Lens-Artists Challenge #166 – Artificial Light
This week, Ann-Christine invites us to look at artificial lighting in our photography.
Artificial Light is any light source that is not naturally occurring. Artificial Light includes things like flash light, streetlights, indoor lighting, or other man-made light sources. Technically, the only sources of light that are totally not “artificial” are sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. Ann-Christine learned something new, that candles do not count as artificial light.
The major advantage of artificial light sources over natural light is that we have them under our control. There are many tools for changing their characteristics. Artificial light lets us photograph topics that would be impossible to handle under natural light.
We went to Beijing, Xi’an, and Guilin in China on a family vacation. The tour guide took us to Guilin Crown Cave, which is a magnificent karst cave in Caoping Hui Nationality village about 29 km from Guilin. It is a part of Crown Mountain. The overall length of Crown Cave is 12 km (7.5 miles). The 3 km (nearly 1.9 miles) near Li River has been opened to the public. Stalagmites and stalactites are illuminated by an interior lighting system. Tourist could do sightseeing by boat or bamboo raft, but we went to a walking tour section.
At Key West, Florida, the fog moved in before the sun went down. The colored lights only increased the intensity of the mist in the air. You can only buy Cuban cigars from certain places and some online sites, but we found them in Key West. Hubby bought one and made a few puffs just for the fun of it. The light on his face is from the flash of the camera.
We often drive to Las Vegas for a short getaway and stay at Luxor ever since it was open. I took the following tw0 photos at Luxor. The light source came from the bottom of the statues creating outlining the contour, muscles, shades and shadows of the status.
Christmas is the best time to see artificial lights at night. We enjoyed driving around the neighborhood to see the Christmas decoration and the lighting at night. We also had a fun time taking the Holiday Light cruise at Huntington Beach to see the Christmas lights and the boat parade in the harbor.
The final image is my shot on the TV screen of the New Year’s Eve. Countries around the world incorporated the laser lights with the fireworks in their celebration of the coming of the New Year.
Lens-Artists Challenge #166 – Artificial Light
Thank you for reading.
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
.
.
The Showers of Blessings 
I like the Holiday Light cruise at Huntington Beach. So beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s beautiful. We went a couple times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your artificial light photos are spectacular! You are such a talented photographer. My husband and I visited Key West once. It was over a 4th of July weekend and miserably hot. But we brought back plenty of photos to say we’d been there!
LikeLike
Oh my, I hadn’t realized that you’re an amazing photographer, Miriam. I apologize about that. These photos are incredible. I love taking photos and create some nice ones in the “light” of day, but I haven’t gotten the swing out of taking photos at night, or with artificial light. I enjoyed your photos so much. I’ll add another ‘natural’ light, though, that seems so difficult to bring out in a photo: the light of our spirit within. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Photography is my hobby, Pam. I love to do cropping and adjusting the light and clearity.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Pam. I would like to see more of your photos.
LikeLike
The light from within certainly shines through in a unique way.😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
And hard to capture on the camera. I once went to an “aura photography” session (each attendee had their aura photographed). It was astounding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be a wonderful experience, Pam! I haven’t heard of aura photography until now, Pam. I did a quick search and it sounds very interesting. One person’s finger print had different colors in different years projecting different energy, I think.
Even though I’m not into psychic, when I was in my doctoral program, one professor invited a person to the class to demonstrate the energy. She let me put my hand in hers and I could feel the vibration of my hand!
I did meditation on my own when I was younger. One time, I could feel myself leaving my body and ascending pretty high above myself and looking down. It felt awesome with bright and pure (not colorful) aura. When I returned back to my body, I could see and feel the colors changed back to the room colors.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos Miriam. I love the effects of artificial light, especially at Christmas! Your husband looks a bit like Hemmingway with that cigar!! :>)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dwight! We visited the Hemingway house while being there. It also had a small “white house.” I leave the Christmas village out year round and turn on the lights sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice! Sounds like a great idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Key West is not big but has many interesting things for the tourists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have heard it is very interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s humid though. I think the carpet in the hotel room had fleas. There were roosters and iguanas roaming on the streets!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. I got bug bites on my feet!
LikeLike
HI Miriam, these are amazing pictures. I love them all. I hope you are well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m doing well, Robbie. Thank you. We just came back yesterday from visiting my daughter’s family and having the birthday party for Autumn on Saturday. Her actual birthday was yesterday. We spent almost all the waking time playing with the girls. Two of the four evenings while we were there, we took care of the girls from dinner time to bedtime so that Mercy and Will could go on dates to have some relaxing time. It was exhausting for us but just think of them taking care of the kids plus working and doing the housework!!! We were glad to give them a little break once in a while. I saw your post about Michael. I’ll read it in a little while.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Miriam, it is lovely for Mercy and Will that you can give them this assistance. My parents helped me in the same way when the children were small. My sons are very attached to my parents as a result so it brings its own reward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning photos, Miriam! I love the ones of the caves and your handsome husband with the blurred palm background.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jacquie! The cave was amazing. That was my only time visiting a large cave such as that one. Hubby’s cigar – the only time he smoked a cigar for fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos and places, Miriam. I especially enjoyed the amazing cave photos, the haloes around the street lights, and the fireworks. So many different ways that lights brighten our experiences. And great picture of your husband with the cigar. It looks like you had a fun vacation. 🙂 Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the cave photos the most, Diana. I’ve taken the New year’s Eve fireworks photos for many years. We have the tradition of staying up to watch the new year count down and watch the New Year celebration around the globe. Yeah, we had a fun vacation at Key West. Thank you for visiting. 🙂 We had a wonderful time with the grandkids, will be going home tomorrow. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love traveling with your photos. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Chelsea! The photos helped me to remember my travel since the furthest we’ve gone on vacation was a two+ hour drive from home ( not including visiting my granddaughters in Portland, Oregon where we are this weekend). 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We took a quick jaunt up to Idaho for a reunion, so we’re in a similar boat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re still very careful. The Delta variant is dangerous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful images from so many places!! I love how you captured the purples in the caverns so well, but all your photos are perfect for the challenge!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Rusha. I think the light system uses colored lights. The stones may not be that many colors. It was amazing to visit the cave!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That cave and your photos were spectacular, Miriam. I love all your light pictures 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I remember the cave photos, Denise. Sometimes I may not remember the photos I have when doing the photo challenge with themes. Thank you. 😊
LikeLike
Beautiful shots, Miriam! I especially like the blue of the caves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that one also, Sue! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the cave pictures are spectacular. it looks like you have been fortuante to visit some wonderful places around the world; I hope you continue to do so…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have been fortunate to visit many countries for 20 years, Jim. Our travel got interrupted by the pandemic. We hope to resume in 2022. Our reservation to Banff, Canada in August was canceled because the border was closed
LikeLiked by 1 person
my wife and I hope to do some traveling when we retire in a couple of years. too bad about Banff; I had a chance to visit there probably 25 years ago…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that’s good. We still want to go to Banff. My daughter and her hubby went. My sister and her hubby went. I liked their photos I saw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it was beautiful, especially Lake Louise
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be. People recommend it to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So such a artificially lighting photo shoot. Beautiful photography. Lovely cave light.
Thanks Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked the lights in the cave, Rajkkhoja!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is truly fascinating, Miriam. I am amazed what you know on this subject. Your pictures are gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always like the photo challenge that motivates me to learn more about the subjects. I do have tons of photos for current lol different subjects. Thanks, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, great artificial light selections, Miriam! I remember the cave, beautiful images! The boat is fabulous with all the lights on. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember you went to Guilin, Amy! In fact, your photos of the mountains on Li River are better than mine. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for remembering my photos of Li River. I’m flattered. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Amy. The sky was not clear when we were there. I wish it was. Your Li River photos were very good. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all so beautiful, I can’t decide which I like best! I love lights, and I’ve often said if I had a choice, I’d leave my Christmas tree up year round. Have a great weekend, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teri! In fact, I leave my Christmas village up for many years. I have the lights off most of the time and I did turn them on quite a few times during the year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Lovely pictures Miriam. Artificial lights have an aura of their own!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to take time to get more into photography, Balroop. But I only have 24 hours a day! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Miriam! ❤ You have a wonderful weekend too. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, dear Bette! We’re going to visit my granddaughters. Autumn is turning four next Tuesday. 😍🎂
LikeLike
Miriam, you’re a champion of photography under artificial lights and these are glorious. A new sense of depth and life is brought to the stalagmites and stalactites and I’m in awe of the last photo of the New Year’s celebration! Luxor looks magical and awe-inspiring – probably even more since lit up! You’ve given me lots to think about to develop my photography skills and will try some of my own!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Annika, I thought of you and your new camera when I looked at my photos. When I go places locally, I don’t bring my camera, just use the phone camera. The phone cameras are getting good. I saw a giant billboard on a freeway once and wondered about what the advertisement for. Then I saw a tiny note at the lower right corner said the photo was taken with iPhone 6 (whatever number at the time). But I only have a Google phone. I used the camera when I take distant shots because it zooms quite well, and the flash can be softer than the phone flash. I’m glad you liked my selection of photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Artificial lighting really adds to the festive flair of some of these shots. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, VJ. The colored lights in the cave is dramatic. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖
LikeLike
Wow, great lighting captured Miriam. Haven’t been to Vegas forever. 💖❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cindy. It’s about four hours’ drive for us. We don’t fly there. Adding the getting to and from the airport, it’s more than four hours. Than you for comment. 💖💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that’s so great! You did an amazing job too! 💕 welcome! 💕
LikeLike
Beautiful, Miriam! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill! I think of you and the new book!
LikeLike
Gorgeous lighting, Miriam!
LikeLike
A terrific selection Miriam. Well done.
LikeLike
You could have a field day with artificial light in Vegas. They don’t build those fancy casinos/hotels because lots of people are winning. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed at the Luxor, but I’ve been in it before. The inside of Ceasar’s Palace would be another great place to capture artificial light. Excellent job as always, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have photos of the crazy city, Pete. I can’t stand the cigarette smell. Always try to find the shirt route from the elevator to the cafeteria. I used to let my husband play for the quarter or nickle machine for $20. He won sometimes and wanted to play longer. I said only to the point when you lost all you won. We try to go to a couple of shows and walk on the streets window shopping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like visiting, but it’s not the kind of city I’d like to live in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not for me either. My partner teacher moved to Las Vegas after he was retired, but they live away from the noises and lights.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous, Miriam! I enjoyed every one of them – and you are the first one to feature caves!
LikeLike
Fabulous photos about artificial light, Miriam. Toni x
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was fun to do this post, Toni. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great lighted cave. The Luxor! I’ve stayed there. Great variety all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. We still like to stay at Luxor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very impressive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your visit and comment, Philo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate it ☺️.
LikeLiked by 1 person