This week Ritva – inspired by Leonard Cohen’s lyrics and his characteristic blend of melancholy and optimism – offers a challenge based on these lines:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, in everything
That’s how the light gets in
This is a personal favourite quote, and I will try to show some feelings it arises within me. Light and thoughts of healing is the main focus. Your feelings might be very different.
Who lived in these rooms…and were they really happy?
Were children running and playing here or were they always restricted by strong rules and traditions, dressed up in impossible costumes?
Have you ever seen the ice breaking up? The special light and the sound it makes when you walk on it?
Never stop being a child within, because children help us see the light still shining in this world.
Nature is the helper and the answer to many of our human imperfections. When we cannot find beacons ourselves – nature can.
We struggle, like mankind always have done, to find a meaning – a light – in our lives. Some people find it in religion or from special and charismatic people. From Love.
People are like buildings, they can be dilapidated, but beauty still shines through those cracks, and we can try to accept them and find peace within through them.
The struggle for light is constant, but I always see the darkness first. I strive to share beauty and light in everything I do, because the walk of life will be easier, despite the cracked steps and roads we walk.
Ritva says it so well: ”By sharing these images, we not only showcase our individual stories, but also create an opportunity for dialogue and connection. Let each image tell a story, convey an emotion, or illustrate a moment of seeing light.” Thank you, Ritva, for a thoughtful and uplifting challenge. Don’t forget to link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
A big thank you to Anne, for the artistic approach to photography with ICM, it was so much fun to do and fun to see what we were able to do with this style. Next week Egídio leads us to something new again, please visit his inspirational blog to see more.
Until then, stay curious and creative.
Leya 
I am just speechless. Your photos are incredible and the way you’ve captured light, it hits the bullseye each time. They are all so beautiful. You have the gift, Ann-Christine. More power to you.
You are very kind, thank you!
thank you💛
beautifull words and photo
Thank you
Your photos of the long corridor and light at the bottom of the stairs has echoes of children running and playing, yet the question is honest. Being an optimist, I can only hope. Ice creates a special light and the sound is part of its allure. Your final shot of a bit of sky through the yellow leaves is maybe my favorite, though the whole of this post is powerful.
Thank you, Lindy! So glad you liked the post, I struggled with it at first.
I’m going to join your chorus of admirers, AC! What a moving, inspirational, and beautiful post–both in words and images. Your feelings and love of beauty shine through the entire post.
Patti, thank you for a wonderful comment! Much needed in these dark days for both humans and nature. Your positive comment is much appreciated ♥
A wonderful post in text and picture. There is nothing to add. I fully agree with Tish, that you have given us a gift, Anne-Christine. Each picture tells a beautiful story and carries us away into a brighter, more hopeful reality. – I particularly love the ice (sound included), a moment of extraordinary beauty, many people fail to notice or simply don’t have the chance to experience. – And the luscious tree at the end. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Beautifully interpreted. I was going to try to choose a favourite. But I can’t …
Then I am glad…you liked the whole post. Thank you!
Beautiful words and photos!!
Thank you, Nora!
How do you do it? You’ve hit the nail bang, smack on the head from those first, slightly eerie images to the glorious ending. And those little figures! The child within us all. So love this post, Ann-Christine. Thank you!
Haha, Jo, I am thrilled that you loved it! I still love those little figures – don’t know how I spotted them…
Anne-Christine, what a lovely post! You have given us wonderful images and a lot to thing about. I love the way you have captured the light coming into so many different places. My favorites are the chair in the room and the dilapidated building.
Thank you so much – and it seems my struggling with this challenge was rather well received! That chair is an all time favourite with me.
These are beautiful – love the chair in the dappled light and the window especially
Thank you – that chair is an all time favourite of mine.
The two bears are too cute. Well spotted, Ann-Christine 😊
Thank you!
You‘re welcome 😊
I always love your posts Ann-Christine but this one is as they say ”beyond the pale”. If you don’t have that expression it means something like better than words can say. I cannot possibly select a favorite and every image expresses your thoughts perfectly. Is there such a thing as a blogging masterpiece? If so, this would be it!
This was really, really a wonderful comment, Tina – thank you so much!I am overwhelmed and humbled. And sorry, because I found this one in the spam today – together with another two from you. WP is not at its best right now…
Wow. GREAT selections. I love the light!
Thank you, John – difficult, but interesting to see all the interpretations.
Thank you, Ann-Christine for this gorgeous post. It is you, in words and images. You say you see darkness first but you do focus on the beauty of light and life. It shows on photos like your first one and on the cracked ice ❤️
I am happy you liked it and can find traces of me there too! Thank you for a wonderful comment. ♥I need every bit of light right now – I am in agony over the Amazon and the horrible fires where so many animals are wiped out.
It’s all going terribly wrong, isn’t it? Holding on to light and hope ♥
💛
Ann-Christine, I think this is a beautiful interpretation of Ritva’s challenge! Your words and pictures have so much meaning, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for a lovely comment, Sylvia! The darkness here brightened up a bit!
Your interiors are beautifully captured and I love the dilapidated barn, while the tiny teddies in the roof opening are a fantastic spot and perfect for this challenge!
Thank you, Sarah! Loved your post!
Thank you in return 😊
Hi Ann-Christine
We love Cohen’s lyrics and just saw the film ”Goodbye, Leonard”.
Interesting how you transformed the lyrics into pictures. We like your photograph of the breaking ice most and the one of the sailing boat under a dramatic sky.
When I lived in Montreal I got to know Leonard. We had mutual friends and met quite regularly. Your second picture I can connect with him quite well.
Wishing you an easy week
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Klausbernd – to think you were friends with Leonard Cohen, starstruck – me. I love his lyrics and I love his voice. Missing it. Your life has always been rich in its best meaning, hasn’t it?
Wishing all the best and much love to you all ♥♥♥♥
Dear Ann-Christine
You wouldn’t believe it when I first met Leonard, I didn’t know about his lyrics and songs. Later I became a fan. But I have to admit I find his two novels boring.
As I taught at an Ivy League University, McGill in Montreal, I got to know many famous people. But Leonard was the only one I had a closer connection with.
Wishing you Happy Halloween
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You’ve given us a real gift here, A-C. Your words and photos not only convey light out of shadow, but you take us into the light. Uplifting in every way. Thank you for bringing light to a rather gloomy morning.
Tish, I am overwhelmed that you found it so positive and bright. Thank you, thank you! This was a difficult one to find a way with… but I, like many others, love that lyrical quote of his.
Heartfelt and thoughtful. Your photos are filled with shadows and light. So evocative, Ann-Christine.
I am so happy everytime I find that you like what I struggled to put together – and this time I really had to work hard…♥
Ann-Christine, I am so impressed and moved by this post. We struggle, like mankind always have done, to find a meaning – a light – in our lives. Some people find it in religion or from special and charismatic people. From Love. Yes, and from nature we also find solace. I am not going to pick a photo, the post spoke to me the most.
Ritva, thank you for a wonderful challenge that really was a challenge! But also a possibility to learn more.
❤
Great quote, not heard it for awhile…. but a perfect quote for
CONTINUED… for photographers. 😁
😀 I agree!
I love these. I think it is natural to see the darkness first. It is a discipline to see the light first.
Maybe you are right about that discipline, yes. I am really glad you liked the post!
Ann-Christine, your post is inspirational. The words you used to accompany each photo allow the viewers to spend more time and reflect about each image, their meanings, and hopes. This is amazingly beautiful.
Thank you, Egidio! You are always so positive – and I really struggled this time. When I finally found my way, it was a good thing.
Ann-Christine, life is hard, but I try to keep a positive attitude to make it more palatable.
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I like all your rays of light photos, including that of the Dalai Lama.
I am glad you liked them, Rebecca! It wasn’t easy, but happy to share what I got.
Wonderful examples of light shining through a crack or minimal source of light.
The first four images particularly appeal to me with their simple subjects and detail.
Thank you, Vicki – yes, I see what you mean. So glad you liked them.
You had me at the first photo Ann-Christine. Lots of favourites including the toys in the roof, the stairs, suns rays, the old places and more
Thank you, Brian! Difficult from the start, but managed it in the end.
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