38 Comments
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Framing-the-Story w/AK's avatar

Yep, Pamela beat me to the punch with her remark about "your urban looking quite rural," at least by New York standards. The photos remind me of the Belarusian village where my grandparents lived. When I was younger, I tried to reject this memory—another time, another place—I thought I was above and beyond that. But now it brings me joy and comfort.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for your comment, Alex! So interesting, that these photos bring back memories from your childhood. I am glad you‘ve found a way to look back those memories with joy now!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Love that you stuck to monochrome only. Can be so tempting to do colour especially this time of the year. 🙌

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks, Xavi! I am very strict with my Visual Journals. I either do colour or b&w. I find it difficult to mix them. My inner Monk won’t let me do it!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

I get it. It's good to have restraints. 👍

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Beautiful! Love the one with the bird.

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Dan Jandl's avatar

There is such a calm energy to these. Beautiful.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks, Dan! My walks are usually all about calmness. Glad I was able to transport that feeling through the photos.

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Juliette's avatar

I always view your images fullscreen, Susanne. They are so lovely that way. The words that come to mind for this post are: The beauty of nature's brushstrokes ... I almost feel like you captured Mother Nature's actual sketches!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to look at them full screen. It is a nicer experience that way - if you can’t join us for real! ;-)

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Benjamin Fargen's avatar

Lovely as always, Susanne! 🖤📷

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks so much, Benjamin!

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Anne Silver Mondinot's avatar

How lovely to be able to wander along with you, seeing what catches your eye and stimulates your mind.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Anne! It is so good to read you enjoy wandering with me!

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Arild Øvrum's avatar

“Beauty in the mundane” love your everyday pictures they reminds us to see, to observe. It’s beauty in everything. Life gets better - makes you happier if you take time to observe and enjoy your surroundings.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

I absolutely agree, Arild! Thank you for your comment!

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Rob Woller's avatar

These are so cool, a couple actually bring back memories of similar settings from way back. Thanks, Susanne✌️

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Rob! Happy to bring back some memories of yours! =)

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Tom Schroder's avatar

Really nice photos, Susanne. I (always) like your use of black and white. The contrast seems great. Something I noticed: your first photo of the road seems very inviting and encouraging. Your last photo with the closed fence and building in the background is less so - as if we are looking in from the outside and may not be allowed to proceed past the fence. I just thought those were interesting bookends to your series. (And I really like the mood of that last one).

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for your feedback, Tom! I often start my sequence with an open space or a path as an invitation to walk with me. I also try not to change the order of the photographs, which is a challenge sometimes. Your interpretation of the last photo is interesting, and I see it now. To me, it marked the end of the walk. But it is also where we started (that view was in our back at the start). Thank you for joining me and taking the time to share your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

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Alex Jota's avatar

Hello Susanne! :)

Really liked all your visual journals since I started following you. Actually, you inspired me to create a section to showcase my daily walks :)

I really enjoy your writing.

Thanks!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Hey Alex, that's wonderful feedback. Thank you. I am happy that my walks inspired you. I will have a look!

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Paul Votava's avatar

Wonderful !

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Paul!

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Beautiful! Your urban looks quite rural.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Haha, true! It was a mix. We started urban, then it became a bit rural and at the end, we returned to the more urban area. It is still in the city though…

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Lovely. Did Ben climb through the fence?? The shadow ones are very good.... Nice feeling to all of them. Ben is looking good!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks, Søren. I have no idea why there was the hole in that fence, because there were just fields left and right, but we didn’t do it!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Oh, sure! The shortcut home ;0)

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Probably. The farmer will be delighted!

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Lin Gregory's avatar

Love these Susanne - 8 and10 are my favourites...those shadows in 10 are wonderful and the tear in the fencing reminds me a little of my favourite Lee Miller image with the torn netting in Portrait of Space.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Lin! I know which photo you mean. I didn’t think of it when I photographed the fence, but I can see a resemblance.

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Dan Connolly's avatar

Love this edition of your visual journal. That wall/barrier image! #10. Brava

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you so much, Dan! It was a new corner of my city for me. I definitely will revisit…

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