I admire photographers. They’re not very different from magicians, often conjuring illusions of imaginary worlds — blurring the fine lines of reality. And if the camera, was invented a few centuries earlier, it would be interesting to see how would they have fared against thinkers and painters of that time.
“One person’s craziness is another person’s reality.”
Tim Burton
Photographers can show you a story and change it — with a different angle. They can freeze an instant in time and make it transcend time itself. Make you wonder what could have happened next. Did he or she get slapped by the subject or find a soulmate for life? Did the wooden door open or did someone throw an egg from the window above? Did a secret passage reveal itself or did the photographer get lost in his/her own maze of exploration? Did the volcano erupt in full might or did the angry mob discover the hidden lens? And did he/she save the dying child or choose to stay a silent spectator instead?
“There are no facts, only interpretations.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
And although, they say, a visual is worth a thousand words; I’d say modern photography leaves more to be imagined than revealed. We’re no closer from knowing the truth. One can argue, the truth is also a ‘perspective’. And as with today’s weekly photo challenge and the entries that I’ve seen; perspectives can be truly deceptive.
I’d like to leave you with a quote from Douglas Adams and something to ruminate on.
“The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be.”
And what’s our take on the challenge?
Very interesting commentary ! The final quote is a real thought-provoker!
Thank you, Tina. 🙂
All good, but Reflections of Fall is glorious
Couldn’t agree more, Lisa! 🙂
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Wonderful post. Love the quotes and your thought provoking words.
Thank you, Miriam. This post was written on one of those days when I choose to get contemplative. 🙂
I love those days. 🙂
‘Those days’ are getting quite rare. New places often make me feel out of place. 🙂
I hope that changes. If you want it to.
I do! I do! 🙂
love the texture and pattern in The Jagged Edge.
Me too! 🙂 The ‘Jagged Edge’ is a part of the basalt rock formations along the (Reynishverfi)black beach in Vik, Iceland. They’re fantastic and extend way above the ground. This angle was shot from below (near the shore). It’s also possible to climb above and have a look at the beach below.
Beautiful captures!
Thank you, Donna! Basil helped me select some of his best captures. 🙂
Great thoughts!
Thank you for making my day! 🙂
Especially love the last quote
My favourite too! 🙂
Great post! Strong picture and I love all the quotes!!
Thanks a bunch! 🙂
What a thought inspiring post. I am very glad we had the painters of many years ago…there are some beautiful paintings that reflect the times and allow us to reflect back.
Thank you, Sue! Couldn’t agree more. We’ve got so much to learn from art -in any form. I think paintings tell us stories of the people in a given era. It’s like taking a walk back in time.
Terrific writing and your images an apt reflection on your thoughts. I love the Kyoto images among many others.
Thank you, Jane! Our trip to Kyoto was unforgettable and is also one of our top 5 places to revisit. 🙂
On my list!
Will wait for your photographic journey! 🙂
Love the Douglas Adams quote 🙂 Of course it is normal, it is Cosmos! Everything makes sense.
Very true! And we’re big fans of Carl Sagan’s series, ‘Cosmos’! 🙂
Cosmos! 🙂 Carl Sagan did a great job in popularization of science. In the 1960-80s many charismatic personalities influenced young generation. We need them these days.
Yes, he did! We’re kids of the 80s, so missed seeing it back then. 🙂 My brother gifted the series to my dad – few years ago. And that’s when we first heard of it. And I know it’s kind of a shame since we’re both Physics post-grads and I majored in Astrophysics. Last year, we spent almost every other weekend, watching the entire series with my dad. This year its Human Planet. 🙂
Oh how wonderful, physics post-grads! It is the most exciting science. I studied some biophysics, for one semester, in the 1970s 🙂
All these amazing TV programs have done so much good for education.
Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
wow, that alien ship from Seoul is a fantastic image… and that ship from the Netherlands, love it… so true, no two people in the whole world can take the same pictures, as our photos are a reflection of how we see the world… love your posts, always thought-provoking and inspirational!!
Thanks, Alex! 🙂 “no two people in the whole world can take the same pictures, as our photos are a reflection of how we see the world.” Very aptly said!
I love how you incorporate quotes into your blog. Some I’ve seen before, many are real gems you’ve revealed.
Truly appreciate it!