A Photo Contest
I don’t usually enter photo contests. There are many reasons why not, but I will not bore you now with those reasons. However, when I saw this contest on Google Plus (a post from Elia Locardi, a photographer I follow and admire…a fellow Florida Keys Boy), it grabbed my attention. Truthfully, it stopped me in my tracks. It made me THINK. This is not your usual photo contest. It’s more like a “Photo Essay” contest. The assignment reads as follows…
The Explore the Elements contest invites photographers and bloggers to showcase images from their travels that best capture and represent the essence of each of the four categories: Earth, Water, Fire and Air. There is no set requirement on how long you’ve been blogging, so bloggers with new blogs or old are all encouraged to take part.
Bear in mind that the categories are subject to your own interpretation, but should represent the corresponding elements, so be sure to read through each category description before submitting your images.
OUCH. I stared at my computer for almost 4 hours thinking WHAT photos would I use? How do I interpret EARTH, WATER, FIRE and AIR?? What will others post? How will mine compare? I thought, “this is a contest I HAVE to enter…it is unique and really forces me to think, and I like the challenge”.
My Thoughts on The “Elements”
I am a photographer and a traveler. This blog showcases my photography and my travels. When I think of EARTH, WATER, FIRE and AIR, I don’t think of one destination for Earth, one for Water, one for Fire, and one for Water…No. As soon as I saw those words, ONE destination came to mind. My favorite spot on the planet (so far, anyway) came to mind. That spot is Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. A dive destination. I can’t think of a single spot on Earth that better represents the ELEMENTS. It is pristine. Unspoilt. It is nature at its best. It is remote. It is relatively unexplored. It is one of the last paradises left on our planet.
The following photos of the “Elements” represents ONE day in Raja Ampat….Starting in the AIR, then diving into the WATER, experiencing fish on FIRE, and then relaxing back on EARTH after the dive….ah, RAJA AMPAT !!!
AIR
Represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement
When I think of AIR, I think of flying…I am a helicopter pilot, after all. AIR is a medium we can’t see, but it is there. We can feel it. It is expansive…it is never ending. It is freedom. It is uncluttered. It’s what allows us to live and breath. It is life.
WATER
Represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world
Ah, WATER. It covers about 71% of our planet. When you dive into the water, a new wonderful world appears. Like AIR, you can’t see it, but it is there. You can feel the current, the depth, the temperature. It is populated with more life than we can find above the water, but supports life for our entire planet. It is my favorite element, for sure.
FIRE
Represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world
FIRE isn’t always bright orange flames of heat or lava spewing from a volcano…
EARTH
Represents the hard, solid objects of the earth
We can only spend a limited time underwater, then it is time to return to EARTH. Where we live. A fragile place. A place of beauty. A place that doesn’t move, yet is dynamic. A place that interacts with all of the other elements. It is where we sit and breathe the AIR, look at the WATER and feel the FIRE. It is the one element that was created by the other elements. It is our home.
BONUS
Where ALL The Elements Meet
FIRE, AIR, WATER, and EARTH all interact in one final moment of the day…
I would like to nominate five photographers/friends to also contribute a post for the Thomas Cook “Explore The Elements” contest:
David White – Artist and Photography Teacher
Shawn Reed – Artist and Photography Teacher
Deniek Sukarya – Author and Photographer
Tom Varnham – Artist and Photographer
Victoria Jones – Artist and Photography Teacher