Dewdrops and a photo competition.

As those of you who follow my facebook page probably already know, I have entered a photo competition.

Checking out the Dewy Drumstick primula

These photos here are part of a series of photos of 19 photos, all in this theme I entered into the competition, which is all about self portraits. You can see the rest of the series here http://sunny.see.me/aw2011 Please rate the portfolio by clicking on the stars giving it a rating of 1-5 :)

Admiring the Water feature Drop

I particularly love the concept of having an image within an image. In the past two months I have been experimenting and discovering my new found passion for photography, as I just bought myself my first DSLR camera. Wandering around in some of my favourite places in the world (some lush green gardens) I have been snapping shots of all the lush spring colour that has just sprung into life.

One of the nicest times to be out in the garden is in the morning when the sun is shining and the dew makes all the plants glisten. One such morning when I returned home after experimenting with some photos of dew drops on plants, I turned to the Internet to find somewhere to share some of my days treasures. While searching I came across this competition, and I thought 'wouldn't it be fantastic to put myself into these photos that I love so much'.
Taking inspiration from works by some of my favourite artists like Escher and Jan van Eyck, I set out to create a self portrait of an image (me) within an image (the dew drops on the garden plants). I love the concept of capturing myself in the scene of something I do on a regular basis but in a way that I envisage Escher or Van Eyck would do it. In my case it is me going on one of my garden walks, feasting on the sight of the glistening plants in the dew, and becoming captivated by all the wonders in the garden.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the series here http://sunny.see.me/aw2011 and rate the portfolio.

Checking out the budding flowers in the dew

Oh and while I'm on the topics of self promotion and my new found passion for photography, for anyone who is interested, you can follow my creative photography adventure on my new blog http://mynikond90adventure.blogspot.com/.

Thanking ye all in advance, Sunny

M. C. Escher and the Chand Baori stepwell in India.

Hand with Reflecting Sphere by M. C. Escher 1935

Ever since my art teacher in school handed me a book depicting this picture by M. C. Escher, and a mirror ball, and told me to get busy, I have been a huge fan of his work. He is by far my favourite graphic artist of all time.

Relativity by M. C. Escher 1953

Ascending and Descending by M. C. Escher 1960

Cycle by M. C. Escher 1938

Recently I came across these pictures on the net, of a stepwell situated in the village Abhaneri near Jaipur in Indian state of Rajasthan.

I was absolutely gob smacked and was instantly reminded of Escher’s work

This is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. It was built in 9th century, has 3500 narrow steps and is 13 storeys and 100 feet deep.

I wonder if Escher knew of this place.

Apparently the arid climate forced the locals to dig deep for a dependable water source, one that would last throughout an entire year.

As amazing as this structure is, I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about drinking out of that well.

Still from the 2006 film The Fall

Photos of the Chand Baori well from http://www.moolf.com/interesting/the-deepest-step-well-in-the-world.html