Friday, August 27, 2010

Capturing the Ocean in Black and White . . .

I shot these photos last fall when my husband and I took a long weekend trip to Rhode Island one of my very favorite places to go. It is less than a 3 hour drive from our home in NY. I have been going up there for 10 years now and there is just something about the area that I love. We usually go to Newport and stay at a beautiful B&B situated right on the ocean shore. The above shot is the view from our beach cottage which is pictured below.

Soon after I was diagnosed with cancer 9 years ago I took a drive up to Newport alone and spent the day sitting on some rocks near the ocean shore. It was 2 days before my surgery. I sat there for hours just listening to the waves crash against the rocks as I pondered life and death. I found peace there that day that I believe helped me to move forward with all the dark road that lied ahead.
I will never tire of spending time near the water. It is what brings me peace and helps calm me. It is the place I turn to for solace and for hope. I believe that nature can heal us with its energy.

Where do you go to find peace? In some of your darkest moments what has helped you?

7 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful place to go to for comfort and peace Cathy. I don't know. One of my darkest moments was when my son passed away in 2004 and I think I turned to painting more during my grieving process, although I still grieve. I think it's painting or writing, but I sure wish I had a place by the water as you do. It's beautiful and great photos by the way. I'm so glad you are okay. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  2. It is truly beautiful, Cathy. Looks so very peaceful. I love the black & white photos.
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs, Diane

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  3. what breathtaking photos Cathy....beautiful!!!
    i, too go to the water....
    we have a 2nd home on the beach and i would
    spend all my days there if i could.

    it is magical the way it can calm and soothe and ground us.
    i am so grateful you found that place...and that you are okay!!!

    big hugs to you
    happy saturday
    xo
    k

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  4. Hi Cathy,
    I love, love, black & white photos. There's some kind of nostalgia in them. They're so beautiful. These pics are beautiful!

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  5. Beautiful photos Cathy. Yes, the water is calming. I miss the ocean, I lived in Laguna right on the beach for years and miss it every day. Not the traffic or all the people, but the lure of the ocean and sleeping with the windows open.

    Now I think I go to my hubby when I'm dark inside. Something about the feel of his hand on my back seems to calm me the same way the ocean does.

    Loves to you!

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  6. this is so beautiful. you bring tears of joy to my eyes with these photos and your story. thank you so much for sharing.

    xo, juliette

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  7. Had it been just the photographs, it would still have been forever memorable. Knowing the circumstances, time, and your own feelings makes it more than pictures...it's your life you have shared. Evidently it has brought encouragement to me, and many others.

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