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Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

30/11/2012
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The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. William Makepeace Thackeray

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Reflection: the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it: the reflection of light; an amount of light, heat, or sound that is reflected by a body or surface: the reflections from the street lamps gave them just enough light; an image seen in a mirror or shiny surface: Marianne surveyed her reflection in the mirror. Contd below

It’s interesting that this week we get to create mirror images reflected in all sorts of surfaces… sort of like life, and how we respond/react to situations around us. I looked back to the dictionary for definitions because even though it is a word we use daily (I do on my blog), it does have a few related meanings; mirroring light and contemplation are two that I like. What about you?

It is not so much the example of others we imitate as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words. Eric Hoffer

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Reflection: a thing that is a consequence of or arises from something else: a healthy skin is a reflection of good health in general;a thing bringing discredit to someone or something: it was a sad reflection on society that because of his affliction he was picked on; serious thought or consideration: he doesn’t get much time for reflection; an idea about something, especially one that is written down or expressed: reflections on human destiny and art. OxfordUnivDictionary

For this post, I created a few collages to compliment the individual shots added here. It was a bit of a challenge trying to decide what worked and what was a stretch. What I love about the photo challenge is that it has opened my eyes to learning new ways to use the camera and view the world. When we look through a camera lens, we might have a vision of what we want to capture and so we are  drawn to certain things that appeal to us. Yet, that view could be myopic if we don’t open our minds to see what isn’t obvious and embrace what isn’t always our norm… just a thought.  I love that the photo challenge encourages novice photogs like me to join in and have some fun… What is it like for you? More below!

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. Thomas Merton

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. Margaret J. Wheatley

This has been a fun one… Hope you liked the reflections I shared and I’ll soon be on my way to visit and catch up on your posts; an endless but rewarding task. What are your thoughts? What photos did you share on REFLECTIONS to fit the challenge? Was it easy/hard to find photos that supported your perspective on the subject? Were you drawn to certain types of photos for the prompt? Do share? Thank you! Have an awesome weekend! 🙂

*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on reading and commenting on your blogs… I’m halfway there. Thank you all for your patience! 🙂

My fellow bloggers were equally creative with their selections. I will list some when Zemanta offers them up! I added a few from WP Daily Post below. (I will update it and add more). We all appreciate trackbacks/ping-backs and Likes from fellow bloggers too! Check out how others interpreted the theme – REFLECTIONS – also below. ***

This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections. Reflections. This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Jared Bramblett. This challenge is about using reflections in the composition of a shot. Reflections are all around us, whether they’re in a window, a puddle, a mirror, or another surface. They can dramatically affect the feeling and mood of a shot by creating a surreal sense of duality. Think of a city reflecting in a river, a crowd of people reflecting in the glass pane of a building, or — as in the shot I’ve chosen above — a landscape altered by the placement of a simple glass mirror. Share a picture which means REFLECTIONS to you!
Tips: Think about using different perspectives and viewing angles to modify a reflection’s impact on your composition. For beginners: You can face a reflective surface head on to compose a creative self-portrait, or you can change your perspective so the reflection focuses on another part of the area around you. For advanced photographers: I’d also recommend playing around with the exposure of the reflections. For instance, if you use a wide aperture and meter an area in the reflection, you can creatively alter the appearance (depth of field) of the areas outside of the reflection.

Positive Motivation Tip: What we reflect, we receive, what we resist, persists. We can, each of us, be a beacon of light to self and others. 🙂

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

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from → Global Events, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2012, Weekly Photo Challenge
89 Comments leave one →
  1. AinaBalagtas permalink
    30/11/2012 6:07 pm

    Wonderful pictures, Eliz! “The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them,” such a quote from such an amazing post!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      30/11/2012 9:57 pm

      TY Aina. I love that quote and might move it up to the top of the post…. Still recovering from a new cold… will catch up on the weekend!

      Reply
      • AinaBalagtas permalink
        30/11/2012 11:12 pm

        😊 You don’t have to explain, silly! Get well!

  2. Shibin Dinesh permalink
    30/11/2012 6:09 pm

    Hello Elizabeth! Finally I am back on WP! BTW great pictures…. Where is the location of all those pictures?

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      30/11/2012 10:02 pm

      Welcome back Shibin and good to see you here… Will stop by over the weekend.. I was planning to pull an all-nighter to catch up but I have a cold and now a fever; I need to rest. TY and will stop by over the weekend!
      TY all and I will visit you over the weekend… l’m just a bit down. 🙂
      PS. The locations: First is the Cemetery in Normandy, France, then Kyoto, NYC, Caen, Upstate NY etc…

      Reply
  3. Les Petits Pas de Juls permalink
    30/11/2012 7:46 pm

    As always… great pictures, great collage all together to show the diverse forms of Reflections. I had many ideas in mind for my entry and while seeing everybody’s, others pop up… but I try to refrain myself to just one! so I have others for later! you seem to have an endless well of pictures every time, it’s amazing!
    Cheers!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      30/11/2012 10:04 pm

      TY dear! I don’t have as many as I used to. I put a ton of photos on an external drive and then packed it away… and now it’s a hassle to look for. But I take a lot of photos and sometimes I might use one I’ve used before… We try… TY! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Three Well Beings permalink
    30/11/2012 8:49 pm

    The photos are beautiful, Elizabeth. I love the idea of reflection as contemplation. I think that may be my preferred definition when I think of it. We are often so busy doing that we completely forget to reflect upon our actions. And without reflection and contemplation we’ve missed half of the value, I think! I think the secret of reflection is slowing down a bit, though! Don’t you? oxo

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      30/11/2012 10:08 pm

      “I think the secret of reflection is slowing down a bit, though! Don’t you?” I agree Deb, YES!!! and I need to slow down and then regroup. I use the term reflection a lot on my blog and on other things. Contemplation is the word that comes to me readily when I think of the word… showing and sharing the light too. TY! 🙂

      Reply
  5. eof737 permalink*
    30/11/2012 10:11 pm

    TY everyone for stopping by to comment/like/visit. I’m fighting another cold and now a fever.. 🙁 Apologies for my absence and I will follow up this weekend to read and comment/like your blog posts. Thanks again for your support. I am grateful for the blog love. Blessings!
    Eliz

    Reply
  6. Lucid Gypsy permalink
    30/11/2012 11:19 pm

    The challenges are brilliant, I’ve learnt a lot and its lovely to share because we all collect so many images these days that mainly just sit in our PCs. I often seem to pre guess the challenge and find that something I’ve snapped a few days before is just right!
    Your collages are gorgeous, none of them are a ‘stretch’. If you describe yourself as a novice can you see an improvement? 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 3:51 am

      TY Gilly! Yes, I’ve improved since I started doing the Challenges but there is so much to learn still…. 🙂 I remain optimistic. 😉

      Reply
  7. malna permalink
    30/11/2012 11:24 pm

    Beautiful photos! Thank you for the pingback!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 3:53 am

      TY too for the comment… appreciated. TY! 😉

      Reply
  8. suitablefish permalink
    30/11/2012 11:25 pm

    I love those warm golden trees and their reflection! And Mr. Merton. I like the idea of capturing a reflection as “to think deeply and carefully about.” Now that’s a challenge! Inspiring collages.

    Reply
    • suitablefish permalink
      30/11/2012 11:26 pm

      Feel better soon! Blessings.

      Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 3:55 am

      I love the Merton quote but I’m surprised at how many people love the golden leaf trees… I saw flaws in it and only used it as a last resort… interesting to know to not disregard any photos. TY! 🙂

      Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      14/12/2012 2:09 am

      TY for the get well soon message… much appreciated! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Mike Hardisty permalink
    01/12/2012 12:30 am

    I live in a beautiful part of the world and very often when I go out to photograph I have a certain subject in mind. Lakes, sea shore, mountains. When I am out I will experiment with my camera settings and quite often I will deviate off my route to a photo location. I have found some of my best photographs that way. Thank you for the pingback…

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 4:28 am

      Beautiful share… TY Mike for sharing insights into your fabulous photography work… I like the idea of deviation and staying open to new possibilities TY!

      Reply
  10. cocomino permalink
    01/12/2012 2:47 am

    They are perfect reflections. Nice. 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 4:31 am

      TY so much Cocomino… Looking forward to seeing your contribution. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Amy permalink
    01/12/2012 2:54 am

    Beautiful reflection photos. “if we don’t open our minds to see what isn’t…”– well said. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thought!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 5:11 am

      TY Amy… I’m learning as I go along with lots of room to learn more. I’m enjoying the process.

      Reply
  12. LizForADay permalink
    01/12/2012 5:07 am

    You did a great job with the challenge. Unfortuantely there isn’t much to photograph here where I am, so I could not participate. Your pictures are beautiful. 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 5:50 am

      TY and I hope you will be able to participate at some point. Maybe you could photograph people doing their daily routines… 🙂

      Reply
      • LizForADay permalink
        04/12/2012 5:53 am

        It is such a limited environment where at the camp I am on. My co workers would probably kill me. 🙂 I do take every opportunity to take a couple of shots here and there.

      • eof737 permalink*
        04/12/2012 7:22 am

        I laughed at the co-worker comment… I can imagine their horror too. Yes, I agree that you’d do what is feasible… Sending you prayers and blessings where you are… divine protection always. 🙂

      • LizForADay permalink
        04/12/2012 8:45 am

        Thank you so much.

      • eof737 permalink*
        04/12/2012 11:05 am

        🙂

  13. willowdot21 permalink
    01/12/2012 5:23 am

    Amazing phots , love the blog. xx

    Reply
  14. Marion Driessen permalink
    01/12/2012 5:56 am

    Get well soon, Elizabeth! Hot tea, fresh air and a warm blanket. Your photos are beautiful as ever. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 5:52 am

      TY Marion! I will and I have and now I’m working my way back to catching up… Thanks again! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Colline permalink
    01/12/2012 6:25 am

    I love your photos this week. My favourites would have to be the ones of the fall trees by the canal. The landscape in the shots of your first series of photos looks familiar. Where were they taken?

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 5:55 am

      TY Colline! 🙂 The first photo is at the American Cemetery in Normandy France. Have you been there? Quite the emotional site.

      Reply
      • Colline permalink
        04/12/2012 8:40 am

        No I haven’t. The cemeteries I visited were those in which well-known writers, etc were buried.

      • eof737 permalink*
        04/12/2012 11:04 am

        Okay… that’s cool. It’s quite the reverent place… overcast with a strong feeling of sadness…

  16. likeitiz permalink
    01/12/2012 8:10 am

    Gorgeous photo selections!

    Reply
  17. Kozo permalink
    01/12/2012 9:30 am

    Eliz, I love how in this post you reflect on reflections. The juxtaposition of photos, quotations, and your writing reflects your unique and insightful soul.
    My favorite quotation is the one about love. I will definitely have to remember this when I am raising my boys. My tendency is to try to twist them to fit my image. Thanks for the guidance.

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 5:57 am

      TY Kozo! That quote has been well received and I’m glad it resonated with many just as it did with me… I’m learning as I go along too. 🙂

      Reply
  18. diannegray permalink
    01/12/2012 2:06 pm

    These are wonderful for the challenge, Liz. As someone who is ‘new’ to photography I love reading about your experiences and how you can open our mind to see what isn’t obvious and embrace what isn’t the norm. I need to learn this! 😉

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:00 am

      TY Dianne! I’m definitely a novice at this… and learning too. I love photography and I enjoy looking at others photos and learning from experts but I’m nowhere near where I’d love to be as a photographer… I’m learning and that’s fine too. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Gemma permalink
    01/12/2012 2:27 pm

    Beautiful shots for a ‘novice photog’ ;-). Really like the Thomas Merton quote. And of all the definitions, contemplation is my favorite.

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:02 am

      Yes contemplation is mine too… TY for your feedback… love the quote and appreciate your comment on the photos. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Piglet in Portugal permalink
    01/12/2012 4:03 pm

    Love the picture of the autumn trees reflecting in the river

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:10 am

      TY and it seems it was the hit with many other readers… interesting how that happens right? 🙂

      Reply
  21. miriamgomberg permalink
    01/12/2012 4:45 pm

    My favorite is the one with the red house reflected in the water. What got you interested in the photoblog experience? Did you get a big old honking camera or do you ever use your phone? Just curious. It’s beautiful either way.

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:30 am

      I read the initial invite and it said that anyone could join in; even beginners. I figured that since I love photography and enjoy taking pictures, it would be a way to learn and grow…. that’s it really. I’ve had a few cameras; mostly digital but then I got a SLR Canon and now I’m working on getting better. I take phone shots with my blackberry but they are often terrible. 😆

      Reply
  22. badwalker permalink
    01/12/2012 7:38 pm

    Like your singles and then the connections. Thanks – Lynn

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:32 am

      Thanks again Lynn! Since my collages reduce the size of my shots, I wanted to add a single to make sure we got a better view of at least one shot in three. 😉

      Reply
  23. Sunshine permalink
    01/12/2012 9:59 pm

    Hope you are feeling better…and love your post today. I love the island full of flamingos! 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 6:34 am

      TY for the well wishes! I wish I could have shown a larger version of it… Much better to look at… but this is fine I suppose. Thanks again! 🙂

      Reply
  24. lingeringvisions permalink
    02/12/2012 1:17 am

    Love the quote from Margaret J. Wheatley. Thanks for including it. Feel better.

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 7:36 am

      Me too… It’s perfect for the challenge… TY for your feedback. 🙂

      Reply
  25. adinparadise permalink
    02/12/2012 7:36 am

    Lovely reflection images, Elizabeth. That Thomas Merton quote is so absolutely true. Thank you for sharing it. Hope your cold is soon better. 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 7:37 am

      It is awesome and I love it too… It speaks to most of us… TY for the well wishes! 🙂

      Reply
  26. Tracy Campbell permalink
    02/12/2012 10:34 am

    Yes, just lovely reflection images.
    You put so much effort and offer such great content. So I’m reflecting on that. 😀

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 7:40 am

      TY Tracy… I’m the accidental photographer… I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😆

      Reply
  27. frizztext permalink
    02/12/2012 10:49 am

    We can, each of us,
    be a mirror of light
    to self and others.
    +
    greetings

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 8:10 am

      TY for your feedback Frizz! How sweet… I will click over and check it out soon… 🙂

      Reply
  28. Cardinal Guzman permalink
    02/12/2012 12:15 pm

    Lots of reflections in your post. Thanks for the pingback 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 8:11 am

      TY CG! One never knows what to expect with the challenges and then we run with it… the best we can. 🙂

      Reply
  29. babyjill7...Marilyn Griffin permalink
    02/12/2012 3:31 pm

    Gold reflected trees are my favorite…very nice!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      04/12/2012 8:12 am

      TY Marilyn… it’s the runaway favorite, I see. 🙂

      Reply
  30. thirdeyemom permalink
    03/12/2012 5:52 pm

    Stunning as always Eliz! Love the mix of quotes with musings and photos. 🙂

    Reply
  31. joshi daniel permalink
    07/12/2012 9:32 pm

    very nice reflections 🙂

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      08/12/2012 11:56 am

      I appreciate the feedback… TY so much Joshi! 🙂

      Reply
  32. island traveler permalink
    08/12/2012 2:09 am

    Once again your words touch our hearts today. Reflections that are inspiring. “The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.” Beautiful images. Merry Christmas my friend.

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      08/12/2012 11:57 am

      You leave the most poetic messages IT TY! Happy Holidays to you and yours IT! I love that quote too. TY again! 🙂

      Reply
  33. eof737 permalink*
    08/12/2012 4:42 pm

    😆 😎

    Reply
  34. The Guat permalink
    09/12/2012 11:15 pm

    Duuuuuuuuuuude. I’m really liking your reflection pictures. I looked through most of my files and barely found one. You have all these good shots. 🙂 Plus I love: “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful” Dude. Very insightful and very appropriate for the post. It’s a really good reminder for the fast past life that sometimes consumes us. Thanks so much for posting it!

    Reply
    • eof737 permalink*
      09/12/2012 11:44 pm

      Duuuuuuuuuuude. 😆 When I lived in California, that was one of my favorite words to use… TY so much for taking the time to comment and like my post. Much appreciated! 🙂

      Reply
  35. Lyosha Varezhkina permalink
    15/12/2020 3:40 am

    I love reflections in photography and often try to take advantage of it. The result is often something I love!

    Reply

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