May 29, 2009

Progressive Photography: White Nights.

My dear blog-friend Hilary is a talented photographer. If you have not visited her blog filled with beautiful images yet, please do. She has an eye for details and she captures the simple in our surroundings and turns it unique. A rare and appealing talent.

Well, she wrote in one of her comments here recently; "You have such a knack for "progressive photography."" Without realizing it, she simply summed up my view of the world.

I love to take pictures of what I perceive; whether they are mental images that I replay in my mind when I choose to or actual photographs. At all times, I love to watch the changes that the seasons bring on in my surroundings. As a matter of fact, every morning after hugging Batcat, the first thing I do is to look out of my large windows facing my garden and the nature in the vicinity, to see whether any changes have taken place over night. I follow the birch trees and the changes in their foliage or observe the blooming seasons of my plants and bushes. I look for animal life and I watch the city below. Likewise I often look out onto the evening sky, watching the sun set later or earlier each day, or simply to follow the movement of the stars or the lunar phases.

Already when I got my first camera, I was fascinated by the circle of life that a year brings. I made a collage of four pictures taken out of the kitchen window in my parents house at different times of the year, depicting the four seasons.

I guess I love to enjoy the moments in time and photography helps me to document this. I have often longed to capture the changes that my garden undergoes during a year and without realizing it, writing a blog has made this possible. I also love those small - or extensive - countdowns to certain events. They help me enjoy the journey, instead of only the destination.
As after all, the best in life is all in the process, not always in the fulfilment of a goal.

Therefore, here is yet another post in the spirit of progressive photography; the increasingly late sunsets that are the countdown to summer solstice (please click to enlarge).

18 comments:

MsTypo said...

The shot on the right with the moon in it is gorgeous! Great photo! :)

steviewren said...

I love the photos of your skyview. Simply beautiful.

If I didn't already know your vocation was that of scientist, I would have guessed that it was your passion. Your observance of nature's seasons and cycles coupled with the desire to record those observations gives you away.

United Studies said...

You have made me miss the long Danish summer nights...I'll be there soon enough!

Julie Hibbard said...

I think the one thing I will treat myself to this year is a really good camera. I LOVE to take pictures but I have never had more than a very basic camera. I can tell that you have something very sophisticated. I believe I am ready for that too.
Thank you for the beautiful photos. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Hilary said...

Aww aren't you sweet? Yes, you absolutely are. I do love your "progressive photography" and I'm thrilled that you've used this term to document your series of images. You always have the best outlook and the thoughtfulness of sharing it. Thanks for the linkage, dear friend. :)

Betsy Brock said...

Hilary is right! These photos are spectacular!

Kat Mortensen said...

Those are stunning photographs - they'd make excellent postcards too!

Kat

Diane said...

I do love the way you see the world, Dear Z! xo

Donna said...

It IS all about the journey and not just the destination. Your photos are wonderful. I love the one with the moon.

Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Donna

Holly said...

I agree 100%! Maybe it is the scientist in you that is trained to notice the most subtle little changes in things, but you do have a knack for documenting changes as they occur. I think it is a gift.

The images are stunning!!

Beep said...

"White Nights." I thought of an old Carly Simon song. And then a Baryshnikov movie. Yep, I'm old! :)

I would love to experience the white nights of the north, but for a short time only. I've got enough troubles with insomnia as it is!

sallymandy said...

Progressive photography sums it up. I've been enjoying your progressive photography posts ever since I started visiting--your garden, and the sky shots you post. These two really show what happens in the far north in late spring. I remember from living in Alaska. But I never photographed the nights like you have here.

Thank you....xo

Michelle H. said...

I've never heard of "progressive photography" before. But it is absolutely stunning.

Mahmud Yussop said...

There are all splendid shots. I learn a lot about western skies through your blog. Have a nice weekend.

Shelly's Style Shop said...

Those are beautiful shots! I should be taking pictures of the trees we planted. It's amazing how much they change from day to day (especially the peach tree).

You take amazing pictures.

xoxo, Shelly

Zuzana said...

=Cairo,
thank you, I love watching the moon, but I am not very good at photographing it.;) Glad you liked this shot thought.;))

=steviewren,
what a lovely comment; I never though about it that way, that observing the surrounding is so typical of a scientist.;))
xo

=Jackie,
I am wishing many white nights with stunning sunsets on your upcoming stay.;))

=Julie,
I love my camera, but I am not sure it is very sophisticated.;)) But it is very small and simple to use which makes it so much fun to handle.;))
I hope your weekend is lovely as well.;)) xo

=Hilary,
thank you for your always kind and lovely words.;)) I truly loved that comment you made a while ago; but then again I love all your comments.;)) Hope your weekend is great.;)
xo

=Betsy,
thank you so much, you are way to kind.;))

=Kat,
that is a great idea; and in the back it will say -Come to Denmark and experience the white nights-
Always glad when you stop by.;))

=Diane,
thank you so much dear friend, hope you are having a wonderful weekend.;) xo

=Donna,
glad you agree with me in that sentiment and I am always happy to hear that my pictures are liked.;)) Have likewise a wonderful weekend.;)
xo

=Holly,
you and steviewren have me figured out.;))
Thank you so much for your always wonderful comments, glad you like the night sky pictures.;)
Have a great weekend Holly.;))xo

=Beep,
yes that Baryshnikov movie was very good.;)
And I agree with you - even in southern Scandinavia it gets light at 3am, a bit too early or a good night sleep, considering it sets around 11pm.;))

=sallymandy,
yes your time in Alaska must have been very similar when it comes to the light. I honestly always wanted to documents all this but now being able to post it on the blog inspires me to actually do it.;))
Hope you are having a great weekend.;) xo

=Michele,
yes isn't it a fantastic term? Shows how smart Hilary is.;)) I am happy you like the pictures.:)

=Mahmud,
glad you find this as interesting as I do reading your very exotic blog.;))) Have likewise a wonderful weekend.;))

=Shelly,
yes, please do take pictures of your growing trees and plants; it is a wonderful memory.;))
Always glad when you stop by - hope your weekend is great.;)) xo

Noelle Chantal said...

Beautiful shots, Protege! I can see that you are really fascinated by the beauty of nature (just like me) hehe. And that you are an artist in so many ways. Now I know why you bought a house with a wonderful view from the windows. It's nice to know that you are a true fan of nature and simple little changes of this and that ever since you were little. :)

Zuzana said...

=Noelle,
welcome back! I love all your comments, you are so articulate and you always have something wonderful to say. Glad you like these pictures documenting the white nights.;)