Day 10 of 365: The Dragon in the Mirror 🐉🎨
This one stopped me in my tracks. A fierce, mythical dragon, frozen in time, stared back at me with unrelenting intensity. Framed in what felt like a portal, its gaze wasn’t just a look—it was a challenge, almost daring me to see something deeper.
Day 9 of 365: Salvia in the Spotlight 🌸🌿
Today, I found myself surrounded by the vibrant beauty of purple salvia blooms. The way the sunlight danced across their petals, casting a golden glow and creating contrast with the backdrop of cheerful yellow sunflowers and lush greenery, felt like nature showing off its artistry.
Day 8 of 365: The Abandoned Wasp Nest 🐝🏚️
Today, I stumbled upon something small yet profound: an abandoned wasp nest. Its intricate chambers, carefully crafted with purpose, stood as a quiet testament to the work of its former inhabitants. There’s something humbling about the precision and dedication even the smallest creatures put into their lives, leaving behind something lasting—a legacy of effort, resilience, and design.
Day 7 of 365: The Bee and the Sunflower 🌻🐝
Today, I found myself captivated by the quiet energy of a sunflower and its companion, a bee diligently going about its work. The vibrant yellow petals reached toward the light, while the bee, drawn to the bloom, moved with purpose. It was a simple yet profound moment, a reminder of the harmony in nature and the beauty in just being.
Day 6 of 365: Rings of Resilience 🌲
Today, I found myself captivated by the intricate rings of this tree. Each ring tells a story—a year of growth, a season of storms, a moment of sunlight. These lines, etched into the wood over decades, are a record of resilience, a quiet testimony to time itself.
Day 5 of 365: Praise 🌳
As I stood beneath this majestic tree and looked up at its sprawling branches, I was filled with a sense of freedom and wonder. The way its limbs stretched skyward, reaching for the sunlight, reminded me of the resilience and determination it takes to keep growing. This tree, with its deep roots and unyielding climb, is a living metaphor for the adventure I’m on—an adventure of creativity, discovery, and pushing beyond limits.
Day 4 of 365: A Whisper in Black and White 🌸
Today’s capture embraces the quiet beauty of simplicity—a single flower rendered in black and white, its delicate petals soft and timeless. There’s something about removing color that transforms an image. It strips away distractions and allows form, light, and texture to take center stage.
Day 3 of 365: Fibonacci Koi 🐟
Today’s moment of beauty came in the form of swirling koi fish, vibrant and alive, performing a mesmerizing dance in their tranquil pond. I couldn’t help but name this shot “Fibonacci Koi” because of the hypnotic way their movements seemed to echo the spirals and harmony found in nature’s mathematical blueprint.
Day 2 of 365: Texture, Form, and Contrast
Today, I focused on texture, form, and contrast. This macro shot captures the raw, rugged character of weathered stones, each crack and crevice telling a story of time, exposure, and resilience. These are the details we often overlook as we rush through our days, yet they hold so much history and beauty.
Day 1 of 365: ☀️ Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean 🌊
Today marks the beginning of a transformative journey: my 365-day photography challenge. It feels fitting that this adventure starts on my birthday, a day of personal reflection and renewal. As the first light of dawn broke over the Pacific Ocean, I found myself standing at the water's edge, camera in hand, ready to capture a sunrise that symbolizes a fresh start.
Be Present: Live Each Day as if It Were Your Last
In modern times, we all now possess the ability to freeze time, capturing fleeting moments that would otherwise slip away. Yet, amidst the pursuit of taking a picture that will last a lifetime or to share it with family and friends, we sometimes forget to live in the present, to appreciate the beauty unfolding before our eyes. The mantra "Live each day as if it were your last" is not just an inspirational quote but a powerful reminder to immerse ourselves fully in the now, both as artists and as individuals.
Persist Until You Succeed
Photography is the art form of creating images by capturing light from a moment in time and space with all its emotion and story. This pursuit requires an eager eye and technical know-how but also passionate dedication to the craft. As a photographic artist, a light-worker, I have chosen to devote my life to being a bright light in the world. This conscious decision to answer the call has given me the privilege to walk through and experience various creative landscapes. Throughout my life so far, I am finally coming to understand one vital lesson: persistence is the key to excellence.
Greet Each Day with Love in Your Heart
The present moment flies by and to capture the perfect shot often feels like a race against time. How easily, I get caught up in the hustle and bustle. However, amidst the rush, I have found a powerful force that has transformed not just my work but my life: love. Greeting each day with love in my heart is not just a philosophical mantra; it's a guiding principle that has profoundly influenced my art and the connections I make when I am out in the streets of Los Angeles.
Sharing Work and Embracing Criticism
In my early years as a photographer, upon getting my hands on a roll of film, I would rush out the door and snap away without care for composition nor exposure. My impulsive manner of shooting was akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. From the 36 attempts, I would get maybe one usable photo. Unsatisfied with the results, I would sheepishly ask my father for money to buy another roll of film. I was blowing through money faster than I could make it, and at the time, I wasn’t making any money whatsoever.
The Art of Mindful Composition
In my early years as a photographer, upon getting my hands on a roll of film, I would rush out the door and snap away without care for composition nor exposure. My impulsive manner of shooting was akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. From the 36 attempts, I would get maybe one usable photo. Unsatisfied with the results, I would sheepishly ask my father for money to buy another roll of film. I was blowing through money faster than I could make it, and at the time, I wasn’t making any money whatsoever.
Foster Success with the Power of Good Habits and the Destruction of Bad Habits
In the world of photography, success is often attributed to talent, creativity, and the right equipment. However, one critical aspect that is sometimes overlooked is the power of good habits. This week, I am going to write a bit about cultivating positive habits and replacing detrimental ones in order to find our talent and spur our creativity. The process of creating good habits not only enhances our photography skills, but also leads to greater success and satisfaction. Let’s dive into how we can harness the power of good habits to transform.
From Imbalance to Fulfillment
Transformation is an intrinsic part of life, a process that each of us must undertake to reach our true potential. I have recently undergone a profound radical change, driven by a deep desire for balance, self-evaluation, and ultimate fulfillment. Inspired by my experiences, I created this blog to reflect and share my findings.
Today, I begin a new life.
Welcome to the first of many blog entries. My name is Mario Ricardo Rodriguez, and I proudly call myself an artist, photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller. Yes, I am self-proclaimed! I create art. I capture photographs. I make movies. I tell stories.