Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light!
“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh
Weekly Photo Challenge: A Fountain of Light
Weekly Photo Challenge: A fountain of miscellaneous displays of Light
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Concert Lights add another dimension to a musical extravaganza
When I saw the title of this week’s photo challenge, my heart rejoiced. The phrase “Let There Be Light” finds its origins in biblical teachings and is a term used, by people of all faiths, to encourage the lifting of the veil of ignorance. It is popular for several reasons; Creating Light and separating it from the Dark is one of the first acts of God in the creation of earth in the Judaic Torah/Tanakh and the Christian Bible. Many faiths observe/celebrate some version of the festival of lights; Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan begins with the sighting of the moon crescent, and Christmas celebrations, for instance. Frankly, light as a medium of grace is universal to all faiths and is used for worship by people from all religious backgrounds.
In the first chapter of the bible; the book of Genesis 1:3 reveals: “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” It is translated in Hebrew as יְהִי אוֹר, in Latin as fiat lux, and in Greek as γενηθήτω φῶς. So light serves as the foundation of our lives and the dispelling of ignorance. John Huston made a similarly tilted, government-funded movie “Let There Be Light” in 1946 on psychosis treatments in the military. Light means life to many people and in countries where electricity is severely rationed or limited, many value it like precious gold. My selections feature the beauty and glow of light in a wide range of places and spaces.
The first shot above is of a huge pineapple shaped fountain in front of the wonderful Chesapeake Bay Resort and Spa, in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. The blue light dances and invites us in to rest, relax and enjoy the spa offerings and the ocean beyond the front door. As the frenzy of holiday shopping begins, I hope you will find time to rest and perhaps, find time to enjoy a walk by the ocean or be transported to one in your mind. The collages, above, include shots I took at concerts (Sade, John Legend, Chris Brown, and LMFAO), of a street in Paris, a Hanukkah Menorah, Prayer candles at The Cathedral of St John The Divine, NY, the new moon, and the chandelier at Grand Central Station.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Weekly Photo Challenge: A beautiful NYC Winter display of lights.
Weekly Photo Challenge: A NYC Winter showcase of lights.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Light show at McNamara Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Weekly Photo Challenge: A kaleidoscope of Colorful Xmas Tree and House decor lights In abstract.
Like moths to a flame, most of us are drawn to light fixtures; we find something about the glow, the shimmering lights, the colors, and the warmth mesmerizing. The first collage is of shots I took one winter holiday season at/around Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. The huge NBC Christmas tree, the Saks Fifth Avenue light display, the Chase Bank winter wonderland with Radio City Hall neon lights in the background, and many others, create a beautiful light show that makes walking around the area at night lots of fun. I also included the lit up Frank Gehry designed glass building, on the Westside Highway, because at night, the colors are truly beautiful
The next collage is of the famous underground Light Tunnel, in the McNamara Terminal building, at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The lights change as soothing music plays, and the 700-foot tunnel becomes an instant therapeutic experience. My third collage was created from holiday tree and house lights I took around my neighborhood. This holiday season is perfect for the celebration and display of lights. May all our days be filled with moments of joy and light. There is more below. Happy Holidays! Thank you!
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” Helen Keller
Weekly Photo Challenge: The Tearoom at Chelsea Market; an indoor delight.
Weekly Photo Challenge: A kaleidoscope of Chelsea Market’s rich and colorful Images.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Abstract holiday lights dancing
Weekly Photo Challenge: More Concert Lights
The Chelsea Market is one of my favorite NYC haunts because it is an indoor market with great food, lighting, and things to buy; it is an auditory and olfactory nirvana, plus the High Line Park is across the street for us to take a walk and rejuvenate our creative juices. The first shot includes the popular indoor money fountain and the Tearoom. I included a shot of another favorite place I like in Manhattan, it’s the Spice Market Restaurant in the Meat-Packing district. It has a lower level Moroccan themed room; it’s worth a visit. The next two collages are of sparkly, holiday confetti and big, bright concert lights. I hope you enjoyed my take on this photo challenge. I’ll be by to see your photos soon. Thank you!
On another note, today, November 29th, is the 5th Anniversary of this blog on the WordPress platform. Blogging has not been an easy ride, but I’ve persevered and, even after a hiatus or two, I’ve returned again and again to the joy of blogging. I remain grateful for God’s guidance and for the many connections I’ve enjoyed here. Thank you EVERYONE!
This post was inspired by a prompt from Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light! Let there be light! Many of you already know that the photo in photography means light. More often than not, though, we shy away from actually showing its source in our photos. In time for the shortest days of the year (at least in the northern hemisphere), let’s give our trusty lightbulbs, flickering candles, and pedestrian street lamps their due respect.
I’ve added some related posts from fellow bloggers; recommended by Zemanta. For more, check out how others interpreted the theme – WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light! – also see below.
Positive Motivation Tip: LIGHT is mesmerizing; it pulls us in and holds us close. Sometimes, we pull away, at other times, we allow it to swallow us whole. I love the light. LET’S STEP RIGHT IN.
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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Have missed your sumptuous posts Eliz. This is among the best! Love the amazing gallery of concert lights.
You are so kind Madhu! Thank you for the warm welcome. It’s good to be blogging here again. 🙂
Have a great week ahead! <3
Goodness Elizabeth, that’s a lovely collection of light shots. I especially love the fairy lights around the trees in NY. One of these days I aim to see that for myself. NY in the holidays must be a magical place to be. I’m off to be in England again this year and that’s a most magical place in the holidays too. Hugs and I hope you have a lovely week ahead. 🙂
All really amazing photos there! Love the kaleidoscope in particular.
Absolutely fantastic collection of photographs Elizabeth, the fountain is my favourite, it’s beautiful. Your introduction moved me greatly, because it reminds us where the expression “Let there be light” comes from.
Amazing photos! Amazing lights! It’s nice to be here in your other blog Eliz! 😉
Elizabeth, we must be in sync somehow. This week I was going over my blog and trying to figure out how to “reinvent” it. I think you and I will be lifetime on and off blogging buddies. It’s nice to see your posts. And very nice photos! I am in aggreement, Let there be light! especially in your heart. xox
happy blog anniversary! wonderful set of photos 🙂
Wow! What an amazing entry to this challenge!
Lovely photos! I adore the kaleidoscopes and abstracts. Very artistic!
Great pictures especially the lights they are awesome.
Yes happy blog birthday and amazing photos
Wow those are beautiful lights. Just in time for the Christmas season and bright lights are everywhere!
Those lights are amazing! 🙂 Happy blogsary, and more success!
Happy Blogversary, enjoyed your photos. My kids and I love looking at lights specially during the Christmas season. The lights make it feel so festive.
Just amazing colours. Just wonderful
The colors are amazingly beautiful.! love it thanks for sharing Eliz:)
I love the colors. Lights endlessly amaze me! Marie – mommy unwired
Hello Marie,
My goodness, is this a new gravatar or one you’ve used before? For a moment I thought it was spam until I read your name. Thanks for stopping by!
The colors is visualing appealing Eliz:) Thanks!
What beautiful photos! I like the Bibilcal take on light. Light – God, for me – is really the foundation of life!
(I don’t know if my comment went through!) What amazing photos! I like your Biblical take on “light.” Light – God, in my case – is really the foundation of life!
Great photos you have there. There are beautiful lights especially this season. 🙂
The colors are so vibrant. They reflect the excitement of this festive season.
These photos are all beautifully captured. Well done. Very timely for the Christmas season. 🙂
I’m not sure if my comment went through. Sorry, Ms Eliz. I’m posting a new one.
These photos were beautifully captured. Well done. Very timely for the Christmas season. 🙂
Shining your light for five years, wonderful!
Beautiful! 🙂
Awesome shots. Are you the one who took it Eliz? Or random bloggers who joined the activity?
I think of all the beautifully decorated lights I see everywhere during this season when I read ” let there light.”
what a beautiful post Eliz…so much to just wander around. I hope I don’t offend but when you talked about when God said “Let there be light”…I was reminded of Ricky Gervais in his ‘animals’ show
I really want to learn how to capture light movements. All I know is to set the shutter speed slower. I haven’t tried it though.
allan
Those kinds of light reminds me of a Korean group whenever they’re having their concert.
superb lights! I love taking pictures of lights.. I wish to capture some soon..
Lovely captures of light.
Congrats on your anniversary, Elizabeth! Five years is a long time, a lifetime in blogging. A blog is a journey that takes many twists and turns. Glad you’re back from your hiatus.
Love the Detroit lights, pretty futuristic. Light does banish the dark.
These photos are absolutely stunning and delightful! They are just beautiful.
Hi there colleagues, fastidious post and fastidious urging commented here,
I am actually enjoying by these.
Let there be light and truly this post comes with loads of light and life. I am glad I read this through. Thanks Mirth.
What an amazing celebration of light. So many colours and styles to see, absolutely gorgeous.