My favourite fountain in New York is the one at Lincoln Centre. Surrounded by the opulent architecture that houses the opera, ballet and orchestra; it never fails to delight the eye. The dancing waters rise and fall, at times resembling a ballerina’s delicate pirouette; at other times giving a tumultuous chorus line finale complete with jazz hands. It is dazzling at all times of day, but never more lovely than during New York’s long, hot summer evenings.
It was on just such an evening, after a disappointing Manhattanhenge, that I found myself wandering past the fountain, which was surrounded by New Yorkers hoping to escape the heat. The illuminated waters cascaded like luminous silk, and the silhouettes of the onlookers around its perimeter created such an enticing scene, I couldn’t resist reaching for my camera.
It fascinates me how a silhouette; a two-dimensional outline of a person or object, can suggest a story just as clearly as if you could see the scene in its entirety. Perhaps it makes our imagination work overtime, trying to fill in the details we cannot see. I would love to see your interpretation of this theme, so if you would like to join in, create your own post, title it Travel Theme: Silhouette and put a link to this page in your post so others can find it easily. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for the next travel theme. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Wow! The intimate scenes and the texture of the water are just brilliant Ailsa! The second and the last one are standouts! I honestly do not have anything remotely comparable to offer for this challenge 🙂
Gosh, thanks for the compliments, Madhu. xxx Ailsa
Found something that might just about pass muster 🙂
http://theurgetowander.com/2012/08/29/travel-theme-silhouette/
Ooh yes, Madhu, it definitely passes muster – a renegade north-facing buddha, how fabulous! xxx
Beautiful photos as usual. I especially like the last one with the camera/phone in view as well.
Thanks, Tri Road, the iphone screen really caught my eye as I was watching the scene unfold, I’m really glad I managed to capture it. 🙂
Ooooooooooooo, I have some really bitchin nature silhlouettes, this should be a FUN ONE! =) Great pictures!
Excellent! 🙂
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Amazing photos, Ailsa, among your very best! The last one, in particular, really does tell a complicated story… 🙂
Here’s mine: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Thanks for the compliment, Vlad, I’ve been to Lincoln Center so many times, but that was the first time I’d played with silhouettes against the illuminated waters. I love your Belize shots 🙂
Fabulous photos! I’d never thought about trying silhouettes against a fountain before, so this has given me inspiration.
Thanks Denise. I’ve been to Lincoln Center hundreds of times, but never thought of taking shots against the fountain until now. I’m glad I did. 🙂
All of the photos are outstanding but the second one is captivating. There’s a spiritual essence that comes through while viewing that one. I have no clue what direction I will go in. I am going to give this one a great deal of thought. I hope to come back and post something. Thanks for pushing the envelope. ~~~ : – )
Thanks Isadora. I love the second one too, I took countless photos of her, she was so captivating. xxx Ailsa
I have enjoyed looking at the photos even more this time. I realized in searching for one to submit for the challenge that taking images of someone in silhouette takes a great deal more of time, preparation and thought. The one I found among my images was taken very quickly and spontaneously. I wish I had prepared it properly. The sunset would have been showcased, too. I am so captivated by these you’ve posted.
Isadora
here’s my very weak attempt at the challenge. I hope you enjoy …. http://insidethemindofisadora.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/travel-theme-silhouette/
Lovely, Isadora, you’ve captured a wonderful moment in this photo, and the sunset is stunning too! Yes, silhouettes can be hard to shoot, but fun too! xxx
Wow – before I even saw the photos, your mention of the fountain brought a flood of memories of that very spot. And now, my mind is turning towards which photos I should share. Thanks for the challenge!
Hurrah, looking forward to your entry, Debbie.
Phantastic pictures, Ailsa! I really enjoy the variations in this series, and the “openness” of the pictures – they very strongly appeal to the imagination.
Thanks tms, the thing I love about them is the myriad of ways they could be interpreted. I’m glad you enjoyed them. xxx Ailsa
Here’s the only silhouette photo from my father’s war album. I submitted this photo for the ‘peaceful’ WordPress challenge earlier this year: http://soundslikewish.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/weekly-photo-challenge-peace/
So evocative, Trish, and yes, it is a disturbing darkness. Excellent post.
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Gorgeous photos Ailsa, really stunning art. I think I like the one of the girl alone best. I don’t really have a true silhouette so I’m posting my closest.
http://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Thanks, Gilly, I was fascinated by that girl with the little piece of hair sticking up, she was magnetic to watch, it was such a contemplative scene. I love your photo, very romantic. xxx
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Different silhouettes? I don’t tend to photo people very much, so here’s me stretching the theme a bit! However, Ailsa’s Pictures have inspired me have a go this weekend! http://annarashbrook.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Love them, Anna, especially the mountains, they look so majestic. xxx
What a way to kick off a Friday, Ailsa! Every one a story. Stunning. I don’t know when I saw better silhouettes!
Ooh, that’s quite a compliment, Jo, I’m flattered. Thank you very much. xxx Ailsa
Lovely theme, and fabulous silhouette photos. I enjoyed them all. 🙂
Thanks ad, I had a lot of fun taking them! 🙂
Love this set of photos Ailsa 🙂
Thanks, skinnywench 🙂
Amazing photography!
Thanks Kavi, I’m glad you enjoyed them. xxx
Mind-boggling sharp images… love it!
Thanks for the compliment, Picture-Bandit. I had a field day at the fountain, there were so many wonderful photo opportunities; I couldn’t stop taking photographs.
we should embrace these moments. It is seldom enough that one gets a longer-time-frame opportunity.
Very true, Picture-Bandit, moments like that are a bit of a luxury, aren’t they? 🙂
Ailsa, these photos are amazing! I love them. Inspiring for sure!
Thanks Cathy, it was a photographer’s dream wandering around the fountain watching stories unfold. 🙂
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WOW! Fantastic photos, Ailsa.
I can´t hope to come up to this standard – but nevertheless, here´s my contribution 🙂
http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Gorgeous photo, Marianne. Layers of silhouettes. I love the contrast between the angular black of the frame and the delicious blues of the mountains. Really lovely.
So great and amazing shots… 😉
Thanks, ledrakenoir, so glad you enjoyed them. xxx
Very nice!
Thanks Kim, I love your shots of the Warburton Groove.
Thanks ailsapm, I just went through those fountain shots of yours again (and a few others!). They are incredibly and observant and creative. Keep “snapping” you have a real talent.
Gosh, thanks for the compliment, Kim. I promise I shall keep snapping 🙂 and you should too! There were so many entries for this theme I’m still working my way through them, there are some fabulous shots out there. xxx Ailsa
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The second one of the girl sitting so peacefully is my favorite. And you caught pictures of people taking pictures. Fun! Hope to be back…another challenging challenge.
Excellent, glad you enjoyed them, Gemma, and looking forward to your entry! xxx Ailsa
WOW! Your pictures are fantastic, Ailsa! Here is my ‘take’ on this week’s theme, for Sillhouette, with one of my children, against the bolivian mountains background…
http://wp.me/p1oMvI-3ol
Let’s see! 😮
Adorable, 3rd Culture Children, I love the symbolism inherent in this shot. Hope your move went well, and that you’re starting to find your feet in your new home! Welcome back. xxx Ailsa
Great idea for a theme, but I’m not sure I have any silhouette shots. I’ll have to go back through and look and you’ve given me ideas for future shots, that’s for sure! Enjoyed the photos, really amazing.
Thanks gkm, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos – and that you found a silhouette photo of the birds, it does put one in mind of the Hitchcock movie!
Veramente una bella idea e splendide foto per lanciarla.
Brava Alisa
Grazie tanto, Max 🙂
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Hi everybody (and Ailsa)! I missed last week’s challenge, but I’m back with a vengeance for this week’s Silhouette Travel Theme: http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/ailsas-travel-theme-silhouette/
Squeak, foggy silhouetted deities, so much fun. I love it. xxx
Hey Ailsa: Stunning shots. I love them and I am inspired! I don’t know if I have any Silhouettes in my archives so I’m hitting the road, camera in hand and see what happens. 😉
Excellent theme by the way!
Thanks strawberry! xxx Ailsa
I love those photos!!!! Just gorgeous! I’ll have to see if I have anything good for this one. Thanks for another GREAT challenge!
Thanks news, glad you enjoyed them 🙂 xxx Ailsa
Wow! Your pictures are simply amazing. This was a difficult theme for me. I hope you like my interpretation (I seldom photograph people!): http://ingriddendievel.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
This is such a lovely photo, thesweetkitten, so mystical and delicate. The light is delicious and the dark trees beautifully frame the misty background. Wonderful shot! xxx
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I love these pictures, Ailsa. They look so dramatic. 🙂
Thanks so much, Imelda, I could have stayed there for hours, it was such a lovely sight. xxx
The first shot is my favorite – even thought they are all striking! Great theme, Ailsa!
Here is mine: http://tahira007.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
So glad you enjoyed the theme, Tahira, your Scary Dragon is awesome 🙂
These photos are so dramatically beautiful for the lovely theme! Each has a story to tell, how cool!
Thanks Amy, it was like watching a soap opera without lights – so many things going on. People watching at its most fun! 🙂
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These are great! Here are some of mine! http://spiritualworldtraveler.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouettes/
Ahh Zully, these are gorgeous – that top photo of you is really beautiful, the light is glorious, and the moon shot is stunning!
Thanks, hon!
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Beautiful photos. I love to click/ capture silhouettes but I’ve never seen ones as beautiful as yours. Submitting my silhouette pictures –> http://s1ngal.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Such a fun post, s1ngal – where was the ‘cloud 9’ photo taken – it looks awfully high up, and those clouds look like a blanket of cotton wool, lovely! xxx
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Ailsa, these are exceptional shots – so gritty and detailed and yet so stark – and sooo New York. A great challenge for us 🙂
After short holiday brake: http://mothergrogan.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Fabulous shot, mothergrogan, the angle is awe-inspiring – I love the crown of stars! xxx Ailsa
She was taller – couldn’t take the photo any other way 🙂
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Gorgeous photography Ailsa and wonderful travel theme! Here is mine for the week….I’m sticking with France…
http://thirdeyemom.com/2012/08/24/travel-theme-silhouette/
Hurray, glad you enjoyed the shots, Nicole. Your silhouettes shot in the French Alps is wonderful, what a glorious part of the world. Looking forward to reading more about your hiking adventures! xxx Ailsa
Thanks Ailsa! Great job getting everyone involved in your weekly travel themes too! Your themes are incredibly creative! You have quite a following!
Awesome photos! Your theme has inspired me to sift through my travel pics. Here are mine:
http://deetoursbydeepali.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/silhouettes-of-the-glass-pyramids/
Beautiful, Deepali, the Pei Pyramids are spectacular at any time of day, but against that sunset they are glorious. xxx
Great stuff A.!
The last one with the black background is my favorite…the water seems like a ice sculpture!!
Here a white silhouette…
http://pdf34.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/weekly-photo-challenge-less-is-more/
How cool, badflea, such an unusual photo, almost a silhouette in reverse, I bet if you were trying to take a shot like that it would never turn out they way you wanted it to. Great capture! xxx