March 7, 2021 • 83

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #138: Natural Light

Wherever there is light, one can photograph.~Alfred Stieglitz

This week, Amy’s beautiful challenge inspires us to explore natural light. One of the joys of photography is observing and getting to understand the power and beauty of light. So, for this week’s challenge, I’m offering you a gallery of images shot at different times of the day.

Sunrise

The grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round.~John Muir

I must admit that I have very few sunrise images in my archives, since I am definitely not an early morning person. This image, taken a few weeks ago, was an exception to the rule. We left the house before sunrise and captured that liminal moment when the night recedes and daylight takes over. For that reason, this image fills me with hope.

Morning

Morning comes whether you set the alarm or not. ~Ursula K. Le Guin

You might say that I live by this quote by Ursula Le Guin because I usually have to be dragged into the day. But, this view, taken from our rental apartment in Florence captures that time of the day when Florentines start to open their shutters, sip some espresso and start to plan their day.

Midday

The day of the sun is like the day of a king. It is a promenade in the morning, a sitting on the throne at noon, a pageant in the evening. ~Wallace Stevens

I love how different places around the world move to their own rhythm. New York City is “awake” all day and through the night. Cities like Lisbon and Florence wake up much later in the day. This image was captured in Boca Raton, Florida, a city that gets an earlier start because of the heat. Once, when I looked up at the sky, I was struck by the interplay of the blue sky, the white clouds and the palm trees.

Evening

So let us welcome the peaceful evening in~William Cowper

As the sun starts to drop in the sky, some colors intensify, like this beautiful anemone. If you look closely, you’ll notice a bee getting one last sip of nectar for the day. This is the time of day when I can work the best.

The Golden Hour

The golden trail was blazed and I was reminded of the eternal, of Mozart, of the stars. For an hour, I could breathe again and live and face existence. — Hermann Hesse

The beauty of Sedona is highlighted in early evening, when the last rays of sunshine are reflected against the red rocks. It is a magical place.

The Blue Hour

The sun has set, but night has not yet fallen. It’s the suspended hour… The hour when one finally finds oneself in renewed harmony with the world and the light…when the night has not yet found its star. ~Jacques Guerlain, referring to his favorite moment in the day 

We were very fortunate to attend a concert at Notre Dame in the early evening, when the blue sky was highlighted in the cathedral windows. The music and the atmosphere were stunning. I am hoping that the cathedral can be fully restored, so millions of others can enjoy its ethereal beauty.

I hope you’ll join Amy and the rest of the Lens-Artists this week as we explore natural light. I’m looking forward to your posts and your inspiration!

Last week Ann Christine’s LAPC#137: Soft challenge gave us a chance to see your diverse, fun, and beautiful interpretations of soft!  Your posts gave me many smiles, which were gratefully appreciated amidst a very chaotic week.

Next week, it will be Tina’s turn to lead the challenge, so please stop by Travels and Trifles and join the fun on Saturday, March 13th at noon. 

Your continued participation, support, enthusiasm, and creativity inspire us!   Have a wonderful, creative week and please stay safe.

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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83 replies »

    • Hi, Dianne. Thank you! I’m delighted you like them. The public gardens in town really have wonderful light in the evening. I went there a few times a week to capture the flowers. I always appreciate your thoughts, Dianne! I hope all’s well.

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  5. A lovely way to approach the challenge Patti, loved all of the images and the corresponding verses. I’m with Anne, the serendipity of your Notre Dame image with the blue light through the windows is truly stunning.

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    • Thanks, Tina! It was a stunning evening at ND. I just hope (and pray) it can be restored to its former glory. What a magnificent place. We were fortunate to be there. I hope all’s well with you. My computer problems got worse!! 5+ hours on Friday with tech support. But I think (hope) all’s resolved now. I hope all’s well with you.

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  7. The first image is filled with hope, Patti. And, the colors of the sky and sunlight, and the reflection on the sea, truly beautiful. The blue sky was highlighted in the cathedral windows, wow!! We used to visit Notre Dame the first day we arrived Paris. I really miss it.

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    • Hi, Amy. I think it’s hopeful, too! I’m glad you agree. And ND…isn’t that a magical place? I truly hope that it can be restored. What a stunning place! I’m not surprised you used to visit it the first day in Paris. I miss it, too!

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  9. What a beautiful walk through a day, Patti! I’m a morning person who feels the need to be out by dawn, so I have lots and lots of sunrise photos. As the sunrise comes earlier and earlier, I tend to walk up earlier and earlier, so bedtime either has to be at a decent time or I just lose sleep. 🙂

    Have a wonderful week!

    janet

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  12. These are fantastic examples of the light throughout the day. The sunrise is a beauty and the Notre Dame shot magnificent. I love all the quotes too. I’m so not a morning person, but I wish was as the best of the day is often in the morning.

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    • Hi, Anita. Oh, you’ve seen it since the fire! It’s so sad, isn’t it? And it could have been prevented from what I’ve read… I’m delighted you like the photos! I appreciate your thoughts/feedback!

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  14. Wow. Fantastic. I love the sunrise, Sedona, and Notre Dame especially. SUPERB quotes. Muir makes me think of the endless wave of sunlight and morning dew that must circle the 🌎. Amazing.

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  15. Lovely photos you have in this set. The sky from inside Notre Dame de Paris looks wonderful. I’m so envious of their latitude. In mine the blue hour is more like the blue blink-and-you-miss-it minutes. The evening and the golden hour are better (and your photos are again lovely examples of that light). But most of our day is like a harsher version of your midday shot.

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    • Hi, IJ. Interesting about the latitude. I didn’t realize that. I’ve been watching a program about Sicily and you see that intense sun all day long. I imagine it’s similar in India. Blazing sun and stark shade. You’ve really got to adjust your camera to compensate. Glad you like the photos, too. Much appreciated, as always.

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    • Hi, Jo. I’m delighted that you came along, Jo! You’ll be happy to know that I’ve already finished my first walk of the day early this morning. I can only imagine how many miles/kilometers you walk every day! I hope you get a beautiful walk in the sun today.

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  17. Pingback: I Like a Challenge – MySnapHappyDays

  19. A lovely collection for natural light, Patti! I just loved that flower in its own glow, and the Notre Dame image is astonishingly beautiful. A wonderful morning shot…wish I was an early riser…

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    • Me, too, AC. I am forever struggling to get up early! The rewards are wonderful, when I do it! So we are the same then!! I’m delighted you liked these images. Notre Dame was amazing. I hope it can be restored.

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  24. Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC-138-Natural-Light – WoollyMuses

    • Thank you so much, Miriam! I’m delighted that you like them. We were so fortunate to be at ND during that time. Now more than ever, I think we all realize how precious these sites are. Take care and stay well.

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  28. Beautiful collection of images, and I have been politely reminded that it’s been a few years since we visited those red rocks of Sedona. We aren’t very far from there in our winter mode, but somehow we don’t seem to take the time to visit. Thanks for the reminder.

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  31. I’m always inspired by the beautiful photos taken by you and your Lens-Artists group! I finally got organized enough to get back out for some more beach lifeguard stand shots. They are probably getting to be too repetitive a theme for me, but I just love the colors. On this day, with whipping winds and dangerous jellyfish all over the place (both in and out of the water), even the lifeguards had abandoned their stations: https://maximizingluxurytravel.com/2021/03/12/spring-break-on-miami-beach/

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