Post a photo you find beautiful, and why

[Nadador]

The images we find beautiful say so much about us. I thought it would be interesting to see what members here find especially beautiful, and why.

This is mine, a photo of the Earth from space. I am always in awe of the Earth, and fascinated by its duality...so enormous to us, and so insignificant to the universe. And all that's going on down there: Joy, pain, wonders, horrors, love, hate, hope, despair, successes, failures, learning, growing, and all of the processes of time and science. It looks so still and majestic from above. Not always so on the surface. And out there, beyond us, is eternity. Forces that elude our full understanding, and places no human can ever go. I've been all around the world, but never above it. This view always captures my dreams. It puts everything in perspective. I can't look at this image and not feel humbled. Grateful, too. What a wonderful place to call home.

 

[Harrison]

Figured it out.

This is from the area of Wales I roam in, naturally formed, I regard it as the heart of Wales.

 

[Vanilla]

Yellow Tulips

Because they just look so happy

 

[Nadador]

This is from the area of Wales I roam in, naturally formed, I regard it as the heart of Wales.

I've seen that...it's in the Cambrians. Have you explored it up close? I've only seen it from across the valley. Beautiful.

 

[Harrison]

I've seen that...it's in the Cambrians. Have you explored it up close? I've only seen it from across the valley. Beautiful.

I sit and travel within it, a great spot.

 

[pushpin]

Edit because I forgot to say why!

Why:
The colors are soothing. I also really enjoy being in that area of Arizona, where the earth is red, and everything is composed of an array of tones and shades of the following colors: blue, green, red, and orange. These are two sets of complementary colors.

I love the play of light and shadow, and the shapes that these two create in the image.

I love the shape of the tree, how its curves are both soft and sharp.

I like how multidimensional the image looks.

This is a place where I'd love to take a nap, to read a book, to journal, to think, to reminisce. It's a beautiful place.

 

[Nadador]

This is a place where I'd love to take a nap, to read a book, to journal, to think, to reminisce. It's a beautiful place.

Gorgeous. It looks very hopeful to me. Wonderful contrast between the tree and the rock.

 

[Nadador]

Yellow Tulips Because they just look so happy

Tulips! My favourite flower! Tulips and daffodils always make me feel energised. They're such a relief after an English winter.

 

[JCPHN]

Gorgeous pics everyone, thus far!

My ex sent me these pictures of dead birds, which she does each time she finds one. I guess if you knew her, you might understand, haha.

 

[Vanilla]

Gorgeous pics everyone, thus far!

My ex sent me these pictures of dead birds, which she does each time she finds one. I guess if you knew her, you might understand, haha.

American Beauty?

 

[AsheSkyler]

To avoid my ever present internal copyright tug-of-war, I'm going with my own photos.

Despite the bold colors, I really loved how that little flower captured the peaceful spring afternoon.

 

[Nadador]

My ex sent me these pictures of dead birds, which she does each time she finds one. I guess if you knew her, you might understand, haha.

Hmm. I think that would concern me. Interesting hobby, anyway. So are you saying you find these beautiful?

To avoid my ever present internal copyright tug-of-war, I'm going with my own photos. Despite the bold colors, I really loved how that little flower captured the peaceful spring afternoon.

Lovely work! I never realised how difficult it is to do florals until I tried my hand at it, to pathetic effect. My brother is a wonderful photographer, but I should stick to being on the other side of the camera!

 

[JCPHN]

Hmm. I think that would concern me. Interesting hobby, anyway. So are you saying you find these beautiful?



Lovely work! I never realised how difficult it is to do florals until I tried my hand at it, to pathetic effect. My brother is a wonderful photographer, but I should stick to being on the other side of the camera!

Of course I'm saying I find them beautiful. There are very few things in existence that are actually permanent, or are permanent in our little human definitions of things, and death is a reminder of that, and while it may be intimidating and even scary, it's a good way to put things in perspective. I think when I get those dead bird pictures, she is reminding me that since we're only here for a short time, don't waste that time, use it wisely doing/being/seeing beautiful things everywhere. After all, the birds are still magnificent, graceful creatures even as decomposition begins to set in.

To be brutally honest, there are many things about my ex wife that worry me a bit, and many of those mean that I can't really talk to her very much any more. But...she does have it in her to send me occasional proof that she still considers me a beautiful and tragic creature, which is probably the highest consideration one can place me in. I'd be deluding myself if I didn't realize that my life has some deeply sad qualities, and has had since day one. So, like those little birds, I'm gonna die one day, and when I do, someone will be able to see me for the beautiful animal that I really am, and not all the little imperfections that composed my person while alive.

 

[JCPHN]

I think this picture is beautiful not because Eliane Radigue is indeed a beautiful woman, but because she's holding the conch shell to her ear, and her expression makes it obvious that she would never need to hear another sound or piece of music. Anyone who can extract that level of beauty from anything is themselves a beautiful thing.

 

[Nadador]

Of course I'm saying I find them beautiful. ...(edit)...So, like those little birds, I'm gonna die one day, and when I do, someone will be able to see me for the beautiful animal that I really am, and not all the little imperfections that composed my person while alive.

Those are wonderful thoughts. Truly. I only asked to be sure you weren't testing the limits a bit, as Aspies can like to do. I agree, there is great beauty in entropy, including in the death and return to the earth of a living creature. I've just mentioned my brother's interest in photography, in my last post to this thread...dead things are among his favourite subjects. While I personally prefer to focus on the beauty of life, there's no denying that death has it's own brand of genuine aesthetic allure. I'm actually very pleased you brought your point of view to the thread.

 

[Nadador]

I think this picture is beautiful not because Eliane Radigue is indeed a beautiful woman, but because she's holding the conch shell to her ear, and her expression makes it obvious that she would never need to hear another sound or piece of music. Anyone who can extract that level of beauty from anything is themselves a beautiful thing.

Very nice. The girl looks so natural against the shell...her speckled skin like a sandy beach.

 

[JCPHN]

Thank you. And actually, here is the one place where I'm not interested in testing the limits. I can mess with people's heads in my "daily life," and I do so often, whether or not it's intentional.

To me, there isn't much of a difference between life and death, if any. Sure, in life we can do all these great things like hear, smell, see, and touch, but in death we can influence, inspire, haunt, possess, and do so many other things that are not as easy in life. I'm not talking about actual supernatural phenomena, just attempting to describe the significance of one's life as punctuated by death. It's true that I've made a positive impact on many lives, and the same could be said for those that have affected me similarly, but I can't help but think that we're all taken a bit more seriously once we're "gone." And if that's the case, does anyone really die? Certainly not, as we all live on indefinitely in the memories, feelings, and philosophies of others. I think that's what Christianity and the Bible is getting at when speaking of "eternal life" or "immortality." With a meaningful and serious disposition toward life, and a strong dose of LOVE, even death can't stop us from achieving our dreams and making the lives of our loved ones a better experience.

Sorry to ramble, but I've nowhere else to spew my philosophy.

 

[Nadador]

Sorry to ramble, but I've nowhere else to spew my philosophy.

This could be a great thread. Perhaps you should find a way to frame the subject as a question, and start one. I would certainly be interested in participating, and seeing what others here have to say.

 

[JCPHN]

This could be a great thread. Perhaps you should find a way to frame the subject as a question, and start one. I would certainly be interested in participating, and seeing what others here have to say.

Agreed. I'm going to start a "waxing philosophical" thread when I'm feeling a bit more positive. Thank you.

 

[Harrison]

Took this photo on a Dorset beach, I had been watching the SAS doing exercises in the bay (chopped up photo #2) and it reminded me of old souls returning from the sea.