This week Anne Christine challenges us with Backlit photography. This is different from other genres, because we often face our light source while highlighting the back of our subject. It can be a little difficult to dance around the sun rays, but doing so can change the energy or mood of what we are capturing. Morning works for me.
The morning breeze has something to tell you, don’t go back to sleep. -Rumi

I get up with the sun just about everyday. To me it feels like an invitation. It is almost always quiet, and is a time I can gather my thoughts and think through the day ahead. Sometimes I wonder if the sunrise is the, Once upon a time, in our day. Who knows? But it is a story just the same, our story waiting to be told. Hmmm, do you think the sunset listens with the same intensity as a child floating into happily ever after? I can’t answer that either.
Sunset is wiser than sunrise, because sunset has added the experience of an entire day to his soul. – Mehmet Murat IIdan

When we travel, we are notorious for getting on the road early, and if possible, stop just before the sun rises. Even though we think we have planned this journey, we haven’t.
And isn’t it funny to think…I have never seen a sunrise the way you see it.

With hiking we arrive with the sun in an effort to be ahead of crowds. On this particular day, not only did I carry a formal gown for photos at Subway Cave in Sedona, two other photographers were set up for a sunrise shoot too. While I waited my turn, I enjoyed taking a few photos of this young lady with the sun shining behind her hair and dress. A gift of light indeed.
Your light is more magnificent than sunrise or sunset. – Rumi

Sometimes backlit photography is about being at the right place at the right time. The feature photo of my granddaughter at her recent recital is a good example. Below the light shines through the windows and door of an abandon home in an old mining camp.
Open the windows and let the sunshine empower your soul. -unknown

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. Sir Francis Bacon

Be reminded…
Tomorrow is not promised, and the breath of life is not for sale. Use it wisely. – Gugu Mona

Wind Kisses, Donna
Thank you to Anne Christine for this fun look at Backlit photography. Be sure to visit her inspirational blog and her how to ideas to capture Backlit. I think you will be surprised at the places you can find photo opportunities. Remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists Tag so we can find you.
A special thank you to Patti as she encouraged us to tap into our creative side with Still Life last week. It was fun to see the varied interpretations, from all over the world. Next week, Sofia leads us. Join her at Photographias for some Moody fun.
Interested in learning more about the Lens-Artists Challenge? Click here for more information.
Beautiful work, the ones with the rocks are my favorites, but I enjoyed them all. This is one of my favorite techniques to practice, it gives the shots so much depth and mood.
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Thank you, Ritva. it’s funny you say its a favorite for you. I found when I started looking, I use the technique more than I realized. To get great, and purposeful shots is another thing. for me anyways.
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Excellent Donna. My favourites are your favourites 🙂
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I always love your positivity, Donna, it shines in your wonderful words and your unique photos. It does make me smile and I thank you for that. I’m not entirely sure about the Moody fun for next week… it will be moody, that’s for sure 🙂
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It will be great fun. Started collecting photos from my last trip. Thanks for your note. Glad I could get a smile .
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Beautiful choices, Donna. My favorite is the bride in the wedding dress.
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Pretty special to be at the exact place and time. Thank you John.
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Gorgeous gallery!
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Thank you Sandy.
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Welcome, Donna.
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These are all fabulous photos, Donna. The backlit young woman is outstanding. You have well-earned the designation of “Lens-Artist.”
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Thanks Marsha. The photo was all about being in the right place at the right time. And thank you for the compliment. I love being a part of the Lens-Artists community. Not sure I am up to their level, lol. but appreciate you. And I do know the importance of”standing next to the smartest kid in the room” to learn. I have learned a lot. I continue to learn with their guidance. For me it’s all fun.
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And now we get to stand next to you!!!
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lol. life is good for me in that regard.
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🙂 See you Fri.
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Looking forward to it.
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Wow, those daisies in the sunrise! What a shade of orange in the sky! Another set of amazing desert photos, Donna. How interesting to wake up for an early morning photo shoot.
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thank you. Early bird get the worm…most of the time. Thank you. the orange sky and flowers were truly a gift. It was from early Spring in AZ. And as we turn the calendar to May, the flowers are beginning to fade. We have had quite a show. It is others turn now.
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As always I love them all, but the second one is my favorite. As you know, I’m a morning person as well and when we leave for a trip, we’re on the road by 4 am at the latest (unless my husband is running late.) 🙂 Especially when a day’s journey is 10-12 hours, it makes all the difference.
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It does. It seems like by the time the sun comes up we have traveled so far. We are always up for early.
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The only problem is when you’re headed east and the rising sun is directly in your eyes in the road. Happened to me on my last trip to Illinois and it was terrible. But I like getting to our destination each day with time to relax. Being the morning person, I can drive early and my husband, a night owl, can drive later if need be. Works well although I usually hate giving up the driving.
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hahaha. I am happy to NOT drive. I can keep busy with other things and look ahead to upcoming cities.
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oooh I like this one! Great photos, Donna!!
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Thank you, Lisa. Glad you like this. It is fun to play around with backlighting.
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Beautiful post as always Donna. I too loved the backlit woman so perfectly framed by the curves of the rocks. Your closing image is also stunning. I envy your embrace of morning’s first light – I have always been a night owl despite my many attempts to adjust so my sunrise images are very few but always special to me. Beyond your wonderful images, as always I enjoyed your thoughts and quotes.
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Thanks Tina. I think the early mornings are from a lifetime of waking up for work and school etc… I always ran in the mornings too, so I could get it in before the day started. That said if we are in the cities for travel, we make ourselves stay up. Much more to the nightlife in the cities.
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What an uplifting post, Donna. Lovely, lovely images. I love the cave shot. A great metaphor with the juxtaposition of darkness and light. The one of your granddaughter is marvelous, too. Your early-bird shot of the girl in Sedona was lovely. You make me almost believe that the best part of the day is at sunrise!! 🙂 🙂
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hahaha. If I lived in Europe, I believe I might adjust to sleeping in. We loved wandering the cities at night, in Europe. Thanks for your note, Patti
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Oh, this is really amazing, Donna!
The sunrise and sunset views does provide some amazing backlit as you have captured some great ones 🙂
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Thank you Hammed. The sun always gifts us with something new to see.
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These are all so beautiful, and you excel in making everything interesting to read as well. I cannot pick favourites…but must say your grandchild and the lady standing on the rock really went straight to my heart. I would have loved to be such an early bird always, but for me it only works when we are traveling.
Thank you for an uplifting and absolutely wonderful post!
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Thank you, AC. I appreciate your encouragement….always..
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♥
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As lovely as always Donna 😀 I especially love the pink flower backlit by the sunrise!
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Thank you Sarah. I was happy to be at the right place right time. (/And we stopped for it, lol)
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Absolutely stunning, Donna!
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Thank you!!!
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In as much as I love all your photos, the one with the young lady inside the cove is my favourite!
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I loved that whole day, so thank you Teresa!
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Marvelous pictures and words Donna 😀
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Thank you Ana.
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Great images for this challenge Donna! I loved them all but especially the girl with the flowing dress in Sedona.
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Than you Anne. A fun challenge.
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Love this – “The morning breeze has something to tell you, don’t go back to sleep.” -Rumi
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I sure live that!
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Wow I like this photo, welcome on my blog if you are interested in light subject: chapitrelumiere.wordpress.com
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Wow. EXCELLENT!
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Thanks John
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A remarkable set of backlit images, Donna. The image of your granddaughter’s performance is so beautiful. Love how you capture the backlit. Inspiring!
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thank you, Amy. So nice to see you back. You must be busy settling in, so thank you for stopping by. I enjoyed the challenge.
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Great examples!
Lovely Sunsets
I love the Mehmet Murat ildan quote.
How true it is!
Love that abandoned home.
Lovely through window view!
Thank you for sharing.
Philo.
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Thank you for visiting, Philo. A fun prompt to experiment with.
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You are welcome, Donna
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Lovely pictures of sunrises, Donna, I especially like the ones with flowers and the lady in the long dress. The light is beautiful!
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Hi Sylvia. I love being up with the sun. It’s so peaceful, so thank you. And I was so lucky to see the lady.
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These are all stunning, Donna and your quotes and narrative are beautiful. If I had to choose I’d say my favorite is the young lady at Sedona.
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Thank you Susan. It was such a deep breath moment. The sunrise only last a few minutes in a place like a cave. I was grateful to have been in the right place at the right time. Thanks again
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Loved the second one of a sunrise. My favorite time of day! 🌅
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Me too. Always a different kind of quiet.
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