Ailsa’ Where’s My Backpack Travel Theme for this week is peaceful.
Peace comes from within but there are some mental pictures which help us to achieve inner peace.
I like taking peaceful landscape photos, meaning the kind that make you want to quiet your busy mind, brew some hot tea and just take a deep breath.
In my superficial understanding, the common elements in my peaceful landscapes seem to include some of the following:
Serenity and calmness
Nothing exciting / disturbing
White color – from clouds / mist
Green color – from trees / grass
Blue color – from the sky or water/ sea
Wide open, unobstructed view so you can see forever.
Other qualities which are difficult to describe
For illustration, the image below was taken on a beach out in Koh Samui , Thailand where you have white clouds, blue sky / sea, unobstructed view as far as your eyes can see.
For the second image, I love the green view, the pavilion, the mist and the mountains behind. The image was taken in ZhangJiaJie, China.
The third image with fluffy white clouds, blue sky, wide open grassland was taken in Inner Mongolia, China.
I must admit that I still don’t understand what exactly constitutes peacefulness in a landscape picture. This will be part of a never ending search in my future photography.
retireediary 
Awesome big sky in Mongolia. I think you have captured peaceful in these landscapes very well.
Hi, it seems so far you are the only reader who likes the Mongolian sky best. Maybe, it is not an uncommon scene in many parts of the globe. Thank you 🙂
These are so beautiful Michael, I especially love the beach. Thank you 🙂
Glad that you like the first one which I think is superior than the other two. Thank you 🙂
I felt the peace of your post just looking at the photos.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks for the continued Blessings and Support 🙂
Amazing.
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful post, stunning images – that first one is completely breathtaking!
Hi 1annecasey, thank you very much for the comment and continued support 🙂
Your photographs capture true serenity. All of them are beautiful, but your first in the series took my breath away!
Hi, I particularly like the first one too. I have seen a similar one in a photo gallery. Regards, Michael
If I might contribute my thought on peacefulness in a landscape – I think it mainly comes from within and what I may see as peace…..to someone else, it may be totally opposite depending on their life experiences and how they interpret it. I live by the ocean and I see it as being in constant motion even on a calm day. The tide will change unendingly and I feel I want to walk and kick sand and run in the water. It gives me a feeling of joy, but not calm. Your second photograph with the pavilion, mountains and mist and the trees is to me a peaceful scene. I feel serenity surround me in this type of environment. It gives me a sense of welcoming warmth and a calm tranquility from the life force in the vegetation, the mountain, the mist. I want to walk slowly down the pathway, enter the forest, breathe……But that is just me and I hope you don’t mind me sticking my two cents worth in here. I love your photos and look forward to each new post.
Hi, thanks for the very good and thought provoking analyses. I am glad you like the images also. Thank you for your comment and for the following 🙂
That’s an interesting question: what does make a landscape feel peaceful? You have very different scenes but all of them carry that quality.
Glad that you like the images! Thank you 🙂
Michael, You are always so poetic in your interpretation of the themes. I like that. Chris G
Thank you, Chris for the continued support and kind comment 🙂
I think you have definitely defined and illustrated peacefulness in your photography, openeness, not busy; these are all beautiful photos.
Thank you Angeline M, I am glad that many readers also come up with their views of what they see as peacefulness 🙂
I think you’ve captured it perfectly. The last photo looks very much like the Alberta prairies, down any giving side road, where hard working families make their way thru live. Peaceful for sure
Hi Boomdeeadda, I’ve only been to some parts of Canada, will like to visit the Alberta prairies some day. Thank you 🙂
Great composition. Image # 1 (Thailand beach) is glorious, a great photographic representation of peacefulness.
Hi sufiways, glad that you like the first one. Thank you 🙂
I like your descriptions of peace as well as the pictures. 🙂
Many thanls for the kind and encouraging comment 🙂
You have many welcomes! 🙂 Thanks for visiting my site as well. 🙂
Hi, many thanks! for the last few days I found that my Like button and many of the Like buttons of posts I am following failed to load. This stopped me for liking many posts. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, I have heard that from several bloggers. It hasn’t happened to me, but I have found myself unable to comment – even using my own Notificatons page. Marsha 🙂
Hi Marsha, thank you for your quick response. I hope this will be back to normal soon so that I can “Like” the good posts I have been reading. Best regards, Michael
🙂
what exactly constitutes peacefulness in a landscape picture… I think the moment you stop thinking and just start dreaming,
Well said; but still I sometimes think what makes me dreaming! Thank you 🙂
Oh, I think you DO understand I think you capture it quite often in your beautiful photos –
As one reader pointed out, peacefulness can be quite subjective. I think I know what I consider peaceful but this may not be the same for all readers. Thank you 🙂
Interesting question. I suppose since we’re talking about a feeling — peacefulness — then a peaceful photo is one that inspires a feeling of peacefulness! Since it’s subjective, it might be slightly different for everyone.
I can relate to your difficulty identifying what constitutes a peaceful photo. But it’s much easier for me to recognize things that have the opposite effect. Reds and oranges and lots of motion and sharp angles are very agitating. Other complex designs can be very “interesting” or inspiring, but in an energy-raising way. I think somewhere between there and “boring” is a familiar and comfortable blend of color and shape and motion that does not provoke or disturb or energize, that is simply… Peaceful.
Hi, many thanks for your analyses which I totally agree. Maybe, one of the items I should have added to my posts is “simple in design” or even minimalism.
Regards, Michael
The like button is broken, but Like! 🙂 Nice peaceful views.
Hi, I noticed that the Like button is broken. Do you know how this can be fixed? Many thanks in advance. Regards, Michael
I don’t know but it seems to be working now! 🙂
Hi, thank you for the update; I think there is a problem at my end as notifications still cannot be uploaded from the Admin bar. Anyway, apologize for troubling you. Regards, Michael
Some great photos here Michael
Thank you 🙂
Reblogged this on archiabyssniya.
Thank you for reblogging this on ::-)
Your images do send out the message of peacefulness. But you are right. It is not easy to display or communicate the level of peacefulness. What actually constitutes the feeling of peacefulness? Is that the color, the image, or the interpretation? I would think ALL of these!
Hi friendlytm, I think you are right; it is all three parts but the perception part is subjective and therefore cannot be predicted. Regards, Michael
Yes, perception is the key! Thanks!
Thank you friendlytm !
Marcel Duchamp said” the viewer completes the art”. You just said the same thing. Thanks for your insight.
Yes, without the appreciation of the viewer, the art is incomplete. Thank you 🙂
Perfect images for the peaceful theme, Michael.
Thank you for the continued support and perusal 🙂
Wonderful, peaceful pictures! The first image takes the 1st price!
Thank you, tiny lessons blog, for the continued support and perusal 🙂
gotta have water.
I would agree that water is a main element for us to feel peaceful. Thank you 🙂
Lovely …. the beach on the top photos … is my idea of a perfect beach … filled with thoughts and calmness.
Hi Viveka, glad that you like the first image, thank you for the continued support and perusal 🙂
Great pictures, especially the first one!
Thank you cd1972 🙂
The pic from Koh Samui is stunning!
Love going back to the Koh Samui beach again. Thank you for the continued support and perusal 🙂
🙂 Of course! Love your work.
🙂
Excellent photographs. Number one has perfectly still water plus no foot prints in the sand – I am alone with my thoughts. Number two has harsh rock face softened by edgeless fog. Number three has full puffy clouds that are not strung-out by the wind. All three are very peaceful, but peace is the result of something different in each photo. I have been stuck here trying to tie it all together … but unable to. Almost like peace is—mystical …
Glad that you like all three images. I suppose the idea of peacefulness is different with everyone, depending on experience, culture, the mood at the time etc. but there should some common elements which most people attribute to peacefulness. Many thanks for the thoughtful comment 🙂
truly peaceful. The rocks on the glass-like lake with the mountains in the background are breathtaking! And the pastoral with the pagoda is so serene that I want to go there and claim it as my “happy place!” Thank you for sharing these gorgeous views.
Hi Darla, glad that you like the photos. have a great day 🙂
thank you!
🙂
Lovely Michale. Enjoyed all of the comments too!
Hi Tina, glad that you like the post and the comments too. Have a great day 🙂
Beautiful, breathtaking photography. I love the serenity of several Asian countries, and our home is graced with decorations from the various cultures. It makes for peaceful surroundings as I sit and write. Thank you for sharing your work here.
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Praise Jesus.
Glad that your house has decorations of various cultures. Thank you for your kind words and may God bless you!
Simply gorgeous
Thank you 🙂
They are beautiful images, but it is really the first one that speaks to me.
Hi, I am unable to find a Peaceful landscape picture which can match the first one. I have other images of beach at Koh Samui taken in the vicinity but that will almost repeat the first one. Glad that you like the images. Thanks for the continued support 🙂
🙂
I have skimmed some of the comments, so others may agree with me. My favourite is number 3. There is nothing so peaceful as stretching out in the middle of a paddock/field on a sunny day and watching the clouds pass by. And if by chance some sheep, cattle drop in to say hello, then that is a bonus. No, I am not mad, at least I don’t think so. I have lived in farming community for 55 years and have stretched out and admired the scenery many times. My (working) dogs also loved the opportunity to get a bit closer to me.
Hi, lying on the grass, watching the blue sky with white clouds drifting by would be most peaceful to me. This is now difficult for me in this urban area I am based. I think I will enjoy the life you talked about. Many thanks for the perusal and comment 🙂
Your photography never ceases to amaze me. Your work is exquisite.
Hi Sheri, many thanks for the perusal and kind comment 🙂
I like the 1st photo most. It’s very calm, peaceful and relaxing!
I would like to go back to that beach too 🙂
Your blog is a pleasure and in this post you captured so simply without any superfluous distraction images beauty and peace perfectly. I am honoured that a person with your talent liked my post.Thank you.
Hi jacksjottings, you are most welcome. Many thanks for the perusal and comment too 🙂
Excellent post! The beach is fantastic. I always seem to find serenity in water scenes
Glad that you like the beach scene. Thank you for the perusal and comment 🙂
Hi Michael,
I think you have a have a very good sense of how to capture peace and serenity through a lens. These are all beautiful photographs!
Hi Naomi, I hope I can take even better pictures for sharing. Many thanks for the perusal and comment 🙂
These settings certainly look peaceful.
Thank you, Colline 🙂
How beautiful is your first photo of Koh Samui. I can feel the serenity by just looking at it.
Thank you, thanks so much for your continued support, the eternal traveler 🙂
Love the first pic the most – exquisite, and definitely peaceful.
Many thanks for the perusal and comment 🙂
They are all beautiful, but I think I lean toward the second one. Thanks for coming around again and the like of my Weekly Photo Challenge post on “Curves”.
I think you are the only few who express liking the second one. I am glad that you like the picture. Regards, Michael
Stunning! Hope I can visit one day.
Will be an enjoyable experience!
Just Such beautiful pictures and a sense of Peace
Thank you 🙂
Thanks for stopping by to like one of my posts. I have not been posting lately or able to read other blogs but I hope to be back to normal soon. I have always enjoyed your posts. Peace to you!
Thank you and peace to you too 🙂
The last picture of this series for me “does what it says on the tin”. MM
Glad that you like the last picture. Thank you 🙂
First let me say I love your blog Title. Then may I say thank you for liking several of my posts. I’m glad you enjoyed them, but I’m happy that through your ‘like’ I found your blog. Beautiful images that perfectly capture your chosen theme. Well done Michael.
Hi Kelly, you are most welcome. Have a great week 🙂
Beautiful Mic. Just beautiful.
Thanks very much for the perusal and comment 🙂
Nice to find your blog. Like your photos. Ahh, retirement, the time in life where you can Just Be Me. Enjoy every moment. Make it a good day!
Thanks for visiting my blog; hope you would like it. I am trying to make best use of my time in retirement. Many thanks for the kind words 🙂
These certainly are places for meditation. Om
Hope you find some of my photos have a peaceful setting and induce meditative moods 😊