Indecisiveness is a sad malady to have — I cringe when I see others afflicted. Yet I confess to having bouts of it myself.
•Choosing paint colors? Could take me months.
•Deciding what side dishes to make for Thanksgiving dinner? Could take me weeks.
•Editing a blog post? Could take me days.
I’m not sure how I got this virus, but I’m fairly sure it was a birth defect and there’s no cure. I’m thinking of starting a non-profit for research — if you would like to donate to The Race to Cure Indecision, send me a comment, and I’ll be sure to get back to you with a donation form…or maybe you could just send a check…or maybe you should wait until some office help is hired.
I like input from other people; it starts a conversation and helps me narrow my focus. Talking it out helps me decide; perhaps it is a side effect of perfectionism? The fear of making the imperfect decision leads to making no decision at all. Sigh. (This is why deadlines are good!)
Yesterday’s photo challenge was Mystery and the directive was to play with light. Play with light? Play with color? Aside from playing with words, those are some favorite things to do.
It was twenty five degrees outside, but the sun was shining. So the iPhoneographer went walking during the morning golden hour, freezing her fingers and toes, but having fun. And since I had such a hard time deciding what photos to choose, here are some shots; first in black and white (most mysterious) and then in misty color.
Start a conversation — tell me what you think. What attracts you to a photo?
Do you prefer color or B&W? Which of the above photos speaks the word Mystery to you?
Or maybe you can’t decide either? It’s okay, I’ll let you in my club.
the circle of life 
Oh, the indecisiveness can be a cruel gene! I prefer to wait till office help is hired, personally. 😉
Here’s my partiality, Oh IPhoneographer: black and white imparts a sublime effect, soft color invokes an emotional response. I find, anyway. But, i’ve enjoyed all of your pictures.
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Thanks for the comment. I find I’m drawn to B&W — maybe because we don’t normally see that way, so it’s more striking? Sublime, in your word — which is a very good word. I’m trying to get over waffling. It doesn’t help that Mr. H.C has that tendency too. We can go round and round and still come to naught. :-)
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I think I am mostly drawn to color but b/w can be effective too! I love the color in the third set of photos. I think it looks mysterious in a good way! I love your cat! And, I can relate to the decision dilemma!
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I liked the misty colors outside the windows. And you’re right — I think in that photo, the yellow on the horizon is very evocative. Thanks for commenting!
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I like both B&W as well as color… It usually depends on the photo and also what I’m using it in/for. It’s fun playing with the different effects and editing tools.
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Daisy, I love your snow pictures — and the little bit of color in those, really work.
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I really like the way the B&W photographs are able to highlight the contrasts in the sky and clouds, but its the color photographs that elicit emotion for me. The B&W have a mystery about them and allow the viewer to define the context without confirmation.
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I really had to think about that phrase define the context without confirmation. That’s the essence of mystery, isn’t it? Thanks for making me think!
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The window, landscape, and cat photo I prefer in B&W. It’s interesting to me how B&W can sometimes bring about a feel of intimidation and mystery (to me, anyway). However, the cat photo is very ‘homey’ and ‘snuggly’. The B&W landscape is a little gloomy/mysterious, though I like it a lot! It’s funny how color makes things ‘warm’ in my mind, or as Missy said: emotional. :)
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Yes. and b&W looks lonely too — the chair for instance. You’re right — color is emotional. That’s how decorators get you to want to change your room colors all the time. :-)
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I relate to the indecisiveness: I remember polling my friends before I started dating the guy who is now my husband. I’m not proud of that, but feedback helps me — as long as it is couched in kind and supportive terms. I haven’t posted my Mystery photos yet, but I took BW pictures of bare tree branches that are not unlike those in your window shot. The BW photo of the empty porch chair struck me as the most mysterious. I’m not a ghost-movie kind of person, but the BW plus the emptiness of the chair gave the picture an eerie feeling. (I also used to watch the TV show Lost, and there was a creepy scene inside a cabin with an empty chair.)
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yes, feedback definitely helps me too. sometimes it even helps me realize what I don’t want/like/need. So funny about your husband — but wise, really, because others can often see things that we ourselves are blind to seeing. You see? That’s why I like feedback. :-) To make sure I’ve got all the angles covered!
I also like photos of empty chairs — so evocative — so many questions they bring up. Thanks for commenting!
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I focused on the chairs, mainly ’cause I have two, ‘at least 50 years old I think. A couple years ago I repainted them. White for the arms & legs, fire red for the seats. Would have been a great picture for a “pop of color” ‘cept they are tuck away in the top of the garage for the winter. When I saw yours I could only see white & red. Funny when I stopped to study them … they were all white.
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When we bought this one, there was another one with it, but it was so rusty, husband didn’t think it was worth buying. I’ve been looking for another — we really want a pair. Painting the seats red was a brainstorm. Very cool idea.
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