2013 Capture the Color

“The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most.”

John Ruskin

For those who have been following my China adventure, I’m taking a brief break from that series to participate in Travel Supermarket’s Capture the Color event.  My thanks to those who suggested that I participate, especially Jeff Sinon, Tom Palladio,  Rusha Sams, Milka Pejovic and Kelly of Compass & Camera each of whom included me by name in their entry recommendations.

Color is all around us, and as a photographer it is difficult to choose a single capture in any category.  That said, I’ve done my best to choose a favorite for each of the beautiful colors required.  As always, please click on the photos to see a larger image.

BLUE: “REFLECTIONS”              NAPA LAKE, SHANGRI-LA

“If the sight of the blue sky fills you with joy, if the simple things of nature have a message you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/blue.html#ixWZGPS4wXURwoWo.99

Eleanora Duse

The photo above was taken at Napa Lake in Shangri-la.  We almost skipped the lake as it completely dries up during the summer season, but we decided to give it a try.  As this was a particularly rainy year in China, the lake had filled in early and beautifully.  The shelters built for the animals in the summer were completely surrounded by water, and without a whisper of wind the reflections simply took my breath away.

GREEN:  “DRAGON’S BACKBONE”        LONGSHENG, CHINA

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#uETE7pHxFJkOzir5.99

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#uETE7pHxFJkOzir5.99

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.

Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Speaking of taking one’s breath away, some of you will recognize the photo above, which was included in my post about the Rice Terraces in the mountains outside of Guilin, China  (here).  As the color green goes, it’s the best example I can imagine of its many shades and variations.  The word verdant must have been invented to describe this place.

RED: “DOORWAY TO YESTERDAY”            PING YAO, CHINA

“The true color of life is the color of the body, the color of the covered red.”

Alice Meynell

Ping Yao (here) was a Chinese town that fully captured my imagination.  It was one of the first remote places we visited and required a flight from Beijing to Taiyuan, followed by a long drive through horrific traffic and thick air pollution.  Our arrival late that night made us forget the arduous journey as we were transported back to a time before cars, electronics and highrises changed China’s landscape so thoroughly.

WHITE:  “RETIRED”        ZHOUZHUANG, CHINA

“Set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

Of course, not everything needs to be brilliantly colored. Some the most arresting scenes in China are painted entirely with white.  The image above was taken in a small, canal-filled town about 90 minutes outside of the bustling city of Shanghai.  Because there are no streets, residents and tourists alike make their way through ancient alleys on foot or by boat.  The boat in the image had long been retired and was resting against the crumbling white walls, signifying its importance in days gone by.

YELLOW:  “CHINA’S FUTURE”       PING YAO, CHINA

“How wonderful yellow is.  It stands for the sun.”

Vincent Van Gogh

Finally, this small boy from Ping Yao, whose stare told me that he and others like him will be the future of China.  To me, he seemed fearless, curious and ready to take on the world.  I wish I could take credit for his pose at the yellow chair, but it was his posture that drew me in, without any intervention on my part.

Because China is so fresh in my mind – and so filled with rich and memorable colors, I’ve chosen to feature her exclusively for Capture the Color.

 

 

Tags: China, photo challenge

• October 9, 2013
• Photography, Travel
• 99 Comments