Doesn't this flower look like the center is exploding? A little like the Israeli-Palestinian peace process with Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli prime minister. The Israeli government announced today that illegal settlements on occupied territory will continue to expand, in defiance of international law and numerous United Nations resolutions. Even the hawk Ariel Sharon had begun to dismantle settlements, in the hopes of hastening resolution with the Palestinians. The so-called "road map for peace" initiated in 2003 demands cessation of all settlement activity, including expansion.
Read more about Israel's deliberate violation of international law here.
Photoshop abuse
In France, there's a strong backlash against Photoshop abuse of magazine images.
No manipulation in these photos; just natural light and a macro lens.
More mischief from AT&T
Apparently it's not enough that AT&T spied on our telephone calls and emails, then tried to quash lawsuits and prosecution for its cooperation with the Bush administration. Now AT&T is participating in vote-rigging? Whatever next??!!
Amazing pics!!!!
Posted by: GypsyGirl | 02 June 2009 at 14:48
Words mean nothing. Actions speak volumes. And there's the problem: while Israel keeps putting the onus on the Palestinians for making peace, it's not willing to do its share and stop the illegal settlements. To me that says they don't want peace. For whatever reason.
I love the flower shots! xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 31 May 2009 at 05:16
Don't get me started! But your analogy is particularly astute! Some day I have to get photoshop. And when I get time to learn it, I will!
Posted by: jeanie | 29 May 2009 at 23:12
EnLIGHTening post...as usual
I am guilty of an occasional photoshop tweek :) BUT, the industry of fashion/entertainment photoshop-ping is an entire art form in itself.
Posted by: Stephanie | 29 May 2009 at 20:20
Only you can figure out a way to weave flowers, Israel, Palestinians, Photoshop, and ATT into one post!
Posted by: Neil | 29 May 2009 at 02:25
Perty photos Tara.
Posted by: Rosa | 29 May 2009 at 02:06
These are such gorgeous pictures!!! My photog mentor always says, get the shot and it won't need photoshop. Off to read! : )
Posted by: Christina | 29 May 2009 at 00:16
Oh boy, Israel...I think the situation will probably implode on them sooner or later. They can't oppress an entire population without suffering a backlash. It's like pushing down a coiled spring. If it's not the Palestinians pushing back, there's more than one country near them willing to do so. Talk about blind stubbornness...
At & T...and the loss of so many newspapers! Maybe schools should introduce a new subject...politics, current events and how they effect us personally.
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 28 May 2009 at 22:48
totally love the natural light and your macro lens...sigh. that's the best. and to be honest, i think the world needs a backlash against photoshop. :-)
Posted by: julochka | 28 May 2009 at 22:42
Tara,
Thanks for the beautiful pictures, but more than that thanks for enlightening me. When will Israel ever learn to learn in peace, side by side, with Palestine? It is so sad.
Posted by: marilyn | 28 May 2009 at 18:25
Good post...good flower analogy.
I don't watch "Idol" but many reasons have been discussed as to why it went the way it did. Perhaps talent will triumph anyway.
Photo "retouching" has been around a long time--it's just easier and cheaper now. We live in surrealistic times, don't we? Hard to know what--if anything--is real any more from food products to elections to votes on a TV program!
Posted by: Helen | 28 May 2009 at 18:04
I give up! Let them listen! I'll try and make my conversations juicier for them so they don't get bored, after all, I lived in Switzerland for over two years. I have no doubt my conversations were listened to there, too. And vote=rigging? Pfft! I hail from Illinois! I'm used to corruption! It's a way of life here! Sad, but true!
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 28 May 2009 at 16:47
Just heard about the AT&T situation. Amazing. As to the flower it does look like it is exploding. Now, today you touched a subject dear to my heart. The abuse of photoshop. Honestly you cannot go take a picture without having it altered. I took a family picture only to find out that I no longer have any lines on my face or blemishes and I look orange. I went back to the photographer and asked for my family pictures without ANY photoshop. It is fine for certain art print but there is honestly a lot of abuse going on and over processing to the point that it robs people and places from it's natural appeal.
Posted by: Yoli | 28 May 2009 at 16:44