Nocturnal Illumination with Trees by Chipka
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
On the night Corey and I stood toes-to-a-threshold, he decided to take a few night shots; he’s got quite a few in his files, but none that are recent. As he was facing a hurdle, he decided to do something to give himself something to look forward to.
On the night after Corey jumped his hurdle, I returned home, and found myself wandering around the downtown area of Chicago at the midpoint of the journey. I retraced our steps (more by accident than by design) and marveled at the serenity of the city. Chicago always seems so naked and vulnerable when it's not busy with whatever it's busy with during the day.
I took this photo on the night I’d decided to enjoy the darkness around me. I had gorgeous and enormous and flagrantly-beautiful spiders for company.
As I’ve stated on numerous occasions, I prefer darkness; things seem more alive—the creatures of the night are familiar companions. They are quiet and accepting presences; it’s odd how that works, really: odd how beings associated with darkness are often more unconditionally honest by nature than their light counterparts. Light, as I’ve come to understand it, is the domain of pretense and arbitrary demands. Darkness, conversely, has come to represent purity to me…in darkness, everything is in balance, everything is equal. In darkness, existence removes its daytime mask and quite simply, takes a break. Darkness is also the time in which many of humanity’s most intimate acts take place. Such intimate acts reveal the frailty of the human race, and that frailty is why I love those chattering primates known as men and women.
As I write this, I’m at Corey’s apartment—in his room—pecking away at my keyboard. I will leave soon and take a few books and magazines for him to enjoy. I’ll visit with him and then return to my normal weekly schedule. It’s a comfort to know that life goes on as normal, that even as Corey is recovering, we’re still hanging out as we always do: sometimes talking, sometimes dozing off unintentionally, and (in my case) stopping for a cigarette break. I suspect that Corey will be returning home rather soon, and that’s something I look forward to; it’s a lot better to visit with one’s best friend without the intrusion of nurses and announcements that visiting hours are over. Corey and I are both night people, and so it’s going to be quite nice to simply enjoy the darkness with someone who makes darkness quiet a lot of fun, especially when he finds light poles to photograph.
As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting. Thank you, especially, for the warm wishes and love sent Corey’s way. As it stands, I can’t comment as much as I’d like to, and I have a lot of catching up to do in that department, but once Corey returns home, I’ll be able to do that a lot more, and that’s something I look forward to, as it will also mean that Corey is back home, complaining about his slow typing speed when making a post for himself!
Comments (28)
MaraP
Love this fantastic night-capture! Amazing mood! 5+
bimm3d
superb!!
kgb224
Stunning night capture my friend.
Meisiekind
Oh Chip - your words touched me deeply and the image is not far behind! Wonderful sentiments and emotion locked up in this serene and calm city scene! You are a wonderful friend to Corey! Thank you for looking after him and making sure he's ok and bringing news on his progress our way! You rock!!!
durleybeachbum
He is a fortunate chap to have you as his friend, Chip! Fab pic! I'm a LIGHT person, positively phototropic, but this is magical. Th colours are warm and very inviting.
MrsRatbag
Such a beautiful scene; no one does night shots like you! You capture that elusive element of outside-ness (and happy to be there) that truly nocturnal wanderers have. Fantastic!
beachzz
This is SO you, I would have known even if I hadn't seen your name on it. There is something about the night. I often go out right before I sleep to take a short walk. I live outside of town, so I don't have buildings, lights or bridges to loom before me. I have little sounds in the trees and bushes (some of which I probably DON'T want to see any closer!!), glows from the houses of people still awake at 1 or 2 in the morning. The night just wraps itself around you and I like that. I also like, a LOT, that Corey's well on his way to recovery and, home.
tennesseecowgirl
I am with you I love the nighttime.. great photo, and write up.
helanker
Gorgeous capture Chip. Really beautiful golden colors. WOW ! I am glad you are such a good friend to Corey. He is lucky he has you.
njb2000
Beautiful golden lighting!
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE! FANTASTIC NIGHT SHOT! YOUR NIGHT SHOT ARE ALWAYS FULL OF ATMOSPHERE AND THERE'S A HEART PULSING BEHIND THEM!
jmb007
belle photo!!
flavia49
fascinating!!
RodS
Excellent night shot - just love night photos! All the little details, the windows lit up, there's just something about it.... Glad your friend is improving - that's good news!
jocko500
lovely lighting here
Xlars
Great shot and interesting words. Night for me is when it gets hard to see without artificial lighting, when mosquitoes attack. Night is when I get scared of walking through the park - even though I know that nothing bad will probably happen. Granted there is more quiet in the nighttime, but this is also the time when the night predatures go to work, when cats fight and kill. Funny how different one can view things. I really like how the lights in this shot makes it come to life.
Alex_Antonov
Very well done!
MrsLubner
Warmly illuminated and fabulously seen.
auntietk
Sepiasiren
truly golden both literally and figuratively--I love the way the water looks at night and once again you capture the mood and "feel" of an enchanting evening scape--simply wondrous...
lick.a.witch
Really beautiful image. I hope Corey continues on the path to complete recovery. ^=^
marybelgium
wonderful night shot !
jac204
Great image and dedication. My best wished for Corey.
MagikUnicorn
SSPPLLEENNDDIIDD
stolta
Wow great lighting in this photo,very beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
danapommet
Chip, your nighttime shots are incredible and thanks for posting for Corey and keeping up updated. Dana
minos_6
Your captures of nighttime Chicago always make the city look deserted and quite serene, and this is no exception to that rule. The river looks almost as if it's frozen, in stark contrast to the warm tones in the rest of the image. Superb!
jascorpio
Amazing shot as usual!!! Say "Hi" to Corey please :)