November 11, 2018 • 52

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: #19 Magical Light

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

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52 replies »

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  11. 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.

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    • 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.

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