One of Onenezz asked me last night if I will be joining here. I replied on the negative. I also know she posted one week earlier, but I really did not intend to join. However, this Wednesday morning the links are still so few. So, I hurried through my files; no cropping, no edit, no nothing, just put the watermarks. These are my attempts at Illumination. It can be understood from the surface to the deepest, the literal to spiritual, the factual to hidden meanings. It might also be the path to Enlightenment.
It would be also much appreciated if Donna, the host, will generously critique my photos here.
Dubai desert at sunset
Dubai airport at sunrise
Main entrance to the University of the Philippines Los Baños lined with Royal palms on both sides. The university is a symbol of 'illumination' and UP is the leading university in the country, and that lamp near the UP sign is also a symbol for illumination.
This is the way to the University Library, which is on top of an incline. Isn't it very symbolic that the way to 'Illumination' is uphill, not easy to reach?
This is in Ooty, India, a place on the mountains. The photo is on the other side of a beautiful rose garden which occupies a side of the hill. It seems to be a very great contrast, and India is associated to the word 'enlightenment'. This photo for me has lots of meanings from the superficial to the sublime!
Taken in Ooty, India too, on the way to the big Rose Garden i mentioned above
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Andrea, I am glad you 'attempted'. I am surprised you came out with so many beautiful photos quickly. Actually I knew you didn't intend to prepare this post since I asked you the first time last week and I can understand why because I feel the same way about this word. The next word is even harder.
ReplyDeleteYour photos amazed me. Isn't it great that they are out here to be admired by all instead of hiding in your hard drive? Your shadow shot resembles Donna's but yet different. My fave would be the sun rays!
Your attempt was wonderful! Great pics!
ReplyDeleteVeronica
The shot of the rays is good...
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you really covered the topic conclusively from many different angles. Your shot of the sunbeam is excellent and a hard shot to capture. Kudos. I mentioned I am always trying to get those shots but only succeed when I recreate them in Photoshop. All other camera attempts pale in comparison. I liked your look at architecture too. Placing a structure high on a hill is very symbolic and your note that it is a hard path to follow, very profound. Obelisks have that symbolism too, a reaching to the heavens visually and spiritually, But they also have a Phallic symbolism as well. A sure bet that is a guy's original idea. I doubt it would be a woman's first thought to do that kind of symbolism and iconic. All your images had a very engaging quality. Nice work and thank you for joining.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos showing illumination. The last one is stunning. Hope you have time to stop by and see mine.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I can relate to feeling intimidated! I felt the same way but thought to myself, I can't grow as a photographer if I don't put myself out there and make an attempt. So I participated as well. I think your photos are fantastic. I also do very little editing to my photos. I don't have any fancy program to do that so it is out there for what it is. I really like your last photo of the light through the trees!
ReplyDeleteWow! The last photo is amazing Mam Andrea! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved them all but my favourite is the last shot! This is so interesting. Thanks for telling me about it. Now I'm off to see other participants.
ReplyDeleteIts so important to trust your own creativity and follow your heart. I love that you did that. That photo of the light rays, says it all for me and includes a bit of your own magic:~)
ReplyDeleteLovely...my favorite is of the shadow of the tree...so thoughtfully photographed!
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos. The last one through the trees is amazing, but there were others that evoked strong feelings from me. And isn't that what good photography should do? Well done!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, your photos are lovely, I like the first two the most! I too am a bit intimidated by the meme words - I love taking part in Menes but so far I haven't done this one because I don't think my photos are good enough - but you've inspired me to try next week xxx
ReplyDeleteAndrea, your photos are lovely, I like the first two the most! I too am a bit intimidated by the meme words - I love taking part in Menes but so far I haven't done this one because I don't think my photos are good enough - but you've inspired me to try next week xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about GWGT's talent. Your selection for Illumination is excellent. I love the sun rays shot most but your shadow shots are good too.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you chose fabulous pictures. It was hard to choose "favorites" but mine are the first and the last. The white eye of the flower simulates and infers light, while in the last picture, you see the light. And everything in between are simply more stunning, incredible pictures!
ReplyDeleteThat last image is fabulous, it hardly seems real, beautiful! Christina. Please check through your images for a Foliage post, I'd love to see it. Christina here's the link to foliage day. http://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/garden-bloggers-foliage-day-22nd-september/
ReplyDeleteThese are really gorgeous photos, Andrea..you have definitely evoked the feelings that set out to do. I've never taken part in any blog community postings, as I too am very much intimidated by so many good bloggers out there. Sometimes I don't even comment as my blog seems so mundane in comparism. Maybe one day! (><)
ReplyDeleteHere's my reply to your comments:
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Andrea, GBFD will be on the 22nd of each month, so a week after Bloom day, which I hope will give bloggers some time between blooms and foliage. I'd be happy with either something about an overall effect theat foliage creates in the garden or just one leaf that you find interesting - pretty free really. Rome is in the region of Lazio. We live about half way between Rome and Siena. If you come back to Italy I hope you visit my Hesperides garden. Christina
these are nice captures but my favourite shot is the Dubai airport.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you did a very good job portraying "illumination" From the more obvious symbols such as the sun and he electric light to the much more subtle fern frond. It is said that if we truly know nature we may truly know God. I am so glad you wrote on this subject.
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Andrea, I wanted to say something, but I forgot everything when I saw your last photograph. My jaw dropped... It's a masterpiece! You should be very proud of this shot!
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled with the comments i got from all of you. Most of you are my constant visitor-friends, yet i really love those comments which will further propel my enthusiasm with light and postings. I am doubly inspired from those of you whose photographs are well-known in blogs to be real awesome and beautiful, much more those who are really professional artists who studied photography, like Donna who is the brain in this Word for Wednesday meme.
ReplyDeleteI know all of you by your photographs, and again you really inspired me. Thank you very much.
Those are all fantastic--especially the last one! And I really like the fern shot, too. I enjoy unique angles of foliage. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteNice photos on the theme. I love that first bloom especially and the rays of sun at the end.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrea, Your first and last photographs are stunning! I love the subtle illumination in the first and the wow! of the last . . . you must have been overjoyed to have captured that moment. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, For a last minute effort you did wonderfully! My favourites are the shot of the ferns (love the plant architecture) and the fabulous shot of the light through the trees. This second shot is dramatic and simply superb.
ReplyDeleteAndrea I am always reluctant to add my tuppence worth to these things, but may I say you have done it beautifully, I just love your picture Taken in Ooty,on the way to the big Rose Garden. congratulations.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Andrea! Donna must be very pleased. ( I haven't read her comment yet) I like the whole UP connection.
ReplyDeleteStunning photography Andrea, especially the last one :)
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