Hard to believe that this is already the eighth installment of the Tuesday Photo Challenge! Last week’s theme of Flowers certainly found a lot of fans, which means that it was a bit more of a brain twister for me to come up with something that I think might pique just as much interest. This led me to depart from Nature’s beauty and head into the direction of geometry for this week’s theme: Lines.
Lines are all around us, to such an extent that our brains have learned to interpret them as visual cues that can both be useful and misleading. In photography, we often use lines to lead the eye in a certain direction, as the image is not entered all at once, but rather specific clues are picked up, from which we assemble the overall image. [If there’s interest, I’ll be happy to do a post or two on how the brain processes images and its impact on effective photography].
So, this week, bring some lines to bear in your photography, and I’d love to read how you saw them come together in your image. I think that this can provide some interesting imagery!
The Line.
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
Create a pingback link to this post, so that I can create a post showing all of the submissions over the week
Have fun creating something new (or sharing something old)!!
This topic might be a bit of a brain/visual stretch, but I have every confidence in all of you!!
Technical Details
This image was captured using an iPhone 5S using the standard Camera app; Instagram was used for a bit of sharpening. The dichotomy between the right and left sides of the image is due to the angle of the sunlight playing with the iPhone lens.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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25 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Lines”
This is very beautifully composed, well done Jansen!
OK, Frank I’m in. Feels a little challenging for me too (I’m with Nikki on this one) and I’m game! It’ll be interesting to see what comes present. Thanks for the invite 😊 Blessings
Dutch goes the Photo! 
This is very beautifully composed, well done Jansen!
Thank you very much,
Frank
Welcome Frank!
This is a fantastic photo Frank. And what an interesting theme for this week. It’ll be fun seeing all the different entries. Cheers.
Thank you, Miriam! I thought it would be interesting to swing into a completely different direction this week.
Great shot!!
I like the composition and the hue.
Wow! lovely scene……….
Thank you very much!
Oh ok…tricky one! Challenge accepted! You photo is so captivating. 🙂
Thank you! I’m sure that you’ll have no trouble with this one, as lines are everywhere… Have fun!!
Great Photo as always, Frank. I’d like to participate in this challenge too. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your creative output on this one! It’s great to see new participation! Thank you so much!
OK, Frank I’m in. Feels a little challenging for me too (I’m with Nikki on this one) and I’m game! It’ll be interesting to see what comes present. Thanks for the invite 😊 Blessings
Very much looking forward to your creative results on this challenge, Debbie!
🙂 Thank, Frank. You’re a great cheerleader.
PS – I love your photo with the railway lines.
Thank you!
Another great challenge Frank — here’s my entry. I hope you enjoy it: https://thrumieyes.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/lines/
I did it. Thank you, Frank. It was profound for me.
I look forward to seeing it, Debbie!
Your picture looks like the perfect mix of an oil painting and a photo, it’s very captivating.
Thank you! I find that playing with the way light falls on the lens can produce unusual results, such as this one.