Texture adds something wonderful to a photo, drawing you into the image and creating impact. Texture can highlight details on the surface of an object; macro photography often works with texture in such detail that it is not immediately apparent and not necessary to recognize what the object is. The beauty is in the detail. Texture in relationship with other elements in a photograph can create drama, and it can also provide information about the object being photographed. Here are a few textural photographs I snapped on my travels through the US.
The dramatic patterns in stone of Zion National Park’s Checkerboard Mesa
A San Fransisco rooftop
The splayed end of a fallen redwood in California
A closeup of the spectacular colours of Utah variscite
More of Utah’s rocky wonders in closeup
Peridot up close and personal
Contrast (in tone or colour), curves (more curves!) and patterns are interesting components of textural photography. I’d love to see your take on the theme.
If you’d like to join in, create your own post between now and next Friday, title it “Travel theme: Texture” and put a link to this page in your blog post to make it easy for others to find your post. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for a new travel theme.
Where's my backpack? 
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Hi Ailsa! This is my first time joining your Weekly Travel Themes, as recommended by Myra. I’ve been working on textures for quite a while now, and glad I chanced upon the texture theme this week. Coincidence? Haha! Beautiful photos you have on your post. I love how Checkerboard Mesa set the mood of your post. I was in Zion National Park a few years back (I included a photo in my post!) but I don’t quite remember seeing this one. Thanks for sharing! Here’s my take on texture photography over at Gathering Books today:
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/photo-journaltravel-theme-texture/
Hurray, welcome to the weekly travel challenge, I’m so glad you found it – thanks to Myra for the recommendation. That house in Universal City is my favourite, it’s so quirky 🙂
Thank you Ailsa! It was fun. I’ll sure be on the lookout for upcoming themes! Quirky is indeed one word to describe it. Maybe next time I’ll share the rest of my Zion photos. My family just took the drive there when we went to Vegas. We hiked until we couldn’t hike anymore. Haha! =)
I’d love to see them, Zion really is stunning, isn’t it?
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G’day Ailsa another great theme that can be open to many interpratations. Love your first photo with the texture of the rock face being offset by the smooth road surface. I could put heaps of trees, rocks etc they are some of my favourite subjects to photograph. Had to restrain myself….
https://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/09/14/travel-theme-texture/#respond
Oops!!! I put the wrong link in, should be. http://memoriesaremadeofthisblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-textures
Glorious photos of nature at its finest, pommepal, I love the tawny frog mouth and the tree it is perched on is splendid too. I’ve never seen a Red Kapok flower before, it’s beautiful. Does it have a scent? xxx Ailsa
No scent, and I always thought the kapok was only yellow till an Aboriginal man identified this flower for me.
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I am traveling and working from the iPad is super challenging.. Ugh.. So my texture link isnt working and I can barely get online.. Ha.. But I am in Cuzco so I won’t complain.. Another great theme
Oh yeah and here is my link.. http://rfljenksy.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/.
These are wonderful, rfl – the 3rd and 4th are spectacular. Lucky you being in Cuzco, hope you have a fabulous time! xxx Ailsa
Thanks.. It’s an amazing place.. So far no altitude sickness so all is well..
Ah, good, altitude sickness is no fun at all. Have fun! xxx
Was a great time.. Exhausted. One day left in Lima..want to take a nap.. But don’t want to waste a day
http://projectmagellan.net/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
Looking forward to next week’s challenge! 🙂
Oh how beautiful, Miguel. The rippling surface of the water is glorious, and wow, those colours are amazing! Vacation? Yes please! xxx Ailsa
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Fantastic theme again this week, love your presentation of it. My favourites are the first, third and last, amazing! Here is my interpratation, hope you enjoy:
http://chasingbutterfliessunshineandfreedom.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
Ps Thank you for your lovely comment and welcome to your challenge last week, looking forward to next weeks theme! G 🙂
Hurrah, glad to see you back again for this week’s theme, Giana. Wonderful shots, all of them, but the seashore ones and that giant cactus are especially eye-catching. Really enjoyed this entry! xxx Ailsa
Texture and colour! http://annarashbrook.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
A beautiful collection, Anna, such delicate fronds of cheery yellow. I love your garden shots, they’re always lovely. xxx
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The huge rock is amazing, and i love the close ups of the peridot and rocks the colours are beautiful. Here are a few textures for this weeks theme.
http://thegingerbreadcafe.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
These are really beautiful, Trudi – the Glastonbury photo is just brimming with texture, it’s gorgeous. And I love the before and after photos of the hedges. 🙂
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Lovely shots as always Ailsa. I really like the tree. Here’s mine for this week. http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/weekly-travel-theme-texture/
Brilliant, Livvy – not only all of those wonderful spools, but the chipped paint of the door. Such texture and oh, the colours are glorious too. This is a truly excellent photo, beautifully executed.
Thanks!
Stunning photos all of them! But the first looks magnificent. This post for the weekly photo challenge coincidentally has some nice texture!
http://perceptionsofareluctanthomemaker.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/weekly-photo-challenge-everyday-life-its-a-dogs-life/
Aww, what a sweet photo, sleeping dogs are adorable. Lovely textures in the stone too. xxx
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Wonderful examples! Here’s mine for the week:
http://50yearproject.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh how wonderful, TBM. The elephant is just so cool, and that iridescent blue bird is fabulous. Any idea what kind of bird it is? xxx
Fantastic photos, Ailsa. The fallen tree is my favourite. Here’s the photo I thought of when you suggested texture: http://soundslikewish.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/ailsas-travel-photo-challenge-texture/
Wow, amazing, Trish, it almost looks like the rocks are covered in lace. Isn’t nature wonderful? Great shot. xxx
I agree, the bubbles have spilt over the rock like lace that I’ve seen on crafty clothing. Glad you liked it. Thanks for the fantastic prompt.
Hi there,
Here is my first lot of photo’s, Still have a few coming. 😉
Ha ha sorry here it is.
http://pictureperfectmemoriesforlife.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
These are lovely, Coreen – the closer you get, the more fascinating the photos. That last one is really beautiful! xxx
Thank you very much ailsapm. Thank you for stopping by.
Whoa! That Zion National Park is the place to be! All the textures are wonderful, but I gotta get to that place!
Yes you do, Gemma – it was by far my favourite of all the parks I visited, and I visited some great ones! 🙂
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I can’t ever pick just one! So here’s mine 🙂 http://joycannis.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
A wonderful series of textures, Joy, that spiral staircase is fantastic – I especially love the spots of rust on it which add another layer of interest. Beautiful. xxx
Thank you! And as always, thank you for hosting 🙂
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Yes! You can’t beat a bit of Aretha to make you feel like a natural woman! Love it. That closeup of the pine and the fungi are spectacular. Really enjoyed this post, strawberryindigo! xxx Ailsa
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Thanks again for the lovely theme, Ailsa. Here is my contribution.
http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/ailsas-travel-theme-texture/
Oh how wonderful that you got to pet those lion cubs, ad, I’m totally jealous. That giraffe photo is hysterical, and your sister’s artwork, as I’ve said before, is incredible. Wonderful post. I’m going back again to look at that giraffe. 🙂
🙂 Thanks, Ailsa.
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Awesome job once again Ailsa! You come up with the most creative travel themes! Kuddos to you! I had to do Guatemala again since I can’t stop thinking of this spectacular place.
http://thirdeyemom.com/2012/09/15/the-texture-of-guatemala/
Oh, Nicole, I’m so glad you revisited Guatemala in this post, it brought back the most wonderful memories for me – like you, the country has bewitched me with its beauty. Your photos are spectacular, and your writing so evocative, I love, love, love this post. And I hope you get to go back soon (and that I do too!).
I’ve been meaning to ask you how the BlogHer conference went. I was sorry I missed it. xxx Ailsa
Hi Ailsa:
You are entirely welcome and thanks so much for the kind words! Yes, I really love Guatemala and what I’ve seen of Costa Rica. Central America has a special charm. I think perhaps because it is still relatively unwesternized and that is what I love. The color, the culture, the people, the landscape. I really truly want to explore all of Central America and hopefully will with time.
As for BlogHer, it was overwhelming yet I did learn stuff. I think the best part was the networking. I’m coming back to NYC this weekend for the Social Good Summit. It will be a short three day trip but I can hardly wait. It is open to bloggers by the way!
Sounds wonderful, Nicole. I’m still on the other coast at the moment. If you’re going to be out west anytime soon let me know! xxx
What are you up to there? Are you in CA?
I’m in Seattle, Nicole. Change of scenery, and more importantly, change of weather. 😉
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Love this theme! I really enjoy looking at everyone’s posts, as well. Here is mine for the week: http://ididitforjohnny.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture/
Hi, ididitforjohnny, I’ve been working my way through everyone’s posts too, there have been some brilliant entries, haven’t there? I love your texture photos, that shell is incredible, but wow, that weathered hand rail is off the charts, it’s stunning! xxx
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Just found this blog, love the photos, here is my attempt http://frontrangescribbles.com/2012/09/15/travel-theme-texture-2/
Hurrah, welcome to the weekly travel themes, frontrangescribbles, and thanks for showing me a part of the world I haven’t seen (yet) – that canyon wall is wonderful, and I love the view of the river winding its way through the gorge. Lovely post! xxx Ailsa
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Great post, once again, Le Drake Noir – I love your writing, too bad about the jetty! And that top photo is so intriguing with the fragments of brickwork around the windows. I love it. xxx Ailsa
I couldn’t resist Ailsa…
http://thethirdeyeworld.com/2012/09/15/the-texture-of-icelands-ice/
I’m very glad you didn’t resist, Nicole, what insanely beautiful photos. I’ve never been to Iceland but I will one day, hopefully soon!
Thanks Ailsa! Yes Iceland is amazing and worth a trip. Oe of my favorite places! 🙂 Thanks for yet another fabulous travel theme! I don’t know where you come up with such creative themes! 🙂
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Hi everybody! Here’s my take on this week’s very cool Texture theme:
http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/ailsas-travel-theme-texture/
So lovely, Stephen, there’s a wonderful silky feel to both shots!
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great theme Ailsa…I love these images – especially that tree. WOW
So here is my impression of texture: http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/travel-theme-texture/
Gorgeous, Jo, those grit covered stones are my favourite. xxx
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My first go at this, love the theme thanks Ailsa!
http://jessworrall.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/travel-theme-texture/
Welcome, Jess, and fab shots – the 3rd and 4th photos are stunning.
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Lovely, that bubbling mountain stream is wonderful
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Always love your photos and the inspiration you provide for your travel themes. Here is my entry for this week. http://wp.me/p23TG1-1jA
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Love it, Francine, that 2nd shot is my favourite!
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I have 3 very different textures…. hope you enjoy!
http://canadiantravelbugs.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/travel-theme-texture/
Aww, dear sweet Holly, such a cutie. xxx
Thank you 🙂 She was a sweetie.
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Here is my TEXTURE entry for this week’s challenge. What a fun topic!
I suppose it would help if I would remember to add this link! http://wp.me/p1tzBV-1G2
Ooh, all wonderful, Anne but that glass minnow is incredible! Love it!
Thanks, Ailsa. I was so happy when I spotted him. He blended in so well with the sand, but there was a little flicker of shining from the sunlight that caught my eye.
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Hi Ailsa! Another great theme. I love your textures, especially the Utah rocks (so colorful!) and the rooftop tiles. Here is mine for this week from Oman: http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/travel-theme-texture/
So glad you enjoyed this week’s theme, Cathy – your photos are brilliant, I can almost smell the frankincense!
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