Alien Landscapes

Cacti, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago IL

My recent 10 day trip to Chicago started off with the BlogHer conference where I was thrilled to meet the Shutter Sisters and many other amazing women in "real life". Following BlogHer, my husband and I stayed another week to spend some time in the city where we met and started our lives together. Being amongst the buzz of the big city again left me feeling a range of emotions. On one hand the city seemed like another planet. It was all trains and traffic, honking horns and sirens, parking meters and crowds of people. At times I was shocked that I ever lived in a place so completely foreign to me now. But on the other hand I found myself feeling more creative than when I arrived. Chicago is absolutely stuffed full of art in every form. From boutique signs to giant sculptures, architecture to graffiti, the city is alive with visual stimulation. I found myself opening my eyes more and trying to take it all in. I even came home wanting to paint the walls in our house after visiting the beautiful homes of our friends.

This is not to say that my current home city of Omaha is boring or uninspiring. In fact, it's exactly where I want to be. However, there's something great about exploring a place that forces you to see things differently. In fact, when we first moved from Chicago to Omaha two years ago I remember being in awe of the beautiful green rolling hills and country roads. The lush landscape was so different and refreshing. So I guess it's just a change of scenery that helps me recharge.

Have you explored any alien landscapes lately? Find a place that's foreign to you and keep your eyes peeled. If you're like me, the experience will give you a creative boost.

Comments

[georgia]

spectacular photograph!

i found it in the moon last night. although simple, so many ways to capture it. a creative boost for sure!
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/08/variations-on-moon.html

[djbeat]

i haven`t been anywhere too unfamiliar lately - but i have been oddly drawn to these little aliens all summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3779321093/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3730918713/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3685749371/


succulent

[Dani]

i live in illinois and i'm always refreshed when i go to omaha! i also love the hills, but my friend from high school loves the farmer's market there...and when we visit that part of town, i always feel refreshed and inspired. after reading your post i just thought it was funny how i'm here and would rather be there (except for how hot and cold it gets) and you're there, thinking about here.

[bim]

I've started to take photos under water - so much new to learn!
<a href="http://ashotofengland.blogspot.com/2009/06/water-mirror.html">http://ashotofengland.blogspot.com/2009/06/water-mirror.html</a>

[bim]

Sorry, my link came out all garbled - I'll try again:
<a href="http://ashotofengland.blogspot.com/2009/06/water-mirror.html">water-mirror</a>

[Kim K]

I've never posted a link to my blog before, (I've been a lurker here for quite a while), but I think this fits the "alien landscape" category perfectly. I titled the post "Carnivores". Click the first photo to enlarge. It's really a fascinating plant!

http://kosmatka365.blogspot.com/2009/07/carnivores.html

[mary]

A week at the shore, where suddenly I'm not focusing on macro shots, but wide open on the big, beautiful sky:

http://mary-simplethings.blogspot.com/2009/07/big-sky.html

[Puna]

We were stuck in Portland, Oregon for a day a this summer. It was really wonderful and beautiful. We don't have waterfalls like this in Maryland.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/07/july-9-blue-lagoon-ii/

[faith]

A couple of months ago we drove to Goblin Valley, UT. It was completely and utterly alien-looking. It felt like we were walking around on Mars.

http://thenearestfuture.blogspot.com/2009/05/goblin-valley-photos.html

[Jaana]

my husband and i explored 3 new places this summer - Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. we flew from CA and drove through all three states. definitely an adventure:

http://photographybyjaana.blogspot.com/2009/08/missouri.html
http://photographybyjaana.blogspot.com/2009/08/illinois.html
http://photographybyjaana.blogspot.com/2009/08/wisconsin.html

[djbeat]

i haven`t been anywhere too unfamiliar lately - but i have been oddly drawn to these little aliens all summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3779321093/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3730918713/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3685749371/


succulent

[industrial photographer singapore]

great pic....!!!

[Debt Settlement]

Sorry for my bad english. Intresting title. It attracted me to read the complete post. Thanks

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