People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

A Gray Afternoon

Curled up with a book

Yesterdays offering was mostly dull gray skies interspersed with teasing moments of warm sunshine. With the still frigid temperatures there was no motivation to venture outside for any extended period of time, and I could hear the voice of reasoning whispered suggestions of making my way to one of the local coffee house. Once inside I found myself willingly being swallowed by a tattered and worn brown leather chair located in one corner. I gently placed my cup of hot chocolate, heaped with whip cream, on the table beside me. It was now reading time so I curled up with my e-book, confirming that life is good on this gray afternoon.

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.

13 Comments

  • David Leland Hyde

    Great image. How did you catch yourself in such a flattering, serious, wise and contemplative pose? You must be that way all the time. Whenever I have tried this dangerous pursuit, I usually get myself at my worst, I hope it is anyway, with very unflattering expressions without even trying. I usually have to do many takes to get something that isn’t God-awful. This is very well-done.

    • Monte Stevens

      Wow, thanks for the compliments, David. I’m not sure there is any tricks, For this image I placed may camera against the wall and long the wall board using my left arm. I guessed where to focus and fired off a few shots. I think I took about 6 images then put the camera away since people were starting to stare at me. 🙂

  • QPB (Mary Ann)

    Monte, that’s one of the best self-portraits I’ve seen you do. I’m with David–how do you do these? And then again, perhaps I don’t really want to know–I’m just glad you do! Great in black and white, writing excellent thoughts as usual. Nice.

    • Monte Stevens

      Thanks, Mary Ann. I feel a lot of my self portraits are basically the same images. Sometimes it’s more of the light, the perspective than it is the subject or expression. Who knows.

  • Earl

    Monte, wonderful self-portrait. I agree with David’s comment above, you have a talent for capturing yourself in very contemplative and flattering poses. It’s cloudy here today but most of this week has been cold and clear. Well-done on this photo. Have a wonderful weekend.

  • pj

    Great portrait, and it sounds like a fine way to spend the day.
    It’s been so cloudy and foggy here for so long now that I almost feel like I’m living underwater.