Photo Challenge: STRUCTURE
“The universe is built on a plan the profound symmetry of which is somehow present in the inner structure of our intellect.” Paul Valery
Photo Challenge: STRUCTURE
A structure becomes architectural, and not sculptural, when its elements no longer have their justification in nature. Guillaume Apollinaire
Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. Henry David Thoreau.
Structure exists in everything around us… from the tiniest seed to the biggest building, we can enjoy the brilliance of our universe when we open our eyes to see what we often take for granted. Today’s photo theme on STRUCTURE came as a much needed creative trigger. I’ve had a hectic summer offline, with lots of preparation for a move, so my interest in being observant about the smallest details had taken a bit of a hike. I walked my favorite path on the aqueduct without giving much attention to the beauty around me. This exercise forced me to stop and take notice of the various forms of structure in my surroundings. It was revelatory. Come back for more photos
“A structure is a bit like a story. People will go along with you – they see where you’re going.” Melvyn Bragg
Photo Challenge: STRUCTURE
Photo Challenge: STRUCTURE
Everywhere in the universe, the periodic table has the same basic structure. Even if an alien civilization’s table weren’t plotted out in the castle-with-turrets shape we humans favor, their spiral or pyramidal or whatever-shaped periodic table would naturally pause after 118 elements. Sam Kean
Before life got ridiculously hectic, I’d take leisurely walks on the Aqueduct, drinking in the surroundings and photographing whatever caught my eye. It could be a photo or two of the Octagon House above in the winter, when leaves had fallen off the trees allowing the beauty of the structure to dominate my space. It could be the turning colors of fall foliage displaying the brightest shades of red, brown, gold and orange dancing before my eyes. It could even be the bare tree limbs and fallen tree trunks showcasing their sculptural designs … all created by and in nature.
More Below!
“Space and time may have a structure as intricate as the fauna of a rich ecosystem, but on a scale far larger than the horizon of our observations.” Martin Rees
Photo Challenge: STRUCTURE
Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. Saint Augustine
Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: – STRUCTURE – This week, share with us the structure of something typically overlooked.This week, share with us the structure of something typically overlooked. Today, take a moment to notice the structure of everyday things around you. Note the lines, freckles, and tiny hairs on your arm, and imagine the biological blueprint that created them. See the bricks of a building, and realize that they were individually placed there by another person. Then, share with us a photo of the structure of something wonderful. We’re eager to see details through your lens.
Positive Motivation Tip: Structure exists in everything… open your eyes.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Great picture choices. This summer has been so crazy, I have been just going through the motions of just about everything. I am going to take your lead and make sure to notice more today. Be more mindful about what I’m doing.
Great clicks indeed! Nice choice for the topic!
I need to do more of same. 🙂
I love the Martin Rees post. Inspiring 🙂 xxx
I love the idea of photographing ‘structure’. Your photos suit the theme very well. It’s so nice to get out into the big wide world and capture some photos. 🙂
Love the quote you started with and I really like how you write. It’s important to build a solid fundation before expecting a high structure 🙂
amazing photos, you have very cool vision dear, all these beautiful flowers , buildings and trees in my country forces me to take a lot of photos too !! haha
How fascinating! Your posts always make me think about stuff which has never ever crossed my mind. I love this quote – “Space and time may have a structure as intricate as the fauna of a rich ecosystem, but on a scale far larger than the horizon of our observations.” Martin Rees
I love your quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s such a great quote and reminds us that we’re all connected.
When I go outside and travel from place to place, I will certainly stop and take notice. You inspired me to take more pictures.
Thank you for the motivational tip. It is the high time I opened my eyes to see structure exists in everything that I see on a daily basis.
Structure is integral to our very existence, to all existence.
It is … without it we perish!
Lovely photos.
It is obvious by your post that the world around you is your inspiration.
Is this a place you visited or is this close to home. It is quite nice.
So true. We see structures everywhere and everything seems to have a structure. We tend to overlook the fact. If we look closely, we will be able to witness wonderful and artsy structures. Photo collage showing structures of things around us looks beautiful.
I really love that Martin Luther King JR quote. Foundation and structure indeed is important. This is a great challenge and i will really try to do it this week.
And the structures you’ve posted are beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
What a hard subject! Hmmm structure! I had to look up the word and I still cant figure out. Ok, can I say that I dont like a life in structure? Days in rutin?
Wow! Beautiful photos and amazing post about structure. I love the natural elements you added, I hadn’t considered the structure of a plant before!
Your pictures are beautiful! The way you take pictures, I paint, wire wrap stones and collect them! You know, rocks get overlooked. They are stepped on, passed and a lot of people don’t care about them. I, on the other hand, have learned that no matter how overlooked they get, they are beautiful and have so much to offer!
I completed a topic on Structure for my photography studies and your post has inspired me to get back into it – thank you.
Beautiful images! I’m not sure I would have immediately thought of nature or flowers when thinking of the word structure but I can see why you selected them here. So pretty!
We are still in the throes of it so keep me in prayer. TY!
I hope that you had a good move and are getting settled in. You are right there is structure all around us and like you said it can develop from the smallest thing. I love looking at buildings and seeing how the contours merge. It makes me marvel at how anything can be constructed from nothing!
Lots of things to make me think about. Thank you for posting.
I believe that every good structure begins with a solid foundation, from relationships to archituecture!
Structure, rarely noticed but very important. For me structure on a more profound note means order, or a path that we follow to reach our goals. We can stay away from it, but it helps keep things in order. These are beautiful photos!
I think this is such a great idea and your photos are gorgeous!
I remember doing a similar exercise when I was at uni and it really forced me to think outside of the box and to start noticing the smaller things within my environment!
Keep inspired and keep up the amazing work! 🙂
Taking of Structures , Do checkout on google ” Jantar Mantar ” . It’s a ancient science marvel which use shadow to predict the time of day .
Cultivating mindfulness can help us enjoy life and achieve goals. The fact is, we are more productive when we are mindful or being conscious of life as it happens.
I’m currently sat on a beach and I was totally ignoring everything around me. I’m now starting to notice all the small things and appreciate where I am. The glistening of the sea, the laughter from the children, the wet soft sand… the amazing breeze. Thank you!
Those are some great photos that show structure, some a more soft and some are harder, it’s so beautiful how everything has their unique shape and form.
It’s amazing how much beauty and artistry we can find in the simplest to most complex items that surround us when we really take the time to ‘stop and smell the roses’!
I needed this! I need more structure in my life, truly inspiring!
It is so important to take time to appreciate the small details that make our world so beautiful, especially when life gets hectic! It’s time to just slow down. The Octagon House looks very pretty. What a lovely thing to be able to pass by so often.
When I feel myself getting really worn out, I do that walking and drinking in the surrounding thing you mention. I’m not a huge outdoors person but I do love going on walks and just clearing my head.
I loved the opening line – “Structure exists in everything around us” – I’ve never really thought about it before but it really does. I also loved all the photos attached! Thanks for sharing.
Your pictures are stunning. So bright and colorful. Structure can have so many meanings. Building, gardens, life, etc. And it does have a story every time. When you look at a building, there is not only a building but the men who ordered it, the men who made it, the context of the construction, etc
I love quotes you mentioned, there’s truly a lot to learn from them. I especially like that one from Martin L.King: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
That is quite the photo challenge. I would have loved this challenge when I lived on the farm! I had so many cool structures on our 20 acres!
Once again your photos are beautiful. That’s a wonderful idea to actually pay attention to your surroundings. Generally we just walk to get to where we are going. Next time, I’m going to take my time to notice architecture and structures in my surroundings like you did. I bet I’ll discover some treasures too.
All the pictures are great. like to know more about that house. Looks so much unique.
Thanks for the great read, Elizabeth. Nature has its own structure and disrupting it (like when some animals to extinct) will cause unpleasant changes. Just like humans. We struggle to find or maintain structure in our lives everyday. I am a creature of habit and if I am unable to perform a task or meet a need, it upsets me and my day is ruined.
While there are undeniably beautiful architectural structures that have been created over the centuries, many would argue that some of the most beautiful definitely are seen in nature. Love the choice of photos you have included here and wish that I was a better photographer to capture some of the things I have seen in a way that make people appreciate nature more.
I find myself yearning for structure. As much as I thought I wanted to live a free life when I was a teen, adulthood has me looking for the routine and the stability. Even when making art, I tend to create things with a repeating structure.
Your blogs are absolute perfection. I always enjoy the way you capture moments and make me realize how unique something is. Strucure is all around us–foundations of buildings, sentences–everything! Thanks so much for sharing.
The flower is pretty & yes there’s structure in everything. It’s all perspective.
Eating popcorn when typing means you hands are slippery and I clicked on close to the post comment part and it posted mid sentence. I apologize for that.
The way the Sun glistened on the arm hairs was quite spectacular.
The one image of the white house with the bushes in the front yard. I would imagine sitting out there would be so serene.
The photo I am sharing, although not sure how to do that here, is of the Angeles National Forest – I had to take my son there few months ago for a College class and he had my phone in passenger side and took the shots.
Here are the images from an Instagram I posted of them – 2, 3 and 4 are showing the structure and seeing the Sun shine through. – I wish there was a spot to stop and take in the scenery.
Thank you Bonnie, I will go to Instagram and look at the photos again. 🙂
Structure really is in the world all around us; from flowers to trees to buildings and roads. It’s amazing to notice, to take it in, to see how structure has been built up. We see it in the city and in the wild. Kind of awesome 🙂
This is a great topic and post about structure. Structure is in everything and is what holds all things together. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the quotes.
You have always posted interesting thought provoking post. You remind us to open our eyes to really see and be fully present to structures/life around us.
This is such a positive post. Positive thinking makes our life better. Nice thoughts.
Loved reading this post. There is a structure in everything that exists, some huge some tiny but they all have an identity of their own. Loved all the pictures in this post! 🙂
I’m always a big fan of your photo challenge posts! They’re all so intriguing and interesting, because you put explanation and meaning behind the photos.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Wonderful photos. I am amazed with those plants that somehow formed a structure! Very idealistic! Photography is really a satisfying hobby.
This was really thought-provoking. Structure is all around us if we open our eyes to notice it!
This gets me to think! I never really pay attention to structure in my surroundings, but one place I do is when I’m out enjoying nature, such as climbing a mountain or hiking a trail. Your pictures are great by the way. Loving all the nature, flowers, and buildings in them.
These photos are really stunning and I loved the meaning that goes with the post! xo
Structure definitely reminds of architecture! Esp for me, modern architecture, with futuristic buildings are the best examples of structures!
These photos are beautiful! It’s fantastic that you have the artistic eye and understanding to see structure around you, what a great prompt! It really makes you think.
I’ve been working from home the last couple of months and noticed how the structure of my life has changed for the worse. I prefer having a solid schedule and separating work from leisure, so being at home for work was really difficult for me to have that. Hopefully I’ll be able to go back to working at a regular desk job at an office soon to give that structure I needed back in my life. Thanks so much for such a great post xx
Great photo !
Nice post and I don’t know where to start to comment . I like to read all your post , it’s inspiring me .
These photos are breathtaking. Makes me feel like traveling once more
So pretty. I love discovering new places and especially exploring gardens.
I think we are all so busy these days and it would be good to take some time out and enjoy the world around us, especially the environment and nature.
Some people hate structures. They prefer to be like the river or the sea, malleable and taking the shape wherever they go. But without the structures around us, the world wouldn’t be what it is today~
I love the idea that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Everything has a beautiful structure and symmetry to it. And it exists everywhere in the world. It’s just so amazing.
Really beautiful photographs. Have structure in buildings photography is important.
It’s important for us to stop for a moment and appreciate the things that surround us, it’s hard with everything that’s going on in our crazy busy lives and technology in the palm of our hands at every moment. Structure… can mean a few things. I love buildings structure, I love a good organization plan.
This is such an inspiring post. It’s in the little things. Being present in the now. ‘Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being.’ will be my mantra for the week!
I really love how you always use stories to illustrate your posts. They make it fun to read and to relate to. I love story of the girl and her father. Made so much sense to me.
There are too many things in my head that I don’t usually look at the details of things around me especially when just passing by. We take photos of structures when traveling but not every day. I guess this is also true to most people.
There are too many things in my head that I don’t usually look at the details of things around me especially when just passing by. We take photos of structures when traveling but not every day.
Great photo collection! We sometimes forget to appreciate the good things in life especially when we are busy. So its great that you took your time and appreciated what is around you! 🙂
Lovely photos and I can totally relate, it’s nice to have a creative prompt sometimes. I try and take my camera everywhere I go so I don’t miss anything.
I keep meaning to do some photo challenges, I may join one this month.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
For me, structure is my home and my support network as well as my house of course. without structure it would be hard to go forward in life.
I really do believe that there is structure in this universe brought about by one Creator. It would not have worked out this well all these centuries without a Higher Being.
I never really did also notice all the structures around me. Sometimes it feels like they are not there since I live in a busy city. But I will one day do the same you did. Take pictures and reflect what they are really are to me…
We need to appreciate anything in this life. Whatever structure it maybe made off. Every big things comes from small ones. Just learn to open our eyes, beauty is always beyond your reach.
I loved the photos in this post, they just capture the natural and synthetic beauty around us. In a world where we are always rushing from point A to B, it is easy to neglect the unique creations around us. Thank you for reminding us! 🙂
It reminds me of our school district focus this year. As school staff we are to focus on the word ‘Why’ Because in all we do it started with a why-why we feel we can make a difference, why we do what we do and the answer should point to the kids with us being the foundation and structure. Great reflection!
Reading this post for the second time & feeling very inspired. I love the notion of going out expanding photography skills with a theme in mind. Structure was a great choice. Lovely read!
This all look so nice. I also love the take walks into town and check out the scenery and take photos as well. You can miss so much when you do not take the time to look.
These photos are beautiful! You are a very talented photographer!
Wow! Beautiful pictures! Structure is so very important for so many reasons. Thanks for sharing!
As humans, we are creatures of habit, and that can be seen in everyday structures as well. As much as we love symmetry we also love the abstract. Life would be so different if we did not create patterns and see patterns in all natures’ beauty. The more uniquely different we think we are, the more we are the same.
very interesting post and commentary. structure is everywhere, organically or manufactured.
I love all the quotes about structures! This place looks beautiful. Really great photography work!
I love your photos ,even though i don’t really know about photography but your photos seems like having a deep meaning behind it !
Nature is adorable. Beautiful pictures.
Some beautiful shots. Love the octagon house. There’s a great octagon church in Georgia. That shape always makes for interesting architecture.
It sure does.
I hope you have more time after your move! The photos here are pretty still, even if you haven’t taking a lot of walks at the aqueduct recently
Thank you dear one… we try.
Excellent! I love patterns in photos and playing with light. This is a good idea.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about structure is time and scheduling. Structure is something that I crave and I believe all living things do also, on some level. Thanks for sharing. It really made me think.
I love the idea of talking about structure, cause its typically every where in our lives. your photos are glimmering they are in absolute perfection. great post! thank you for sharing.
Hahaha. I’m glad you liked them.
Each and every structure has its own history or story. Very well written article about it!
Great post and even more so, beautiful photos. You’re right, we’re surrounded by structure but I don’t think we all take the time to appreciate what’s around us, and what it took to build these structures.
Most of us don’t… true.
Hi Eliz,
What a fantastic post! This is so chock full of food for thought. Sometimes physical structure is a need for internal structure … Your cognizance is refreshing.
Ay Captain! I always appreciate your feedback. 🙂
I love that you noticed small details of our beautiful world. I’m a photographer, I think you captured the essence of the art. Good works!
Oh Thank you so much! 🙂
Nicely written article.. I loved the pictures you have used. Great work 🙂
Thank you dear one. 🙂
Nice article, love the pics as well! You always do a great job!
I love how you showed structure in more than one form. I like the delicate flowers vs the stone building.
We, as humans, are built on a structure so no wonder that everything surrounded us is as well. We have our body structure but we also have our DNA structure, making us the most complex beings out there.
So this was your father or uncle? What an amazing story. We give to a local food pantry and a thrift shop that helps the very poor. When I was younger I raised 4 children in poverty. Today 3 of the 4 have good jobs and 2 of the 4 it is because of a good education, college degree. Education has lifted my children from poverty to a comfortable life.
Yes, it is my father’s story. I’m glad your kids were exposed to an education and made better lives for themselves… You should pat yourself on the back too.
Very enjoyable read, I indeed agree that
There is so much beauty all around us, but sadly most of us doesn’t take the to slow down and appreciate. Maybe one day! Thanks for sharing!