Lens-Artists Challenge #164 – Looking Up/Down
“The most interesting points of view for contemporary photography are looking down from high up or up from down low.”
Alexander Rodchenko
We are excited to welcome Sofia Alves of Photographias as our host this week, along with her interesting “Looking Up/Down challenge. In response, I’ve revisited some of my favorite images from our travels, including the image above from Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China. Renowned for its incredibly beautiful hike, we chose instead to descend and then climb the 1,000 steps from top to bottom. One of the worlds deepest gorges, it soars 12,000+ feet from river to mountain top.
“You’ll never find rainbows if you’re looking down.”
Charlie Chaplin
Also in China, we were mesmerized by a group of Chinese men artfully painting script on large pavement blocks in a local park. It was very much like a dance as we watched them paint so rhythmically. If only we’d known what the symbols meant. I’ve left the painter’s toe in the image to illustrate the size and complexity of their work.
“Once you have tasted the taste of sky, you will forever look up.”
Leonardo da Vinci
From China we move to South America where a very observant bird caught my attention as I looked through the rather dirty window across the vineyards to the snow-capped Andes Mountains beyond. The wine was every bit as amazing as the view.
“Look up at the sky. There is light, a beauty up there that no shadow can touch.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
This watchful stone eagle can be found surveying the grounds of the renowned Hanging Gardens of the Baha’i in Haifa, Israel. At the center bottom of the image you can see a glimpse of the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, the founder of the religion. 1500 steps carry visitors along the 19 beautiful terraces which look down toward the port of Haifa.
“It’s all a great mystery….Look up at the sky and you’ll see how everything changes.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
In Tel Aviv, I looked up as we were walking along scenic Rothschild Boulevard admiring the many Bauhaus buildings. Imagine my surprise when I saw these quaint characters adorning one of the home’s window ledges as we passed by. I found them so unique and sweet I simply had to capture the scene.
“There is always a reason to look up.”
Adrienne Posey
In Jaffa, Israel, we looked up at the beauty of this sculpture high above the altar at Saint Peter’s Church. Originally built during the 13th Century, it was later destroyed and finally rebuilt in the 1800s. It commemorates Saint Peter’s raising of Tabitha, one of Jesus’ disciples, from the dead.
“Greatness does not approach him who is forever looking down.”
Hipotedesa
Finally, an interesting pattern I noticed while strolling along a street in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona. I may be wrong but for some reason I believe this was an Apple store. Right or wrong, I found the sunlight playing through the overhead roof made for an interesting image. Can’t you just imagine a few young children hopscotching along the spots to their hearts’ content?!
Sincere thanks to Sofia for joining us as host and for her very interesting challenge. Be sure to link your responses to her original post here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us all find you. Thank you also for your fun responses to last week’s Keep Walking challenge. If ever we needed inspiration to get moving, your responses gave us an extra bit of motivation. Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti leads us once again on her Pilotfish blog. Until then, please stay safe and be kind.
Travels and Trifles 
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Great
All great examples, and i didn’t realize until now I hadn’t written my comments! Glorious shots and great places. I love that first photo of Tiger Leaping Gorge – and all those steps. I would not have made it.
LOL, no worries A-C. The gorge is a really fun memory. It was stunning but more importantly we had so much fun going up and down and conquering the challenge!
I know about the conquering feeling – understand it perfectly well! And I have, unfortunately, developed a way of reading posts on the phone, and then finding out later i never really posted the comment. I seldom comment on my phone – only on my PC. But I am quite aware of it by now…
You write awesome do visit my blog
oh so much to enjoy and the street painters in China seems like truly
a wonderful experience to witness
and i enjoyed learning about it
Hi Tina
I liked this week’s challenge so much I decided to participate again – I hope that’s ok! Your photos are striking and the bridge at the Tiger Leaping Gorge is especially so. That must have been an awesome trip for you. Your posts always have such meaningful comments, like this one “It’s all a great mystery….Look up at the sky and you’ll see how everything changes.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Now that I’ve had the eye surgery, I’m able to read them much more easily and appreciate them more.
Here’s my offering, with what else? Photos of a Great Blue Heron…and me:
Best, Babsje
Thanks again Babsje – you’re looking good!!!
Thanks so much Tina. 😊 😊
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Great post, Tina!!! my favorite “A Bird’s Eye View”, I love it!
Many thanks Ana