JPG Magazine: Photos: "Blue Bells and the Orton Effect" by chris wigmore

Blue Bells and the Orton Effect

By chris wigmore

On 9 August 2007

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Beauty, real Beauty, hurts me. The pain comes from a frustration with my own limitations as a human being.

These blue bells are so beautiful for one week in spring that it is agony to be there, because wherever I look there is more Beauty behind me that I'm not seeing; I'm not big enough to take It all in. I want to bathe in It, but we are not of the same substance. I ache to possess It - maybe that's why I take my camera - but this photo is a bucket with a hole in it, and just the last drops remain. Beauty scorns any attempt to contain It. It is wild.

And so It doesn't hurt me by pointing out my own ugliness, as if It would debase itself with accusation. Instead It unveils Its incomparable superiority over me by never mentioning it. It is secure enough in Itself to come down to my level - never at my beck and call, always Other - and let me enjoy my longing for It.

And when It fades at the end of the week it is I who mourn the loss; It feels no pain, for It knows It is not dying, only leaving, and knows that Its path will intersect with this plane of existence again, elusively for a time, until one day when, in all Its terrible splendour, it will come to stay.

36 Responses

On 16 August 2007 Michele McDonald said:
it's beautiful and different. but what's the orton effect?
On 17 August 2007 chris wigmore said:
thanks, michele. the orton effect? it creates the 'dreamy feel', and is done by multiplying two overexposed images, one sharp, the other blurred. google it - there are some clearer explanations out there :)
On 24 August 2007 Phil Puleo gave props:
wow nice. gotta try the Orton Effect. and thanks for the definition!
On 24 August 2007 chris wigmore said:
thanks, marc and phil :)
On 27 August 2007 Catherine Hadler said:
great effect, lovely shot :o)
On 28 August 2007 chris wigmore said:
thanks, catherine
On 16 September 2007 melanie scott said:
beautiful, dream-like image!
On 21 September 2007 Suzy Mack gave props:
dreamy! can't believe there is a place like this
On 21 September 2007 Antje Woolum gave props:
This is so very peaceful....gives me the feeling of ultimate peace!
On 3 October 2007 Eric Sayah gave props:
Like out of a fairy tale... wonderful!
On 3 October 2007 chris wigmore said:
thank you all :)
On 3 October 2007 Audrey Kanekoa-Madrid gave props:
This is so beautiful. I want to run through there!
On 4 October 2007 Mariana Bello said:
this is a beautiful picture
On 5 December 2007 Lina Palmerin said:
heavenly!
On 8 December 2007 Alyssa Andrew said:
this is stunning!
On 19 December 2007 Emma Brahas said:
Wonderful. A big Yeah!
On 4 January 2008 edirin onoge said:
amazing colors
On 5 January 2008 Charles Bertoia said:
Thanks for giving the name of the effect Chris. Can't wait to look it up.
On 15 January 2008 Merrick Kingston gave props:
Incredible. w.o.w.
On 16 January 2008 Fraser Ross gave props:
Love it, we get lots of Bluebells too and would like to try the effect
On 18 January 2008 eva monbert gave props:
fantastic effect, lovely
On 30 January 2008 Agatha Garcia gave props:
stunning color, not to mention the wicked orton effect you used. Well photographed! A true Midsummer Night's Dream..
On 6 February 2008 Elliot Ross gave props:
Love the color...reminds me of either shakespeare or Tolken
On 7 February 2008 Mike Houge said:
You've created a great image-well done!
On 8 February 2008 Laura Boston-Thek gave props:
WOW this is beautiful!
On 29 February 2008 Mandolin Davis gave props:
whats the orton effect? now ill have to googe that. this is an amazing image...i love the bold vivid colors.
On 3 March 2008 amir ali atighi moghaddam said:
Wow nice.....
On 7 March 2008 Adrian Rodriguez gave props:
Beautiful Shot
On 12 March 2008 Michelle M gave props:
Simply beautiful!
On 9 April 2008 marshall gave props:
really balanced...
On 13 April 2008 adniloj gave props:
beautiful; i take a week off when the bluebells arrive - just to sit amongst them! Your pic is a stunning representation of these beauties
On 16 April 2008 Tina Baker said:
Wow! Amazing!
On 17 April 2008 Lisa Slifko said:
This is such a beautiful image Chris...It truely brings me to the desire to lay down in it and just drink in the magnificent beauty and peaceful aura...Thank you for sharing it.
On 25 April 2008 James Walsh said:
What can be said? A magnificent photo.
On 28 April 2008 Nancy Charter Kechnie Goatbe said:
Lovely write up.. beautiful colours lighting and subject
On 21 May 2008 emre yıl said:
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