The Flickr Magicalscene Image Generatr

Duncan Rawlinson's Worlds Beyond explores the concept of other worlds through a unique combination of contemporary photography and artificial intelligence imaging techniques. This piece highlights Rawlinson's innovative approach to latent space, creating a scene that is both magical and otherworldly.

Duncan.co/worlds-beyond

Solar System Luminara

In a distant corner of the cosmos, there lies the solar system of Luminara, a realm where celestial wonders paint the sky with otherworldly hues, and reality bends to the whims of imagination. At the heart of Luminara is the world of Aureoterra, a place where the mundane is rare, and the magical is as common as the air its inhabitants breathe.

Near the edge of Aureoterra, by the tranquil Mirrorwaters Lake, stands a solitary dwelling known to the locals as Starwatcher's Haven. It is a quaint house that seems ordinary at first glance, but it's a sanctuary where the veil between worlds is gossamer-thin, a nexus of cosmic energy that draws the curious and the brave.

One could not speak of Aureoterra without marveling at the Nebulae Spires, colossal clouds of cosmic dust and gas that swirled above in an eternal dance. They say the spires are the birthplace of stars, each sparkle a new story, a fresh dream being woven into the fabric of the universe. The nebulae's colors – from the deepest purples to the warmest oranges – are said to reflect the heart's desires of those who gaze upon them.

The stars of Luminara are not mere balls of fire as one might expect; they are sentient, guardians of the galaxy, and sources of ancient wisdom. These sparkling entities converse in a symphony of light, a language that can be understood only by the pure of heart. On nights when the skies are clear, the stars speak most fervently, their twinkles containing secrets of old, messages for those who dare to listen.

It was under these celestial arcs that Elyon, a young Starwatcher, lived. Elyon's lineage was ancient, tasked with understanding the cosmic patterns and safeguarding the stories held within each star. With the gift of Starwhisper, Elyon could hear the murmurs of the heavens, tales of distant worlds, and the history of Luminara itself.

One fateful evening, as the Nebulae Spires glowed with an uncommon fervor, a prophecy was whispered by a shooting star – a luminary that streaked across the sky with a trail of golden dust. The prophecy spoke of a great alignment within Luminara, where all the planets would sing in harmony, unlocking a wellspring of magic potent enough to open doorways to forgotten realms.

Elyon knew this event was rare, a once-in-a-millennium occurrence that would reveal the hidden truths of the universe. Preparing the Haven for this celestial event, Elyon cast a spell that crystallized the essence of the stars into a Prism of Fates, a powerful artifact capable of channeling the raw magic of the alignment.

As the planets began their grand waltz, their paths intertwining in a predestined choreography, the Prism hummed with energy, its core alight with the fire of countless suns. The Mirrorwaters Lake, a silent witness to the spectacle, reflected the majesty above, its surface a canvas for the cosmic ballet.

In the crescendo of this cosmic symphony, the Prism unleashed its power, and Elyon felt the rush of ancient wisdom flooding through the Haven, the secrets of the stars becoming clear. The alignment was not only a key to other worlds but a bridge to connect with the celestial beings, the sentient stars of Luminara.

With the dawn of the new day, the Nebulae Spires faded into the light of the rising sun, and the stars whispered their farewells. Elyon stepped out of Starwatcher's Haven, eyes alight with newfound knowledge, the guardian of a world forever changed, a bridge between the earth of Aureoterra and the boundless heavens of Luminara.

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#CurlyHair #BlackDress #CrescentMoon #WitchyVibes #MysticalArt #FantasyTheme #EnchantingScene #WitchyAesthetic #MysticalVibes #FantasyCharacter #ArtisticExpression #MoonlitScene #MagicalAtmosphere #VisualStorytelling #DarkElegance #MysteryAndMagic #WitchArt #EtherealBeauty #FantasyIllustration #MysticalMood #ai #PixelWizardAI

#CurlyHair #BlackDress #CrescentMoon #WitchyVibes #MysticalArt #FantasyTheme #EnchantingScene #WitchyAesthetic #MysticalVibes #FantasyCharacter #ArtisticExpression #MoonlitScene #MagicalAtmosphere #VisualStorytelling #DarkElegance #MysteryAndMagic #WitchArt #EtherealBeauty #FantasyIllustration #MysticalMood #ai #PixelWizardAI

Looking back on a beautiful morning in Val d'Orcia/Tuscany.

My artwork blond witch fights daemon in stunning watercolor battle

SUNRISE - Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.

Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - 7/5/22
Choppy Sea - Sunrise drama at the Inlet - Summer 2022
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - Treasure Coast

*[left-double-click for a closer-look - lone-photographer]

*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning-light - ocean-inlet jetty]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida

Snow can metamorphose an old structure into something of beauty,

The Angkor Wat sunrise in Siem Reap, Cambodia is to die for, but it's more magical before that with the magical pink, purple and lavender hues of dawn. This another picture taken from the street side, from the starting point of the entrance causeway. The buildings at the far end are part of the The Angkor Wat entrance corridor and the water in toe foreground is part of the moat that surrounds the temple complex.The Angkor Wat temple is on the bucket list of many travelers is is probably on top of yours as well! And with a magical scene like this, who wouldn’t want to catch it after seeing a scene like this? If you’re buying your ticket the morning you’re heading in to watch the sunrise, then you’ve already lost your prime viewing spots. So, make sure to get your Angkor Pass at the Angkor Park Pass Ticket Counters beforehand. The ticket office is opened from 5 AM – 5:30 PM. If you queue up at 5 am, you have already lost the prime viewing vantage points. It's better you get your Angkor pass the previous evening at 17:00 (which will be valid until 17:00 on the day of the sunrise. Better still, get a season's pass- then you won't have to bother with the long lines. You will need a seasons' pass anyway as there is no way you can see the Angkor temples on a single day, unless you are planning on seeing only the Angkor Wat- and probably Ta Prohm and the Bayon and leave. Angkor passes are available for one day ($ 37), three days ($ 62), and seven days ($ 72). Some important notes about the Angkor Passes: Only passes bought at the ticket office are valid. Beware of services that sell tickets online or anyone who tries to bring you to another place for a cheaper deal. Make sure you buy your ticket after 17:00, as the pass will then be valid until the next day. If you buy it before 17:00, your ticket can only be used on the day you purchased it. (Photo Courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap) (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

The sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia has already taken place (see previous pictures earlier in this album), but the magical colours of dawn were so magical that I simply had to go back to it again. The best colours and views are seen from the reflecting pool to the left of the entrance causeway, just before you reach the entrance corridor to the main temple- that is this spot right here. You only have to hope and pray that it is not a cloudy day. Also, it's better to buy your ticket after 17:00 the previous day (which will be valid up to 17:00 the next day) or get an Angkor season's ticket (available for one, three and seven day duration) so that you will not waste time standing in queue, running the risk of missing out on the magical colours or not getting a proper vantage point for viewing, as the place gets pretty crowded. The magical colours appear differently in different times of the year. While mine, taken in October 2008, the pre- sunrise hues were pink, purple and lavender, in this picture, taken around July- August, taken by my friend in Siem Reap Mr Marom Hem, the pre-sunrise views have more of orange- yellow - beige hues. (Photo courtesy: Marom Hem, Cambodia). (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Having covered the sublime sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Asia, and after a plethora of notes about the phenomenon, I leave you now with a few parting shots of the period before and just after sunrise at the halo-ed temple before we move on. This magical scene is just post dawn but pre sunrise. Sunrise is still a little over five minutes ago, and so the is still some of the enchanting hues of dawn in the air. The hues of dawn vary in different times of the year. When I visited in Oct. 2008, the colours were a mix of pink, purple and lavender. This scene taken by my friend in Siem Reap around Aug. (2020) has more of grey, yellow and beige shades. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas (gods) in Hindu mythology, located within a moat more than 5 km long. The outer wall surrounding the moat is roughly 3.6 km long. There are three rectangular gallerie in the temple, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx (an arrangement of five objects with four at the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth at its centre) of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west. Detailed notes about the Angkor Wat temple appear throughout this album. (see previous and subsequent pictures). (Photo courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap) (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Another look at the magical scene just post dawn but pre sunrise at the reflecting pool outside the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. As I said earlier, these magical hues disappear once the sun fully rises, and all you are left with is a silhouette- it heats up pretty quickly after that as well! The dawn colours when I visited in Oct. 2008 were hues of pink, lavender and purple- in this picture taken by my friend in Siem Reap in August (2020), the colours are different- more of grey, beige and yellow. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the sculptures of numerous devatas (heavenly beings) adorning its walls. Detailed notes about the Angkor Wat temple appear throughout this album. (see previous and subsequent images). (Photo courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap) (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Having witnessed the magical pink, violet and lavender hues of dawn, and the actual sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, I keep going back to the magical colours of dawn- they are so magical and mersmerising! The magical hues of dawn look different in different times of the year- when I visited in Oct, 2008, it was those shades of pink an dlavender I mentioned earlier. In this picture, taken sometime in Aug. 2019, sent to me by my friend in Siem Reap, the hues are more of hellow, beige and brown. Marom took this with his smartphonw- the cellphone sometimes gives a beautiful panorama of the beautiful scene! To capture these magical colours, you need to leave your hotel really early, say like 04:45. To avoid joining the long line at the ticket window at that unearthly hour, and to avoid losing out on all the prime viewing points for the sunrise, you would be well advised to buy your ticket after 17:00 the previous day (which will be valid upto 17:00 the following day- tickets bought before 17:00 will expire the same day). Better still, you should get an Angkor pass. You can choose from 3 types of tickets:
1-day pass – $37 USD
3-day pass – $62 USD (has to be used within a week)
7-day pass – $72 USD (has to be used within a month)
Angkor Wat is open from 05:00 to 18:00 every day. It's better to bet at least a 3 day pass as there is no way you are going to be able to see all of the Angkor temples in a single day. Always carry your ticket with you, in some temples the security will check it at the entrance of the ruins. The tickets are personal with your name and photo on it. (Photo courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap) (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

A sweeping panorama of the Angkor Wat (pre-) sunrise scene from the street leading to the temple. This is in August 2019- picture sent by my friend in Siem Reap- the pink, purple and lavender hues of dawn (see previous pictures in this album) have now taken on hues of grey, yellow and beige in August- well, the yellows are not there yet, it's still very early so you still have a dominance of grey. The place is crowded, even at that early hour, withpeople trying to walk around the ruins in a complete darkness. You will need to hold your flashlight firmly and cross Angkor Wat main gate then you must find a spot in front of the building, on the left side of the bridge that leads to the temple. There will be a small lake with flowers, that is the place you want to be when the sky turns purple, orange, and light blue. This rather murky and dirty pond is generally known as the reflecting pool. The colors are so intense at dawn that when the sky starts to get brighter, with the said magic colours, the crowd becomes silent.- you then hear the ooohs and aahs soon after You can also hear the cameras clicking, the whirr of the film advancing (film cameras were still in use when I visited back in 2008), selfie sticks going up and down (yes, this is in 2020), and tons of “Wooowwwww” Of course, don't look up only to the sky, what addes to the sheer magic of the scene are those dawn colours reflection in the reflecting- that with the silhouette of the temple in the background makes for a truly surreal scene. (see previous pictures earlier in this album). In other words, the few minutes at dawn, just before the actual sunrise are the most dramatic. As soon as the sun actually rises, the magical colours disappear and you are left with a simple silhouette of the temple. Most travelers tend to leave the area at this time- but this is probably the best time to enjoy some peace and quiet around the Angkor Wat- it's crowded and chaotic most of the other times. Of course, chances are you will need to rush back to your hotel to freshen yourself for the rest of the day's activities and have a spot of breakfast, so most people end up leaving the place anyway. Detailed notes about the Angkor Wat temple appear throughout this album.(see previous and subsequent pictures). (Photo courtesy Marom Hem, Siem Reap). (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Having photographed the gorgeous colours of dawn and having witnessed the magnificent sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, it's time to move on now. A long foreground sometimes does work and is not a bad thing at all! In this picture taken in Aug. 2020 by my friend in Siem Reap, in the foredground is a path which runs off the main entrance causeway to the reflecting pool- the best spot to take pictures from if you manage to brave the crows. The reflecting pool itself is visible partially at the left. The modern name, Angkor Wat (alterrnate name: Nokor Wat) means Temple City or City of Temples in Khmer. (the local language) The original name of the temple was Vrah Viṣṇuloka or Parama Viṣṇuloka (Sanskrit) which means the sacred dwelling of Vishnu. Of course that was in the days when this was once the world's largest Hindu temple. The temple was subsequently vandalized by several invading armies, notably the Burmese, and turned into a Buddhist temple. Detailed notes about the Angkor Wat temple appear throughout this album. (see previous and subsequent pictures). (Photo courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap) (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Don't you love the magical colours of dawn? This scene is actually taken from the starting point of the long causeway which leads to the temple. Hence the water you see in the foreground is the moat surrounding the temple and the structures you see at the far end are actually part of the entrance corridor leading into the temple grounds. Watching the sun rise or set in the famous Angkor complex is high on the list for most travelers to South-East Asia. And quite understandably so, as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor temples complex- of which the Angkor Wat is only a part- is home to the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire, which ruled Cambodia from the 9th to the 15th century. Famed for being the world’s largest religious building, The reflecting pool in front of the Angkor Wat temple is the most popular spot to catch the magical colours of first light. Built in the 12th century, the Angkor Wat temple faces west and so the sun rises dramatically from behind its iconic spires. The quintessential shot of Angkor Wat at sunrise is taken from behind the reflection pools, where you can see the temple’s stunning silhouette mirrored in the still waters. For the best photos, it’s recommended to arrive early to get ahead of the crowds. The gates to Angkor Wat open at 5am – but you can be sure it’s worth the early start. You would be well advised to buy the ticket at 17:00 the previous day (which is valid till 17:00 the next day) for if you queue up at 05:00 you can be sure you will miss all the prime viewing spots. Or better still, get the one week Angkor pass (a bit pricey at $ 62 but you will need it, as you can't see the Angkor temples in a single day), and you will not have to bother with the crowds at the ticket window on the day of the sunrise and can proceed directly to the viewing point. (Photo courtesy: Mr. Marom Hem, Siem Reap). (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Oct. 2008)

Early spring with fog and sunshine in the forest not far from my place of residence.
Sometimes you happen to be in the right place at the right time and want to return there again and again ... at least virtually. I hope you can handle another picture from the series.

Vorfrühling mit Nebel und Sonnenschein in einem Wald nicht weit von meinem Wohnort.
Manchmal ist man zufällig zum richtigen Zeitpunkt am richtigen Ort und möchte dort immer wieder zurück kehren...zumindest virtuell. Ich hoffe, ihr könnt noch ein Bild aus der Serie verkraften.

Danke für deinen Besuch! Thanks for visiting!
bitte beachte/ please respect Copyright © All rights reserved.

Qingkou is a typical place in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. The village is very idyllic and surrounded by forest and rice terraces at about 1,700 m above sea level.

During our shooting in the early afternoon, more or less clouds moved across the landscape, occasionally giving us a glimpse of the place.

Danke für deinen Besuch! Thanks for visiting!
bitte beachte/ please respect Copyright © All rights reserved.