National Geographic Photos

     Henry and I are starting a photography class today titled, " Learning to See," the ultimate basis for great[/improved works in any kind of art.  Consequently, I'm embedding the following photos I've admired from National Geographic:

APRIL 30, 2009
Mount Everest's North Face, Tibet
Photograph by Jimmy Chin

A climber gazes at the north face of Mount Everest. Tibet, People's Republic of China

MARCH 20, 2013
Cherry Blossoms, Japan
Photograph by Diane Cook and Len Jenshel, National Geographic

In Japan the nighttime viewing of cherry blossoms in spring, like these at Kyoto’s Hirano Shrine, is a special event. "The cherries' only fault: the crowds that gather when they bloom," wrote Saigyo, a 12th-century poet.

 

MARCH 19, 2013Manatees, FloridaPhotograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic

Propeller scars mark this manatee—graphic evidence of a too-close encounter with a boat. About one in four of Florida's 360 manatee deaths in 2012 resulted from collisions. Slow-speed zones help, but some boaters resent the restrictions.

MARCH 14, 2013
Lake Baikal, Siberia
Photograph by Carolyn Drake, National Geographic

The peaks of Burkhan Rock rise like twin spires from Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the world’s largest body of fresh water. People across Asia believe that spirits associated with Baikal live in this rocky outcropping on Olkhon Island, destination of a steady stream of pilgrims.

MARCH 12, 2013
Vaux-le-Vicomte Gardens, France
Photograph by Diane Cook and Len Jenshel, National Geographic

A fete like this, in the sumptuous gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, marked the beginning of the end for owner Nicolas Fouquet in 1661. Louis XIV came, saw, and coveted; he confiscated the property and imprisoned Fouquet.

Arno River, Florence
Photograph by Heather Anne Campbell, My Shot

Spending the holidays traveling means fewer tourists and more clouds. This photo was taken on Christmas in Florence, Italy. Very few people were walking around, and the air was very still.

Moonlit Mountains, Nepal
Photograph by Max Seigal, My Shot

I watched as the beautiful full moon rose at Annapurna Base Camp, lighting up the entire landscape as if it were daylight. It provided the perfect lighting for this photo as I set up my tripod and shot one of the few majestic 8,000-meter peaks on this planet, surrounded by a starry night backdrop.

Kyrgyz Nomads, AfghanistanPhotograph by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic

Kyrgyz herders adore their cell phones, which they acquire by trading and keep charged with solar-powered car batteries. Though useless for communication—cellular service doesn't reach the isolated plateau—the gadgets are used to play music and take photos.