“The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us from the mystic realm of color. Our entire being is nourished by it. This mystic quality of color should likewise find expression in a work of art.”
Hans Hoffman
Two lovely and talented photographers nominated me to submit entries into the Capture the Colour Contest whose entries have been sweeping the world. Thank you, Marina Chetner, and Vielen Dank, Cornelia Weber for your nominations. I’m honored and flattered!
Readers, I encourage you to check out these creative ladies’ websites: Marina Chetner: Be Inspired Through Travel & Bikram Yoga Musings & Cornelia Weber Photography.
Without further ado, here are my Capture the Colour submissions from Vietnam, Germany, France, and India:
Row, Row, Row Your Basket – Mui Ne, Vietnam – Blue (header image)
When I first saw the vessel gliding through the azure waters of the South China Sea one early morning, I thought my eyes were deceiving me.
Was a lone fisherman really paddling a basket-like boat through the water?
I’d later see many more of such basket boats throughout Vietnam. In fact, one afternoon, I even hopped aboard one that was being piloted by a mischievous, elderly Vietnamese man.
It turns out that the basket boats are waterproof and even unappealing to tropical creatures, which favor the taste and texture of traditional hardwood boats.
Love is in the Air – Inside a Hot Air Balloon in the Loire Valley, France – Yellow
On a sizzling July afternoon, my soon-to-be fiancé and I took gift-giving to new heights. On his birthday, we vowed not to gift each other with material items, rather to exchange experiences.
And so it was that we hopped into a crowded wicker basket with 14 other adventurers from around the world.
As the balloon staff revved up the flame and the black and lemon-colored balloon inflated, excitement and fear were evident on the passengers’ faces. The butterflies in the stomachs of passengers were initially quelled by the knowledge that our hot air balloonist descended from a long line of balloon pilots. Yet as our basket’s bottom tickled the Loire Valley’s treetops, passengers started panicking. We’re certain that the talented pilot flirted with the treetops on purpose to make his job more exciting!
Dressed in Snow – the Heidelberg Castle, Germany – White
It was a snowy winter morning when I ascended the 314 stairs leading to Germany’s celebrated Heidelberg Castle. With snowflakes dancing in the air, in a white-out scene worthy of a snow globe, I composed a shot of the castle’s ruined silhouette and a handsome old tree trunk. Within seconds, the scene would become timeless, thanks to a couple that serendipitously walked in, hand-in-hand, under an umbrella’s protective cover.
This location is special to me. When I was an infant, my parents took a photograph of me here in a German Kinderwagen (stroller). We would move to the United States before I became a toddler.
Approximately twenty years later, I serendipitously returned to Heidelberg and lived there for ten years. After taking this photograph, my husband and I were married in the castle chapel that’s partially visible in this image.
Painting the Town Red – Hoi An, Vietnam – Red
In the days leading up to Tet, or the Vietnamese New Year celebrations, outdoor markets in Vietnam overflow with festive decorations.
Ho Chi Minh is a controversial figure, depending upon the political leanings of the Vietnamese person with whom you speak, and this image illustrates that among the Vietnamese, opinions are still mixed.
Many Vietnamese from the former south are still upset about the Vietnam War’s outcome (known as the “American War” in Vietnam).
However, among Communist loyalists, the former political leader is revered.
This image was taken in the central Vietnamese city of Hoi An.
The Rub of the Green – Kerala’s Backwaters, India – Green
Kerala’s backwaters are a magical and calm landscape where ladies spin thread out of coconut fibers, and residents commute via ferries or their own trusty boats.
On these sleepy waterways, we escaped the hurried pace of modern-day life for a day, conversing with other adventurers from around the world about our hopes and dreams.
Observing such calm lifestyles made many of us feel as though the Keralites had ‘the rub of the green.’ Yet, in speaking with them and hearing how they admired our home countries too, we diplomatically concluded that the ‘grass is always greener on the other side.’
My days have recently been hurried and that’s why I am entering the contest so late in the game. Nevertheless, I would love to nominate five talented photography enthusiasts, whose work is definitely worth exploring:
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.
Travels With Tricia 
sensational Tricia! I adore your white story and photo, love the green image, and think the blue is very well composed! I am not sure if it is too late, but do post your entry on the Travel Supermarket facebook page, or email your blog link in (info found in rules). Thank you for such a wonderful entry!!
Marina, even with the time zone difference, I think I made it. Thank you for nominating me, as I really enjoyed the process. I hope that readers from my site will discover your wonderful work as a result too!
Really impressive photos, Tricia. The one in Kerala is a striking composition…my favorite.
Lynne, thank you so much! I was quite happy with the reflection captured there too. The picture serves as a wonderful reminder of our calm afternoon exploring Kerala’s backwaters.
What a lovely collection of photographs. I particularly love the one for ‘green’ and it’s the same subject as my ‘green’ entry but a very different style of photo.
Thank you, Kat! It’s a fun coincidence that we both chose images from Kerala; indeed, it’s a green paradise.
Lovely shots and narrative; I especially like the calmness and reflection of your green entry. Good luck.
Many thanks, Suzanne! It was fun digging through old images and recounting the tales that go along with them.
Amazing photos Tricia and good luck! I especially love the accompanying write-up to each photo. Sharon
Sharon, many thanks! I was very happy to see your posting this morning, and to read that you had such an enriching summer break. until next time!
Hi Tricia! Yes, it is good to be back and always a pleasure to be connected to you! Thank you for the wonderful message of unity in our beautiful diversity that you put out through your beautiful photos. Till then, my warmest wishes! Sharon
Great photos as usual with fun back stories. I especially love your “blue” photo. I do enjoy seeing everyone’s unique travel perspective in the “Capture the Color” contest photos. Best of luck. If you’re interested, I’ve linked my “Capture the Color” photos below. Cheers.
http://bespoketraveler.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/bespoke-traveler-captures-the-color/
Thank you so very much, Bespoke Traveler! I was also pleased with the ‘blue’ scene when I first glimpsed it that January morning during breakfast. The color of the water, the expression on the fisherman’s face, the unique boat. They were all special elements.
Thank you also for sharing your link. I think what I’ve enjoyed most about the Capture the Colour contest has been exploring others’ entries. There is so much talent out there! Your monkey in denim photo, in particular, stands out in my mind and brings a smile to my face even now.
I like the yellowy/bluey play to make up the green.
Thanks so much, Michel! Kerala is such a lush, green paradise!
Awesome ..and Great moments .. you have captured .. especially Green and Blue ..
with live n lovely narrations .. best wishes .. regards
Subhash, thanks so much for the kind words. Vietnam and India are both very photogenic places, providing a wealth of photo opportunities! I hope you and your wife are doing well in Pune and that the school year has been progressing smoothly.
Wonderful .. Kerala, an favorite holiday destination .. shades of Green in Kerala are enormous .. leads to peace, prosperity and energy ..
Thanks for your concern about school .. doing well .. mailing an School
Newsletter separately .. reminding you of our invitation pending .. Rgds
Subhash, I shall look forward to reading all about your school’s happenings! I passed along your invitation to my husband. I would love to make it to India again, and it would be a pleasure to meet you and your wife. Thanks for extending such generous hospitality.
Gorgeous photos :)
Thank you so much! Have you returned to sunny California from Canada? :)
Oh yeah… loooong time ago but I still post pictures from Canada every now and then. Thanks for remembering :)
Great entry, Tricia. Love the hot air balloon shot. I always wanted to try that.
Jo, thank you so much. The hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley was exhilarating and very special! I have a post in-progress that will detail more of the adventure (and my fear) that preceded it. Enjoy the weekend!
Blue and Green… winners!
Fingers crossed, Kiki :) Either way, it was fun participating in the contest. I just saw your entries – red and yellow are extraordinary!
Beautiful shots Tricia. I love the blue and the yellow is really inventive – I found that the hardest colour to choose but you’ve got a great take on it. Good luck in the contest.
Hi Lucy, and thank you! I also had a challenging time with yellow. I considered a picture I had of a playful giraffe, but this one from inside the hot air balloon fit the palette better.
All stunning shots Tricia, good luck.
Thanks, Mark, and safe travels to you!
Tricia, all great shots as usual. I especially like the one of keral’s backwaters. Thanks for the invite to participate. As it turned out I posted mine about the same time you did yours. You can see it here: http://ronmayhewphotography.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/capture-the-colour-2/#comments
Ron, ah, it’s been such a busy summer – I have not had the time to devote to gaining as much inspiration as I’d like from others’ blogs! Your images are wonderful – white, in particular, is stunning!
This is a delightful post. I wonder whethere I should participate too? Hmm, thinking…
Thank you, Rachael! I’m sorry to say that the contest has just closed. I regret that I didn’t get started on doing my post sooner; the summer’s just been so busy. Nevertheless, I still wanted to recognize some very talented photographers. :)
Bravo! Bravo! Virginia
Thank you, Virginia (with my best curtsey)! Hope your week is off to a swell start. :)
Hi Tricia, I love your take on the colors, very vibrant images. My favorite one is Heidelberg with your own ramantic story. White has also such stillness in mages.
I am glad you made it in participating for this competition . Thank you for mentioning my name, blush,
Cornelia, the mention was well-deserved, and thank you for your kind comment! The Heidelberg picture is also one of my favorites because it represents so many memories. Certainly, “Ich hab mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren.” :)
Congratulations Tricia, that you were mentioned @ the contest for your beautiful GREEN
Cornelia, I didn’t hear anything about it – but thank you for the mention!
These are just brilliant Tricia! Particularly like the white. Did you see the winners? the overall winner was supposed to have been announced today!
Thanks, Madhu, that snow scene is a special one for me too, as it brings back so many memories of beautiful Heidelberg, where I lived for 10 years. Yes, I saw the category winners – I particularly enjoyed the red and blue winners! So much talent.