Posted for Debbies Six Word Saturday.
Finally the Colours Arrived Here Too
Posted for Debbies Six Word Saturday.
Weekly Challenge
Lens-Artistists Challenge # 275 – Filling the Frame
Anne is in the lead this week, and she has got a fabulous challenge in store for us – Filling the frame. Please visit her beautiful site for more inspiration.
Filling the frame offers a sense of completeness, clarity, inclusion, and comfort. We essentially “dive in” and experience the true essence of what the subject has to offer.
– Lucas Martin
So what does it mean – to fill the frame? Let’s see…
Prayer flags in Bhutan fill the frame in many respects – with cloth, letters and words.
Porto offers a staircase of sorts – it really fills up both us and the library/bookstore…
Filling the frame with a filled frame is hopefully allowed too? Beautiful stones of Georgia.
This random gallery of manmade and naturals ends with the rusty remains of a ship on a shore somewhere in Iceland. Filled with holes, but it still fills my frame. (Click to see the whole pictures)
Macro’s make us come really close, and leaves almost no empty space anywhere – maybe there is some truth in this quote from Robert Capa:
If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.
Fernsfernsferns – they are irresistible! Even the back side of them…
And, this is key to why I love it when an abundance of small pieces fill the frame –
– like these Icelandic icicles. To me, maybe it is also a matter of colours. Few colours, all hues in harmony, make the frames complete – or what do you think? I left a monochrome in the header… for us to keep pondering – is this a filled frame – or not?
Finally, a fiery frame from our walks this weekend – Autumn filled it from ground to sky. Lucas Martin was right.
Thank you, Donna, for a marvelous asymmetry challenge last week. We’ve learned a lot and had a lot of fun, haven’t we! Next week James of Jazzibee will be our guest host, be sure to look for his site for inspiration! Remember to link to the original post and tag with Lens-Artists.
If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.
Lens-Artists Challenge #274 – Asymmetry
Donna follows up last week’s Symmetry nicely, with Asymmetry – an informal sense of balance. Asymmetry is the absence of, or a violation of, symmetry.
She asks us: ”Where do you find the imperfectly perfect?” Because, asymmetry does not mean that an image is not balanced. It just means there are different ways of balancing it.
Asymmetry is something most of our photos have, and also what makes many of our shots work. John Ruskin says : ”…to banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality.”
In many of my own images, I use the Rule of Thirds.
Two starlings – one common in my own area, and another, maybe a common Myna, standing in the rain in a Bhutanese village.
And rules don’t have to be precisely followed either. The balanced feeling is there anyway.
Depth of Field is also a great way to showcase asymmetrical balance.
And why not an S-shaped path that draws your eyes?
Imperfections, run down areas, odd-shaped items, negative space, and light all contribute nicely. Here are some examples of those:
So glad every time I have the chance to feature one of my favourite old images – the backseat of an old wreck in Kyrkö mosse.
Harmony in the picture is the most important thing – symmetry or asymmetry. Maybe ”harmony” should sit in between those two concepts?
Asymmetry in faces are sometimes not easy to cope with. Even if we know that faces are never symmetrical, a lost eye, for example, makes a big difference to how we see the person or animal. These two friends had been playing together, when the game became too tough for the little guy. Still, he managed well for several years with only one eye. And I got used to looking at his new face when I visited my friends.
Architectural asymmetry is common in modern constructions. Harpa in Iceland, and Frank Gehry’s The Guggenheim in Bilbao and Pop Culture museum in Seattle.
Let’s finish with something from the natural world – a must of course. These two from the Butchart Gardens.
And what makes these two work? The frame and the bow shaped lines in the first one. In the second one, the nerves and then the flowers balancing colours and shapes.
A special thanks to Sofia for hosting last week’s challenge, Symmetry. She, and you, made us discover the power and harmony of symmetry. All of your posts were a feast for the eye! Next week, visit Anne of Slow Shutter Speed for more inspirational images as she leads us through the next challenge!
Lens-Artists Challenge #273 – Symmetry
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
– William Blake
The Tiger is a beauty beyond belief. And together with the lines of this well known poem, they are the first things I associate with the word ”symmetry”. The photo was taken at Nordens Ark, Sweden. Nordens Ark has participated or is currently taking part in re-population projects, to release animals born at the facility into the wild.
Sofia is our host this week, and her theme is Symmetry. She reminds us that symmetry is everywhere – if you look for it. Symmetry is an important composition tool in all kinds of art. Photography, painting, sculpture – and in fact, I believe it is essential for all our senses to reach harmony. Please visit her beautiful blog for more inspiration. Tag your own post Lens-Artists and link to Sofia’s original post!
I will continue to randomly associate and ponder the concept… I realise that naturally there is no such thing as perfect symmetry, but I also thought about how for example religious buildings like churches, mosques and cathedrals meticulously use symmetry for harmony (in the congregation?). Or at least I guess that is one of the reasons for their architectural style.
Naturally doors and windows are often symmetrical – double doors in particular. They are also very popular with tourist photographers. (Thursday Doors?)
Two pictures in harmony with each other – and still so different. I found both in Prague, and to me, the first one represents human efforts to master and to reach Nature’s grandeur. The butterflies have been sorted and set behind glass in an attempt to make the composition symmetrical. A living butterfly is seemingly symmetrical, but the framed, manmade result could never compete with nature itself. I am happy to point out that we have abandoned killing butterflies and piercing them with needles – we photograph them instead.
The church ceiling is interesting in that the painters have used very irregular areas to decorate, but still arrive at a sense of symmetry. Difficult but clever.
Wine barrels in Porto – a special symmetry – maybe not perfect, but nicely done. Just don’t get them rolling…
Water and mirrors invite to beautiful symmetry. Yesterday morning’s outing gave these two – asymmetric symmetry? I believe most of us never get tired of reflections.
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.”
– William Shakespeare
And, I don’t know about you, but somehow I look for – and use – both symmetry and asymmetri in the same image. Why? Maybe the answer is that they need one another to enhance each other.
Last week, John’s challenge gave us a chance to share billboards and signs from around the world and I hope they made you smile just as many times as they did me. Thank you all for a great, smiling week!
Next week, Donna is our host. And to follow Symmetry – we’ll have Asymmetry. Please visit Donna’s site for inspiration! Hope to see you then!
Lens-Artists Challenge # 272 – Billboards and Signs
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
– Albert Einstein
John asks us to look for signs or billboards, they are everywhere. And, if you don’t capture images of physical signs, consider any photographs of metaphorical signs. Thank you, I will try a mix!
Let’s start with the season – not many colours yet, but enough to know autumn is coming..
Then some signs of power: a wall in Split, showing the old city map, and who built the city.
Another sign of power – a jaguar sitting on a Jaguar.
A gallery of different signs from our travels would be a good idea, but I haven’t got that many. Here are some signs I remember well though…
Signs from Madeira, China, Italy, Sweden, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Iceland, Alaska and Canada. Wondering about the toilet? It’s in The Elephant House in Edinburgh – the birthplace of the Harry Potter novels. (Not the toilets…) J. K. Rowling first wrote about him from a table in this café. The signs are from fans all over the world…And here is one of her own:
Hearing voices no one else can hear isn’t a good sign, even in the wizarding world.
– J. K. Rowling
I cannot leave you without two favourites from Tblisi, Georgia, a city with a warm heart for its stray cats and dogs. The dog house has got a feeding automat where you can put in some money and there will fall down dog food for the strays to munch.
We are looking forward to seeing your challenge response this week. Be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists so we can find you in the reader, and link to John’s original post.
Many thanks to Amy for hosting last week’s challenge, “Contrasts”, and thanks to you for creative and interesting posts! Next week, it’s Sofia’s turn. If you want to join in the challenge, but aren’t sure how to get started, check here.
Lens-Artists Challenge #271 – Contrasts
Contrast is what makes photography interesting.
– Conrad Hall
This week Amy challenges us to show contrasts – please visit her inspirational site for more ideas!
My post was mostly made from our Alaska cruise, but a couple of images are from Prague. The first thing that comes to mind is black and white, here illustrated by the hanging man in Prague (…to me B&W also is connected to horror movies) and scyscrapers in Seattle.
Next up are some contrasting colours, black and white, blue and orange.
Over to Frank Gehry’s building and the Monorail built for the World Exhibition in 1962. Interesting to see it pass ”into” the building.
This is totally another kind of contrast. Architecture is fascinating, with contrasts and juxtapositions making us see, hate or appreciate.
On the road side of the same building the contrasts are in both colours, shapes and structures. The natural world/advanced architecture.
A collection of colours, silhouettes and textures. Close/sharp – faraway/blurred. Smooth water contrasting harsh cliffs – and framed/unframed is another contrast.
Finally, a before/after – colour/monochrome from Seattle harbour and seafront.
As you can see, contrasts in photography are not limited to black and white. There are architectual structures, colours/textures, daylight/nightlight – and many more. We hope you will join us sharing the contrasts you’ve captured through your lens. Please make a link to Amy’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag so we can find you in the WP Reader.
Many thanks for all your splendid and creative On Display – posts last week. We really enjoyed your beautiful displays. I still go back and look at them… Next week, John (Journeys with Johnbo) will host LAPC #272. Be sure to visit his site for inspiration.
Lens- Artists Challenge #270 – On Display
This week I thought we would reuse an old theme – On Display. And it could almost be about anything… from a shoe shop to a garden party. Maybe you passed a lovely market with an amazing display of fruit and vegetables, or a fancy shopping center with striking design in the windows, or maybe a garden with surprising ideas.
Luckily I was visiting Sofiero Palace because of its gardening days some weeks ago. ( With Viveka, the lovely lady in one of my Thursday posts )
You attract people with the qualities you display. You keep them by the qualities you possess.
– Unknown
The royal gardens of Sofiero has its own story, and is renowned for its extensive park with 500 different varieties of Rhododendrons. King Gustaf VI and his wife, Louise Mountbatten, designed the gardens. On our visit, the display was according to the season, autumnal, with vegetables, fruit and berries, zinnias and dahlias.
We were lucky with the weather as well, so everything still looked fresh and appealing.
The dahlias were overwhelming – still growing or already picked and on display.
It’s not our art, but our heart that’s on display.
– Gary Holland
A gigantic apple tree, decorated for lunch – like a romantic painting. I wished I could have had such a lush display in my own garden. Sitting at this table with happy friends and good food – the very thought of it made my imagination swoon. I would ask all of you to be my guest!
Karl Fredrik is a florist, gardener and interior designer who often is seen in different programs on Swedish TV. At Sofiero, he used a glasshouse to display his art, wine bottles, fruits and plants. And – as is his trade mark – there was MUCH of everything. I haven’t been to his home, Eklaholm, in Scania, so I was looking forward to seeing his arrangements here.
I hope you enjoy!
Let your personality and passions shine through in the objects you choose to display in your home.
– Jeremiah Brent
I was lucky to meet the busy artist himself in the doorway to the glass house – there he was with a new load of bottles! I just had to ask…and he gladly let me take a snapshot of him.
Many thanks to Patti for the fantastic On the Edge challenge – a joy to see all your inspiring posts! I hope you will join us this week too, and please use the Lens-Artists tag and link your post to mine – because now we are looking forward to seeing what You have found on display! At home or anywhere in the world.
Have fun and stay inspired – I cannot wait to see your displays!
Lens-Artists Challenge #269 – On the Edge
Patti says this week we’re exploring “the edges.” What have we captured “On the Edge” of buildings, cliffs, beaches, shelves, or any kind of edge we can think of. An interesting challenge open for many interpretations.
In the header, I have put Icelandic rocks and a weasel(?) on one of the edges.
I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can’t see from the center.
– Kurt Vonnegut
Switzerland and my garden – varied things and creatures on the edge.
We live at the edge of the miraculous.
– Henry Miller
Alaskan rainforest and a small tent covering a First Nation family. On the edge of society.
Life and death are balanced on the edge of a razor.– Homer
My hands and camera on the edge of a precipice – of books!
‘Tis the sharpness of our mind that gives the edge to our pains and pleasures.
– Michel de Montaigne
Climbing on the edge of a cactus, but also on the edge of extinction. Galapagos Islands.
A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.– Washington Irving
Morocco, walking the edges of Sahara dunes.
Sooner or later we will come to the edge of all that we can control and find life, waiting there for us.– Rachel Naomi Remen
Thank you Tina for a marvelous challenge last week, and thank you Patti for this week’s intriguing theme. Please visit her site for magical inpiration and put the Lens-Artist’s tag on before linking it to Patti’s post.
Next Saturday I, Leya/Ann-Christine, will be your host, and the theme is On Display.
Lens-Artists Challenge #268 – Tell us Why – II
”Tina asks us to choose 5 images or fewer,” should have been 10 or fewer… I was on the road/ship for some weeks, and now, having seen so many glorious posts from you, I feel I should also post some oldies and goodies – I did not realize I could do that. (Risking you would tire of them, because I have posted them several times before.) So, here are some old, true favourites for you!
I went to an art exhibition some years ago – and this window, with vines growing outside, ended up being my favourite work of art that day. Ethereal, glowing and living lace. The grid makes it even more special. I still remember the amazing feeling seeing the window from inside the building. A favourite ever since.
A lovely winter morning many years ago, at the local lake. The graceful swans floated by in the morning fog, standing out in the thin, cold rays of sun. It makes for an almost otherworldly feeling.
Iceland – I could have chosen so many of my images from this paradise. But, a late winter evening on the beach, brought this golden shine with diamond crested waves. There were diamonds in the black sand as well. (We had snow, but who could imagine that?) The combination made the very special feeling.
One of my all time favourites, maybe the greatest? The Fluela Pass in Switzerland. We drove there two times that day. In the morning, it was nothing, just an ordinary pass – but returning to our hotel that evening, the reflections were stunning. Also the people in the image makes for understanding the shere size of it, giving it perspective.
Finally – at home, a road often travelled with my dog. One warm summer evening, many years ago, the light was soft and yellow, there was no wind and the gravel road looked like a dream. The stretch of the road, curves and structures were enhanced by the light and shadows. I have never seen the road like this since then.
Thank you again, Tina, for a wonderful challenge – hopefully it is OK to do another post!
Lens-Artists Challenge# 268 – Tell us Why
Tina asks us to choose 5 images or fewer, and tell us what is special about them. I have chosen five favourites, and different reasons to why.
The first one is macro of a Toad Lily from my garden – a very spectacular little flower that seemingly mimics an orchid. On a sunny morning last week, she was a glorious sight.
The second image is maybe more ordinary, but it is the first rose I have grown and planted from a cutting of my favourite rose, and it is flowering already in its second year. In the very early morning light it stood out through the gate grid. As always, Light means everything.
My third choice is a dry pond in Sofia, Bulgaria. I was immediately caught by its colours, textures and patterns, and the work going on above it added to the special feeling of depth. It might even look more interesting without water!
In Bulgaria, 2017, we visited the most beautiful monastery I have ever seen. Stuck between the mountains and hidden behind colourful doors, a dream was waiting…. The feeling when we walked through that entrance was amazing. We all gasped, and I think I took several hundred photos inside. This is just the first thing we met…
The whole monastery was covered in paintings, every vault and every wall. Unforgettable. And – almost impossible to photograph. This was a try to show both mountains. vaults and paintings.
Thank you to Egidio for last weeks wonderful theme, and for all your beautiful posts!
So, now we are looking forward to seeing your chosen images – and why they are special to you. Don’t forget to tag with Lens-Artists, and link to Tina’s original post.
Stay well and be kind!
Leya 
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