Harmony – Weekly Photo Challenge
“There is not a fragment in all nature, for every relative fragment of one thing is a full harmonious unit in itself.”
John Muir
MUSIQUE DE LES BAUX
When I saw this week’s Harmony challenge I thought immediately of this capture which I made during a visit to Provence, France. It was in a beautiful little mountain town called Les Baux de Provence which was hosting an outdoor music festival. I suppose there could be many different interpretations but for me it signifies the integration of man, music and nature – all existing in perfect harmony.
As Michelle mentions in her challenge though, there is surely harmony outside of music. The beautiful lines in the architecture of the many stately buildings here in Charleston are a wonderful example of man-made harmony.
CIRCLES AND SQUARES
“You are only afraid if you are not in harmony with yourself.”
Hermann Hesse
When featuring architecture it seems to me monochrome tones allow the viewer to better appreciate the intent of the architect – we can almost sense the lines on the paper that preceded the construction of the edifice.
CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE
“Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, harmony and music inside me.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Oftentimes as travelers visiting other places we are excited by things we pass by without notice in our own backyard. Locals, including yours truly, walk past these beautiful examples on a daily basis without a moment’s thought. We need to remember how important it is to be tourists in our own towns.
GRACIOUS GATE
“A roof of harmony can only be built on top of pillars of tolerance.”
Shilpa Menon
Charleston is also known for it’s beautiful wrought iron gates – having been blessed by the talents of world-class blacksmith Phillip Simmons (1912-2009). Known appropriately as the “poet of ironwork”, Simmons was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor our nation awards its artists. His beautiful decorative pieces are found throughout the city as well as in museums around the country.
SIMPLE ELEGANCE
“Every event in Nature has a unique harmony and rhythm.”
Joseph Rain
Even something as simple as a mailbox can be beautiful when seen through an appreciative lens. So here’s to the ordinary, everyday elements of our world – and to their creators as well as those who take the time to appreciate them.
NOTE: Photos edited using Nik Color Efex Pro and Silver Efex Pro to emphasize the timeless quality of the subjects.
Interesting shots Tina! Monochrome indeed puts focus on the aesthetics that lie at the core of these works of art. Nicely done.
Thanks Uday – so much beauty, so little time!!
This is an excellent eye-opener response to the “Harmony” challenge. Thank you Tina!
My pleasure Hien, appreciate your visit and comment.
Serene and harmonious monochromes.
Many thanks Pauline!
Such an interesting take on this week’s challenge, Tina. I love that your photographs are in black and white. The first shot is especially stunning, what an interesting piece of work! I’ve only been to Charleston once, it is such a pretty city. xx
Thank you Grace – the “poster” for lack of a better descriptor, was so interesting. The French are such a creative culture, don’t you think?
I do, Tina! I loved going to the art museums when we visited our daughter in Paris two years ago. So much creativity! Not only their art, but also their cooking!
Beautiful photos, all of them! I love the first one especially, with the sheet music and sketch and also the iron work.
Thanks Christina – they were taken in two different worlds and yet seemed to be in harmony!
i agree – harmony is so much more than music. thank you for sharing these beautiful moments!
My pleasure Kris, thanks!
A GREAT eye & GREAT words to boot!!😜
Thanks girlfriend!
Wonderful, Tina. Love the first one!
Thanks Svetlana, interesting as only the French can be!!
Tina, your section of quotes and your captures are a harmonious duet. The monochromatic textures and tones add to the flavor of your choices.
Thanks Sally – loved your “harmonious duet” term!
Great post, Tina!
Many thanks Girlfriend!!
After reading this post, we were in Charleston and I decided to look at it with some new eyes .. Our own backyard is remarkable, thank you for the reminder,
Excellent, thanks Linda! It’s a beautiful area we live in, with so many wonderful places to enjoy, isn’t it?!
Gorgeous harmonizing details – well captured, Tina!
Many thanks Annette!
Hi Tina. I’d love to spend more time there. My son went to school at Savannah College of Art and Design, so we got to know that city very well, but didn’t explore other areas that much. The ironwork is also beautiful there. You’ve captured many stunning details. Lovely, as always!
Many compare Savannah and Charleston but I much prefer Charleston although Savannah is lovely. If you liked Savannah I promise you’ll love Charleston!!
We shall return to Charlestown!!
Musique Is so mysterious. Love that!. More info please ..
Ps Yesterday was not today….you’re goofin me up ha.
LOL, sorry about that Diane! Afraid you know as much about Musique as I do! Just saw it in passing while we were touring Provence. There was a music festival in the small town of Les Beaux. Ah the French – they certainly do have a flair, don’t they?!
“To be tourists in our own town,” good advice indeed! Wonderful words and beautiful images 🙂
Thanks very much Terry.
You’re welcome.
Pingback: 18 years-worth of harmony. – The Hempstead Man
pretty photos and nice tones!
Thanks Lisa
Nicely done, Tina. The b/w shots were a great way to deliver your message.
Thanks Jane, thought it highlighted the artistic lines of the elements.
All gorgeous but particularly liked the first one taken in Les Baux de Provence. It made me think of David Bowie.
Marie
You know Marie – I never quite got that but the minute you said it I knew EXACTLY what you meant and knew that was what was bothering me about it. It seemed so familiar to be but I couldn’t figure out why. Make me wonder if Bowie was the guest performer for the festival???
You never know. He did do many wonderful but unpredictable things.
Gorgeous captures and quotes as always Tina. I am very drawn to the gate. I have an connection with wrought iron I can’t explain … thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Sonia, glad this one called to you! One of these days I’ll do a post featuring some of the more striking gates in Charleston. There are lots to choose from!
Pingback: WPC Harmony (London) | What's (in) the picture?
Great selection of images, Tina! Certainly beauty in the ordinary shown here…and I love your use of monochrome….
Thanks Sue, I thought they seemed more striking in B&W with a bit of grunge.
I think you made the right call there!
Loved the use of monochrome in these, harmonious. Well done.
Thanks Maverick – they seemed to call for B&W.
Great selection of photos Tina
Thanks Nora!
This is such an insightful way of looking at harmony. Agree with you say that when we look at architecture in BW, in a way we can visualise how the artist might have saw the whole creation right at the drawing stage. Fascinating. Really like the Joseph Rain quote. Everything that happens around us has its own sense of time. Everything is an individual, yet funny how everything seems to blend together as the world keeps turning 🙂
Thanks Mabel – I thought it called for a bit of a different twist this week, glad you appreciated it. And yes, the Rain quote was right on the money I thought!
There is always this talk in physics about finding the “theory of everything” ~ a perfect mathematical equation that explains it all. Math fascinates me in this way, as it can be found in everything. I thought about this while reading your opening statement “man, music and nature, all existing in perfect harmony” and while looking through your photos thought about how when the math works – beauty is the result.
Thanks for such an interesting thought Randall – hadn’t thought of it that way but the post does indeed speak to the order in the universe. Appreciate your comment my friend.
A group of great photos, Tina! The first one is especially eye catching.
Thanks so much RX – I thought it was really interesting too.
Beautiful editing, Tina. I was thinking about you earlier today as I started the latest Laura Childs book, “Devonshire Scream.” I don’t know if you’ve read any of her Tea Shop mysteries, but they all take place in Charleston.
janet
Thanks Janet – sadly I’ve never heard of Laura Childs but after your note I looked her up and know all of the places she writes about. Will give her books a try, thanks for mentioning it.
Cool first shot, Tina. Your post-processing on the Charleston circle turning it into a pencil sketch is an interesting idea. So many great details in the city and you’ve found some nice ones.
Thanks Jane – it was really interesting in person. Probably 9 ft tall and attached to a huge boulder. Couldn’t capture the whole thing in a shot but loved the idea.
Interesting note on the wrought iron artist. I always enjoy the artistry of wrought iron gates, rails and fences. Gives new meaning to the question, “What hath God wrought? Iron, of course.
LOL on your pun John – love that. Wish I’d thought of it for the post :-). Appreciate your stopping by.
wonderful captures of shapes within shapes. The first one was really interesting! Made me wonder how they did it?
Thanks ML – yes, I agree it’s very clever isn’t it? What you don’t see from the photo is that it was very very large and was plastered to a huge boulder. Couldnt’ quite capture it in a photo.
A lovely, harmonious post. 😊
thanks Dorothy!
You are so right, Tina. By walking in our towns, we see things that we often miss when driving by. Two of my last 3 posts were about just that. Your words though, “being a tourist in your own town” are perfect.
I like the way you isolated small parts of walls, gates, and architecture. It allows us to see all the lovely details
Thanks Laurie – yes, I need to practice what I preach! We’re lucky to live on Kiawah and so near Charleston – two immensly photographic places visited by pro photographers leading groups all the time.
Lovely pics, & I like the black& white, it does evoke drawings, as you say.
Thanks Maamej!
Wonderful quotes and images, Tina. Being a tourist in our own town or neighbourhood can be so rewarding, photographically. I wish I could hug Vincent V G. He sounds like he needed a few hugs. 🙂
Agreed Sylvia! So much talent, so little happiness.
Beautiful Tina!
Thanks Nicole!
You captured the beauty of the ordinary, Tina! Thank you so much for reminding us. 🙂
Thanks so much Amy – glad this one resonated for you.
I love the quote about roofs of harmony being built on pillars of tolerance. Wonderful. You are right too about not noticing what is in our own back yard. Taking a camera out with you does help with that though.
It does indeed Annette – and the new iphones REALLY make it easier!! thanks for stopping by.
A wonderful take on the challenge Tina, with the perfect quote from Van Gogh. Have a great and harmonious weekend 🙂
Thanks Andrew – thought the Van Gogh was a bit sad, didn’t you? Such a talent and so unhappy. Glad the music gave him pleasure tho.
Unique take on the challenge. Love the first photo! 🙂
Thanks Dina!
The framing is really excellent.
You never show the whole thing, but all that is nessecary. I really like that.
Thanks Rabirius, I rather liked the focus on the lines and shapes vs the whole. Glad you appreciated that.
Some fine examples of harmonious works that most never ever appreciate because life gets in their way. By-the-way, B/W is wonderful to use and compliments color if used with care. Congratulations!
Thanks so much MTW, appreciate your visit and comment.