Images have the power to captivate our imagination long after they are taken, inviting unique interpretations from each viewer.
Some images that we shoot with our cameras have the ability to capture our imagination well beyond their sell-by date! They provide us with something that pulls our mind’s eye into the layers of the image. Of course, there is no guarantee that an image has the same impact on all of us, as each of our minds builds its own unique story with every picture that we see.
Today’s image is one of those that pulls me back in…
Persistence
I photographed this scene less than a mile up the road from our house in West Boylston. There was something in the lines of the wispy clouds, and the story that this tree tells. It’s a story of enduring the elements, as it stands atop the hill, exposed to the wind and snow. To me, this is a tale of Persistence, despite everything that Nature and humanity can throw at it.
Welcome to the 143rd round up of the Tuesday Photo Challenge!
You certainly breezed through this week’s challenge! Your posts were a blast to read, as you shared lots of breezy experiences with some fantastic photography, poems and stories! I really enjoyed those soap bubles and the action sports that you captured! There were also a number of really tender posts. Thank you for putting your creative spirit into this week’s posts!
I just hope that you have as much fun reading these posts as I did!
Over the years, an on-going breeze can bend trees…
Persistence
This tree stands in a field not too far away from our home. On this particular day, I noticed the amazing lines drawn by the clouds in the sky, which caused me to take a walk into the field. Between the lines and the color, I was not disappointed by this great scene!
The following were this week’s participants in the challenge with links to their posts:
Brian kicks things off a gorgeous photo in Bushboys World, which shows the gentlest breeze!
In a wonderful post in Une Photo, un Poéme, Nicole shows how the breeze is captured for everyone’s benefit!
Sarah’s post in By Sarah shows us some warm breezes that look like a great place to visit!
Shelley’s post in Quaint Revival explains her love for Paris with all the right reasons!!
Sanah’s awesome post in A Pause for Nature shares a bit of smoke that linges on the breeze…
Kammie finds some rather breezy places in Nut House Central; looks pretty interesting!
Those pennants captured in theonlyD800inthehameau are a wonderful example of shooting the breeze!
The Final WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge has presented their final theme of All-Time Favorites, which, while being a bit sad that it’s their last prompt, is a great way to finish.
Sometimes the images that I favor are rather simple and straightforward, such as today’s choice. What is simpler than a tree in a field?
Such as this tree that has stood the test of time…
Persistence
What caught my attention, and caused me to take this shot, is the evidence of wind’s influence on the growth direction of this tree. While it spread in many directions, so as to catch the Sun’s positive influence, there is a noticeable lean to this lovely tree. Also, the deep yellow tones in the field, as contrasted against the deep blues of the sky, contributed to my interest…
What this tree told me, more than anything else, is the value of persistence, against the elements and to stand across the years.
This week’s Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge is a show and tell about admiration. My first image in this week’s series is still among my favorites.
Persistence
This image is of another one of my favorite trees, and immediately got its name: ‘Persistence’. I was impressed with its enduring spirit, as shown in the windswept stance that has stood the test of the elements and time.
I also admire this same spirit of indomitable fortitude in the people of Japan, particularly in the face of disasters that have befallen them across the ages. In response to the 2011 tsunami disaster, I used this print to raise funds for the Japanese Red Cross; the mat of the print had the Japanese 不屈 (Fukutsu) stamped on it, which means fortitude, indomitability or persistence.
Hope you enjoy this image!
Technical Details
This image was captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mk II camera with an EF 24-105mm f/4L lens. It is made up of a series of 5 images that were processed using Photomatix Pro to get the contrast and dynamic range that I was looking to get.
Perseverance is in order as we move forward each day
Persistence
It’s time to start bringing the mood up again from yesterday’s level of somber.
After a day of reflection, I decided to learn to play ‘Heroes’ on guitar; as always, playing guitar was a great way to unwind, and, while I may still be a novice, each imperfect rendition of a song feels like an accomplishment.
Learning to play the guitar is all about persistence, learning a bit at a time and slowly improving until even you, the student, can no longer deny that you have learned something. It is about building up calluses, muscle memory, dexterity, strength and will power. One item that you will not see in that list is something that is sizable part of my day job in high-tech: stress!
For me, stress doesn’t come from unrealistically short timetables, or work load, but, rather, it comes from the inflexibility within organizations to recognize that new technology requires well-conceived, novel approaches that are founded in the laws of physics. Challenge is great and welcome; rusty, stumbling blocks should be removed.
Today’s image is one that I captured just over five years ago, not far from my home.
My approach tends to be to allow myself to be guided by a sense of connection to the universe and its every component that surrounds me by staying in the moment; combining this sense with a healthy dose of observation helps me find things of interest. Walking into the field, the first thing that caught my attention were the lines that presented themselves: horizontals, verticals and the slight diagonals in the sky.
Add the color palette with the warm tones of autumn and the cooler sky tones, and I felt drawn set up for a shot that has had me coming back to it over the years.
The tree’s exemplary stance against the elements brought the concept of ‘Persistence’ to mind, which I felt would be an appropriate title for this image.
