Weekly Photo Challenge -On the Move

“I demolish my bridges behind me…then there is no choice but to move forward.”

Fridtjof Nansen

FIREFIGHTERS

FIREFIGHTERS ON THE MOVE

This week Cheri’s Photo Challenge asks us to illustrate movement. I enjoy the challenge of depicting motion using technology that is basically designed to capture a still moment (or at least it was before video became so prevalent). The shot above captures the intensity of the firefighters rushing INTO the fire I was driving away from. I was amazed at their courage and dedication as they hurtled forward toward the danger.

Doubling the challenge, I’m also responding to Ailsa’s Travel Theme “Rivers”. The shot below, of a ghostly ship passing through my composition of the Hong Kong skyline at night, was captured on its lovely Pearl River.

GHOST SHIP, HONG KONG

GHOSTLY SHIP, HONG KONG

“Progress and motion are not synonymous.”

Tim Fargo

Below, in the same skyline, the movement is seen in the clouds above the city.  During the long exposure needed to accommodate the darkness, the clouds were moving quite quickly. I always find it amazing that clouds pass so visibly in a photograph, since the naked eye sees them as a bit more static.

EVENING ON THE PEARL

EVENING ON THE PEARL

“We see in order to move; we move in order to see.”

William Gibson

Motion can also be depicted in the abstract, shown below in a shot I made by moving the camera very slightly up and down during a long exposure. I liked the way the yellow reeds caught the sunlight, drawing them out from their grassy surroundings.

THREE TREES

THREE TREES

“What-ifs and could-have-beens are not the way to move forward.”

Judi Fennell

Finally, perhaps the easiest way to illustrate being on the move, the use of car headlights as they pass through a scene. As you can see, this shot of downtown Charleston was taken during last year’s holiday season.

SHINING THE LIGHT

SHINING THE LIGHT

“Life moves on and so should we”

Spencer Johnson

To catch some other blogger’s on the move, click here.

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103 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge -On the Move”

  4. Tina – excellent examples of creative use of motion blur. This first photograph is a beautiful depiction of the everyday lives of firefighters.

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  5. Hi Tina, So you are quoting Nansen, that is good, I might learn more from this humanist. Of the moves the firefighters and the wood are my favorite, not the least the fighters: brilliant photo!

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  6. Really INCREDIBLE moments…WOW!!! The opening shot is quite mind blowing…I truly had to stare at it for a few moments…..GREAT stuff!!

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  7. I really enjoyed the variety in this post – the three trees and the downtown holiday time shot are the ones I kept going back to soak up and read about again – and it was hard to have a fav of the quotes,
    but that opening one was it:

    “I demolish my bridges behind me…then there is no choice but to move forward.”

    but I was also totally moved – and inspired by what you wrote of the firemen:

    “the intensity of the firefighters rushing INTO the fire I was driving away from. I was amazed at their courage and dedication as they hurtled forward toward the danger…’
    what tribute Tina – 3 cheers for this. 🙂 and deep b ow of respect.

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    • Thanks Yvette – the comment on the firefighters was truly sincere – it was the first time I really thought about how they put themselves in danger. One wonders what they’re thinking as they are rushing toward the trouble. Reminded me of the scene I saw this week at the opening of the 9-11 museum, of the fire truck totally destroyed by the flames and all of the men of that fire company killed. It really takes a very special person to do that kind of work.

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  8. Pingback: A River in Nepal – Pokhara | rfljenksy – Practicing Simplicity

  11. Truly wonderful shots, Tina. I especially liked the firefighters and the opening quote from Nansen! 🙂
    Greetings from Norway, Dina

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  14. Pingback: 5-12-14 Travel Theme: River Redux | The Quotidian Hudson

    • Thanks LB – tell you what, my hat is off to ANYONE who is willing to face danger like that. Good for you girl!

      They were really something to see running along like that.

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  22. These are all great pictures of movement! As much as I hate wildfires, I have to say the first picture of the firefighters perfectly represents the emergency of such fire.

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    • Thanks Milka – nice to hear from you! Yes, the firefighters were amazing and their commitment is incredible. I was very lucky to catch them in formation as they rushed toward the danger.

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    • Thanks Liz – the firefighters were amazing running along the side of the road all in line with their heavy gear on. Pretty special people, every one of them. As for the boat on the Pearl, just got a bit lucky with it passing through in the middle of the shot!

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  30. I don’t know where to begin with praise…these are all so good Tina. Have to say the shot of the firefighters is just so powerful an image. It is a moving poignant moment in time.

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    • You’re a doll Jo, thanks so much for the lovely compliment. It was a really compelling moment watching those firefighters running in a line toward the fire. just really brought home the danger they face constantly.

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  32. an excellent series of movement shots Tina 🙂 I did this is winter time and really enjoyed the challenge.

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  40. Tina, these are all such wonderful photos. If I had to pick my favorite, I think it would be the firefighters, as much for its inspiration as for the photo itself. Thanks for sharing the “how” of each shot. Never would have thought about the treatment you used to capture the reeds!

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  43. “What ifs and could-have-beens…”…a waste of time. Really like the Charleston street scene.

    Sharon Buehler 843-442-9602 (cell)

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  48. Awesome shots with inspiring quotes! I recall Einstein’s wisdom ~ “Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep you balance, you must keep moving”. Thank you Tina.
    Cheers 🙂

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