I’m running just a little late, but here’s this week’s challenge. Did you know that March 29th is Smoke and Mirrors Day? The origin of this day, which celebrates all things magical and illusory, is suitably shrouded in mystery, but what a great theme it provides. Here are a few photographs I found that seemed to fit, all taken in the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps; the city where there’s always something fascinating to photograph.
Buildings that steam all night. Is it just me or does this remind you of a dalek? Yes, I’m a proud Dr Who fan 😉
Curved glass building makes for an interesting illusion
Part of the Empire State reflected in the wing mirror of a city cop’s motorbike
Are you ready to work your own magic and pull the wool over my eyes? If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Smoke and Mirrors
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
I’m looking forward to your distracting, deceptive, illusory post!
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Tell you what I’m going to do… make big smoke and find a hand mirror… and the camera of course… could be fun!! 😉
Heh heh, sounds like fun, but be careful, aj, remember where there’s smoke, there’s fire! 😉
A joint springs to mind…!! NO, don’t worry… I don’t do that for love!!
I’ll keep my fingers away from the flames… I Promise! 😉
Superb shot, that second one, Ailsa. No smoke- pure talent!
Thanks Jo, that building is really amazing, it made me dizzy just looking at it. 🙂
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I had no idea this was Smoke and Mirrors day! What a fun idea for a challenge. 🙂 Here are my choices. http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/03/29/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Oh that first photo is hilarious, poor old Ryan, that pumpkin looks like it fell off his head. 🙂
Yes it does!
Haha that is too funny, Ryan’s glowing away like a ghost, that pumpkin does look like it should belong to him. 🙂 I just heard about Smoke and Mirrors day today, and I couldn’t resist, it’s so much fun for a photo theme.
I thought of this picture as soon as I saw your title. 🙂
It’s perfect, thanks for the giggle!
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Not a fan of either smoke–allergies–or mirrors–ugly. But since I’m in a Seattle state of mind–whatever that is–I’ll toss in a shot of the strangest library in at least the US. http://loganbruin.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
I love Seattle library, Logan, the outside is decidedly unusual but the inside is even stranger. 🙂
Oh good one, Logan, Seattle’s library is out there, and yes, Jo, the inside is even stranger!
It suddenly occurs to me that your first shot might be the aftereffects of commissioner Gordon sending up a Bat signal. . . ;o)
Quite possibly! It is Gotham, after all! 🙂
My interpretation is a bit different but I hope you’ll enjoy it anyway^^
http://mannalexandra.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Wow. those were made of chocolate? You’re right, Alexandra, they do look kind of magical.
Yes and yeah, they really do (:
These are amazing, Alexandra, I can’t believe they were sculpted from chocolate. They really look a little other-worldly – that bottom one in particular. I love the white and yellow showing through the rips, it makes it look even cooler. xxx
Yes, I really like them. They were sculpted from liquid chocolate running over a model’s head – I think the creation alone is a real amazing thing^^
… and the subject pictures were taken with the models – I’ve found an old article about that so called “Schüttaktion”.
I’d have failed miserably as a model, I’d have eaten the chocolate before it set 😉
Me too, me too… there would have been no chocolate left xD (;
Great pictures! I always loved that swooped building.. I park under it a lot !
It’s an amazing piece of architecture. I didn’t realize there was a parking lot below! 🙂
Interesting theme! Like the curved building and the shot in the car mirror….I’ll have to see what I can find, can’t duck the challenge!
Hurray, looking forward to your post, Sue. xxx
Great challenge! And what photos, Ailsa! I love that curved building…and of course the first one is a Dalek – in my Dr Who dreams, at least! I’ve got a whole computer with Dr Who, sent to me by one of my favourite students as a farewell gift…It was greatly appreciated. Now, let me see what I can find …
Excellent, my fellow Whovian 😉
Hey Alisa, thanks for checking out my blog! I’m digging this thematic challenge thing – I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled and see if I can get something that fits the ticket. 🙂
Hi there, I’d love you to join in – get clicking! 🙂
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Another goodbye….. http://mrscarmichael.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/3072/
hope this works ‘cos I forgot to put a title 😦
It works, Mrs C – love that ‘wine is fine’ bit, sounds like my kind of country 😉
You must go there. The road trips are so easy and stunning at the same time.
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Ailsa, a theme with magic. Lovely! Your photos are excellent, I especially like the last one.
Here’s mine: http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Ooh I love that bottom photo, the black and white works perfectly 🙂
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Didn’t know about the official day…(please don’t tell our elected officials – they’ll ruin it – LOL)
What interesting images you found. THanks for sharing
Haha, mum’s the word, phil 😉
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love your last shot Ailsa. Here are mine for this week.
http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Wonderful, Livvy, that Krakow shot is really beautiful, but my favourite is the one of Cork, it looks magical. xxx
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Great set of smoke and mirrors, Ailsa. That New York City one looks quite scary! 🙂 Here’s a strange combination of smoke and mirrors.
http://catbirdphotography.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-mirrors/
Oh my gosh, these are wonderful! I was going to ask where on earth you took these, but then saw the tag at the bottom of your post so am guessing it’s the Trick Art Museum in Seoul – how much silly fun is that? Love it!
Thanks, Ailsa! These happened to be at the Trick Art Exhibit in Daegu, but I think there is one in Seoul too! It was a day of great fun!
It looks like my kind of place 🙂
Had to think about it! http://vastlycurious.com/?attachment_id=1533
I love that round window, Kathryn, it reminds me of a hobbit house. 🙂
Thanks me to- I was tempted to fix the curtain but I did not!
Haha, I didn’t even notice until you just mentioned it. Now it’s bugging me. 🙂
I am anal about symmetry !!!
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This is mine….
http://bambangpriantono.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Very cool, bambangpriantono, I love the mysterious smoke with the lamps glowing in the background! 🙂
Thank you..this is incidentally and I took it at the righteous moment. 🙂
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A bit late – great photos of my home town….here is my version (inclusive of a NYC related photo) for this weeks theme: http://thephotoseye.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Not even slightly late 🙂 I love the Sculpture Garden in Milan, great shots!
Thanks!….the sculpture garden was a stumble upon!
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Some quite natural, but still entirely magical, smoke and mirrors: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Oh wow, that Hudson River shot looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, I love it, Vlad. xxx
I love that second photo!
It’s a pretty impressive feat of engineering, that building never fails to amaze me. 🙂
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Hi Ailsa – here is my submission for this week
http://alienshores52.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/travel-theme-smoke-mirrors/
Oh how beautiful, Mother Nature at her finest, I love that first shot of the mist creeping down the mountain. xxx
Done!!!
http://locagringa.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-mirrors/
Oh what wonderful interpretations of the theme, you got me smiling. The palm trees reflected in the sunglasses are fantastic, I want to be on that beach right now! 🙂
Yes, anything reflective is a mirror!
Oh Alisa, it is one of the most beautiful places. The sand has such a different feeling there. It’s grainy and roles when you walk on it, very hard to describe. If you ever get the chance to go there … go. The drawback, the tours are all booze cruises and there is actually very little time on the island.
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Hi Ailsa! I´m back in the challange!
http://reginasavy.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Yaay, welcome back Regina, sounds like you’ve been very busy recently! Lovely shots, that top photo is gorgeous, I can smell the incense from here! xxx
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Hi all! Here’s my take on this week’s Smoke and Mirrors Travel Theme: http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/ailsas-travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Haha, love the crappy iPhone pic, Stephen, it really does look like a meteor strike. 🙂
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Here’s my contribution:
http://photobams.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/travel-theme-smoke-and-mirrors/
Hi Bams, so glad you joined in the travel challenge, what great shots, I love that bonfire photo! 🙂
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Here’s my contribution:
http://wp.me/p18B5-1nE
what a great theme – thank you!
Wow, what great shots, that top photo is mesmerizing! xxx
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Wonderful photos, dear Ailsa – excellent captured… 🙂
Thanks Drake, I love your interpretation, and the way you call fog ‘smoking water’, how beautifully descriptive. You have a poetic way with words! 🙂
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