It’s Amy’s turn to host the 19th Lens Artists Weekly Photo Challenge. The 19 past weeks have been so much fun for us. We appreciate all of you who follow our posts and participate in the challenges.
This week, Amy challenges us to explore the power and beauty of light. Since I started exploring photography as a creative medium, I have become a student of light and an admirer of its endless variations. Here are some recent favorites shot in diverse locations and at various times of day. Ready? Here we go!
Studio of Pietro Canonica, Borghese Gardens
In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light.~Hans Hofmann
Within the Borghese Gardens, tourists can visit the studio of the Italian sculptor, painter, opera composer, and senator Pietro Canonica. His workroom has been kept intact since Canonica’s death in 1959. Even his easel is still set up with his final work-in-progress and his paint brushes and tubes of paint are ready for his touch.

Pietro Canonica’s Studio. Borghese Gardens, Rome. Shot with a Fuji XT-2
Botanical Gardens of Florence
In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. – Aaron Rose
The afternoon light cast lovely shadows on this flower in the gardens. It is one of the many beautiful spots to enjoy nature within the city.

Beautiful Blossom.
Central Park, New York
Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography. – George Eastman
During our visit to New York in October, we took a walk at twilight in Central Park. To my surprise, the skating rink was already open. I love the golden light at this time of day.

Autumn at the Ice Rink in Central Park.
Galleria Borghese, Rome
The artist vocation is to send light into the human heart.– Robert Schumann
I fell in love with Bernini’s sculpture of Apollo and Daphne from the Galleria Borghese. It is so beautifully executed and so expressive.

Apollo and Daphne. Galleria Borghese, Rome.
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs in Rome
In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. – Sir Francis Bacon
I was fascinated by the bronze meridian line clock in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome. Every day sunlight passes through a hole in the basilica’s ceiling. The ray lands on the line precisely at noon. The time of year can also be determined by the location of the light on the line. At the spring and fall solstice, the light hits either end of the line. This ancient timepiece embedded in white marble is not only accurate, but it is also stunningly beautiful.

Meridien Line. Basicilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs, Rome
This week, in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, we turned back the clocks, which signals the beginning of the darker and colder seasons of autumn and winter. During these months, daylight is more precious than ever. This is also true in terms of world events. Writers have described our age as dark, given the daunting challenges we face–in terms of politics, violence, climate change, immigration, poverty…
Instead, I prefer to focus on the light–people who are making a difference because of their courage and convictions and their unshakeable belief in the positive, the good, and even the impossible. It’s my hope that we all bring more light into the world–through our photography and other creative projects, our actions, and our beliefs.
A special thanks to Amy for hosting this week’s challenge. Stay tuned for Tina’s challenge #20 on Saturday, November 17th at noon. Have an inspiring and light-filled week, everyone!
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
Thank you, Patti for this beautiful, inspiring post.
Sadly to say, it’s a chaotic period of time. Worrisome. I found some hope and comfort from your photos and words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 🙂 Thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad you found a little bit of light in my post!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful captures for the challenge and wonderful words, thanks for sharing Patti!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Paulo! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post is beautiful and inspiring – thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful photos – I especially like the light on the “Apollo and Daphne” sculpture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Tatiana. I guess you can tell I love that statue! Glad you like it too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, Patti!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandy. I appreciate that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful images Patti, I am a great believer in following and sharing the light in every way we can 🙂💖 xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Xenia. I totally agree with you about following and sharing the light!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All perfect choices, Patti, but my favorites are the sculpture and the shot of NYC. There are so many beautiful views of NYC, which I love to see and also always make me thankful I’m not there. 😉
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janet! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. So, you love NYC, but you wouldn’t want to live there?
LikeLike
I love seeing it and even visiting for a short while (although not too often.) I wouldn’t want to live there or really in any very large city. I think that if I lived in a big city, I would choose Chicago, but I’d rather be in the suburbs (where we are now) or in the country with access when desired. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see! You love to be surrounded by nature more than skyscrapers. 🙂 I’m the opposite!!
LikeLike
It takes both kinds, Patti. I’ll come stay with you and you can visit me in the mountains. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It takes both kinds, Patti. I’ll come stay with you and you can visit me in the mountains. 🙂 Tomorrow I have some entries for the “Magical Light” challenge and I think you’ll appreciate them after our conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 I like that idea! Looking forward to seeing your post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful choices Patti, as always. Wonderful display of light’s affects. – my favorite part of your post this week though is your closing thought. So well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 Thank you, Tina. I truly hope we all shed a little more light through our creativity.
LikeLike
Lovely images, i particulaly like the flower caught in the evening light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, MM. I love how everyone seems to single out a different shot! I’m glad it “spoke” to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post, Patti! Love your choices, and was intrigued by the ice rink in Central Park – the light and the motif seems almost unreal. And of course I fell in love with Apollo and Daphne! Bernini is Bernini.
Your ending with hopes of spreading positive light is of utmost importance. Any way we can do it, we must always strive to do it. The light will grow with anyone who will glow from inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanted to give you a big hug for these statements: “Your ending with hopes of spreading positive light is of utmost importance. Any way we can do it, we must always strive to do it. The light will grow with anyone who will glow from inside.” So true. I couldn’t agree more!! I’m glad you like the other shots too. I know what you mean about the ice rink. It was a surreal scene, given that it was October and people were skating in this urban oasis.
LikeLike
Hugs back to you, Patti!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful gallery of light Patti and I agree with your last thoughts among all the doom and gloom we must concentrate on and search out the positive and appreciate the beauty of nature
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad we agree, Pauline! I know from your posts how much you enjoy nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Each has its own story and fits well into the theme.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Sally. I hope all’s well with you. I hope you have some wonderful sunny days to enjoy the outdoors.
LikeLike
Excellent photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Indira! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcom, dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful images – the statues are amazing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Nora!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely snaps, especially of Central Park 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Hammad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Patti, it is my first visit to your blog and my first time participating in the challenge. I adore your photo of the Bernini sculpture. Regards. Tracy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you are joining us , Tracy!! Welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely Images
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nikah!
LikeLike
Wonderful selection of images Patti.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 Hope all’s well with you, Rupali.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful light and interesting write up
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Some great light, Patti!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 Many thanks, Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike