, it made me think about family, friends, and the (end of year) holidays.

Our lives are a work in progress, they take many twists and turns, and each of us takes a different direction in life.

As we gather for the holidays, sometimes it can be very trying. Said another way, sometimes our friends can be more like family than our own family.

My take on it -- branch out.

My late brother used to pick on me often at family gatherings, almost to the point that I didn't show up at times. After he passed away it hit me in a big way what he was doing. That he was trying to express how much he believed in me but didn't know how say it or show it. He really loved me as a brother.

Two days before he passed, it was he who called me to tell me how much he loved me.

If we allow the actions of others to build resentment towards them, we face the danger of spending the rest of our lives judging them instead of loving them for the person they are.

It is said that 'hate corrupts the container it is in.'

All this to say, we branch out when our actions are what bring Family together or not. Be patient and try to see what others are saying or where they are coming from.

I learned from a very important friend the hard way, that every person has a right to their opinion. We also have a right to accept it or progress on without it.

For those of us who live our Faith, to branch out means that He is the vine and we are the branches. See everyone through the eyes of Christ. Love them, don't judge them ...

Yes, easier said than done. But unless we are on the edge of our chair, then we are not depending on God's will and living our faith.

Thanks for reading!

Frank J Casella

What Is Your WHY?

nobody@ipernity.com (Frank J Casella) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 00:22:29 +0000

Frank J Casella has posted an article:

Whether it be your work or your lifestyle, or even how you treat others, your ‘why’ has to be the base for everything you do.

There is a concept called ‘the golden circle’ developed by Simon Sinek. In the center is your why, next is your how and the outer ring is your what. As Simon puts it “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”

You don’t do this alone. Some of us are better at our ‘why’, others are better at the ‘how’, and still others master the ‘what’.

Likewise, to figure out your strong points, it is advised that you develop a life vision statement, which is your ‘why, and a life mission statement, which is your ‘what’.

For example, my vision statement is: To share my hope of God’s love in the world.

My life mission statement is: To live my Catholic faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To be the man my wife and children need me to be. To share my hope of God’s love in the world … that others may share God’s love with others, because of what I do.

Without knowing your why in life, I believe, that you don’t have a purpose. As my late Father used to repeat: You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything.

Everything we do in life should start with why. In fact, to learn more about this concept I invite you to read the book my Sink with that title - “Start With Why”.

View my People Album.

Frank J Casella

www.ipernity.com/user/frankjcasella