http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/gallery/0000ctes.xml http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/gallery/0000ctes Natural phenomena and natural landscapes. http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0001397y.xml Yes, I aimed my camera directly at the sun, in defiance of all common sense. I don't know about you, but considering how this picture turned out I believe the risk was worth it. http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0001397y.xml 602ffaa31599a5dfedd690aa6d7a8ffa image/jpeg 413 336 34665 http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0001397y While hiking through the Greenbelt, I came across a section of trail that had apparently succumbed to the forces of erosion and gravity. While not a complete 90º drop-off, the resulting angle was still plenty steep, and there weren't a whole lot of places left to put one's feet while crossing. The trail at that point was about 10-15 feet up off the creekbed, and there was no way to get down to it without having to either make a jump or go back down the trail a ways. Which left two options: Going across the gap (thus the presence of the chain), or back the way one came. I chose to go across, which for me was a rather adrenaline-surging experience considering I have a fear of falling. Normally I don't think I'd have even attempted it, but considering how much of an adventure I was already having that day, it seemed fitting that I should challenge myself. http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0001td9r.xml ec5d9fb317022bec94c4fe1783edbde7 image/jpeg 450 326 89139 http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0001td9r I snapped this picture sometime in 1999, while living in Arlington, VA. Kudzu vines grow absolutely nuts up there, and this shows a ring of trees overtaken by the aforementioned plant (more like "pest in plant-form"). Since I took the shot using an actual 35mm camera as opposed to digital, I hadn't realised at the time how well the sun had come through. Honestly, I consider this to be one of the best photographs I've ever taken. If I had to choose an image that I believed to represent the condition of my soul, this would be it. http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/00023fpd.xml 5e4bfe60b3ac66f2968378e3bfae2519 image/jpeg 600 717 157988 http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/00023fpd photos http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/gallery/0000eqzz.xml http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/gallery/0000eqzz http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0002e2tw.xml 93c51144fba2128c993fbf7d397d6e51 image/jpeg 450 368 59475 http://pics.livejournal.com/gnosticelf/pic/0002e2tw