Viewfinders Manifesto #9
We believe that photographic mojo may flow and ebb within each of us
but that there is always at least a spark that can be reignited.

Sometimes during the winter, we lose our spark a little bit. The cold weather can be really depleting. Thank goodness we have a heating facility, although it did break fairly recently. Luckily for us, there is a furnace repair service in boise although a while back, several friends were stuck in the snow, desperate for someone who could fix their heating closer to their homes. Finding a heating repair company close to their address was straightforward though, so it all ended well. When the snow starts to fall and it gets especially freezing (as it does much too often), we hibernate, avoid the cold or rain, hunker down, or pull the covers over our heads. Our urge to photograph the beauty around us or even daily life can sometimes wax and wane. But sometimes, too, there is a magic moment when there is a glimmer of light or a moment of brilliance that gets our mojo working again.

We’re so happy to have this Viewfinders community to share our magic moments and our less successful attempts. Please share your images on Instagram and add the #viewfindersio hashtag. You can also link to your images on flickr or other platforms in the comments below.

Here’s how our winter is going so far. How’s yours?

Winter, with its snow and wind, are reminding me to build a strong root in myself. To create a groundedness that is always there. — Meghan

Despite the seemingly barren landscape, there are decorative touches around every corner. Winter’s beauty bewitches in quiet ways. –lucy

One of my favorite sights (ever) is that of bare branches against a winter sky. Throw in a little snow and a touch of fog, and I’ll brew another cup of tea and call it a very good day. — Michelle GD

Waiting for rain makes our California winter go slower. When it finally does make an appearance, you wish these rainy days would last forever. It still gets a little chilly during the rainy weather, but as long as I have my heating on ready for me when I get home so I can get comfortable and cosy, that’s all that matters. I did however notice as the weather started to get a little colder and I tested out my heating system, it didn’t seem to be heating up quite so quickly and that’s when I had to get in touch with a HVAC repair company (if you need to find one, you can click here to continue.) but luckily they managed to fix it for me just in time. Now I know that when I get home from the cold outdoors, I’ll be able to snuggle up and get cosy. — Maite

Winter is letting the magic of angled sunlight get you out the door with your mittens on, ready to shoot your heart out. — Alison

I like to seek out and appreciate those chinks of light and happiness in the depths of winter. —kirstin

We have had a winter filled with illness. Home, tea, and resting under blankets have filled our days. ~Staci Lee

We escaped winter’s drudgery to a friend’s cozy cabin, surrounded by snow-laced trees during frigid temperatures. Hands down, the best part of our getaway, was bundling up to explore the beauty surrounding me while reconnecting with a dear friend. ~ Holly, Soupatraveler

Big cycle of life events have been coming at us from all sides the past few months. The extremes of the high highs chased down by the low lows have been overwhelming, exhausting and have short-circuited my creativity. So I’ve been nesting, aided by the cold and the 30 inches of snow that shut us in for a week, and soaking up others’ words and ideas – reading widely and like a sponge. I’m biding my time. Perhaps I’ll be ready to bloom again in spring. -Debbie

Winter is leaving my warm California home and traveling to my homeland in Canada where the temperatures were frigid, but the seedlings my niece was tending on the kitchen window sill were hopefully poking out in search of spring. — kim

Sometimes in winter the sun comes out. All the more magical for being so rare. —Jenny G.

Winter has always been a time for learning and introspection for me. I’ve been studying style and light while trying to find what feels right for my photographic voice. –Angie

I’m always grateful for an unusually warm, sun-filled day in the midst of winter. And it’s fun chasing the light in unexpected places, seeing how it transforms ordinary spaces into places of beauty. ~Leslie