The current (Negative Space) contest is over and we all anxiously await the results...it's unlikely there'll be another one for awhile, though we all enjoy them for the attention to detail, originality, and creativity they promote...with that in mind then, plus some of the heated discussion threads recently, it seemed a good time to initiate a challenge or invitation of sorts...borrowing from one of the groups over at Red Bubble, I'd like to suggest the posting of some images that illustrate the feeling of stillness, quiet, peacefulness, calm... where the mood is subtle yet unmistakable...where stillness speaks...

All members and genres eligible and welcome to participate...limit images submitted to two only...preferably new, not previously posted images, though that need not be strictly adhered to if you feel there is currently something in your gallery that fits the theme well...

Any wishing to participate, please post a link to your image(s) on this thread OR if you don't know how to create a link then post the title of your image(s) here so we know where to find them in your gallery...

I am setting a deadline of Monday, April 6th and will not be participating myself...

Depending on the number of those that do participate, I may (?) after the deadline is over, invite some other active members on the site who have also chosen not to join in, to aid in the determination of the top 3 images that best fit the criteria...keeping in mind the COC of course...

This is NOT a formal contest...there will be NO prizes awarded...nope, not a darn thing...and I'll admit, the theme not overly unique...just something to shoot for, a little recognition for your efforts, and maybe if we're lucky, some of the subject matter will spill over and restore some of the friendly atmosphere this site is known for...anyone interested?...it starts NOW!

It's a wonderful theme. Thanks for suggesting this.

HHHmmm...perhaps a picture of a campfire?

;-)

~~Starts planning~~

Thanx for the great idea Pat...

I love the idea for the theme Pat, it sounds almost Zen in concept, in the very best sense of the word too. And I'd like to echo Nathan in saying "thank you" for suggesting this. *hug*

I wish judges could enter because I'd dearly love to offer my serves as a judge, but I'd also like to enter too. ;(

My first & hopefully not last entry is Adrift, Lost to Dream in a Timestream.

While not new, I think it fits the theme of your challenge. At least, I hope so anyway.

A very interesting idea and a nice theme. :-)

I have an old picture in my gallery that might suit... it's called Safe at Home, and is supposed to be about shelter and peace. I will think about creating something new as well, if life doesn't get in the way.

Thanks for your participation and support, guys...the more the merrier...so anytime you might let others know about this little project, it would be appreciated, as I know many members, seldom if ever, visit the discussion boards...

Lauren, "...almost Zen in concept..." another great way to describe what I had in mind...

As for 'judges' also participating, perhaps we can play that by ear depending on how many actually participate and how many have the time or willingness to act as 'judges'...either way, I definitely had in mind to invite members from all different genres...so, we'll see what happens...

And posting links in other discussions back to here probably would help, as well as in any entries too.

Now this sounds like fun! Shall see what I can up with ... may have to dig deep in my files, but I have a rough idea on what I'm looking for.

Thanks for this inspiring idea, Pat.

OK, i did it. i posted one in "your community". it's called "relaxation".

Stariona - Fire and Ice III...is my choice!

Thanks for joining in Sherree, Jen, and Ron...HERE is a link to Jen's image.

Thanks for the Invite Pat.

I'll give it a GO!

E J

Well alrighty then...........I'll see what I can do Pat. :) Here's one I posted last week I think. It fits the theme so I'll put it in for now. When I get sumpin' new I'll remove it. LOL Mooned

And here ...

I love the idea of sharing art that is "quiet, peaceful and calm" right now, Pat. Count me in. As soon as I recall how to post a link, I'll put something up. LOL! Thanks for the invite! Wen

OK...I'm going to try to post a link to "On the Edge of Sleep." Go to On the Edge of Sleep.

If it doesn't work, I'll edit it until it does....LOL! Testing...

Welcome to my little 'impromptu contest' EJ, John, Rich, and Wen...wow, what a fabulous assortment of images so far...I can see already that any judging that takes place is going to be extremely tough...my gosh, what have I gotten myself into, LOL...great job, everyone!

Well I got 2 I will put in at this time. I hope they meet the criteria. I know they both do for me. 1st.....Peace of Mind. 2nd.....A Quiet Moment. They are places I love to be when I want to be alone with peace. I'll try and come up with something newer before then end.

do you think they might give us an unofficial gallery for our unofficial contest? that would make it so easy. they could close it say about apr.30th.

A great idea, so I'll try The Bridge That Was, as it really was so peaceful that day.

Hi Paul and Winona, glad to have you join in... The Bridge That Was.

Gee, I don't know, Jen, whether they'd give us an unofficial gallery for this...it was just a spur of the moment idea on my part while waiting for the real contest results on Negative Space to come in...and the thing is, some of the images included here are not new and already in other galleries...as for extending the deadline, maybe we should wait and see how it all goes...

Here is one that I just posted the other day and someone suggested I submit it. Hope you like it. Clouded Light

Hey Sandi my friend...what took you so long, lol..j/k...welcome.

Nice idea Pat .....Canal days - I was walking along Macclesfield Canal on Sunday and it was very peaceful and quiet - I hope I captured it in this image.

My entry Nap Time

Somehow it doesn't seem so much a contest as a challenge to me, so I'm wondering that maybe TPTB may not provide a special gallery for this. And besides, with the amount of people around here getting interested, I'm sure word of mouth will spread the news ..... & the links pretty fast.

I don't think it's in the New Images Gallery yet because I just posted it & to be honest, it's not one of my better fracs in my opinion..... but still & quiet it most certainly is..... I give you ....

The Dharma Gate

I think Lauren is probably right...word of mouth seems to be doing pretty good.

Pat - this was a great idea and I just want you thank you for giving us this challenge to work on!

I think my image Sunset Reflections is also a good one for this thread. The older couple was a minister and his wife who enjoy coming to this spot because it reminded them of where they used to live in Wisconsin. This lake is in Northern Indiana.

*waves Hi to Patti and Tick*...glad to have you guys aboard...

You're quite right, Lauren, not really a 'contest' in the true sense of the word...more of a challenge/invitation/sharing/showcasing/highlighting of images pertaining to the theme of 'stillness' or 'peacefulness'...it only took on the sense of a 'contest' because of the possibility of judging at the end...and as time goes on that becomes more 'difflicer and difflicer'...so many wonderful images!

A big thank-you to all for your links and spreading the word...just one day old and look how many people participating!

I really don't expect a special gallery for this...just trying to think of a way at the end to make viewing all of them more convenient.

If nothing else Pat we could do a single post with links to all the images, at least it's one stop shopping.

Good idea, Rich...thanks.

~~Brings in a cord of firewood to start a campfire~~

~~ ~~

Kind of an inside joke with Pat folks...move along...nothing to see here...

Amazing, how a guy who hates camping loves a good campfire.... where's the marshmallows, huh ?

Laura wanted to enter this shot in the contest.

Thank you Tick. One day I will be able to do that myself. lol

Hi Laura, nice to meet you and welcome to our challenge...thanks, Tick, for bringing her along.

Is it alright to post something we posted before? Or does it need to be something :new: ? Thx.

I can't quite wrap my mind around the fine art of linking but when I find an image I'll let you all know...
mary

Many thanks for the invitation, Pat. I am always glad to join anything exciting here. So here is my entry after your suggestion... The Definition of Blue

i don t know how to post a link like you do, so i ll just do it the way i can sorry;lol, but if someone could do it for me that would be very kind..

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1233498665.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1221413869.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1218707990.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1216312907.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1216312907.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1237713664.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet-1199094708.jpg

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=gaeljet2-1238144106.jpg

thx

Welcome Verena, Mary, and Toto...

Verena, it doesn't have to be new...
Mary, I'll do the link thing for you...

Looking forward to what you two come up with.

Peace and Quiet by Tootles...she forgot to post a link here...

Hi there gaeljet...you've given us lots to look at...I'll have to teach you the link thing one of these days, lol...

:-)

offering you the beach...

white horse...

little colorfull landscape...

at last......

sepia...

in the sky 2...

I think I got them all...by gaeljet

havachillax

Thanks for the link, Pat. ;-) I wasn't sure if the URL would be the same and went to bed while waiting for it to be approved... probably it is the same, though.

I love the subject :)
I would like to offer this one, its an oldie but hope to come up with something new as well when I am feeling a bit more 'peaceful' :)

Contemplation

Sounds great!

Does Patience qualify?

E J

E J,

I can't speak for Pat, but I'll throw my two cents worth in. No it does not qualify. It should be removed and disposed of and never shown on this site again.

The reason? It is simply to good and runs the risk of giving the rest of us infiority complexs which we will never recover from. Plus one of the rest of us would like a shot at winning the contest!

;-)

Seriously, my interpratation, and Pat PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, is that since this is fun and no prizes etc are invlovleved, if YOU feel it represents 'stillness' and want to share it with everyone...have at it!

Have a good day, buddy!

Thanks Rich for the Kind Words.
I was unaware that you were a politician. LOL.

But really now, I doubt if any post can compete with this IMAGE.

Winner! LOL.

E J

Déja vu. ...Thank you ,Pat,for this wonderful idea!!!!....I hope to come up ,with something new,very soon..:)

Owd Fellow Tick (Ron) (0930_23) gave me the advice to take part in this contest with my recent post Stroll At Sunset Beach.

Anyhow a wonderful idea Pat! Nothing to win, but nothing to loose as well.
Regards, Cornelius.

Wow, things are really hopping around here!

Hi Junie, good to see you...and where's your photo?...hand it over, girl, lol.

Hello and thanks for the great new additions by captaindrewi, Lyn, EJ, Adriana, and Cornelius...

Yes, it's just a fun thing, no prizes, but after the deadline I hope we can have a vote of sorts, just to add a little drama to the whole thing, so stay tuned for that...

Hi Pat. I think you are one terrific person for doing all the work on this. I think everyone enjoys these contests. I know I do and here is my entry, Serenity. Thanks ~~ John

Hi John...nice to have you participating...I'm having a good time myself doing this....and while we await others to arrive or return, please enjoy this brief MUSICAL INTERLUDE.

Oh, such lovely refrains from the day's stresses! Thanks so much for this great theme, Pat, and thanks to all for sharing their "calming" creations!
See Putting Things in Perspective.

Thanks for the musical break Pat, I always loved that song ! ;-) As fabulous as these entries are... & I admit I've been exposed to some terrific photography & can't wait for more exposure, lol ! But I personally think this is one area that CGI art has got to shine, whether it's fractals or manips or abstracts or whatever !

I see Wendy & I are thinking along the same lines btw .... great minds obviously do think alike ! LOL

Oops ! Sorry, no need to post a link to Dharma Gate twice ! Mybad !!!

Dreamland... ..a new post for Pat's contest..hope you'll enjoy..and thanks,again,Pat!

I thought THIS SCENE was Pretty Still. What say you?

E J

I guess one had to be there to know how still this was but here it is anyway lol. How do I know they were lovers? . . . as I said I could hear their voices and he said 'I love you' :)
Lovers By The Lake

Adrift, Lost to Dream in a Timestream

Safe at Home

Stariona - Fire and Ice III

relaxation

mooned

Silent Stillness"

On the Edge of Sleep

Peace of Mind

A Quiet Moment

The Bridge That Was

Coulded Light

canal days

Nap Time

The Dharma Gate

Sinset Reflections

The Definition of Blue

peace and quiet

haveachillax

contemplation

Patience

Deja Vu

haiku poem

Stroll at Sunset Beach

serenity

Putting things in perspective

dreamland

Two Tree Pond


----------------------------------

Thought I would try and get together a list of all the submissions so far. Turned into a more time consuming project than I thought. Gotta run as soon as I press post. If any links are broken I'll stop back and edit them.
____________________________________

Rich

I'd like to add Basel Cathedral and Winter Evening - very different images, but I think both fit to the theme... Hope you'll enjoy them, and thanks for the idea Pat!

Wow, Rich, thanks SO much for that...I can well imagine the time it took so I really appreciate it...with still 12 days until the deadline there's bound to be more show up but you've made a huge dent...*hugs*

Hello Mia and welcome to our challenge...I see that more beautiful images have collected to feast our eyes on...and the hint of romance too, eh, Lyn...lovely work ladies and gents...

I'll be popping back in periodically over the weekend, meantime I leave you with a couple more tunes that seemed to fit the theme...

I give you...JOHN LENNON...

AND...THE BEACH BOYS...

Here is another for the challenge.

Tick* was here

LOL...couldn't help but chuckle over EJ's comment on your latest entry, Tick...thanks for another submission.

here's another from me. i'll look for more..........
http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=jeenie11-1225220255.jpg

sunrise kauai by jeenie11.

Rest-a-While .. My contribution!

Peace & Quiet


:) :)

Sorry these aren't new but they are definately Peaceful and Still.. Enjoy (A bit of a variety)

Sunset

Peaceful

Hi Pat, I hope these will meet the requirements of the challenge. Thanks again for putting this all together:

Goldenpath Too

**EDIT** Entries removed

I'm housebound at the moment, so can't get out to capture new photos for Pat's Challenge, but this earlier image of the Contemplative Garden at my local cemetary/park is a lovely place for quiet reflection.

Another entry from me, this is actually the parent flame of The Dharma Gate. Dharma is actually a very minor tweak of Zen Garden. ;-)

Zen Garden

Btw, did I say how much I'm enjoying this challenge ? Because I really love minimalism & I wish we had a minimalism gallery ! Not only that, I wish we had a minimalism gallery for both photography & abstracts too !

Well...I see Owd Bob has shown up...with Jackie and Anne-Marie on each arm...and all bearing more gifts of visual imagery...*waves Hi to all*...thanks for coming!

Boy, the way this thing is going it's almost turning into another Woodstock event...a whole bunch of people who just wanna' sit around day-dreaming, meditating, and flashing peace signs all over the place, lol...I may have to revise my original thinking on all this...so for that I'm off again to find some 'peace and quiet', leaving a couple more relaxing melodies...

UP ON THE ROOF.

ONLY TIME...be back later...my wireless signal is misbehaving.

.... another Enya fan.....YES!!!!

Way to go Pat...the most soothing music for my spirit!

Very soothing indeed Mimi!

E J

******** IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN ********

*taps microphone...tries to be cool in light of what may be disappointing news to some...coughs*

Ummm...as I mentioned in my very last comments above, I've been giving this whole thing some thought...needless to say, I am thrilled with the level of interest in this challenge...it turned out much bigger than I expected...already there are alot of participants and LOTS of submissions and likely more to come....therefore, I can't help but think that my original allowance of unlimited entries was waaay too generous...I think you'd all agree, at this rate, this thing will get too big and take on a life of its' own...making voting very difficult and hard to manage...

So...much as I hate to do it...I think it's become necessary to 'tame this beast' somewhat and make a couple of revisions...

I am therefore requesting that we limit our submissions to TWO ONLY and while I do want to allow adequate time for any late-comers, I am moving the DEADLINE up a few days to Monday, APRIL 6th...hoping this will help and this message will get out and everyone can see the logic and need for this...thanks for your understanding.

And now, back by popular demand...

Simon & Garfunkel with BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

And (hopefully) THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT


~~~~~~~~~~~~PEACE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fair enough :)

Could you please remove my 'Lovers By The Lake'
I would like to leave 'Contemplation' and 'Peace & Quiet' as my submissions.

Off to listen to Si & Garf now :)

Hey Pat, I do understand, this has gone over so well and has been very fun and enlightening. Kudo's on a fine idea that went over so well. =^..^= sandi ♪

Sure Pat, I completely understand and request that you remove Reflections, Summer Relaxation, Early November on the Creek, and Ghosts on the Water. That should get me down to two. That is two more than I would have had if you had not set this up for everyone so I am very happy to comply. If I could do anything else, just let me know. Thanks ~~ John

Good idea, Pat. Lyn, I removed yours from the master list I had done per your request...John, perhaps you could go back to your entry abovr and edit it to reflect the ones you waant in the contest so when Pat or myself or whoever does the next master list knows easilt which ones you want in ?

Thanx again, Pat, for this wonderful idea, and it's great to see all the participation here!

Rich

Thanks for your understanding, everyone...you see, this is why in the real contests caedes limits us to only 2 entries...'cause he has a brain in that eye and I don't, lol...

A PEACEFUL SPOT AT THE SEA

WALK WITH ME THRU CRIMSON CLOVER
(Links posted by request from V)

Thanx a ton Pat for the help with the LINK thing. Gosh I wish I could understand HOW to do it. I keep trying, but for some reason, I just don't get it. Maybe there is someone who could post an EASY tutorial for it? that would be so great. Thanx again. Verena

Entry found in new images by johindes Sleeping Like a Baby.

This challenge is going across very well and people have lots of images that could fit; maybe some time when it's too quiet or turbulent again, we could have a Stillness Speaks II. :-)

Entries above two have been removed from posts ^. ~~ John

Thanks John...and also for your offer to help...atm, everything seems under control but I'll keep you in mind if something comes up...

Thanks Mimi for spotting that image of johindes and posting the link...if anyone else spots one where the person didn't know to post a link here, please let them know or post a link for them...don't want to miss anyone...yes, I like a few of Enya's songs...she has a beautiful voice...

Tootles...maybe we'll do this again sometime...but I think there are others on the site who have some ideas in mind too...a Theme of the Week being one...

Well, I better get back to work for now...thankfully it's a fairly quiet day...a good one for day-dreaming, hehe....so on that note, a couple more tunes for you...

SAILING

DREAM WEAVER

To quiet the busy mind and for your listening pleasure ~~~~

MEMORY OF TREES

Thanks Mimi...that's really some peaceful easy listening there...beautiful images in her videos too aren't they?

Had my internet connectivity not been ... er, interrupted last week ... would have suggested this image here "Cracked Mirror".

Rather appropriate that my mouth and fingers are not in view, no?

:oP


Annnnnd ... nice nice, Pat. Great idea and thanks very much for your time on this. It is greatly appreciated. :o)

p.s. Shall try at a new image/piece. As the concept/premise of your challenge here is indeed a good good one. :o)

Hi Pat...would you mind getting rid of my two "peace" posting, named TOTAL PEACE and MOUNTAIN STREAM and replacing them with
these two: BENCH SPOT and SOFT CLOVER SCENE. Thank you so much.V

Ok Verena, I edited the post above...I think I got the right ones?

Just a reminder to everyone, in case my post above abit was missed...the revised deadline is now Monday, April 6th and a limit of 2 entries only, please and thank-you...voting will then start April 7th...more details on that soon.

For some more soothing listening I give you Yanni:

NIGHTINGALE

Yup, I got the point about the two postings, that's why I had you xchange those others. Thanx a ton, hope it all goes well, it's been nice fun to do this. V

I renounced at "Haiku poem."...I hope it's ok,now!....:)

Thanks, Adriana...Mimi "...I give you Yanni.."?...I'll take him! lol...very nice...and the music is too...really quite beautiful ...thank-you for bringing it for us...

And...I see by the trail of cookie crumbs my fellow countryman arrived awhile ago...Hi Les! welcome to our 'shindig'...is that really you in that image or some kind of morph?...very intriguing eyes...I don't know why but for some reason I had always pictured you as a combination of THIS and THIS...glad to see you are connected again...er...more or les...

No stillnes here...to busy ROFLMFAO...I love it /\

Except I've always seen the first picture /\ as more like this !

~~still lmfao~~

Pat, could you please remove my "Zen Garden" from the running ? I've decided that my "The Dharma Gate" really has that certain feeling of stillness more so then Zen Garden, as well as Timestream. Thanks hon ! I can't wait to see how this turns out, all the entries are fantastic, as well as everyone's interpretations !

Okey dokey, Lauren...yeah, I'm getting kinda' curious too...I'm hoping to have this whole thing wrapped up by Thursday, April 9th with voting results in and the 'closing ceremonies' lol.

(*mutters under his cookie-crumbed-ladened breath ...*)

'Les Nessman?? ... Hmmph!! ... Pretty chatty for the hostess of a 'stillness speaks' challenge ...'

... ...

... ...

Oh ... and btw people?

'Les Nessman' will be the emcee for the 'closing ceremonies'. Bring a pillow and a blanket in case you wish to nap.

:oP