Saturday 2 January 2010

A Weekend Reflection: Seeing is not perceiving

Chandeliers, New South Head Road, Edgecliff

The image is a blur that sways into and out of focus
While my eye dances to the mesmerising rhythm
Of its extended lens, endeavouring to transmit
Data to my addled brain to discern
The actual from the pretend, the real from the reflected .
To be able to fully see, sight becomes inadequate
My brain requires powers of thought to aid perception.

But to which facet do I direct my eye, and seeing such confusion
Is the flash of white brilliance sufficient to discriminate
The reflected image from the original, or
Does light in all its colours and minute rays
Deceive my sight and preclude my brain
From knowing its full form.
My mind from perceiving its true nature?

Are there scrambled images
That cannot be known through sight alone?
Arrayed hieroglyphs that defeat our eyes
Demanding more perception than mere sight?
Is a picture worth a thousand words?


Contemplate the contribution of others at Weekend Reflections

50 comments:

pusa said...

nice shot of the chandelier and i really like the accompanying poem

happy new year

brattcat said...

May you find light and the precisely right focus in all you do in this coming year.

Anonymous said...

It was extremely interesting for me to read that post. Thank author for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.

James said...

Beautiful photo. It speaks volumes.
Instead of something being "on the tip of my tongue" It's as if there are things in this photo that are on the tip of my eyes.

Virginia said...

A lovely lovely image beautifully captured. Your text as always thought provoking.
V

Anonymous said...

Elegant photo and eloquent words. Happy New Year.

Martha said...

Magnificent photo and beautiful words!

I wish for you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Weekend Reflections

Maria said...

What a magnificent image! Have a happy, healthy and interesting New Year 2010!

Carol said...

Beautiful image and reflections, Julie. Perfect combination of sparkle and warmth. And your words add many facets...Happy New Year, Julie!

JPT said...

That looks...warm!

My name is Riet said...

That is a beautiful chandelier and i like the poem.
Happy New Year

Gerald (SK14) said...

seeing is not perceiving - how true - that "gadget" at compstall is a perch for a couple of fishing rods - not obvious though from the angle of my shot.

Diane AZ said...

Fantastic! I love the golden colors, the wondrous reflections, the contrast of sharp and blurred focus, and the fascinating poem to ponder!

glduro_marieloupe said...

Beautiful photo. Incredibly well done.

Sorry about our video Changes. We made a mistake ... Now is working. Please watch it and give us your impression.

marieloupe

Anonymous said...

WOW...very nice reflection shot. Very elegant and the poem just added to it. :) Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to you and your family and I hope 2010 is great for you :)

Susan Ellis said...

I love this photo,and the illusions it creates that the accompanying poem contemplates. Well done! (As always...)

Vera said...

Ummmm...this was odd. Had a funny sort of feeling when I landed on this blog. Can't think why. Perhaps because the words of the poem can be taken in two ways: literally, as in watching the prisms of light individually or as a whole. Or philosophically, as in looking at real life as individual sections or as an entire unit. Probably not putting this very well, but this was a deep poem, with hidden depths attached. Loved it.

eileeninmd said...

Great photo, love the golden colors in the reflections and the lovely poem.

Lucy Corrander said...

Opulance.

Lucy

Anonymous said...

Love your post for reflections - beautiful photo and a lovely poem! Happy New Year from Saudi Arabia!

Sarah Lulu said...

I have always been drawn to chandeliers. Happy New Year.

Serendipity said...

Great shot, I love chandeliers! Happy new year :)

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

A lovely shot - and is that your poem? Wonderful - the photographer's sight. Recently a doctor told me that the eye is not just an extension of the brain, it actually is the part of the brain that interacts...

Three Rivers Daily Photo

Julie said...

Christine, Yes this text is all mine own work. It is part of my Twenty Ten project, Riff. Today's is #3. After today they will only be posted over at Riff.


As I understand it, the eye collects the information, which is passed along via nerves to the brain where it is interpreted. In my case, my eyes are fine but some of the connections are no longer connected.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Your reflections ... both visual and textual are getting more complex ... perhaps a reflection of the complexities you are dealing with ... will be watching Riff closely.

Marka said...

Nice photo! The colors and shapes are excellent!

Anonymous said...

Guess the questions will follow me throughout this year - thank you.
Please have you a wonderful weekend.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

your reflections are so poetic. great image

Woody said...

I love the details in the glass and the warm colors in the background! The poetry's not to shabby either :-)

Best wishes for a great 2010!

Happily Retired Gal said...

Lovely reflections in your beautiful photograph and poetry. Thanks for your visit to HRG and Happy New Year to you and yours. May the new decade bring you and yours joyful opportunities and experiences!
Hugs and blessings,

Marka said...

Actually, it's a photo of a section of the donor recognition wall at the college I attended. The Heritage Society is for those individuals, groups, and businesses that have donated $50,000 to $99,999.

Maia said...

This picture is definitely worth a thousand words. It is an amazing play of colors, reflections and sparkles, wonderful.
Thanks for sharing.
I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

Kat said...

Beautiful post Julie. I love your words, and the light reflecting off of the gorgeous crystal is wonderful. Hope you have a great New Year! Kathy

Ann said...

Beautiful. Belated Happy New Year. I've been remiss in my blog visits but I've been busy - take a look at Meanderings Far and Near and you'll see why.

Unknown said...

Hey Julie - Nice image, nice words, nice person. Here is to 365 days of lucid posts for 2010.

Eden said...

Lovely capture, Julie! Love always your photos.

Happy New Year.

Gena @ thinking aloud said...

Wonderful shot - I love chandeliers!!! and great words, Julie. Happy new year to you and thanks for stopping by my blog! Gena @ thinking aloud

TheChieftess said...

Fabulous photo! I love the light reflections caught by the chandelier...very sparkly!!! Exactly how I envision the Christmas holidays and New Years!!!

May you have a sparkly New Year!!!

Lachezar said...

Love the light, the glow, sparkle and reflections! Happy New Year Julie with my best and warmest wishes for a great 2010!

Birdman said...

Beautiful image. Golden! Your words just make me stop in my tracks and think about my world and upcoming procedure. Thanks for the inspiration this AM.

Unknown said...

Fantastic light and composition too!

Thérèse said...

To answer your question: probably.
I wish you a sweet year ahead...

maryt/theteach said...

Beautiful, Julie! Lucky you're in summer! Enjoy! :)

VP said...

I'll be short: the best I have seen today! Brava!

Helena said...

When I was a child my aunt had a huge crystal chandelier hanging in her dining room. Your photo and poem remind me of how I felt looking at it when it was all lit up.

Best wishes for the new year!

VioletSky said...

beautiful.
like a crystal kaleidoscope.

diane b said...

The shot is magic as usual. The words make me sad. It must be so frustrating for you. I wonder at how you can see such great images to capture. Is there nothing that can be done for you?

raf said...

Yes, perhaps a thousand words, but are they the right words. Well done, Julie!

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Great photo and beautiful colour.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo

Sishir said...

"Seeing is not perceiving".....the way you perceive things is definitely more than a mere sight. Lovely!!
Wishing you Happy New Year!