March 02, 2011

Flame Fascination.

March is most likely the last month I get the pleasure to enjoy the flickering warmth of the fire on regular bases.
Soon, as the spring sun will grow stronger and when the winds settle down, my terrace will once again become my favorite spot to relax, retiring my fireplace for the season.

Fire has always held my fascination. Perhaps it is the connection I feel with the ancient man, when fire truly meant life. It offered so much to our predecessors in terms of safety, warmth and companionship.
The scientist in me is also endlessly intrigued by the consistency of the amber coloured flames, which resemble nothing else one can recognize. An airy magma, a fleeting, burning shape, that alters and changes within a microsecond, to disappear and reappear rapidly, a hypnotic show, that causes us to get lost in in time and space.

Everyone who has ever tried to photograph a fire knows it is not an easy task. To capture the dancing flames, as they jump back and forth is a true undertaking. But if one is persistent, once in a while the camera lens immortalizes an enchanting moment.
Brushstrokes of light, science and natural art combined in one.







44 comments:

M. Reka said...

Beautiful shots!
Short Poems

Colleen said...

I too think there is something so fascinating about fire. It is beautiful, unearthly. I love your line about it being brushstrokes of light...what a lovely description.

I so love reading your thoughts here...you have a beautiful ways with words, photographs and I think, a beautiful soul.

Have a wonderful day and lets both hope the sunshine comes to us here in Scandinavia soon.:)

Elizabeth said...

Great pictures Zuzana.

S. Susan Deborah said...

It is quite difficult to capture the beauty of the dancing flame, but my friend Zuzana has done it and how. Love the pictures. It is quite real to behold the flames.

Joy always,
Susan

Unknown said...

fantastic images! I think a campfire or fireplace captivates everyone. we all stare into the fire and go into some sort of trance. very calming. have a great rest of the week and weekend!!

Brian Miller said...

zuzana, i love fire (ok not in a completely pyro way, )...when i lived in the woods, fire was life. we cooked all our meals over it and it kept us warm at night. it was one of the first things we taught the kids we worked with to respect it...so wish we had a fire place now...

steviewren said...

My family used to go to the country to visit my great grandfather when I was young. His old farmhouse was fully heated by hearth fires. We would sit in a semi circle in front of the fireplace to visit. Instead of looking at each other, much of the visits were spent gazing into the fire. I don't think of him without thinking of those fires.

Elisabeth said...

I never realised how had it is to capture a flame through the camera's eye, but you have done it beautifully here. Keep warm Zuzana.

Anonymous said...

You captured those flames beautifully! Even though I miss having a fireplace inside our home, we do have an outdoor fireplace that we enjoy all summer.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Gorgeous photography!

Equally gorgeous descriptive words, to go along with the photos. I love your way with language.

New more-Spring-y-blog look here. :-)

Claus said...

It is fun to capture fire! I've tried it, and while challenging, when you have a worthy picture, one is fascinated and rather proud :o)
Fire...not something we need here. It is cloudy today, for a change, but they have predicted sun from tomorrow on. The kind of weather I am programed to enjoy at the moment!
have a lovely day!

Anonymous said...

Fire mesmerizes me! You have some great shots here of it... I like your profile pic too! :)

Bossy Betty said...

Fire is elusive and yet so powerful. I love these pictures.

Kath said...

Lovely photos. I am the same, almost hypnotised by flame. I see you have a beautiful new photo of youself too :-D

Sukanya said...

Lovely pictures Zuzana :)

A Lady's Life said...

You did a great job here with the pictures Zuzana and yes I too am fascinated by fire.
It has this hypnotic effect on people. You can watch it while it lulls you to sleep as if you want to see something more inside of it than what you do see. Maybe the spirit of the tree and the wood.

adrielleroyale said...

I love these shots - I've attempted and failed at capturing the beauty of a flickering flame....although...I haven't tried this with my new camera yet.. I believe I will have to try that now!! Beautiful sentiments as usual :)

Regina said...

Wow love the warm glow. Gorgeous captures Zuzana.

xo

Regina said...

Wow love the warm glow. Gorgeous captures Zuzana.

xo

Regina said...

Wow love the warm glow. Gorgeous captures Zuzana.

xo

Regina said...

Wow love the warm glow. Gorgeous captures Zuzana.

xo

Hilary said...

You're so right. Flames can be tricky to photograph but you'd never know it by your post. I can feel its warmth.. though it could be my monitor overheating. ;)

tony said...

WoW! You Have Captured The Flames With Style Zuzana!!

Keera Ann Fox said...

Ooh, pretty flames! I love fire!

Wait, that could get me arrested, couldn't it?

*sneaks off*

swenglishexpat said...

I am another friend of fire. I can sit and watch it for hours, completely mesmerised by it. We have telly and DVDs these days, but our ancestors only had the fire and its flames to entertain them visually. I believe we all have a stone age person inside us.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

You really captured the beauty of the flames and the color!

We had our first outdoor fire on Sunday. It was COLD outside and we all had to stand close to the fire to warm our hands. I love to see the kids with their cheeks "glowing" pink as they enjoy the warmth!

Ms.Chief loves wigwams! said...

Hello Darling Soul, Gorgeous photos .. me too I LOVE flickering flames, am wholly captivated most evenings. Lost in the rhythm of a sacred dance , a different world. Beautiful ... Oh I'll send you a gorgeous photo/print I have which I think you'll love too.

SandyCarlson said...

You capture the magic of that fire--your own private solar flare. Gorgeous, magical, mysterious, spiritual. I love fire, too.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Hi Zuzana, fire was always incorporated into customs and celebrations! Try not to burn your... heart my sweetie!! Hugs

Absolutely Ladylike said...

I love fire places...We had one in Norway and I think it's is the only way to "survive" winter over there :-) I wouldn't mind having one here in China as well.

I hope your week is going smoothly dearest Zuzana, cheers: Evi

Anonymous said...

I love the way you describe fire as a mixture of science, art and magic.

Your shots are fabulous!

Unknown said...

Hello dear Zuzana!
Wow! Your fire photos are out of this world.. We LOVE fire too...especially during the summer months on the beach. We try to have a bonfire once a week. If we have a low tide, no wind, and a clear night that's where you'll find us!
Welcome back!
Deb

j said...

Love the pictures of the fire, I've never managed to take any good pictures of fire but after seeing yours I'm going to have another go.

Christmas-etc... said...

Lovely. Truly, a dance!
Ann

Richard Jesse Watson said...

Awesome, Zuzanna. I like to shoot fire two ways. First by freezing it with a quick shot. Second by shooting a slow shot and moving the camera around so the flames dance around and blur. The first way documents a "microsecond" of the magma like you suggest. The second way captures a little of the fire of the fire. Know what I mean? Its spirit as it were.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots. I also prefer warmness when compared to cold.

Jahn 'n Style said...

wow! lovely pictures!

following your blog :)

Joe Todd said...

Neat thoughts and photos

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos, watching the flames is also a favorite pastime of mine.

tony said...

P.S. [not as good as yours!]

bright star said...

Great shots ,I love a fire.You are right I think the fascination goes back to our earliest times.Fire was the difference between life and death.There is nothing so comforting and relaxing than gazing at the flames Sparks fly upward and with them our spirit! lol Angela

Zuzana said...

Marinela (welcome), Colleen, Elizabeth, Susan, Doreen, Brian, Stevie, Elisabeth, Rosie, Amelia, Claudia, Lord Thomas, Betty, Kath, Sukanya, Lady, adrielle, Regina, Hilary, tony, Keera, swenglishexpat, Jill, P, Sandy, Philip, Evi, ladyfi, Deborah, Tony (welcome), Ann, Richard, Rajesh, Jahn (welcome), Joe (welcome), gwennewpenny (welcome) and Angela - I guess we all agree in the fascination of the flames of a burning fire.

I find it so very intriguing that despite all the technology and progress, the simple act of lighting a fire can still have such a profound effect on all of us.;)

Thank you all for your absolutely great comments and such kind words of compliments on my photography.

Xoxo
Zuzana

Gal Friday said...

Great shots--you captured the essence of "flames of fire" so well.
We make a fire in our wood stove every weekend, but that will stop in the next few weeks.
Of course, the warmer months mean outdoor bonfires and campfires..

Zuzana said...

Thank you dear Tina, glad to know you too enjoy the magic of fire on regular bases.;))
xoxo