This is already the ninth installment of the Tuesday Photo Challenge! Participation in last week’s challenge with the them of Lines was rock solid with some amazing photography and even haikus to join in with the fun!
While I was thinking about what to select for this week’s theme, I decided to go in yet another different direction, partially to offset the horrific event of this past weekend in Orlando. I want to go for something that is positive in humanity in that I am challenging you to capture the Human Spirit.
The Human Spirit is around us everywhere in lots of positive expressions, so go out there and capture some of that positivity and share it with the world!
My image for this week comes from an event that I have been lucky enough to photograph over the past couple of years; the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress‘s Buddy Walk is a hugely successful fund raiser for them, but it’s something even bigger. This event is a true celebration of the human spirit, as it is a combination of acceptance, inclusion, perseverance and pure joy that leaves me uplifted every year that I am lucky enough to photograph the walk.
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
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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28 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Human Spirit”
Beautiful photo……….. 🙂
Thank you very much!
Lovely post!!
Thank you for the adorable photo and the thought-provking blog. 🙂
Thank you very much! I appreciate your comments.
You’re very welcome, Jansen! 🙂
God this is magnificent, Frank, thank you. How timely. 💖 I’m in. PS – exquisite photo, it brought me to tears
Thank you, Debbie! This is one of those events that inspires me every year and recharges me to take on the rest of the world 🙂
A beautiful photo Frank.
Thank you, Miriam!
That’s a wonderful picture. Interesting theme too.
Thanks, Nikki. This should provide some interesting photos and stories that we all need.
Shared this in my Posts of Note! 🙂
Thank you!
Great picture Frank.This one is going to challenge me, but I look forward to it.
Thank you, Steve. I think you can handle the challenge!
Hi Frank – I had some trouble with the pingback & possibly the hashtag. 🙂 I did it though! Here’s the link: https://forgivingjournal.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/todays-forgiving-journal-being-touched-by-kindness/
It was a beautiful process for me. Thank you for these photo challenges. Much loving to you!
Hi Debbie, it made it! Your post looks fantastic!
Oh good. Thanks, Frank!! Blessings 🙂