Each of today’s guest images, feature some or many manmade objects. Every once in a while, I like to leave my beloved nature behind as the Earth Images central theme, and share buildings, piers and other “courtesy of man” subjects for your visual enjoyment.

I absolutely love what some west coast (U.S.) photographers are doing beneath the piers along the Pacific Coast. Each image is a little different. I must admit, I would give a lot to be able to take camera and tripod, and work beneath those piers.

Large format star William Neill created this first dreamy seascape made up of pilings, and ocean. Simplicity at its best.

Karen Hutton’s sunset shot from beneath the Santa Monica Pier in CA, is quite different. While I am a fan of simplicity in our images, Karen does a magnificent job of “ordering” all the chaos that is beneath this pier. The strong sidelight on the pilings help make this shot pop.

There’s not a lot of man in this image made in British Columbia, Canada by photographer Keith Boone, but it is there. Those lights and that building qualifies it for this post and I am glad it does. This picture imparts a lonely feeling to me, but in a positive way. I would like to be sitting on those rocks pondering the meaning of life….or maybe thinking about what to have for dinner. Either way, a beautiful shot.

This nighttime image made in India by Alex Stoen is clearly taken with available light with no major editing applied. Sometimes today, realistic night images become artistically interpretive. That description would fit this picture in my opinion.

Paul Richardson made this fine interior image in Germany. It certainly appears to be an historic church. Churches both old and new make great photo subjects.

Well you want history? History that lives somewhere on the opposite side of churches? How about a nighttime view of the Roman Coliseum?  Julian Colmenar made this compelling picture.

There are cityscapes, then there are cityscapes. I truly enjoy this neat and clean shot of Singapore by Che Lian. It feels like this had to have been created in a studio to be true. Photography is often about selecting the right location and it is always about selecting the right time. Che did both of those things. The walkway and the buildings both appear new, making this our example of selective modern architecture for today.

The next three photos are less about imagery of manmade objects, and more about combining nature and the work of man. These pictures would be accepted in many places looking for nature photography. The signs of man are minimalist in nature (pun intended), but they add to the overall scene.

I must admit, I love pictures that combine breathtaking landscapes, with lines that have been constructed by man. Come on now, don’t you just want to hang out on this pier? The shot was made by Patrick Marson Ong and was made of the Gold Mountains in New Zealand.

The same philosophy applies here in a much more rustic feeling picture. This old mill is living just where it should be. In the middle of a forest in America. That is the Mingus Mill and the photographer is Robert. M. Young. I enjoy the dappled light here. Spotty light can be a problem, but the contrasts here are manageable.

Let’s finish with a beautifully composed scene in Genova, Italy. If you removed this building from the image this would be a powerful nature shot all by itself. As long as that building does exist who wouldn’t want to live or more likely work there?  Tiziano Valeno is the photographer and he is both lucky to be able to visit here, and good at what he does.

Great landscape, seascape and cityscape photography, from the literal to the semi-abstract, should not only make the viewer want to visit the location, it should make you wish you were there when the shutter was tripped.

My favorite image today is the very first one by William Neill. My second is the third to last by Patrick Marson Ong, followed closely by the picture of the skyline of modern Singapore. I have a thing for elegant simplicity.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me.“ Erma Bombeck

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Don’t Miss The Moment

Seasons come and seasons go.  Hopefully none of you outdoor photographers are letting the seasons pass, without your loving attention.  Letting the chill of winter pass you by in favor of spring, or the heat of summer while you wait for autumn, will eventually leave you with no seasons left, and wishing you would have braved the cold or the heat, to experience the magic of the moment.

Have a great day and God Bless,                                                                                               Wayne