Welcome to Week 131 of the Tuesday Photo Challenge!
I have to admit that it does get more difficult to come up with new themes, as I check for what I’ve used before… This week is not too bad, as I looked at photos over the past couple of weeks and found one that I remember from one of the conference parties! It should come as no Surprise that I was amused enough to look for an interesting angle to photograph this rather docile giraffe! Much to my Surprise, I found an unusual feature about this giraffe, other than the obvious necklace… Whence the theme of Surprise came forth!
So…go out there and find those surprising views, things, people or whatsoever caught you by surprise, capture it with your trained eye and share it with the rest of us! I know that you’ll have fun with this theme and I am looking forward to chuckles and laughs!
Here’s looking up at a rather tall creature…
Looking up!
This giraffe was standing guard at the entrance of a lovely bar, named unBarlievable!, on Rainey Street in Austin, TX. Go out there and find this friend of all who love a drink from time to time!
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’m definitely looking forward to see your surprises!
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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97 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Surprise”
I do the same thing…glad I’m not alone in discovering little things in my photos after I take them! PS – I appreciate you taking the time to check out the zinnia photos!
It is really surprising to see the necklace around this fake giraffe and also see this at the entrance of a bar – I like your photo and POV and the surprising great theme! 🙂
Great pic Frank, love the perspective, it certainly adds to the unBarlievable. After a few drinks, I would probably topple over trying to see the expression on his face.
PS: Please disregard the listing of challenges – that appeared here only because it has a link to this challenge – it was not intentional, and I didn’t realize it will… 🙂
Thank you, Debbie; it’s been a couple of rather busy days to help people over quite a shock. I hope that with my help many can see the positive future that we all have.
Dutch goes the Photo! 
Nice one!The angle at which you have captured the giraffe is a real surprise n has made the picture special!
Here’s my try at surprise – https://heartoheart2017.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/two-is-company/
Thank you! Love your photo!
Thanks a ton!
Great photo Frank.
Sadly I don’t have any to go with my post, so I’ve used a couple of favourites
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/tuesday-photo-challenge-surprise/
LOL – that’s great – I love how the photo draws our eyes up to the tiny pop of red at the top. So fun! Here’s my take on surprise this week, thank you for the opportunity to play along. https://www.quaintrevival.com/my-garden-fairys-tale-of-the-zinnia-that-grew-crooked-like-a-z/
Full disclosure: I didn’t notice the red nose until I looked at the photo for including it this week 🙂
Love the zinnia and it’s winding ways!
I do the same thing…glad I’m not alone in discovering little things in my photos after I take them! PS – I appreciate you taking the time to check out the zinnia photos!
thanks for the mighty prompt, Frank. here is my take after a break
https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/interpretation/
Lovely poem!!
Thank u Frank
It is really surprising to see the necklace around this fake giraffe and also see this at the entrance of a bar – I like your photo and POV and the surprising great theme! 🙂
Thank you, Tatiana!
My post for this week’s challenge is :
https://apausefornature.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/i-stumbled-upon-a-surprise/?preview=true
I hope you all enjoy it! 😃
A great surprise! That plant is getting around!!
A great shot Frank, I love the surprising angle of the giraffe with the tree branches above! Our contribution for this week is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2018/10/23/haiku-a-new-horizon/
Exellent one, Xenia!
Thank you Frank! 🙂
Here is my contribution for today: Craters of the Moon, Idaho – I really surprising area 🙂
http://www.travelways.com/craters-of-the-moon-idaho-national-park/
Great location!
That Giraffe!!!! 🙂 Here’s my little fun for today!
https://naamayehuda.com/2018/10/23/morning-manners/
Na’ama
PS I may have some idea for propmts. Want me to leave them in another comment here?
Awesome post! Yes, I’d love to get your ideas for prompts. If you like, please email me at jansenphotography at gmail dot com.
Thank you!!
Sure thing. You got mail!
Thank you! Great ideas.
You’re welcome. If any inspire, yay hurray.
Love your post and photo! Great capture!
Thank you for letting me in – And for that giraffe too! Here I am again this week – surprise? https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/tuesday-photo-challenge-surprise/
Those are certainly surprising!!
😉
http://anitashope.com/2018/10/23/the-box-returnith-surprise-tpc/
Interesting sign. Is “UnBarlievable” a better pun or worse than “The Nobody Inn”?
LMAO!!!
…so a bit of nostalgia .. I like that!
Hi Frank, here is another surprise: https://tranature.com/2018/10/24/haiku-hunters-moon/
Wonderful post, Xenia!
Thank you Frank! 🙂
Hi Frank! I was quite surprised to look up and see this home teetering on the edge: https://outofmywritemind.com/2018/10/24/balancing-act/
Wow!! That would be surprising and possible unsettling!
Yes, I was hoping the owners got out safely
He, he… I found one that I think you will like! Click the link and scroll down – you will really see a nice surprise 🙂
http://www.travelways.com/i-have-seen-mount-rushmore/
Another nice one!!
Well I’ve never seen a giraffe like that before! Definitely surprising 🙂
My contribution is of the human variety…
http://oneletterup.com/2018/10/24/tuesday-photo-challenge-surprise
Fantastic post! That is quite the surprise 🙂
What an amazing image of the giraffe and a fun theme. 😀
Here’s my entry:https://maltanita.com/2018/10/25/taken-by-surprise/
Love your surprises! Those are fantstic images!!
Something about this prompt Frank, we got another surprise this morning: https://whippetwisdom.com/2018/10/25/haiku-moonscape/
Amazing post, Xenia!
Thank you Frank! 🙂🙋♀️
Hi Frank. That photo of the giraffe is quite surprising. Here’s mine. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/car-show-surprise/
Great post, Olga! Very appropriate license plate 🙂
Thank-you, Frank. 🙂
Nice surprise for the guests!
Great angle for your surprise giraffe!
Great shot and choice of angle.
Very interesting photo!!
Great pic Frank, love the perspective, it certainly adds to the unBarlievable. After a few drinks, I would probably topple over trying to see the expression on his face.
Here is my spooky surprise contribution. While thumbing through the posts I didn’t see my pingback. I’ll looks again, but here it is.
https://desertrose.blog/2018/10/26/halloween-spook-dinner/
I’m surprised to see how many “surprise” posts I had…:)
Here is another one: some photographs of water reflections that doesn’t exists!!!…???
http://www.travelways.com/new-horizon-baja-california/
PS: Please disregard the listing of challenges – that appeared here only because it has a link to this challenge – it was not intentional, and I didn’t realize it will… 🙂
He, he… I found another that’s surprising and funny 🙂
http://vegasgreatattractions.com/heart-attack-grill-downtown-las-vegas-a-cool-satire-to-unhealthy-foods/
You’re full of surprises 🙂
Surprises in nature are always fun- here’s mine this week https://dailymusing57.com/2018/10/28/tuesday-photo-challenge-surprise/
NIce one!!
hello my name isuela
Wow, Frank – I’m awed by the number of contributions for this week! Here’s mine in case it’s helpful. I know that you had news this week so wanted to make it easy for you: https://forgivingconnects.com/2018/10/26/its-forgiving-fridays-todays-topic-is-letting-go-of-judgment-opening-to-love/
Blessings to you and your wife. Hope you’re both well.
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie; it’s been a couple of rather busy days to help people over quite a shock. I hope that with my help many can see the positive future that we all have.
Your post was wonderful as always!
Many blessings, Frank