Tiny Dancer

I am going on my third full day in New Orleans and I still haven't found what I would called a "brilliant" photo. Nor has one found me. In analyzing this, I realized that when I'm not attending the photo conference I am at, I am more tourist than photographer. And there's a difference.The difference lies in intent, I think. I carry my camera almost everywhere but generally I am more intent on seeing things or on soaking up the culture and ambiance of New Orleans. I am not really intending on taking photos.When I go out to take photos, normally nothing else matters. Hunger, thirst and often even self disappear. And when I'm a tourist, that generally doesn't happen. And when I am in the company of people as I am at this conference, I can almost guarantee that it doesn't happen.Tomorrow is my last day here, and I will try to find the opportunity to become a photographer. Meanwhile, I am posting a photo I took near Jackson Square. Though the musicians were great, I found dancing girl especially intriguing.By the way, I have a parallel Microblog called "The Things I See" and I've posted a few of the photos I've taken in New Orleans. Go here:The Things I See

There Are No Answers Here

I remember reading an essay in a college literature class that was written by a poet who was concerned that the so called "new" science would take the mystery out of the universe by coldly explaining everything in scientific detail. Today, when I was looking at these yellow leaves, I wondered for a moment why some leaves are red in the fall and others, like these, are yellow.I imagined that science could give me an answer and I almost did a Google search. But then I realized that I am better off just wondering what the answer is because for me wonder lies in the mysterious realm between ignorance and truth. Though I do respect science and embrace its truths, I am also occasionally comfortable with my imaginings.So if you know the scientific reason for different fall colors, good for you. But don't tell me - at least today. I am quite content to wonder. . . .