2.22.2007

A Glimpse of Victory


Gilded Figure of Victory, Buckingham Palace
(click on her to see her grandeur)
February 2007

What will I do when I no longer have all these inspirations to share my photography?

The first place that I had to see when John and I visited London a few years ago was Buckingham Palace. I just couldn't believe that I was standing in front of this palace that I had seen and read about in storybooks. What girl doesn't like to see a real life fairytale?

I was nine years old when I watched very early one morning as Lady Diana wed her Prince Charles. I can't begin to tell you as a young girl the wonder that I had that day....the carriage, the dress, the kiss. Did any of you watch their wedding on that clear July day in 1981(obviously, boys don't need to answer)? Years later I would realize Diana was a little girl on that day just like me. Very young, very naive. No doubt the pressures of having to grow up in such a public way were incredibly painful. I think we all know the rest of her story. As for me, I grew up and found my prince that God had prepared just for me. I am so thankful for him.

I have been back to Buckingham Palace MANY times since that first time I stood at the gates. Everytime I go, my eyes are usually fixed on this figure that adorns the top of the memorial to Queen Victoria in front of the palace. This was built in 1911 to honor the longest reigning monarch in British history. She ruled for 64 years. This romantic, winged figure is named Victory. I can't even count how many photos I have taken of her. A few days ago I snapped this one and it's my favorite. I love her gilded color and her feminine but strong stance.

Her beauty captivates me....what do you think of when you see her?

31 comments:

Mike Holley said...

Hi Anna,

Sorry to be behind with commenting... I've had a really busy few days.

You've captured this really well. I walk around London with my eyes shut too much of the time, rushing from train to meeting...

My favourite image from those I missed is Historic View.

photowannabe said...

Magnificent. I would love to see all the wonderful magical sights there. For now its only through Blog World.

photowannabe said...
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mi foto said...

Hola Anna the photo of the statue is very nice. Congratulations

kenju said...

She's splendid! I love the angle you took it from. I would have gotten back a little in order to get the whole statue, but this is much more interesting. You have a very good eye!

Beverly said...

I have visited your site a couple of times, but today I was clicking on some of Melange's blogs in her sidebar, and I found you again.

I do indeed remember watching the wedding. I got my daughter up who was about 9 at the time to see it. I remember getting up to watch her funeral as well.

I've just come from seeing the movie, The Queen, this afternoon. An appropriate visit here, I think.

Anna said...
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Anna said...

I really want to see that movie The Queen. You would think I might have seen it by now but I haven't. I think I have been too busy blogging! :)

bluemountainmama said...

elegant and strong is what i think of....looks like she's about to lead the fairies on a march! :) great shot, as usual, anna! you keep posting all of these things and i'm mentally adding them to my "to see" list if i ever make it across the ocean to visit my sis'. i'm going to wear her out! :)

srp said...

I would probably go nuts with all the historical things in London. I know that Austria made me bonkers with the camera and I didn't have a digital back then. Things in the US that we consider old are just youngsters compared to the history in Europe.
This is wonderful.

Melody said...

I remeber the first time I visited London I was truly amazed by everything. I loved Buckingham Palace and simply could not believe I was there... It is a magnificent building. And walking up Pall Mall and then making my way to St. Paul's. Just like a fairy tale...

Anonymous said...

Captivating picture.

Have you got any more statue photos Anna?

Jacob Boll said...

thank you for using the word "swanky" in that comment. it just put me in a better mood

Pat said...

What do I think about? Majesty! But not necessarily the majesty of the Queen or her followers but as I looked at your photo, I thought of the Majesty of our God!

Majesty!
Worship His Majesty:
Unto Jesus be glory, honour and praise.
Majesty!
Kingdom authority
Flows from His throne unto His own
His anthem raise.
So extol! lift up on high the name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty!
Worship His Majesty
Jesus who died now glorified
King of all kings!

Lori Schmidt (LoriProPhoto) said...

I think of wealth and wellbeing when I look at this. I was often around Buckingham Palace too, but I loved the Prince Albert Memorial in Hyde Park. The sculptures on each corner and of course him sitting in the chair in the middle. I tried to get photos of it but none of them every worked very well.

I remember the royal wedding very well even though I was in South Africa (or was it Zimbabwe, what year were they married?), we watched it avidly. I also remember the day I found out she had died. I hadn't seen the papers or news on the Sunday after and I was driving to a photo shoot on Monday morning and saw the posters advertising the headlines of the newspapers very clearly with a picture of her and the heading "Death of a Princess". I was devastated. How could someone I never even knew affect me emotionally like her death did? The outpouring of grief and love from all over the world was something that will probably never be equalled in our lifetime. I remember standing at the palace gates and envisoning the flowers that covered that entire area from mourners. Wow.

My first real London sight was Tower Bridge. My business partner took me on a route that you could not see it from to around the back where St Katherine's Dock is and we parked behind all the warehouses that have been converted into luxury apartments. We walked around the corner and wham there was the bridge slap bang in front of me, it was awe inspiring and breathtaking! I used to visit there often after that, it never ceased to amaze me.

Okay now that i have turned this comment into a manuscript, thanks for all the trips down memory lane, I just wish I could have enjoyed London on a photographic level but it was a hard 2 years there and I spent more time struggling to make a living and survive. Maybe I will get back there one day, and I will certainly knock on your door LOL.

Lori

Kyle said...

I think of power and rationale.

Your pictures make me miss Europe!

Ash said...

She's beautiful!!

Great capture Anna...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot

Anonymous said...

Hey Anna,
I checked out the origin of this statue. She is the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike. With my daughter studying ancient Greek history this year, we often wonder and discuss what we as Christians can gain from these people of long ago. It is wonderful to think of the gifts God has bestowed on his people and the desire He has put in our hearts to achieve victory. Our desires for majesty, strength, and victory can only be a fraction of His.
I guess the challenge for all who believe in Him is that we should want to achieve victory in His name in all we do, ultimately in the race we run on this earth as Christians. He promises our reward to be back with Him one day in the "palace" of Heaven. His power and majesty will reign for eternity!

Anna said...

Anonymous...thanks so much for the additional info...I am glad that you checked into it further. I agree with every word you wrote and I am reminded of the verse below...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Thanks for that comment!

kenju said...

Thanks for the visit, Anna. That photo of beagles is not of our dogs. I found that on the web. Our beagle is biscuit colored all over - hence the name Bojangles.

Memories Catcher said...

Nice shot.I like a lot the light.Great angle and prespective.Well done!

Nicole said...

I love this. And I loved your account of Princess Diana and The Prince's wedding. I don't think that I was old enough to know or care what was going on, but that was fun for me to read.

Rebecca said...

Hi! :)

Michelle said...

She looks so majestic and ethereal at the same time.

Lady of the house said...

Beautiful photograph!

I vividly remember waking up early to watch that wedding with my mother. I was almost five at the time. It is actually my first memory.

Anonymous said...

Great photo Anna. I think statues and monuments are fun to shoot. You have done a great job putting this shot together.

Lori Schmidt (LoriProPhoto) said...

Sorry they aren't candy canes, they are lollipops LOL

Still a wonderful shot.

Lori

CG said...

A very impressive capture of the statue Anna. I remember the wedding so clearly! We were on holiday in our caravan on Anglesey and we sat inside with the curtains drawn on a hot day watching the ceremony on and tiny B&W portable TV!!

evanhuntphoto.com said...

you went skydiving???

whaaa....

im so scared of heights haha.

how was it?

Chad Oneil Myers said...

Good one.