Lens-Artists Challenge #166: Artificial Light

21Sep
by Oh, the Places We See
Waco, Texas: touring a Fixer Upper kitchen

With the publication of Ann-Christine’s challenge this week entitled “Artificial Light,” we noted from the entries posted on her site that light sources other than natural ones can actually be quite magical indeed. To tell the truth, we tend to take pictures mostly in natural light, generally the glow from the golden hours of sunup and sundown. Even though we had few examples to share, here are a few from our collection. But we’ve already resolved that to take more pictures of artificial lights, especially at night.

May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Artificial light, of course, is with us much of our home time and working time. In the photo above, pretty lights hover over a kitchen island in Waco, Texas, in a home designed by Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame. And, after staying home during the pandemic, we may all have set a record for the number of hours we’ve spent under artificial light at home.

At St. George Island in Florida, boat crews approaching the shoreline felt relieved that a beacon of light from a Fresnel lens has safely guided many to their destination since1833. (And you can tour this informative little museum and lighthouse right on the island.)

  • St. George Island Lighthouse, Florida
  • Fresnel lens at St. George Island Lighthouse, Florida

In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre utilizes artificial light as a safety measure around entrances and exits, but also as a spotlight for the workmanship and design of one of the world’s most visited structures.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem lit up for evening
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

Inside, artificial light paired with the softness of candle light sheds a soft glow onto alcoves bearing detailed frescoes, tilework, and statuary.

Prayer chapel in Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
A sacred altar in Church of the Sepulchre, Jerusalem

And in our own hometown — Knoxville, Tennessee — we watched one evening as artificial lights competed with a rising full moon for attention at Lakeshore Park. We wondered: Are these little strings of artificial lights trying to compete? Or were they just happy to be in the same league with a magnificent full moon on a summer’s night?

Strings of lights competing with moon at Lakeshore Park, Knoxville, TN
Competing with the moon in Knoxville, Tennessee? Well as if!

The moon doesn’t consider one phase better than another; she just glows equally stunning at each turn. Why should we be any different?

Cristen Rogers

Thanks for joining us this week. Please take a look at some of the outstanding photos posted on Ann Christine’s site. You may be as amazed — as we were — with these glowingly superb examples!

Travel lightly,

Rusha & Bert

19 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #166: Artificial Light”

  2. Tina Schell

    A very different take on the challenge this week Rusha. No one else thought about the everyday use of lights and how important they are to us. We’ll done. I too loved your last image

    Reply

  7. I. J. Khanewala

    I can appreciate your problem. If you spend a lot of time out in the open, it is hard to dig up photos taken in artificial light. But I like the set you have dug up, especially that charming last shot

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. After seeing the contributions from other bloggers, I’m going to practice a bit more at night when artificial light highlights places in interesting ways. And thanks for noting the last one — it was a special night watching the moon rise!!

      Reply

  8. Alison

    Wonderful images – I have an aunt and uncle who live in Sevierville, she was a GI Bride from London. I visited about 40 years ago and did some touring around. Maybe one day I’ll get back

    Reply

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