Welcome to the One Little Word monthly blog hop! For those of you that are new, One Little Word is a class at Big Picture Classes, taught by Ali Edwards. A group of us students join together on the first of every month to share our projects. My blog is the first stop. Don't forget to keep going - there's lots more inspiration to follow.
Now on to the rest of the amazing participants for more fabulous inspiration. You won't be disappointed! Next on the hop is Julie Ann. If you should get lost along the way, please come back here and you will find a list of all the participants just below.
Thanks for stopping by! See you next month, if not before.
But before you go, I hope you don't mind if I ask for your opinion, please? There is a photo contest coming up at the end of this week and I am trying to decide which photo to enter.
This is the contest description:
Community members are invited to make photographic journeys into their understanding of 'truth' in the contemporary urban context. This may manifest itself in many ways: the truth about congestion, architecture, population, pollution, wealth, poverty etc. There are no boundaries regarding subject matter as the idea of 'truth' is essentially subjective and personal.
Here are the two I am considering:
I see this photo as the truth of modern Chinese culture. We are in the back streets of a Chinese city and although the conditions are poor and the mother in the background is dressed in modest clothing working outside her home. The little girls are posing for the camera nicely dressed in their namebrand, albeit fake, clothing. Notice the Chanel zipper pull?
This second photo tells the truth about someone. We are first drawn in by the bright colors and pretty items on the surface but at second glance we notice the stains, the haphazard sticthing to repair the fabric, as we look longer, we notice more details and get a glimpse into who this person might be - the scissors, the old fashioned needle, the keys, the coin, what looks like a thumb drive on the key chain.
If you have any other thoughts that pop into your head about either photo and how they relate to the theme of truth, I'd love to hear those too.
Now back to the blog hop! Thanks for letting me steal you for a few minutes. I had to take the opportunity since I knew I would have a higher volume of visitors today. Thanks!
EDITED Nov 6, 2011: Unfortunately, the photo contest has been postponed until early February (after Chinese New Year). They didn't email until the day of the original due date. Oh well! It is just as well, though, since I was only the second entry. I really appreciate everyone's input. It was really very helpful.
And don't forget, Julie Ann is next on the blog hop!
Hi Margie--thanks for putting the Hop together again! Love your pics and that you're letting them speak for themselves....I have a hard time doing that :) On your submission question, I love the picture with the little girls. I don't know if you watched or followed Miss Representation, but to me this pic speaks to that--the girls look like they're performing, groomed, begging for acceptance based on posturing rather than who they really are. Good luck with whichever one you choose!
Posted by: Lisa | November 01, 2011 at 08:36
Thanks, Lisa. I love your take. Im going to refrain from saying more until I (hopefully) get more feedback.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 01, 2011 at 08:44
Love the OLW nine patch! The pictures are great! I like the first one for the contest, esp. once you point out the designer zipper pull. Thanks as always for hosting the OLW hop! -Amanda
Posted by: Amanda (Scrappnbee) | November 01, 2011 at 08:47
Love your OLW page. On the contest, the first photo really speaks a lot of truths to me... the truth about rampant consumerism and the quest for the "label", the truth that little girls, regardless of culture, know how to pose and strut for the camera (the little girl in front with her hands back and hip pushed forward really says it all), the truth that parents will sacrifice for their children... perhaps even in ways that aren't completely healthy.
I get where you are going with the second photo, but it doesn't immediately draw me in the way the first one does.
Posted by: Cheri | November 01, 2011 at 09:44
Lovely photos Margie. I, too, love the first photo. Isn't amazing that the quest to be something we're not by dressing and acting, crosses over all cultural lines? Thanks for organizing this hop again and keeping us motivated!
Posted by: Rebekah | November 01, 2011 at 10:19
If the judges stop and take time to look closely at the second shot they will see so much truth in there, although in the first glance it appears very simple. I agree with the other comments about the little girls and remember pictures of little Chinese girls from when I was younger. They always seems extremely shy and almost afraid for some reason. It is nice to see them sensing happiness now.
Posted by: Deb | November 01, 2011 at 10:39
Again, thank you so very very much for your time and effort in keeping this blog hop going all year. I'm so glad that you seemed to "gel" with this assignment and your word as in past months it seemed like you weren't sure of your serendipity, is that right? I really love the shot of the boy jumping into the pool with his arms outstretched, and goggles on, most of all.
As for your contest, I love the photo of the Chinese girls. I think it works best for the contest outline, and it is also eye-catching and of course, adorable.
Good luck and Happy November! xoxo
Posted by: Julie Ann Shahin | November 01, 2011 at 11:33
Thanks for keeping our Blog Hop alive this year! Always love your photos and hearing more about you and your life. I like the first photo.
Posted by: Lynn Wigren | November 01, 2011 at 12:47
Thanks so much, Margie, for putting the hop together again! I really love reading where everyone is in their journey with their words. Your photo collage is beautiful! Great pics. (And my fave is the bottom photo...)
Blessings!
Posted by: Jan B | November 01, 2011 at 14:39
Thanks for all that you do to keep me on the straight and narrow Margie - and I love your photos. I agree with Lisa - when I first saw the photo of the girls I was struck by the little sweetheart in the red jacket - the way she poses is very 'grown up' - put that with the Chanel jacket and the long hair and she looks old before her time. Best of luck with it.
Posted by: InkyArt | November 02, 2011 at 01:52
Margie, Thanks again for organizing this blog hop! Your photo collage is wonderful. I like both photos for your contest but I'm drawn to the first photo because it's such a drastic change from what I grew up thinking of children in china. It's almost sad that they feel they have to pose and wear the right clothes to be excepted. At least that is what the picture is telling me. Good luck with the contest.
Posted by: MonicaB | November 02, 2011 at 03:56
Things have been hectic and I'm only just getting around the hop. I love the pics you chose for your collage. I also love both the photos for the contest but I particularly like the contrast in culture between the mother and girls.
Posted by: Sam @ Learn. Create. Do. | November 03, 2011 at 03:11
Hi Sam, just think of yourself as fashionably late! Thanks so much for leaving your input. It is very helpful. I think I have made my decision. And thanks for stopping by even though things are busy for you!
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 08:45
Thanks for your perspective. It's very helpful. And thanks for always participating in the blog hop!
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:08
I love your input. So helpful! I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:08
I'm glad you joined us again.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:09
Thanks, Lynn. You all have kept me motivated and in check.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:09
Thanks, Julie Ann! Yes, you are correct the last few months I have not been all that excited with my word. Photos are easy for me and to me they are synonomous with serendipity so it's a seamless assignment. And this month has been more serendipitous than month's past. Fingers crossed it will build through the rest of the year! I very much appreciate your feedback on my photos. I'll let you know how it goes!
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:12
Thanks! Very cool obeservations. Thanks for helping me out.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:12
The thanks goes both ways. You do the same for me! I appreciate the feedback.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:13
Great insight! Thanks very much. So helpful. And thanks for always joining in on the blog hop!
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:14
Thanks, Amanda! Very helpful.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | November 03, 2011 at 10:14