Guiding Light Photo

Photographer's Note

I have been wondering all along which kind of image I might post as the first image in 2012. I had considered another image last year, but I would like to present to you an image that is very Japanese instead. If you remember the two images of “En-Musubi I and II” from my previous presentations almost at the end of the year 2011, one can easily identify the lantern in bamboo called Andonn in the presented photos. The world economy is in very serious recession, and the Euro is experiencing difficulties. Not that I think it would make any difference, however, I would like to present this image as a symbolic guide to navigate through this difficult moment. This close up image of an Andonn (a bamboo lantern) will be hopefully helpful in a most symbolic way to guide our way through this difficult moment and to go beyond.

A very Happy New Year 2012 to every member and non-member of TE once again, with my utmost and sincere wishes, I present to you a Guiding Light.

yanastallerova, ikeharel, SnapRJW, RhodieIke, danos, jlbrthnn, sacimar, Cricri, Angshu, delpeoples, chrisostomou ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (112467) 2012-01-03 7:46

Hi Nobu,
The first basket in the row has a good sharpness - but doubt the further baskets.
I like the smal pabbles cover on left.
Have a nice start of 2012,
Ike

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-01-03 8:13

Hello Nobu - A fitting and positive image which conveys your sentiment very well. I like your use of DOF with the first basket crisp and clear and the further guiding lights requiring us to take some steps towards them before we can clearly see the way. Nice job! Warm wishes for 2012 and may your guiding light burn brightly. Rosemary

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-01-03 11:01

Ola Nobu,
Muito bonito este cesto amarelo , gostei do efeito criado com os outros de fundo , boa profundidade de foto, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

brianmcc (6223) 2012-01-03 12:45

hi nobu,
what a very thoughtful picture, presentation and note to explain it. the structure of the picture is excellent, again a very considered composition. the elements are placed perfectly. the yellow colour stands out superbly against the nore subdued natural colours of the stones. perfect depth of field.
best wishes for 2012,
brian

baclama (19214) 2012-01-03 12:54

bonsoir,
une belle presentation de ces paniers avec une belle diagonale
Happy new year too;-))
regards
vero

siudzi (34141) 2012-01-03 15:33

Hi Nobu,

You have chosen a great view to built up this interesting close-up. I found it very attractive and unique. Very well done.

Thanks for sharing.

All the best,
Malgorzata

RhodieIke (11752) 2012-01-03 21:52

Hi Nobu, A great photo with these special bamboo light's to light up the world to be a better and prosperous place than 2011, I wish you and your family a Happy new year, and may 2012 bring all you ask of it. Cheers Iain.

danos (110407) 2012-01-04 0:30

Hello Nobu,
nice your entry in 2012 with this beautiful yellow Andonn lanterns made from bamboo,as decorate pleasantly the pedestrian,leading to the temple.I like the presentation as your informative note about them.

Wishes for a better 2012,Danos

chanteuse (210) 2012-01-04 5:20

An encouraging metaphor for our situation. The cheerful yellow brings light to our darkness, and Rosemary's comment is apt - the foreground is focused but as we proceed into the future, the focus softens and will only sharpen as we arrive there.
To take the metaphor a bit further, the lanterns are those of the Musubi who are the handmaidens guiding the couple toward marriage. perhaps these lanterns are guiding us to a greater global unity, in a similar way...
A wonderful New Year image and may it be so!

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-01-04 9:58

Hi Nobu,
I hope this will suffice lantern to guide government officials to solutions that will avoid serious social crisis. It's a beautiful piece of Japanese tradition that the sharpness of the picture allows us to appreciate.
Have a nice day
Best regards
Joël

divail (8334) 2012-01-04 19:33

Bonsoir Nobu,
C'est une sage belle pensée pour cette année 2012. J'espère que les élus des pays en difficultés sauront voir la lumière et suivre la bonne voie. Je vous souhaite également une excellente année 2012.

Diane

yanastallerova (20) 2012-01-04 20:29

Nobu,

There is much serenity in this image. A beautiful completion to your En-Musubi trilogy. Your photographer's note and title are quite profound and this image has already elicited some very thoughtful critiques which I have enjoyed reading.
For a brighter future we must be strong and patient like the stones. And we must be flexible and multipurpose like the chikulin. And we must all let our passions burn brightly like the andonns so that we might light each others way in the dark. The purity of this image makes me smile. I shall think of it when I am feeling lost. Thank you so much for this gift.

Yana

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-01-05 4:47

Hello Nobu,

A lovely shot of the bamboo lantern and a meaningful note. I like the clear one in the front and the blurred ones in the back. The colors and mood are excellent.

Lakshmi

sacimar (38173) 2012-01-05 5:27

Hello Nobu,

good image for the new year, I like the composition, it's simple but beautiful, the perspective you chose is also interesting, well seen. My vacation was good, I spent some days with my family, I hope yours was also great,

Happy 2012!

Sergio

mauro61 (53411) 2012-01-05 12:02

ciao Nobu,
immagine particolare con i cesti gialli su piani di diversa focale.
Buono l'effetto,
saluti
maurizio

Disabled_A (0) 2012-01-06 12:56

Dear Nobu-san,
this vertical composition of the row of lanterns really looks like a symbolic road. The DOF is perfect: we can clearly see not only the lantern in the foreground but also the background.
I like the orange-yellow colour of the lanterns: it creates an elevated mood - as if it gives a hope; and this orange-yellow colour stands out brightly against the greyish-blue background.
Very interesting symbolic shot!
warm regards,
I wish you a very nice weekend :)
Elena

Cricri (176) 2012-01-07 4:45

Hi Nobu
Intéressante et belle image original, colorée, magnifiquement présenter, la note est intéressante aussi, compliment
Une bonne et heureuse année a vous aussi
cricri

Angshu (56760) 2012-01-08 0:06

Hello dear Nobu-san
This doesn't look so much of a lantern as a wicker basket. Like how these are nicely kept along the path. The DOF has been well selected as we see a nice bokeh here. An image which signifies something, perhaps the light through the dark times.
Best Regards Nobu-san & have a good week ahead
Angshuman

madhumita_roy86 (2344) 2012-01-08 11:12

Hello Nobu,
great perspective...
nice attractive colours... good POV
great controlled DOF also...
very thoughtful presentation...very attractive and unique view.....
great job! Warm wishes for 2012...
Tfs! Regards,
Madhumita.

delpeoples (60342) 2012-01-22 3:43

Salut mon cher Nobuccio-san

What a beautiful thought for us all. We could all do with this guiding light you speak of, and how fitting it is that we receive it from Japan, a country who has had such a difficult year and yet has displayed such courage and fighting human spirit under extreme conditions. I truly hope that 2012 is better for us all and thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for this meaningful photo.

Warmest regards
Lisuzza

chrisostomou (568) 2012-03-08 8:48

hola Nobu!

it's the first time i visit your gallery, and although it is an older picture i can't stand not to comment it! magnificent composition..the art of simplicity…very interesting POV,great perspective, sharpness and colors…a wonderful synthesis chosen even better for the your first photo of the new year! it looks pretty traditional..very good work!

my greetings and copliments!