Explore The Elements – Travel Photoblogging Challenge

I was invited by Indah, a fellow blogger living in the Netherlands, to participate in a photography competition organized by the travel company Thomas Cook (TC).

The competition theme is “Explore the elements“. You know, in the medieval times people believed, that every existing thing on earth were consisting of a combination of only 4 basic elements: earth, water, fire and air. And these four elements have to be subject to the photos in this competition.

I focused on only one trip to pick my photos from for this competition: my trip to Iceland last year. Although, there were many more photos from other trips, but I liked the idea of getting all photos from only one place.

 

The 4 Elements 

Earth

TC: “Represents the hard, solid objects of the earth Associated with stubbornness, collectiveness, physicality and gravity”

Although, earth means rock and rock is the bone of our planet, that holds everything together, just like the bones in our body. And, although the hardness of rock is often considered as eternal and unchangeable, there are powers in the ground that are able to tear rocks down and cut them in pieces.

Water

TC: “Represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world Associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism”

 

Water is one of the big powers on this planet, that is able to model our planets surface. There is a saying here: “each drop wears / deepens / hollows the stone” or in other words: water is grinding the landscape.

 

Fire

TC: “Represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world Associated with security, motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit”

Fire is also a mighty power. The people in ancient times were frightened of fire, and nearly all animals still are. The sun is the mightiest fire we know (beside other stars, that work in the same manner). In this photo the sun is frozen, captured in ice. But, the sun is the power that runs our planet. The sun is accountable for wind, rain, heat and erosion. But also for life and death.

 

Air

TC: “Represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement Associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom”

Without air we won’t be able to live. The air saves us from dangerous rays from outer space. The air helps to distribute the light evenly and give us the possibility to live. Plants are getting light for their photosynthesis. Animals are getting light to see their surroundings, to hunt and to escape their hunters.

 

From a photographers perspective, these four elements make our planet such a fantastic place. Each place is interesting to see and there are so many different places available. No place is dull or boring. Help to keep our planet clean, healthy and  in order for our descendants and ourselves by avoiding unnecessary pollution of the air, the water or any landscape.

 

The rules for this competition say, I’d have to spread this post (done here and on G+) and invite another 5 blogger to participate, if they want. Unfortunately the final closing of the competition is near: it’s on Monday, March 16th 2015 – thus, only a couple of hours is left to participate.

Thus, I don’t have much time to write my own post and invite another 5 bloggers.

Ian Beattie

Leanne Cole

Edith Levy

Laura Macky

Martin Spuelbeck