I’m grateful to Sofia Alves whose challenge this week has me thinking about the contrast in perspectives–looking up and peering down. Many thanks, Sofia!
Here’s a small sample of some of my “up” and “down” images from around the world.
Looking Up at Architecture and the Sky
Once you have tasted the taste of sky, you will forever look up.~ Leonardo da Vinci
When we travel, I often peer upward, marveling at the local architecture and the sky. Here, you can see the changing skies over Melbourne, Australia, a fabulous city.
I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is all like an opera. – WB Yeats
Oxford is another place to look up at the sky and admire the historic academic buildings where artists, poets, and great thinkers dreamed, lived and studied. This visit brought back memories of books set here, like Brideshead Revisited.
Looking Up and Finding Artistic Treasures
In places with rich artistic history like Italy, I spend hours staring upward at the ceiling. This was true when we visited Ravenna, Italy, once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. If you look closely at this stunning ceiling in the Basilica of San Vitale, you’ll see that it is inlaid with intricate mosaics.
Looking Down at Landmarks and Nature
When we spend time in New York City, I’m often craning my neck, trying to get a better look at the newest skyscrapers that are pushing upward, creating an ever-changing vista. But sometimes, I look down–like the time this summer when we went for an early morning walk in Central Park and stopped for a visit to the Bethesda Fountain. Here, we are looking down at the fountain, the intricate brickwork and the people stopping to take photos.
I’ll end this post with an image shot recently on a walk in Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C. When I was wandering through the rhododendron garden, I spotted this marvelous example of nature’s intricate beauty.
Sofia’s challenge helped me realize yet again that I must be an optimist! As I searched through my archives this week, I found dozens of images captured while looking up at trees, buildings, and the sky. But I’m also a realist with my feet planted firmly on this earth. I see beauty in nature, in creatures that crawl and fly and prowl. All these things fill me with happiness and wonder.
A special thanks to Sofia Alvez for leading the challenge this week and inspiring us. We hope you join us and share your favorite up and down views from all around the world. Thanks also to Amy for her “Keep Walking” challenge last week. I loved getting glimpses of your favorite walks near and far.
Next week, it’s my turn to lead the challenge, so be sure to stop by here next Saturday, September 11th at noon to join the fun. In the meantime, have a joyful and inspiring week, and please stay safe.
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
These are great. So much work in the Basilica of San Vitale, truly amazing. And the leaf such lovely light looking up through it.
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Hi, MM! I know what you mean about San Vitale. I kept thinking how many generations of artists worked on these ceilings! Amazing. And to think their life expectancy was so much shorter than ours. Astounding. And about the leaf…it was huge! About the size of an elephant’s ear! I hope all’s well. Thanks again for stopping by and commenting!
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Wonderful. I last went to Ravenna when I was a child. It made a huge impression on me, but I realise now how much I’ve forgotten. That’s some photo. As is that of the leaf – though of course I liked every one of these images.
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Oh, you went there! Wonderful! I hope you can go again as an adult. The leaf was enormous–the size of an elephant’s ear. Glad you like them! Looking forward to seeing your post, too. I’m behind again in my reading.
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I’m having a very busy week – we’ll have to see whether I get chance to – er – look up.
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Ah yes. We have to make time to look up, don’t we??
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Wonderful photos for this week. Thanks Patti for inspiring us 😀 😀
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Thank you, Cee!! The inspiration works both ways–between you and me! Have a good week.
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Beautiful images. I’m always amazed when I look up and down and realize that there’s beauty in all of Nature, and in man-made things too.
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Hi, TC. Thanks so much! Yes, I agree that it’s amazing both in terms of nature and some of our own creations…They’re uplifting. Enjoy the week. Thanks for stopping by.
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I enjoyed my visit! 😎
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😀😀
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Beautiful images, both looking up and looking down Patti! Loved them all. Photography does bring beauty into our lives.
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Hi, Anne. Thank you! 😀😀. Yes, photography does bring beauty into our lives. Sometimes I don’t look for it enough, but when I do, it’s wonderful. I hope all’s well. Enjoy the week.
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Beautiful photos. Great clarity, all. Love the basilica, and the leaf!
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Hi, John. Thanks so much! I must have taken a hundred photos in the basilica. But that one was one of my favorites. 😀😀. And the leaf was amazing! Have a good week, John. Looking forward to seeing your post, too.
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Marvelous photos. I loved your reflections on how you look up and remain optimistic with feet planted in reality.
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Hi, Anne. Thanks so much. 😀 Sometimes I have to remind myself to get back down to Earth, but mostly it works out just fine!! Take care and enjoy the week, too.
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Wonderful photos, I love challenges as you get to look through your archives
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Hi, Alison. Thank you! I hope you’re able to join us! We have a great group of people participating every week.
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Beautiful images Patti. Basilica of San Vitale, Italy so historic and beautiful.
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Hi, Anita. Oh it was an incredible basilica! Thanks so much for your thoughts and stopping by! Have a good week.
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Enjoy your week too Patti.
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Love the Basilica view.
Sooo beautiful!
Thank you Pattimoed
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Hi, Philo. 😀😀😀. Many thanks! It’s an amazing place. Have a good week!
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Thank you.
You too my friend.
Have a great week
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I like the view of the Melbourne Skyline.
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Hi, Khürt! It’s a great city. I’m delighted you like the image!
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Beautiful images Patti and the Basilica at San Vitale looks amazing! Hope you are keeping safe and well and wishing you a wonderful new week 🤗💖 xxx
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Hi, Xenia. 😀😀. Many thanks. It was amazing. We’d love to head back to Italy, but we’re still figuring out the green pass requirements. It’s tricky for us because our proof of vaccination isn’t digitized….among other things. Take care too and have a great week.
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Great architectures and my fave is the Italy ceiling…such detail.
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Hi, Teresa. Glad you like the architecture and the ceiling. It’s truly amazing. Have a great week, too. Thanks for your feedback, as always!
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I would agree with the other comments, the Basilica photo is extraordinary in detail and it is awe-inspiring. How you say you view the world through your lens, with both optimism and realism, it shows in your photos. They are remarkable.
It was an honour for me, to be able to inspire, so I thank again the Lens-Artists team for this opportunity.
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Hi, Sofia. Thank you! The ceiling was awe-inspiring! It’s a struggle sometimes to be optimistic, but fortunately, that attitude has served me well during my life! You’re doing a great job inspiring us this week!
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Love the Ravenna ceiling! And some great images overall, Patti
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😀😀😀. That’s me…smiling!! Thanks, Sue! I hope all’s well.
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😄😄 I’m doing OK, thanks!
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Marvelous images this week Patti. I especially loved both the capture of Oxford and your comments about it. Loved your comment about being filled with happiness and wonder. I cannot imagine a better way to approach life.
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Hi, Tina. Thank you! At times, I aspire to that attitude and other times it comes naturally!! Thinking of you and hoping you see more progress this week.
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I love your image from inside the Italian church. Hard to believe it’s in Italy and not in Russia, Syria, Serbia, or so.
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Hi, Andre. Yes, you’re right! It does look Russian, Syrian….etc. At that point the Holy Roman Empire split into an eastern and western empire. Now, I’m wondering whether there was an eastern influence in the style of architecture/mosaics in the west? Um….interesting idea. Thanks so much for your thought-provoking reaction!!
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😊 unfortunately, I’m not a specialist in art history. So, I’m wondering with you
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I’m loving that leaf (a gunnera?) looks like a road map!
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Hi, Jude. So that’s the name of the leaf/plant?? It has huge leaves–the size of elephant ears! Thanks so much for telling me!!
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They do have huge leaves!
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Quite a contrast between those first two skylines!! I love the shot of the basilica as well. Such beautiful, rich colors.
janet
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Hi, Janet. Yes, quite a contrast!! I’m delighted you like them. I hope you’re having a good week/weekend and have nice weather for walks, etc…
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Good week but between 102 and 108 for the next week or so. 🥵
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Wow. Still so hot!
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That’s for sure!
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Wow, that ceiling in the Ravenna Basilica is absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing its beauty with us 🙂 And I especially loved that leaf photo too – just as beautiful in its own way!
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Hi, Sarah. Yes, it is stunning! I’ve never seen such magnificent mosaics like that. It’s definitely worth a trip to see them. And the leaf…it’s huge! I had to capture it on a recent walk. I hope you have a good week/weekend. Take care.
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Happiness and wonder – a great combination! Your photography is beyond beautiful and the text, comments all wonderful. A post to linger on and see again and again. Ravenna! I don’t remember much of my own visit in 1975. I would like to go there again.
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Thank you, AC! I really enjoyed your post, too. Lovely, lovely images. So you went to Ravenna in 1975! It may be worth another visit to see it now. The mosaics are just astounding. Have a great week and thanks for your thoughtful feedback, as always. 😀😀
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Long time no see – yes, I’d love to go again.
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Nice
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Hi Patti
Those inlaid mosaics at the Basilica pf San Vitale in Ravenna are gorgeous. I very much appreciate your thoughts on being both am optimist and a realist. You strike a good balance that way. And this quote is perfect “Once you have tasted the taste of sky, you will forever look up.~ Leonardo da Vinci”
Here’s my offering for this challenge, belatedly. It includes both a Heron and a Meteor – but not in the same photo. 😊
Best, Babsje
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Wonderful, Babsje. I enjoyed this. Glad you like the mosaics too and my philosophy of life!! Have a good weekend.
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You’re welcome Patti. And I hope you enjoy the spectacular New England weather this weekend. Best, Babsje
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What a great set of images! The first two are beautifully captured. The details of theBasilica of San Vitale, Wow! I love the image of the leaf.
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Thank you so much, Amy!! I’m delighted you enjoyed them. The basilica is absolutely stunning. I hope you can see it someday. It’s a city that isn’t on the tourist radar, but it should be, I think!
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The Basilica of San Vitale’s roof is just amazing!
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Isn’t it amazing, Aletta?? I was stunned! Thanks for stopping by!!
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It is awesome. 😊Thanks for sharing
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Great collection of photographs for the challenge.
I enjoyed viewing them all, Patti. Stay Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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Hi, Isadora. Why thank you!! 😀😀. My pleasure. I hope all’s well with you. Stay safe, too.
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Amazing ceiling!!
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Hi, Nora. Yes!! I spend 2 days staring upward at all the amazing mosaics in this town! Glad you enjoyed it, too.
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Oooh that leaf!!!! texture, colour, detail… Stunning!!! Great post!
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Hi, Ana. That was my reaction when I saw the leaf in Stanley Park. Wow! It’s huge! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. 😀
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Hi Sofia
I liked your challenge so much I decided to participate again – I hope that’s ok! Your description of the craftsmen chiseling pieces of stone to fit the street mosaics harkens back to an earlier time when cultures valued the work of artisans. Same for your description of the Louvre as not just a place to see beautiful art, but a work of beautiful art in and of itself. I’m a new follower to your blog, btw, and am enjoying the many posts you’ve sent this week. Lovely photos, all of them.
Here’s my offering, with what else? Photos of a Great Blue Heron…and me:
Best, Babsje
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