Weekly Photo Challenge – Achievement

“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

Albert Einstein

(4 photos)

IMPRESSIONIST AT WORK

IMPRESSIONIST AT WORK

This week Michelle has challenged us to illustrate the concept of “achievement”. I’ve chosen a scene I remember vividly from our recent travels in China. Several plein air painters, including this young man, were attempting to capture a beautiful vista in Shangri La. Those who follow me know how much I love photography for its ability to transform an image into art. What you probably don’t know is that I tried my hand at painting and was an abysmal failure 😞 As such, I admire that much more those who are able to create beauty on canvas with only a brush.

CANVAS CREATIVITY

CANVAS CREATIVITY

“Every achievement is a servitude. It compels us to a higher achievement.”

Albert Camus

Above,  a capture of the canvas our young friend was working on. While his piece was still in process, I thought it was already quite an achievement, and expected it to be lovely upon completion.  Below the painters’ subject as captured by my lens.

SHANGRI LA SCENE

SHANGRI LA SCENE

“Happiness… lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

While I understand the focus of the painters on the golden hue of the plants and grasses and the angles within the hills behind them, I personally found the lush red wildflowers in the foreground of the classic white farmhouses nearby an even more interesting subject.

FIELDS OF RED

FIELDS OF RED

“Achievement has no color.”

Abraham Lincoln

That’s the thing about art, it is totally personal; beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. Subject notwithstanding, I think it is a wonderful achievement to be able to see and to capture beauty, whatever your platform of choice. To see the achievements of some other bloggers, click here.

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74 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge – Achievement”

  2. Your first image really tells the whole story; the painters, their paintings and their subject. I like the last photo with the farms houses and windflowers. Isn’t it interesting how most of us are attracted to the color red. Great post Tina.

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  5. The challenge to capture achievement ~ and you did that well. The photo of the white farm houses in itself is a great definition as well; someone homesteading and building their dream. As your first quote suggests, “Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

    That quote, actually, is why I admire people who fail as must as those who achieve, as they had the courage to go out and do (and no doubt will ‘do again’ in the future). Beautiful post Tina ~ I sometimes think that photography is the medium for wanna-be painters like me. 🙂

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    • I agree Randall. I think the artistic effects that are available with things like textures offer even more potential for photographers to approach painter-level artistry. One of these days I will definitely give that some focus 😊. Thanks for your visit and comment, as always.

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  7. WOW!!!! Just FABULOUS shots….breathtaking really!!! Just LOVE the ‘shangri la scene’…totally agreeing with u re ‘the field of red’ much more interesting!!! GREAT piece….enjoyed it lots!!

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  9. I admire artists of all kinds Tina. That young man is creating something special, it would be lovely to see the finished art. But I also think the view you have chosen would be the scene I would choose, if I could paint….It is so colourful. What programme do you use to transform your photos to an artistic effect?

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    • Hi Pomme, thanks! It was fun watching them recreate their artistic visions. For special effects I either shoot that way by panning, or I use photoshop elements. I’d like to do more with textures but haven’t spent enough time learning about that yet 😦

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  16. Beautiful and very scenic. The quest for achievement is always inspiring but if the sense of achievement is tempered with a dash of humility it becomes profound 🙂
    Thanks Tina for this lovely post.

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  18. As you say Tina whatever ‘your choice of platform ‘ and you do capture some beautiful moments from vast landscapes to the very personal people at work and play . Achievement . Yes . 🙂

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  19. I like your artists captures – and the one turning to look has that action shot feel and just adds something – and even though you give us rich and meaty quotes with most posts – I often find my self loving some of your sentences the most – like this….
    “I think it is a wonderful achievement to be able to see and to capture beauty, whatever your platform of choice”
    🙂

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  22. I’d love to paint or draw – now that would be an achievement! But you have achieved yet another lovely post with your words and photos. And I agree – that field of red is stunning!

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  23. I agree that art is totally personal, in the eye (and heart) of the beholder. I have zilch ability for drawing/painting and have often said that is why I take photographs…. Love your Fields of Red, by the way 🙂

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  27. I loved your take on this week’s theme – that’s a great photo story.

    I’ve found the same you have – I can’t paint or draw, which is puzzling since my photography is so good. But I’m glad to have that and I can certainly tell a story with it, as do you.

    Nancy

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