In The City...

© Colin Howey

Crowds Bathed in Sunshine

Lamp Shade

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I was walking through Norwich city centre this afternoon, camera in hand, when I looked up and noticed this. I really like the perfect cast of shadow. I stood and stared at this for ages as folk hurried by. I really enjoyed taking time for myself and feel better for it. 

~ Colin ~

See the Sea

Here are some stunning shots of sea and sand taken at Gorleston by Eureka member, Kadir. A real sense of movement and drama in this collection...

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© Kadir Morca

DIY Santa!

Eureka members gathered for our final meeting of 2013. Because not all of our members were able to attend we decided to create a bit of Christmas-related chaos to share with them here. Following some discussion Julia hit upon the idea of transforming David into Father Christmas. Using an ingenious combination of cellotape, cotton wool and towels, the team got to work. 

This is one goes out to Jill, Nick, Julie, Paul W, Paul J, Mamie, Mike, Lorraine, Alan and Kadir - we missed you all, but you were with us in spirit!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all!

Roof Lines

Filmed using a zoom lens by Eureka member, Colin

Shop Signs and Statues

A Eureka Wonder Wander in Norwich Castle Museum

In order to view this picture story, please click on image above

The Norfolk Museums & Archaeological Service (NMAS) welcomed Eureka Wellbeing Photography members to the Norwich Castle Museum last Friday. We had a fantastic time! In no time at all we were exploring, clambering, laying down, kneeling... whatever it took to get our own unique angle on this amazing visual feast. 

Gathering in the cafe afterwards, I asked the group the following question:
"Do you feel better now than you did when you walked in here this morning?" 

Members responded unanimously, with an emphatic "yes!". Why might this be the case? One reason is that we were putting all of the Five Ways to Wellbeing into action, by:

• Connecting with one another and the artifacts
• Being physically active as we moved about
• Taking notice of the beautiful artifacts and being present in that moment
• Learning together about the collections and through sharing perspectives and photographic knowledge with each other
• Giving - it gave us a feeling of genuine satisfaction to know that our photographs would be given to back to the museum and their staff as our way of saying thank you

I think, though, that there are a couple of other things besides these five key 'actions' that contributed to our feel good factor. Firstly, there is the creative act. In a society in which we are so often placed in passive relationships with institutions, events and our environment(s), it is very empowering be able to make something. In our own way, armed only with our cameras and imaginations, we are transformed from consumers to producers. 

The other element in the Eureka group I would identify is playfulness. Put simply, we have fun together. As Picasso once said,

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once (s)he grows up." 

Part of this playful attitude is to dare to be different; to be unhibited; to not fear making mistakes. In fact, as Sir Ken Robinson argues, in order to be creative and to learn it is really important to be prepared to 'fail'. I think it also involves an attitude of healthy humility. So want if we look silly lying down to get that one shot... what a giggle we had last summer, as three of us lay down on the lawn of the Octagon Chapel garden getting an insect-eye view of the world. 

The Picture Story (above) is a compilation of our experience of this visit. Above all, it is a tribute to the work of all of the NMAS staff and volunteers who work together to make this wonderful place 'sing'. 

Thanks!

Clock in a Puddle

A lovely photo by Eureka member, Jill

A Purrfectly Poised Pose

Niche Photography

Eureka member, Kadir, posing for shots in a lovely Georgian brick niche

Strings of Pearls

Eureka member, Lynn, sent me this lovely close-up shot of a be-jewelled web

Vase on a Windowsill

Grayson Perry Reith Lectures

I wasn't sure I was going to be interested in someone giving a lecture about art, but how wrong I was. However, I hadn't heard Grayson Perry before. Funny, intelligent, humble and engaging, these lectures are well worth a listen...

Grayson Perry - 2013 Reith Lectures

Tangerine Skies

A stunning sky captured by Eureka member, Nick.

Horizons

Looking up I noticed the tangerine streaked sky. This photograph is not how it looked, but (due to a bit of editing) it's close to how I saw it.

Urban Twilight Walk

As the light was falling I decided to explore the riverside around Carrow Road, in Norwich. Resisting the allure of the water reflecting the light I decided, instead, to focus on the modern residential development that has recently sprung up in this area of Norwich. Here are some of the things that caught my eye... 

I am so glad I decided to make time to take notice of the city at twilight. As someone who is intellectually and instinctively drawn to appreciate all things ancient, it was quite challenging to engage with modernity in this way. Learning all the time from my fellow Eureka photographers, I am really enjoying developing my talents as part of a community. 

I am also struck by the lasting influence that our mentor, Tom Simpson, has had on my photography. He introduced two key elements to Eureka Wellbeing Photography: firstly, he expected excellence and challenged us to aspire; secondly, he encouraged us to use who we are to see things differently. 

As well as benefiting from putting all of the Five Ways to Wellbeing into action through Eureka photography walking, I think my/our wellbeing has been enhanced immensely by being empowered to become more actively creative. No surprise really. After all, a careful reading of the research in the field of wellbeing and emotional resilience confirms that improving one's sense of meaning is a key component of a flourishing person's 'success'. 

Thanks Tom!

~ Colin ~