This was the first time that I thought I had actually captured what I saw in my mind's eye with respect to black & white. (I had only just begun shooting in black and white, so the 'mono-vision' was still developing.)

Somewhere on a post recently someone mentioned a book, The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz.
I have this book, although I'm not by any means a religious person. There was a great deal of value in it for me. The four agreements are basically this:

Be impeccable with your word
Don't take anything personally
Don't make assumptions
Always do your best

My hope is to do better at these four things.


Other Best of 2010 can be found here.

Excellent, stunning, fabulous, love it!!!! urmysunshine · 2010-12-17: 00:05

What a beautiful photograph and such wonderful words. karmankwarner · 2010-12-17: 00:06

Delicately beautiful ! pickledherring · 2010-12-17: 00:09

so soft and it reminds me of little ballet dancers. malquistfamily · 2010-12-17: 01:04

Great captured. Beautifully accented details! Excellent choice B # W! Davorka · 2010-12-17: 01:49

beautiful capture! afchebilal · 2010-12-17: 02:35

Excellent, your best is best ! And what your wish comes true for you, for us ! The world needs it josy63 · 2010-12-17: 04:10

great shot! tomie · 2010-12-17: 04:21

Delicate indeed. Great balance of contrast. And I can't argue with your agreements!! RayNvb · 2010-12-17: 04:45

This is such a tender photo..beautiful! Oh well...the second agreement is out of question for me: I take EVERYTHING personally:)) Eiram · 2010-12-17: 05:36

Marjorie, your "mind's eye" did a great job in helping select this! Great submission. Such detail! danrav · 2010-12-17: 05:55

Fantastic work! Congrats! ????? · 2010-12-17: 06:01

Marjorie... I am SPEACHLESS. Your photo and your words are simply PERFECT. Thanks a lot. ????? · 2010-12-17: 06:32

THERE you are!! You posted it in 2009. lol That's why when I clicked your name it took me to yesterday's post. Beautiful wispy photo Marjorie and I love the wish. ????? · 2010-12-17: 07:53

Amazing:) JaCkYe · 2010-12-17: 09:02

Lovely choice and very wise advice. MoMac · 2010-12-17: 10:34

Delicate and beautiful :-) Marzijapan · 2010-12-17: 10:35

Great shot Marjorie fabulous I loved it and you can be sure I won't forget the 4 agreement thanks and I wish the best of all to you and your family and loved ones Pedar · 2010-12-17: 11:50

Wonderful choice of picture!! Ryana · 2010-12-17: 14:03

this is faulous marjorie! indeed one of your best bW :) thank you so much for joining our project! :) onlyricky · 2010-12-17: 14:25

Beautiful image. It's such a nice feeling when a shot turns out as planned. Jarvo · 2010-12-17: 15:29

Marjorie, this is an excellent choice - it's perfect in focus and composition - very soft and serene. We've always lived by the "Do your best" philosophy in our family. Wishing YOU the best in 2011, my new friend! djnana · 2010-12-17: 16:22

Absolutely FANTASTIC choice Marjorie...excellent words to live by! :) Nukee · 2010-12-17: 16:55

Nice. I also admire the fouragreements. stabeez · 2010-12-17: 18:37

The Four Agreements changed my life... learning to not take things personally or make assumptions were a turning point! Beautiful choice of 'best'! DancingDolphin · 2010-12-17: 22:39

great photo and choice GKorts · 2010-12-18: 03:26

Splendid shot Marjorie!! And i think we ALL should try to do our best with those four agreements. eternity65 · 2010-12-18: 06:17

Lovely noptek · 2010-12-18: 13:15

What wonderful agreements to accompany your excellent choice for your best photo! ArtBee · 2010-12-18: 15:05

Hello Marjorie, still was failing myself to come to see your best photo. It is good, now only you lacking open the picture. I do very few photos in B*W, but I admire very much the photographers who do them. I recommend to you to visit a friend that I found in photoblog, before he was getting angry and was changing to flickr! It is really good in B*W. When i will be major, I want to do photos as theirs. Regards. Enric http://www.flickriver.com/photos/pablorenedo/sets/ ASINUS · 2010-12-19: 18:36

beautiful photo! ????? · 2010-12-19: 18:56

This is simply gorgeous. :) livelovelaugh · 2010-12-19: 22:46

Great choice! darfoster · 2010-12-20: 22:48

lovely! paulamarquis · 2010-12-23: 19:20

Great! Shaparak · 2010-12-24: 22:01

How did I miss this? Wonderful b&w macro and 4 excellent ideals! ????? · 2011-12-25: 10:41

Tagged: blackandwhite best2010