Welcome to Week 63 of the Tuesday Photo Challenge.
Last week’s responses were a pure symphony of wonderful images, prose and poetry! I thoroughly enjoyed the way you embraced the theme and created amazing compositions.
This week, I’m going back to one of my old tricks… The theme of Steps can be taken in several directions thanks to the English language. Merriam Webster showed me 11 definitions, some of which were nuances, whereas others have completely separate definitions. Therefore, it is your choice, whether these steps take you up (or down) or direct your path, or even are performed as part of a ballet!
Have fun with this theme and don’t skimp on creative direction, as I know you won’t! Uncover some new steps, retrace some old ones or climb up and down, as in an M.C. Escher drawing.
One may wonder where these steps will lead us…
Where do they lead?
As the observant reader of my blog will surmise, this is yet another image from my Italian vacation. When we were in Massa Marittima, there were many steep streets followed, steps climbed and descended, as we came across some of the most amazing views at the top of the hill!
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)!!
So, don’t skip a step in your creative process, and step lively to sharing your photography and writing!
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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Fab choice. Your steps will take a lot of beating (though I like Moss steps above) … I should think you were fit by the time you came home from your Italian trip 🙂
Great prompt, Frank! I love how it can be taken numerous ways. I should be able to do this! Blessings 🙂 Looking forward to seeing what people come up with. Debbie
Whoops! I’ve posted my link in “STREET” challenge and not in “STEPS”.
Here is a link to my post on Lisbon’s historic Alfama district and its STEPS. http://helenbushe.com/lisbon-alfama-steps/
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Dutch goes the Photo! 
Love your prompt…I have so many pictures of steps, but this one is a sure favourite…
A Stepping Stone Gathers Moss – By Sarah
https://bysarahwhiley.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/a-stepping-stone-gathers-moss/
Great post!!
Happy Tuesday, Frank 🙂
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/tuesday-photo-challenge-steps/
Awesome post!
Fab choice. Your steps will take a lot of beating (though I like Moss steps above) … I should think you were fit by the time you came home from your Italian trip 🙂
Those moss steps are awesome! Yes, visiting the hill towns of Tuscany provided plenty of climbing and increased leg muscles 🙂
Plus with all the healthy cooking in Tuscany, I lost 8 pounds during vacation. Clearly, I need to live there to be healthy 🙂
Here is my contribution https://rkarkera.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/travel-bababuddengiri-mullayanagiri-india/
Not about picture of steps, but about covering about 10,000 steps in a day on our latest trip.. I was writing a post and saw that you posted a challenge.. so linked.. Hope that is ok with you..
That is a wonderful post and I definitely like your take on this week’s theme. Well done!
Thank you very much for your kind words… Glad it was accepted!
Another great theme this week, Frank. My entry this week via the link below. 🙂
https://simpledimplesite.blog/2017/06/27/tuesday-photo-challenge/
Thank you,Stella! Great post!
You’re welcome! I’m happy it turned out well and I was quick this time. Thanks. 🙂
A lovely prompt Frank, I have taken a different step with this one: https://whippetwisdom.com/2017/06/27/haiku-light-wheels/
Village life from me Frank.
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/tuesday-photo-challenge-steps/
Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
Thank you!
You are welcome!
Great prompt, Frank! I love how it can be taken numerous ways. I should be able to do this! Blessings 🙂 Looking forward to seeing what people come up with. Debbie
Looking forward to seeing your post for this theme, Debbie!
A good theme Fran! Steps both up and down always tempt me – to walk on and to take photos! Here are mine for this week’s challenge: https://travelwithintent.com/2017/06/28/up-down-london-somerset-house/
Thank you, Debbie! Love your perspective shots, particularly the one with the people going down the staircase!
Here is my entry for this week.
https://charlesewaugh.com/2017/06/28/tuesday-photo-challenge-steps/
Excellent entry!
hi frank wonderful and great picture. This is my contribution to the week theme http://wp.me/p2AvI7-2pB.
Thank you, Robert! Another excellent post by you. I love you B&W photography!
Whoops! I’ve posted my link in “STREET” challenge and not in “STEPS”.
Here is a link to my post on Lisbon’s historic Alfama district and its STEPS.
http://helenbushe.com/lisbon-alfama-steps/
No harm done 🙂
Excellent post and entry! Thank you!
Thank you!
Hi Frank, another great theme! Love the English language!
https://theshowerofblessings.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/tuesday-photo-challenge-great-wall-steps/
Thank you, Miriam!
You’re welcome, Frank!
Great steps and great theme, Frank. I had to go back a few years to find some I liked. https://3rsofretirement.com/2017/06/30/stairway-to-heaven/
Thank you, Marie!
Just finishing up my post now – thanks so much Frank. ❤ Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Debbie! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Frank, I love your steps… 😀
I’ve waited until my Which Way challenge come out to add my steps for this week.
http://wp.me/p3ZTqs-6pf
Excellent collection of steps in your post!
Beautiful antique steps! Check out https://travel387.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/step-ahead/
Nice one!
A bunch of steps, some from San Francisco including Alcatraz, others locally here in Maryland.
https://weaklythoughts.wordpress.com/2017/07/02/steps-going-up/
Entry up! https://rjbailey.wordpress.com/2017/07/02/challenge-two-fer-which-way-steps/
Nicely done!
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better! Reading thіs post reminds me of mｙ previߋus room mate!
Hе always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to hіm.
Рretty sure he wіll have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you like it! Hope your roommate enjoys it too.
Cheers,
Frank
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