Busy photographs can be an awful lot of fun to look at, and even more fun to take, but sometimes less is more. I’m still thinking of the clean lines of the reflecting pool I just wrote about at the Bloedel Reserve, so I’ve been looking through my images for some shots that speak to me of simplicity.
Walking through the Seattle neighbourhood of Ballard, my eye was caught by a drift of clematis scrambling over a wooden fence. Against the overcast skies it struck me as an interestingly simple colour study.
I love sudden weather outbursts when I have my camera to hand; there’s usually something wonderfully unexpected to photograph. This shot was taken after a massive hailstorm in Seattle earlier this year. I like the simplicity of the two contrasting elements; soft green moss and huge white hailstones. I also liked the fact that the moss was located close to a doorway I could duck into after I took the shot because those hailstones hurt!
When there’s a whirl of colour and activity going on all around you, sometimes it can be more interesting to focus on just one element of the big picture. This is one of my favourite photos of the Holi Festival of Colour I attended in Maple Valley earlier this year. I was watching a group of teenagers helping each other to get ready, sharing bags of coloured powder. At one point I noticed all their hands were upturned in a circle and took this shot. While other shots I took captured other aspects of the festival, this shot for me revealed something beautiful about the essence of community at the event.
So now it’s your turn to revel in the uncomplicated. 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: Simplicity
- 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 in the process of changing over to a new website host but will give you all a heads up when the changeover happens. If you’re following via email there won’t be a change but if you’re following via WordPress you will need to sign up for email or RSS.
xxx Ailsa
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.” – Albert Einstein
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Wonderful idea Ailsa. My entry is here: http://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/weekly-photo-challenge-golden-hour-travel-theme-simplicity/
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HI Alisa, nice to know this blog. This is my entry for this theme : https://tigadibumi.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Some nice super close-ups, particularly the hail. With their size, it’s not a shape you immediately think of them as having.
I decided to go with simplicity as a feeling on Koh Phayam. Nearly deserted, no cars, and lots and lots of cashews.
http://pathsunwritten.com/2013/07/13/trave-theme-simplicity/
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Another great theme this week Ailsa! I didn’t travel far for my entry this week, but it says “SIMPLICITY” http://wp.me/p1tzBV-26D
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Great theme this week 🙂 http://sasieology.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Hi Ailsa,
Your photo with the hailstones is wonderful!
Glad to be back, in the game for this theme.
Here ‘s my (black and white) entry on simplicity.
http://dauwpics.blogspot.be/2013/07/momentum.html
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This is from Tuscany… http://megtraveling.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Beautiful choices Alisa! I love the hands but am always attracted to simple images of flowers too. 🙂
My entry is here: http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
Lisa
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Simply a tree: http://wp.me/p16tta-rh
Ciao 🙂
Hi Ailsa, here’s mine for this week, just one simple monochrome image: http://suejudd.com/2013/07/13/weekly-travel-theme-simplicity/
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lots of great entries so far…here is mine
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Such a wonderful topic! Here is my entry! Hope everyone ENJOYS!
http://www.ceephotography.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Tough theme Ailsa. I like the photo with the hands and the colours. Simple
Here is my go:
http://christopheryardin.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
Here is my simple entry
http://politonomicsandtravel.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/weekly-travel-theme-simplicity-07-13-2013/
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Thanks Ailsa, you took me to a simpler time in my life.
http://avacationinmymind.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
Hi Alisa, great shots, great challenge. Here’s my entry: http://shootngo.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Your photos are lovely.. Here is my entry. Thanks Ailsa….
http://itsinthepicture365.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Your flower shot is brilliant!
My selected simplicities are at http://pat666.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
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Here is mine, I hope you enjoy: http://travelwithintent.com/2013/07/14/sitges-simply-beautiful/
the flowers are my favourite too … although those hands are pretty special! here is mine ailsa 🙂 http://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
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It was hard at first to find the photo to fit the word but after the first picture, it came easy. http://bebs1.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity/
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A beautiful first photo Ailsa and a great theme this week. Here’s mine: http://laavventura.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/travel-theme-simplicity-sardinia/