I just recently found out about the Thomas Cook Explore the Elements photo blogging competition (closed).  “It’s all about capturing and expressing the four elements through travel photography.  … We’re looking for bloggers to publish photographs they’ve taken which best represent one of the four elements. All the categories are open to your interpretation, so you can be free to take a picture of anything you feel showcases your chosen element.

You can follow the contest at http://www.thomascook.com/blog/holiday-competitions-deals/explore-the-elements/ or #ExploreTheElements “

Unfortunately, I am not a professional photographer and do not follow or participate in such competitions.  I wish some of my friends, who are so talented photographers, would participate.

Anyway, just for fun, I went through some of my photographs and selected four that I would submit.

Here is what I selected.

Earth – Represents the hard, solid objects of the earth Associated with stubbornness, collectiveness , physicality and gravity  —Himalayas around Ladakh, India

Himalayas around Ladakh, India

Water – Represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world Associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism — Capri, Italy

Capri, Italy

Fire – Represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world Associated with security, motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit — Bhasmeshvar Ghat (cremation grounds) in Pashupati Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

Bhasmeshvar Ghat, Pashupati Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

(“Pashupatinath, or Pashupati, is a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has become well known far beyond the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but a good view of the temple can be had from the opposite bank of the river.  Bhasmeshvar Ghat is the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley” – from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/nepal/kathmandu-pashupatinath)

Air – Represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement.  Associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom — Sunset, Langkawi, Malaysia

Sunset, Langkawi, Malaysia