Ever found yourself wandering through a neighborhood that feels like a scene from a holiday movie? That’s exactly what happens when I visit Bent Brook Drive in the Forest Creek neighborhood of Round Rock, Texas. This quirky light display is a treasure trove of motion, color, and festive spirit. It’s not just a feast for the eyes; it’s a celebration of community and creativity.
The community comes together in a playful competition to decorate every house in the ‘hood. Many homes go all out with lights, figures, decorations, and even animated displays. The thing that makes it special for me though is the creativity. It’s DIFFERENT from a lot of the other holiday light displays. It’s more colorful, it’s more creative, it’s quirky, fun, and funky. That’s what keeps me going back year after year.
Swirling Patterns
Swirling Patterns in Light is like a dance party for your senses! Imagine vibrant hues twirling and swirling, each twist revealing a new layer of brightness. It’s a visual celebration that sparks joy and curiosity. What stories do you think these colors could tell? Maybe they whisper secrets of laughter and joy, or perhaps they echo the rhythm of a lively gathering.
When I created this one, I wanted to do some camera movement, but, in the spirit of the neighborhood, I didn’t want to just make the same old stripes (a lot of the camera movement shots are either pure vertical or horizontal and I call these, “making stripes,” because, well, they really are.)
For this one, I did a little giggle and got my inner wiggle on! The resulting image reflects a bit more motion and even maybe looks a little bit like a marker drawing, rather than a light show.
Forest of Light
Then there’s the enchanting Forest of Light. These twinkling lights reminded me of hot summer nights when I was a kid, nights when the fireflies would dance around, and I’d try to catch them in a jar or whatever was handy at the time. Anyone else remember those magical evenings from childhood? Or was it just me, chasing glowing bugs like a kid on a sugar high?
When I was capturing and editing this image, I had the notion that, if you were to plant seeds of light you would harvest trees that twinkle. Somehow, I went more poetic with this one, I guess maybe we can chalk that up to the memories.
Magic Elf
And let’s not forget the whimsical Magic Elf. This delightful little fellow captures the playful spirit of the season, surrounded by vibrant lights that dance around him. It’s the perfect touch of festive charm, making it a conversation starter wherever it’s placed. Can you picture an elf like this perched on your mantel, bringing smiles and warm memories to all who see it?
For this one, I also used a camera movement technique, although a different one. Opting for more of a “burst” technique, I wanted to light rays to look as if they were coming out of the elf, making him look even more magical than he was.
This particular house has a tree with a few elves in it. There’s even one that appears to be drunk. While I don’t condone drinking and, um, er, flying in this case, it’s a clever display. The “drunk elf” looks to have flown into the Christmas tree and got stuck there, complete with flailing limbs and a more shocked expression, while this guy was stuck on the front of the tree and had a more shy smile.
Shy or not, I gave him a little boost by giving him some bursts of light.
Light Stripes
Light Stripes is a more graphical abstract. In this one, I opted to go with motion along one plane, making the image look as if it has stripes. This image takes you on a journey through a vibrant dance of glowing patterns thanks to those stripes. Each streak pulses with energy, inviting you to experience the joy of celebration.
This one is a bit less “holiday” and a bit more electronic in feeling. It almost seems more like pulsating LED style lights, rather than Christmas lights.
Light Flag
Finally, Light Flag reveals a whirlwind of colors swirling together, creating a mesmerizing tapestry. Each twist and turn seems to tell a story, igniting your imagination.
In this one, I thought the result looked a little bit like a flag, and I was drawn to the idea that I had made a flag of light.
This is another motion based image, this time too swirling more than linear with the camera movement. If you are a photographer who practices intentional camera movement (ICM) it might a fun experiment to change up moving the camera in a more linear movement (to generate more of a striped pattern) and also moving in swirls or different planes and patterns, to generate an image that’s more graphical, although still abstract.
It’s a fun technique to play with and I think one we can all enjoy, even if you are not a photographer yourself.
On the Subject of Light
In this collection, light becomes a storyteller, weaving together moments of joy, nostalgia, and wonder. So, what do you think? Are you ready to let these vibrant pieces brighten your space and spark conversations? Let’s celebrate the magic of color together!
And remember, every visit to this enchanting neighborhood is a chance to connect with the friendly neighbors who share in this festive spirit. It’s a reminder that art, like community, thrives on connection and creativity. What’s your favorite holiday memory that lights up your heart?
I hope you got to enjoy some holiday light magic this season and here’s looking forward to a wonderful new year.
Until next time…
