Artificial Light in Photos from Dec 2018 (Lens Artists Photo Challenge 9-19-2021)

Hello Readers, 

The theme this week is “artificial light” and I decided to dig into the archives. At first I was going to share some of my recent “fresh flowers” photos (with some backlight and different angles) but then decided to use those for an upcoming Monday Morning Blooms post. So – into the archives I went. I paused when I reached December 2018.  Today’s photos are almost all from the same night (the 23rd) because I took a yoga class and arrived early (after the class, I went with my yoga teacher for a light dinner and tea).  These photos were taken before the yoga class, I arrived early to make sure I had a parking space (Fan District area can be crowded) so then I had the chance to walk around.

I started off by following the sounds coming from a street musician playing the didgeridoo. Not the normal sounds you hear from a street musician and the artificial light had lime green and yellow. This musician was in the area because he was home on his break from college (he was working on his Master’s degree in another state). 

 

 

 

On the way to explore where the music was coming from, this lady had two cigarettes in her hand and of course I had to ask her about this (she was holding one for her friend who ran inside the eatery to add their name to the waiting list). I thought this was a great photo for “artificial light” because we have her lit cigarettes, the Xmas lights, street lights, and then her lit phone (which is hung around her neck – which is truly a good idea) Seeing her phone reminded me of that I need to wear my blue-light blockers more!  It also reminded me that smart phones are mini-computers that we carry with us almost all of the time. Side note, I am a little worried about 5G and health and curious about the impact of always having a smart phone emitting stuff around our body. But isn’t it cool that smartphones have a flashlight???  

 

I know street shots are not everyone’s “cup of tea” – or “thing” – and while I have been taking street shots on and off since the 1980s (go here to see my first street shot photo) – I have a handful of special street shot photos that make me feel honored to be able to take street shots.  This next photo is an example. I captured a hug!  I captured a special moment in real life and it reminded me of unity and love..

It reminded me how we need each other and all the more so  in a world that feels so divided lately.

In a world where people are bing called idiots for being careful on what they put inside their body –

and in a world where “hurt people often hurt people” when we need to be supporting each other more – so this photo reminded me to use artificial lights to brighten up the world – and to also be a light to others. 

 

 

Linked to Pull Up a Seat

 

This next photo has a lot of fun artificial light so I had to include it in this post. And are they praying at the table or is someone saying, “Oh my goodness this month is so commercialized?”

This next photo reminds me of the gift of solitude.

Sure, we need each other (and at times we really are our brother’s keeper) – but we also need to recharge – fill up in order to be able to pour out – – and sometimes that is done through peaceful time alone.  And in the photo – the art even has this solitude warmth – and remember looking up is good for you – it opens the throat area and can help you feel better. And a lot of Toby Mac songs remind us to “lift our head up – to where our help comes from”

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This next photo was chosen for this post because of the classic round light bulb and artificial store lights. The reason I took this photo was because of the minimalistic Christmas tree. I thought the store did a fine job with the natural tree and then the fun little white dress was in the shot. Only later on did I see the Karl Lagerfeld quote: “I don’t like standard beauty. There is no beauty without strangeness.” 

This next photo has the artificial light of decorated trees and the storefront glow. The cropped version on the right is another special photo for me. I like the vibe of it. We can feel the slight chill in the air, the man glances at the window and their feet stride in sync. The bright artificial lights from the window emit such a glow – and then the lady’s light-colored jacket and glowing street lamp add to the mood I felt on this busy yet quiet December night 

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Closing with an image that is truly part of a quiet December night, which shows something I cherish in late December: a candle-light service singing Silent Night.

 

Thanks for joining me with some December photos in September.  

Care to join in with some of your photos of Artificial Light? Click here.

 LAPC hosts: Patti,  Leya,  Amy , Tina

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