Welcome to Week 46 of the Tuesday Photo Challenge. It was a tremendous pleasure to read the entries in response to last week’s theme, Nostalgia, which were just stunning and touching!
This week’s theme comes from my explorations over the weekend, going back to Nature for inspiration. Saturday allowed me to explore the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge with my good friend, George, from which I will share more images. On Sunday, my wife, Kris, and I visited Tower Hill Botanic Garden, which is the source for today’s image; many more will follow!
Today’s image gave me the idea to use the theme of Structure. Whether in Nature or human-created, structure is key to growth, stability and beauty. In Nature structure shows throughout optimized arrangements of plant growth, animals of all kinds and even the ground, upon which we walk. Your challenge is to go out and highlight those aspects of structure that you enjoy most and share the beauty you find in structure.
So here’s the image that I captured that started me thinking…
Unfolded Strength
Fan-shaped leaves never fail to draw me in, as they are true expressions of Nature’s ability to find an optimal solution for the complex problems of weight distribution and strength.
The full rules of this challenge are in TPC Guidelines, but here’s the tl;dr:
Create a pingback link to this post, so that I can create a post showing all of the submissions over the week (note: pingbacks may not appear immediately, as my site is set up to require approval for linking to it; helps against previous bad experiences with spamming)
Have fun creating something new (or sharing something old)!!
I know that I am going to love all of your contributions to this week’s challenge. Structure is all around us and a lot of fun to explore!
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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43 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Structure”
God this is beautiful, Frank. Radiant colors. I’m in – reminds me of solid foundation, which has been in my attention recently. Have a great week! Looking forward to it. 🙂 Blessings, Debbie
Done, so grateful once again for these challenges Frank. The labyrinth in my post is based on the one at Chartres, France (thought you may find that interesting). Many, many blessings to all who contribute to this wonderful photo challenge. ❤
Dutch goes the Photo! 
God this is beautiful, Frank. Radiant colors. I’m in – reminds me of solid foundation, which has been in my attention recently. Have a great week! Looking forward to it. 🙂 Blessings, Debbie
Thank you, Debbie! This one really caught my eye and I knew that I could do something with it that got my sense of structure across.
Have a wonderful week!
I love leaves too 🙂 This is fantastic and so beautiful. Nature truly is amazing!
Thank you! I just continue to get drawn in by them, as their inherent structure is truly astounding.
I agree!
Nice photo.
Thank you kindly!
I so adore your photo Frank.
Here is my entry for the week. ENJOY!
http://wp.me/p3ZTqs-5RN
Thank you most kindly, Cee! Love your post!
Thank you for another wonderful challenge Frank – I love your image of the leaf! :o) Natural ‘structures’ are my favourite and my contribution for this week is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2017/03/01/weekly-photo-challenge-the-road-taken/
Thank you for another great entry!
Always a pleasure :o)
Hi Frank, fantastic inspiration this week. Hope you enjoy this:
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2017/03/01/tuesday-photo-challenge-structure/
Excellent post!!
Thank you so much. 🙂
Love your photo, Frank. Here is mine for the week. https://3rsofretirement.com/2017/03/02/sructure/
Thank you, Marie! Great choice to use the pyramid!
Thanks. It just yelled structure at me. 🙂
Beautiful photo. Palm leaves are amazing.
Here’s my entry: https://blackbodyblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/crab-cove/
Thank you very much! Awesome post!
Hi Frank, I combined two challenges in this post. It just turned out that the photos meet both challenges!
https://theshowersofblessing.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/look-up-at-the-structure/
Wonderful entry, Miriam!
Thank you, Frank!!
Done, so grateful once again for these challenges Frank. The labyrinth in my post is based on the one at Chartres, France (thought you may find that interesting). Many, many blessings to all who contribute to this wonderful photo challenge. ❤
I will add a link to your post in a little while.