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Photo: Fall Colors - Copyright 2019 Frank J Casella

Perfection.

Perfection can get in the way of our success, if we let it. How to keep this in balance is key.

Perfection and fear both lead to procrastination, which then leads to failure. I remember when I went to Egypt, the people I saw making the beautiful rugs always made them with a flaw, because the only thing perfect is God.

Like this photograph, Fall Colors, illustrates the perfection of what God has created, to enjoy this beauty while on earth, in addition to His creating our lives. Although the leaf has flaws and scars, it still brings much beauty into the world for the short time of one season, just as our lives our short lived.

As a photographer, mostly, I have learned when there comes a time to 'ship' a photograph as done, otherwise you can keep tweaking it until it finally looks (as we say) over cooked. A lot of this came from fear, and fear will kill more dreams than failure ever will.

A lot of times, too, perfectionism comes from being over confident, or convinced of our own righteousness. It is better, as the Bible says, whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.



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Frank J Casella's Email address is fjc [ at ] photographer.net To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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The Human Element - By Frank J Casella

Many of you know that I have had a camera in my hands since I was a young boy. This is because I was shy as a child, and pictures were the best way to communicate how I viewed the world around me.

Fast forward a decade, during my high school days, it was common for people to tell me how I could photograph the soul of a person.

With this photograph, Where There Is No Love is a prime example. This was just a split moment click of the shutter before the person noticed and looked at me, then it became a totally different picture, but it made me think of this quote:

" Where there is not love, put love. And then you will find love. "

- Saint John of the Cross

Every person who sees this image gets a different meassage or meaning about what it is saying, pulled from their own personal experiences.

When it comes to making photographs of the human element, it is not only important to have the right subject, light, and composition, but to make a connection with the viewer. This is why my mantra for many years was, or has been, to make pictures that people listen to.

I think this is said best by Arturo Mari, Vatican photographer for St. Pope John Paul II, when he says:

" As a photographer, the big secret is entering into the charisma with the person you have in front of you. If you don't feel it, you'll never do it well. "


Note: The sharpness of this image is intended to have a rough edge to the resolution to carry the mood of the subject.




Photo: Where There Is Not Love - Copyright 2017 Frank J. Casella All Rights Reserved

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Frank J Casella's Email address is fjc [ at ] photographer.net To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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Brothers - Black and White Art Photograph by Frank J Casella


Mastering Your Craft

One of the comments that I mostly see from art collectors and artist alike is how much they appreciate my black and white work.

Looking at this photograph - Brothers - made me thing about this. I want to believe the reason for this is that I create my digital pictures more slowly as with film in the darkroom, like a painter with canvas and a brush.

Of the over 1/2 million artists and photographers on Fine Art America / Pixels, we all have our own craft to master under this big umbrella called Art. Many photographers and digital artists upload an image a day, where painters might upload one to three images a month.

It all has to do with the medium they are working with, and how they master their craft.

What is your Art?

We all have a purpose to do our part and to make a positive difference in this world. As the saying goes, if money were not in question what would you do or what craft would you master. And I don't just mean with your work, but with your life, and who you are as a person. Whether you are single or married, a parent raising children, or a religious priest or nun, etc.

When you don't allow the noise of this world to distract you from your contribution, People will tell you when it - and you - becomes distinctive and unique.


Photo: Brothers - Copyright 2008 Frank J. Casella All Rights Reserved

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Frank J Casella's Email address is fjc [ at ] photographer.net To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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The Wonder of Nature

By Frank J Casella

When I wake up in the morning and go out into the back yard, I hear the sound of nature, as many kinds of birds are calling into the new day.

As with this photograph - Bird Cottage - the wonder of nature, and how things continue to evolve, always amazes me as a sign of God's love in the world.

Nature, in the broadest sense, is the natural, physical, or material world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. ~ Wikipedia

There is a new documentary project that illustrates how God is the Artist of nature. You can find more about it at the link below.

The Bible asserts that the universe is a testimony to God's existence and precision. The psalmist had this to say:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard (Psalm 19:1-3).


St. Paul the Apostle went on to explain that there is no excuse for failing to worship God, because human beings can perceive His existence when they look at His creation.

Humans were designed to take care of God’s creation. On the other hand, we weren’t meant to abuse the earth, either.

What this means to me is that our nature is to do things in our own strength, but when we do things in the nature of God then we give to others through His love.

Likewise, we can be conditioned to the noise of this would so much that it's hard to be in the silence, and the beauty and sound, of nature for too long. Because without the impulses of the media buzz, and notifications on our phones, we can't think straight.

Thus, it is God's nature to show us His love through the sights and sounds of His beauty, because if God takes care of the birds, how much more is His love or us! So too should be the love we have for our family.

"If you want to change the world, go home and love your family."
-- Saint (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta

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Please make time to watch the leading video .. It will put life in perspective ... and make you smile.

www.angel.com/riot

"For too long nature documentaries, a multi-billion dollar sector in the entertainment industry, have been completely controlled by groups who do not believe in a divine creator. Parents want their children to appreciate the beauty of the earth while still understanding that there is a creator and we are part of his creations. ...

... The Riot and the Dance teaches families just this. You will get the beauty of other incredible nature documentaries while not feeling guilty about living on the earth. ...

... Our vision, with Dr. Gordon Wilson as our host, is to turn The Riot and the Dance into a multi-season series the whole family can enjoy together to learn from the Greatest Artist in the history of history, who is showing His work outside your door right now and forevermore."

Photo: 'Bird Cottage' Copyright 2013 Frank J Casella





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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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Through The Years - Art By Frank J Casella

"Art is a gift to the future. It nearly always outlives its creator who used it as a means of leaving a mark that says, “I was here and I saw the world this way.” "

— Barney Davey, Art Marketing Consultant


This photograph - Through The Years - was recently featured by and artist group on Fine Art America. The curator mentioned to me how that wagon wheel must be over one hundred years old. I replied that the people lived in that house at least eighy years, and that must have been when motor cars started become basic needs.

When I made this picture it was to capture in this moment from the moments over time. That wagon wheel to me just added to the asthetics of the subject. Yet another person picked up on something I didn't. Photography does just that ...

This past Sunday I was sitting on the front porch of my house looking at all the other houses down the street, snapshots kept replaying into my head how though the houses have not changed that much, but how the people living in them have changed. Either they have moved, or gotten older and the kids are now off on their own, or there are new kids from the new families.

There are a lot of things it seems going on in our world right now like never before. It can distract us from noticing the simple moments and sort out what is important. This is one reason I tell other photographers to choose what works best for you and stop worrying about what other people think. Every person is going to pick up something different based on their world view and life experiences.


"For some, being an artist defines them. It’s not a matter of how much success and sales they make. It is about seeing the world through the eyes of an artist and interpreting what they see. They know the world will not end if they don’t sell anything now or ever. It’s not that they don’t want to sell their art, it’s a matter of having the skills and desire to make it happen."

-- Barney Davey, Art Marketing Consultant


There are more pictures made now with smart phones than have been made in the history of photography. How we use this medium determines the message we convey to the viewer about today. Because today will be yesterday ... tomorrow.




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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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In this photograph - Evening Cloud Show - Soft Effect - The whirling clouds mixed with the golden hour evening sunlight make for a wonderful show in the blue sky.


It is obvious that one of the reasons God created weather and clouds is to bring beauty to our lives.


This reminds me of The Golden Rule, and that famous painting by Norman Rockwell. I have personally studied Rockwell during my college days preparing for my photography career, and one of the main themes throughout his paintings is that Rockwell illustrated the ideals of what life should be like, or what he thinks it should be.


Rockwell said of his painting, " I’d been reading up on comparative religion. The thing is that all major religions have the Golden Rule in Common. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Not always the same words but the same meaning. "


So, when Pope Francis visited the United States in September 2015, one of the first things he said was to practice The Golden Rule.


He said: " Let us remember the Golden Rule: “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ” ( Mt 7:12 ). ....

.... This Rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. ....

.... Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us. "



What does The Golden Rule mean to you?


Are you struggling through life asking yourself why things aren't the way they should be?


Did you know now that a principle of the Golden Rule is when we have a need to turn and help others? ... to be that need.


Have you considered that sometimes when we see a need that is God speaking to us to do something about it?


Transition our being dependent to being dependable. Transform our good intentions into right-action.


That is, through helping others ... reading and then doing what the Bible asks of us .... we receive more in life than we could ever give.


That, like this photograph, Evening Cloud Show is the way God illustrates hope and His love for you and this world.




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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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In this picture - Illuminated Branches - Square - the golden hour sunlight illuminates bare Fall tree branches against the blue sky. When you remove the leaves from this late Autumn tree, you then see inside to the patterns of the branches.

As you may know, I took the month of August 2021 to mostly stay offline because God, through the Holy Spirit, impressed on me to do this. When you give God the place to speak, He has a lot to say.

So I went into the month expecting to hear profound directions from God, but as the month was coming to an end I was getting frustrated as I had nothing profound to point to. However, when I transferred my unmet expectations into meeting God where He was at work through me, then things started to bloom.

God showed me the importance of what I am doing with pictures and words, and how I need to not take this for granted but, rather, be more bold and more sincere in my work being distinctive and unique. People need pictures, through works of Art, that are examples of hope and God’s love in the world.

I remember seeing the late Zig Ziglar at a conference when he asked the question “Are you a meaningful specific, or a wandering generality”.

When we go through the daily or weekly grind, as important as it may be, sometimes getting away from it can show us how that can be a sort of distraction from going deep with our own thoughts. That we can look to the world around us for answers when they are really deep down inside of us if we dare to look there.

With each new picture going forward you will see what I’m talking about.



Thank you very much!

Frank




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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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The Fine Art America Billboard Contest 2021

Fine Art America ( FAA ) is picking twenty winners to have their artwork featured on billboards throughout the United States!

Each billboard will feature a Fine Art America logo, one of their taglines, an incredible image from one of their artists, the title of the image, and the name of the artist or the artist 's preferred social media handle.

The billboards will be positioned in various cities throughout the United States ( e.g. Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, etc. ) and will remain visible for at least one month, each, throughout the fall and winter of 2021.

Each of the tree ( 3 ) photographs below needs 100 votes to qualify ...

.... 5 percent of you reading this invte can get this done right away!


Please help, all you have to do is visit the links below, login, and then cast your vote.


Blue Chicago Blizzard
https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=6324361


Dog Walking City of Chicago https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=17609944


Favorite Jeans
https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=24249943



Thank you very much!

Frank




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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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About:

Frank J Casella - American. Photographer. Catholic. Co-founder. Living in Chicagoland - USA. Pictures speak in ways that words can not. Since I was a kid, I've been perfecting how to put the viewer where my subject is - I call this "Pictures People Listen To".

I've been a Documentary and Stock Photographer since 1988, and Independent Artist and Blogger on Fine Art America since 2013. Though, I've had a camera in my hand since I was a young boy. I produce and sell pictures of moments in time, and human interaction, that share hope and God's love in the world, through my Catholic Faith.

I'm also co-founder of Bishop Perry's Chicago Catholic Men's Forum, and Executive Director of Catholic Men Chicago Southland, since 2004. When you foster a Man in holiness, the positive adjustments he makes creates a upstanding man, husband, or father, and this impact can be felt for three generations.

I'm a product of Columbia College Chicago and, shortly after, my childhood dream became reality when I was assigned to photograph the ministry of the (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Chicago - the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.

My artwork style is inspired by Norman Rockwell. I'm privileged to be nurtured by John H. White - Pulitzer Prize photojournalist.




Life Mission:

My life mission is to share hope and God's Love in the World. Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~ Luke 9:62



Testimonials:

"Frank Casella .... is like an Old World artist, creative yet meticulous, inspired yet careful, in awe of visual beauty yet not afraid to engage it through the lens of his camera. .... Frank Casella's work is what we mean when we say that photography can be an art".

-- Rev. Anthony J. Brankin, Chicago Priest and Sculpture


"Frank, I just wanted to Thank you again for coming to our photo club and your program on visual storytelling. I know we all got something from your presentation. It was a good idea the way you got us involved in your program. ....

.... For myself it was humbling to see how well you can design a moment to last forever. And your sense of getting the essence of the subject, that simple moment. I have a new respect for black and white images and I understand how it can enhance an image. Thank You again Frank it was a privilege for us to have you as a program presenter."

-- Tim McGrath, c/o Park Forest Photography Club


“Frank, Great Work and great job on your Website. Your work is thoughtful and good and you are an excellent Godly man and photographer”.

– James Klein Lenderink, Commercial Photographer



Stay Connected:

If you would like to see my latest updates and blog posts, sign up for my mailing list at www.list.frankjcasella.com delivered once or twice a week ... Direct to your Email box! Unsubscribe at any time.

Or you might like my once a month list SundayLetters - A picture, a life topic, and latest blog entries or creative projects, always one Sunday a month.

I am very intentional about my use of social media....


To that end, here are positive reasons why I post primarily on my own blog or mailing list, not promote my works on social media:


1. Having a home

This site is a creative outlet for me and my works. When I want you to know something, I'm going to talk about it here, both with the mails I send you and with the blogs. This is where you'll be able to find me over time and space. This is my home.

For example, people in my old neighborhood used to just drop by to sit on the front porch and catch up; this site serves the same purpose for me. It's something we can depend on so we can always be in contact.


2. Internet citizenship

This is called the "web" because our sites all interconnect with links. Hyperlinking is what gives the Internet its richness. Following links has helped me learn so much, and give back. My own blog site lets me do that.



Online Channels

Official Website Email List - Latest updates, and related posts from this blog..

CMCSMen - A Blog to Nurture Catholic Men's Spirituality.

SundayLetters - A picture, a life topic, and latest blog entries or creative projects, always on Sunday about a month.


Check out my personal pictures and projects at the Personal Work Collection - Click Here.

... If you find an image there that you'd like to see for sale, drop me a note.


View My hometown photo project 'Home Sweet Homewood 1 Day' - moments in time photographs of Homewood, Illinois.

Read what I'm thinking about fjc1029.vivaldi.net

Follow me on MeWe

Network with me on Skype


Come back here to browse my website - bookmark this page

Search My Stock Photos


Drop me an E-mail and - say hello. (Phone calls by appointment made via email.)







“As a photographer, the big secret is entering into the charisma with the person you have in front of you. If you don't feel it, you'll never do it well.” ~ ARTURO MARI, Vatican photographer

- People and Skyscrapers -

This photograph - People and Skyscrapers - makes me think how in life, like skyscrapers, we are created, serve our purpose, then move out of the way for the next era.

Because we are humans, though, we have the benefit of absorbing the beauty of the buildings we create.

Some buildings last longer than we do.

Though, if we play our cards right, the impact we make while we are alive can last for generations .... longer than buildings.

Life is God's gift to us, what we do with our lives is our gift to God.




Enjoy your day, you won't get it back,

Frank


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Frank J Casella's Email address is writeme [ at ] frankjcasella.com. To find out more about Frank J Casella visit his online profile at frankjcasella.crevado.com

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Great Art... Delivered to Your Inbox! Sign up for weekly priority access to updates and blog posts, featured artists, and more! I never share your e-mail address or send spam.

For the Frank J Casella Digital Connection visit www.info.frankjcasella.com