Auschwitz was of course solemn and sobering location.
One thing i found interesting about being there was my "drive to find and document beauty everywhere" was still in tact and I kept looking for ways to document an "attractive" image which is weird considering the location.
I thought "is it appropriate or even good to make beautiful images of a place with an Ugly history?"
I found myself not compelled to document pain and sorrow and dark moods into the image... I was still trying to find nice light and patterns and of course bring in color to the scene. I always want to document the personality of people or a place (vibe) and bring out the best. Can you do that in a place like this... is it within me to even understand what an image like that looks like?
I was very aware of this juxtaposition at the time of this odd counter-intuitive disposition while there.
In the shots there still exists a decent amount of coldness but there's something of a small bit of warmth and beauty. A ray of hope sort of vibe. I think that's life... I actually do believe the natural disposition and trend of life is one of suffering that inevitably leads to death... and one HAS TO find hope usually through a purpose greater than themselves that drives them and makes the suffering of life bearable... makes life even wonderful and full of love and meaning.
So I'm pretty happy with the images even still... I think i'd want to be the one that even in the darkest places still works in my small way to bring beauty and light.
Obviously there are a lot more pictures to go through and eventually share but I'm about to check out of the hotel and go pick up a rental car for 8 days and travel around. So I thought i'd just share 3 real quick.
To all the #steemfest people I met thanks for a great week. Let's keep chatting and keep an eye out for lots more pictures of @steemfest and europe.