Lens-Artists Challenge – Day & Night

Having passed the Winter Equinox, now it’s time for the days to grow ever so slightly longer, and to leave the never-ending nights behind us. But before we do that, let’s celebrate this Yin/Yang of our everyday life. Following last week’s brilliant challenge led by Ann-Christine, I went in search of inspiring quotes for this one. Maybe it’s my lack of experience of quote hunting but most focused on night’s darkness as a negative thing- no doubt, there will be some amazing quotes on your replies…! Yet, as I thought about this topic, I wanted to concentrate on the beauty of each one of them.

First thought was on how to show an obvious contrast between them. I usually only think in those terms when travelling and I have the perfect example here, our cracking view to the Imperial Gardens from our hotel window in Tokyo.

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Night gives way to the day with spectacular sunrises. I’m not one for chasing them but Winter has this small gift of magic in the morning (and at very decent hours for us here, in the North). The everyday rat race is transformed, and school runs are so much more interesting.

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As the day progresses, so does the light. And they’re not one and the same. This Winter I feel in love with the soft daylight, almost impossibly low in the horizon, almost impossible to guess the time of the day.

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Summer gives us striking shadows with its powerful bright days, but it can also be too harsh on softer subjects. It’s midday now, no compromise on the rawness of the colours.

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As day turns to night and we have twilight, everything turns to mystery. Light melts into shadows, things appear softly, while others lose their detailing. Now it’s the time for imagination to run wild.

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The cycle is nearly done as night sets again. It’s not, for me, the villain of this story. Night allows a different kind of magic. It brings the creation of wonderful things that try to banish the same thing that allows them to exist, that overpowering darkness.

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This week’s challenge is about Day and Night. I took you on a journey throughout the cycle between them, this endless, but not without variations, cycle. Show us how you see them both, if and/or how it changes the way you photograph, whichever is your favourite. If you can join us, please link back to this post and remember to tag Lens-Artists so we can find you.

Next week is Egídio’s turn to host with “Warm Colours”. I invite you to visit Egídio’s amazing site Saturday 3rd February. Until then, take care.

If you want more info about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.