Photo Challenge: Not PEDESTRIAN
“‘What is this’, and ‘How is this done?’ are the first two questions to ask of any work of art. The second question immediately illuminates the first, but it often doesn’t get asked. Perhaps it sounds too technical. Perhaps it sounds pedestrian.” James Fenton
Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
I need concrete with sharp corners
Green waves crashing onto rocks
Brisk air and salty staresWings on birds, cats with claws
Fast dogs and circus scares
I need clocks and border stops
…
Impenetrable architecture I dismantle my own
Socialized assembly, to need life without power plays
I need out of my way in |Excerpt from Pedestrian Need – Poem by Tailor Bell via poemhunter
This week’s photo challenge theme on – PEDESTRIAN – was a difficult one for me. I couldn’t quite find the right shots that would do the word justice. Plus, I didn’t want to show a bunch of photos with pedestrians on the street that would fulfill the other connotation of the word which also means “lacking inspiration or excitement; dull.” So, I decided to go with the opposite meaning. I was in NYC last night, attending an event at the Ethical Society. After the event ended, I headed back to the garage for my car and stopped at Lincoln Center to capture some photos. The water fountain at Lincoln Center puts on quite the moving show. It dances, twirls and spouts water high into the sky … nothing dull about that and it’s magnificent at night. It was fascinating to stand and watch a seemingly ordinary fountain turn into an artistic water music show. Plus, there were pedestrians all around the place. Perfect. To add to the photo exercise, I’ve curated a couple of poems to add an additional creative twist to the photos.
The Fountain: A Conversation – Poem by William Wordsworth via poemhunter.com
We talked with open heart, and tongue
Affectionate and true,
A pair of friends, though I was young,
And Matthew seventy-two.
We lay beneath a spreading oak,
Beside a mossy seat;
And from the turf a fountain broke,
And gurgled at our feet.
“Now, Matthew!” said I, “let us match
This water’s pleasant tune
With some old border-song, or catch
That suits a summer’s noon;
“Or of the church-clock and the chimes
Sing here beneath the shade,
That half-mad thing of witty rhymes
Which you last April made!”
In silence Matthew lay, and eyed
The spring beneath the tree;
And thus the dear old Man replied,
The grey-haired man of glee: Contd Below
“Design, refine and repeat, and keep learning all the way along. It sounds bland and pedestrian, but in fact, it’s the reverse.” Anouska Hempel
Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
Video: Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – Dancing WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
Outlaw Monday with Sunday laws
Appeal on Thursday for Friday’s brawl
Break early across the bow of the mine trawlerI need spiders in the web
And flowers for fun and seeds
In the midnight ground, never found again |Excerpt from Pedestrian Need – Poem by Tailor Bell
Do take a look at the video I shot above of the dancing water fountain. It was such a delightful and beautiful experience to watch; most especially at night when the center is lit up and the maddening crowds are nowhere to be seen. The more I consider my interpretation of the chosen theme – Pedestrian – the more apropos this choice is. I mean, we call things “pedestrian” from a subjective perspective and so an ordinary run of the mill fountain might fit the bill. This one is a few notches above the norm and that places it squarely in the category of the exciting and inspiring.
“No check, no stay, this Streamlet fears;
How merrily it goes!
‘Twill murmur on a thousand years,
And flow as now it flows.
“And here, on this delightful day,
I cannot choose but think
How oft, a vigorous man, I lay
Beside this fountain’s brink.
“My eyes are dim with childish tears,
My heart is idly stirred,
For the same sound is in my ears
Which in those days I heard.
“Thus fares it still in our decay:
And yet the wiser mind
Mourns less for what age takes away
Than what it leaves behind.
“The blackbird amid leafy trees,
The lark above the hill,
Let loose their carols when they please
Are quiet when they will.
“With Nature never do ‘they’ wage
A foolish strife; they see
A happy youth, and their old age
Is beautiful and free:
“But we are pressed by heavy laws;
And often, glad no more,
We wear a face of joy, because
We have been glad of yore. Contd Below
More Below!
“I think that is where poetry reading becomes such an individual thing. I mean I have friends who like poets who just don’t say anything to me at all, I mean they seem to me rather ordinary and pedestrian.” James Laughlin
Video: Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – Dancing WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
Photo Challenge: Not Pedestrian – WATER FOUNTAIN AT LINCOLN CENTER
West coast crackers on a pidgeon plate
Monks slashing rubber relief
Long bridges, tall hills, and nano statesI pull the ribbon on the package
To let bows fly over midge eyes
Paper crumpled on fresh trimmed grass|Excerpt from Pedestrian Need – Poem by Tailor Bell via poemhunter.com
Have you seen the water fountain display at Lincoln Center at night? I’ve enjoyed sharing the photos I captured last night with you. I am an avid amateur photographer and always look for things to photograph every day. If you want to build your portfolio of photos and memories, develop the habit of taking a few photos every day. Capture anything and everything and consider a few creative approaches to shooting the same setting. While the Croton Aqueduct remains a favorite photography setting for me, I love playing around with night time shots too. Hope you loved this selection and that upside down shot of the fountain in the first clip of the video. Haha!
“If there be one who need bemoan
His kindred laid in earth,
The household hearts that were his own;
It is the man of mirth.
“My days, my Friend, are almost gone,
My life has been approved,
And many love me; but by none
Am I enough beloved.”
“Now both himself and me he wrongs,
The man who thus complains;
I live and sing my idle songs
Upon these happy plains;
“And, Matthew, for thy children dead
I’ll be a son to thee!”
At this he grasped my hand, and said,
“Alas! that cannot be.”
We rose up from the fountain-side;
And down the smooth descent
Of the green sheep-track did we glide;
And through the wood we went;
And, ere we came to Leonard’s rock,
He sang those witty rhymes
About the crazy old church-clock,
And the bewildered chimes.
By William Wordsworth
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: – PEDESTRIAN – What does pedestrian mean to you? Perhaps this is a great chance to go out and practice some street photography. Maybe you’ll capture something truly “pedestrian” — something that could use a dose of inspiration. Regardless of how you interpret this challenge, I’m looking forward to seeing the results.
Positive Motivation Tip: Find the beauty in the seemingly mundane and soon pedestrian becomes precious
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Pedestrian is more difficult than I would have thought at first glance.
Exactly…. I thought the same
Unless you go with the other definition of lacking excitement/dull. But still difficult
Even more so…
Your pictures turned out awesome and you gave some top tips !!
Beautiful images!
Your photography is magnificent. How did you get the water in the water fountain to seem to be rising heavenward. Since I am involved in blogging I need to develop some skill in photography as graphics help to empower content
If you watch my video you will see that the fountain is active and dances to music that you can’t hear. So the photos are captured throughout the dance and some shots captured what you described. 🤗
those photos of the fountain and the water shooting out, absolutely amazing. They literally are breathtaking
I just love your photos. Can anyone participate?
anyone can join in
Gosh! I don’t think “How Is This Done” should be the second question, that doesn’t give you time to enjoy it. You need to take some time to absorb it before trying to peek behind the curtain
Beautiful post your pictures are just stunning I really enjoyed your video! I had never seen this water fountain before. I really like how you’ve captured ‘Pedestrian’ but also that you’ve captured the wonderment and awe of people who are looking around and watching the fountain so I think you captured more feeling to it. The way the fountain shoots up and the water falls in like a mist makes me think of glitter in the air!
Simply Amazing……..Work
What an interesting way to interpret the theme – pedestrian! I would have never thought of that. I am fascinated by water fountains. They are so mesmerizing and full of wonder even though I do understand the mechanism behind them. Loved the video you posted.
These shots are definitely beautiful. it was Definitely not pedestrian. It looks like fun that you participate in such challenges
I have not participated in any challenges yet but plan to. I just purchased a new camera and I need to “break it in”. I enjoyed the video of the dancing water fountain. I have not been to the Lincoln Center but maybe one day in the future.
I love everything you put into this. You put thought and meaning into something most people would just take a photo of someone on the street. You did a great job!
Those are beautiful pictures. I love the water fountains, all water but none the same. I imagine these are exquisite to see in person.
I’m not usually one for poetry but these are lovely!
These are really beautiful!
There is something about dancing water that’s not only mesmerizing, it’s hypnotic. I always enjoy reading your posts. Love the pics by the way
What a great poem by William Wordsworth and he is one of my favourites. Monday Motivation indeed! Thanks!
I think the shots of the fountain fit “pedestrian” quite well. It is absolutely a place I would stop by if I happened to be walking by.
I liked that poem of William Wordsworth and it has such a deep meaning! The Lincoln Center Fountain looks absolutely gorgeous in your pictures! I have never seen this fountain at night!
I love this video and the photos to explain the meaning of pedestrian. In fact I didn’t even know that it mean dull etc. but you learn something every day. The water fountain literally is something people would think is pedestrian til they really paid attention. A leave on a tree can look pedestrian until your really see it dancing with the wind. Thanks for sharing the video and photos.
It would be difficult for me to interpret Pedestrian as well. I wouldn’t know what pictures to use. I think though, that when the word pedestrian comes to mind, it’s also like someone on a journey, going to where he or she is meant to be.
The Lincoln Center is beautiful all year long. As a native NJ woman, I would be in the city often and would go there from time to time. Definitely a place to hear and see a lot of things.
Beautiful words ♥️
It can be extremely frustrating when taking a picture of a famous or popular tourist attraction. It will happen almost all the time unless you go on a day where the weather isn’t so great or at night. What I find the most frustrating is when I have my camera and/or tripod out and my lense is directed towards what I am taking a shot of and people walk in front of my lense and do not move.
I like that quote by James Fenton. Another awesome photo challenge 🙂 I don’t think i would have taken pictures of fountains but after reading the poem i totally understand your view. I always look forward to these photo challenge. I also love the fountain poem as well.
I always enjoy your posts, with the creative way you combine art, photos, poetry, quotes, and/or discussion. Very thought-provoking, in nearly every post I’ve read! I like your interpretation here, too. I can relate to those first two questions, because I tend to do that especially when I see a particularly spectacular quilt and would like to determine if I could make one of my own!
Watching the video, it feels like I am there. That fountain looks super beautiful, especially at the night!
You really amazed me with your motivation Mondays pictures. You capture something truly.
I have never seen this in person but I am dying too! It looks beautiful and so neat!
I think your interpretation of pedestrian is very clever as most people would immediately think to photograph streets full of people but you thought outside the box. I also think your pictures are great. I havent seen those fountains but i would like to!
I love fountain – and even more fountain show, there is something that captivates me in this! I think you actually got the first shot right for the Pedestrian Theme. That first picture in the middle on top with the building in the back is perfect!
Lovely pictures. And the fountain looks amazing in night. I have been to NYC but never seen this. Will make sure that i see it the next time i visit. My kids would love it.
I love to watch the fountains dance. I saw the ones in Vegas but didn’t get pictures of them!
Pedestrian really is a challenging theme. I was thinking about it for awhile and it’d be pretty hard to figure out the creative angle. You did an awesome job here, taking it from a unique point of view. I love how you took something seemingly “regular” in the big city and turned it into something meaningful. You highlighted beauty from the mundane. For me, pedestrian immediately conjures up the “street friends” our family spends time with on a regular basis. Those friends live life on the streets, very different from most people I know. They know the ins and outs of the city, and they capture what pedestrian is to me.
When I think of pedestrian I think of something or someone who lacks motivation or is very dull! I watched the water foundation video it was so beautiful.
I love going on when the sun was rising it was amazing to see how beautiful and quiet my area really get me in a good mode.
What a creative way to express the concept of pedestrian. This fountain is absolutely striking. I would stand in awe looking at that for hours.
This is a difficult word. I sit here thinking what pedestrian would mean other than its obvious definition. I think we are all “pedestrians,” moving towards our goal, our purpose, slow as it may seem, boring as it may be, but still moving forward.
I like your fountain interpretation. I hate the idea of pedestrian as “dull” though. Pedestrian architecture, especially, has to be all that much more engaging, since people are not just speeding by it, but taking part in it, and if you want your hosted businesses to attract those people it has to be more than just the blank empty wall of a Walmart or Macy’s. It’s the pedestrian aspect that makes Europe so much more beautiful than America by many standards (with a few exceptions from our more pedestrian cities).
Absolutely beautiful !
Your motivational Monday looks so impressive. You really amazed me with your post.
Lovely topic. To me, pedestrian means people – so I love your turn on the definition. I bet you had fun photographing that fountain – there are so many great camera options to capture things like that these days.
A pedestrian in the road back to our Creator. That is what we all are. There are so many distractions along the way, we may veer away from the sidewalk, or cross the street, but sure enough, we’ll be back on that road. Thank you for another thought provoking post.
This was a great interpretation of the theme! I love how you explain the motivation and thoughts behind the post, a really interesting read.
Lucy x
Street photography what a great concept. I love this idea and I’m inspired to try it today.
You know what? At first I was at lost of what to comment because I didn’t know what the word pedestrian truly meant to me. Then while I was on the train, I saw something and it hit me, a pedestrian is a civilized person. Who will no create a big deal out of nothing and someone who knows not to get caught on the little things.
Very clever of you to do the opposite! I love fountains and this reminds of the magic fountains in Barcelona. Sadly we don’t have any in my town.
I couldn’t think of how to show interesting sets of pedestrians… Hahaha 🙂
That water fountain looks beautiful! I always love seeing those things in person.
This is so pretty. The fountain is a striking view at night. Creative angle of representing pedestrian.
I wondered how I would showcase the words too~ I guess it will probably be a sneak of someone doing something along the road, and perhaps their interaction with people and objects. Mother carrying baby or old man looking into his plastic bag or something~
Always difficult to capture moving subjects but I like the collages you made.
The Fountain is a very deep poem. I so enjoyed reading it. A poem is a kind of self-projection.
Upon seeing the challenge was pedestrian my mind went straight to people but then I thought, That would be to obvious. I I attempted the challenge I would have showed what I’d seen as a pedestrian walking amongst the street and others. I didn’t quite understand how a fountain was going to work in this but then you kindly explained it and I thought this makes perfect sense, Pedestrian doesn’t always refer to people walking and I think you captured that perfectly.
Another great photo challenge. I love the pictures of the water. Water is one of my favorite things to photograph.
I thought of how difficult is it to take street photography! Thanks for sharing ya.
What a entertaining water fall.. After watch the video, I was able to see the moves that fountain put on. I love the still shots and the video.
As I enjoy this article for the third time, I think of the reactions of my friends. Like you at first that thought the challenge would be cool, but didn’t want to take pictures of random people. I posed this question to my friend who teaching photography at UHC, she was amazed by one student who documented her grandmother who is more pedestrian than her grandfather. The lady was dull and simple, and enjoy the her life more as her children age. She explained how her grandma was never exciting, but once she had a day out she wanted nothing more than to go home. It was truly beautiful and the true meaning of opposite attracted because her grandfather was a man of adventure and was inspired by everything.
Very interesting observation
I’ve never been to Lincoln Center but I think this fountain is the best photo for the challenge of Pedestrian. Great job! Beautiful captures 🙂
The water fountains are beautiful. I love when they change color too.
I should take a walk downtown to see the new shops and attractions. It’s been a long time since I’ve been down there. Now is the perfect time of year bc its not too hot or cold. Downtown always is busy with pedestrians too.
Having a different take, or opposite take on the theme is a great way to showcase another side of the “pedestrian.” I love how you worked around it and it’s also a great tactic to apply in writing.
These are such great shots, although I haven’t seen the fountains at the Lincoln center, I have had the chance to see some amazing ones such as the dancing fountains in Las Vegas and Dubai, and they are absolutely mesmerizing. I love the fact that you stepped outside of the norm to capture your own essence of “pedestrian”. I found your pictures very creative.
I really want to make a portfolio myself, but i always struggle with topic and description… not very good at words. I really admire how you associate you pictures with the poems as well. You are very talented.
It was good you went beyond the ordinary pedestrian shot. The fountain looks really beautiful.
Your pictures are beautiful! I love fountains and I have always been so intrigued by their internal mechanism. All about good pressure. I think capturing the meaning of pedestrian would be quite hard. I just thought of people walking by. But your photos give it another meaning and they are gorgeous!
This is such a creative solution to this photo challenge! When I think of NYC and pedestrians, I see street full of them but you concentrated on the fountain – that’s really cool!
Love looking at fountains. So mesmerizing and so amazing. Enchanting and magical at the same time.
This is so cool! I love photography. Your fountain pictures are gorgeous. I live in Greenville, SC and the city is designed with a water theme in mind. We have waterfalls and fountains everywhere. These images reminded me of how a fountain can really add to the beauty of a city.
Fountains can seriously be so hard to photograph but you have done a nice job with them. Great post! I like this photo challenge a lot–one of my faves from the last few weeks!
How refreshing those fountains are! Saw them in action on your Instagram also. Thanks for mentioning that poem of Wordsworth. Have read some of his works before.
The contrast in your shots is beautiful! I’ve only passed by that fountain in the daytime and never realized how gorgeous it actually is. I love your take on this photo challenge. I’ve been looking for a really interesting one to make my instagram photos more fun, and change up my usual poses. I may have to try this one!
absolutely love these amazing poems!! I used to write poetry as a hobby but stopped a while ago. very beautiful and great job!
Wow this reminds me of the musical fountain show in front of KL Petronas Towers!
Water in motion can be so artistic and beautiful! These pictures are all so perfect!
I like your videos, great. Watching the water spray like a large snowball and it is melting.
Wow magnificent pictures! I love looking at fountains especially the big ones. It relaxes my mind while my eyes are feasting on the dancing water sometimes it also comes with different kinds of lights.
Beautifully written and I liked how you experimented with video through the video of the dancing water fountain at the Lincoln centre. It is truly wonderful that you enjoy experimenting with photos and videos. I wonder what your next photo challenge will be?
I’ve missed a couple of the photo challenges due to illness and because some were subjects I had tackled in the past. I look forward to doing another one
Pedestrians are actually interesting to sit and watch. The day after Thanksgiving, I love going to mall just to sit and people-watch. Very interesting!
Lincoln Center is always so beautiful! I forgot about this waterfall that’s there. Really pretty.
Haven’t seen fountain display at Lincoln Center at night, but it looks awesome, and very aptly can suit to your theme of Pedestrian. Loved the fountains for sure.
Great pictures taken. I am not so good at photography but i love to be one.
If we take time to observe our surroundings, anything can be made into a story. That’s the beauty of it 🙂
Thanks for our daily dose of motivation dear, it reminds us to take a step back and reflect
Very creative and nice to read post. I am also fascinated by fountain, waterfalls and the like. The sound is too relaxing plus the water movement kept you watching and wait for more.
When I think of the word pedestrian I either think about people walking in front of cars from a sidewalk or something that is dull.
This reminds me so much of my Granny. Every year she’d spend a couple of months at our house. No matter where we went, she came along, and always found a comfy spot to sit. I could have sworn she was napping, but nothing doing. She was people watching and a lot of the stories she told were really funny. x
People watching is a very creative art form and we learn so much from it…. I agree
Beautiful pics. You have done a great job here, keep it up!
I love the fact that you’ve confronted the challenge with an opposite insight well in regards to photos, I could say its an absolute way of showing passion and inspirations. Pedestrians for me would be as the same as a flowing water in a river, it does know where it should be, or like people should step on. That would be the same as the fountain that you’ve featured it never stop twirling which sometimes resembles the pedestrian lanes in the big cities always full, always busy.
Indeed as as I looked at the video, I saw pedestrians milling around so I did capture both.
Such a nice poems here. I so enjoy reading this post. You combined poems and photos in a beautiful way.
Great photographs and cool video clips, thanks for sharing
this is such a good response to the prompt! i love it.
I have seen the water fountain at Lincoln Center at night and it is stunning. It definitely is not pedestrian. I can see how you would have had difficulty with this challenge but I love seeing your photos of the fountain, it reminds me again how much I love NYC.
Wow! Nice idea to go the opposite of the meaning. The fountain and the poems are amazing! 😀
The Lincoln centre Waterfall, looks amazing, you took some really great shots and I love the video too, to capture Pedestrians.
I think of pedestrian as boring. But the truth is if something you’ve designed or created becomes so commonplace that it seems boring, you must have made something incredible.
Your post on Pedestrians is very eye opening. I’ve always loved to people watch. But more so to see those passing by and to think what they might be all about.
You have taken a very creative approach on this photo challenge. I have seen a similar singing and dancing fountain in Barcelona. It played for about 20 minutes and it was amazing.