Lighting up the night

Berlin, Germany is hosting its "Festival of Lights" this week, until October 26th. Dozens of landmarks are lit up with lamps, projectors and lasers, accompanied by fireworks and other events. We humans light up the night for many reasons, practical, artistic - even reasons with more meaningful messages. Pictured below are night scenes from Berlin and around the world, illuminated in interesting ways. (21 photos total)

The "Siegessaeule" (Victory Column) is illuminated during a rehearsal for the upcoming "Festival of Lights" in Berlin, Germany on October 13, 2008. Several landmarks of the German capital, including boulevards, squares, towers, historical and modern buildings will be illuminated from October 14 to 26. (REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz)

The landmark Berlin Cathedral is colorfully illuminated on the opening evening of the annual "Festival of Lights" on late October 14, 2008. (BARBARA SAX/AFP/Getty Images) #

An ancient temple is lit up with candles at a Gala Dinner to celebrate the life of the opera singer Luciano Pavarotti as part of the Salute Petra event on October 11, 2008 in Petra, Jordan. Salute Petra is a three day event that takes place on the anniversary of Pavarotti's birthday, the 12th October. Due to hiss friendship with the Jordanian Royal Family, HRH Princess Haya of Jordan and the Government of Jordan have allowed the weekend to take place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra and will include a gala dinner and concert in the ancient city. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images) #

A worker passes by a lighting installation on a wall near London Bridge during the evening rush-hour in the City of London, England on October 9, 2008. (REUTERS/Toby Melville) #

Spectators photograph powerful lights symbolizing Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan September 11, 2008 in New York City - the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. that brought down the World Trade Center. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) #

The moon shines behind Berlin's illuminated Fernsehturm (TV tower) during the "Festival of Lights" late Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Sven Kaestner) #

A tractor with lights illuminates a field of cabernet grapes during a night harvest at St. Supery Winery September 17, 2008 in St. Helena, California. Wineries in the Napa Valley are in the midst of harvesting their 2008 crop of grapes. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) #

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims circle the Kaaba inside and outside the Grand Mosque during the last week of Ramadan in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Sept. 28, 2008. Nearly three million Muslims attended to pray at the Grand Mosque in Macca and the Prophet Mosque in Medina. (AP Photo) #

Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate is lit up during the "Festival of Lights" Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Sven Kaestner) #

Mexican students with bandaged eyes take part in a "night walk" (caminata nocturna in Spanish) at the ecopark Alberto, in El Alberto, state of Hidalgo, Mexico on October 4, 2008. The night walk, advertised as an extreme sport, simulates a U.S. border crossing attempt at a park run by a community with a long-lasting history of carrying out real border journeys into the United States. (LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images) #

The White House is illuminated in pink for breast cancer awareness, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, in Washington, D.C.. The White House is one of over 200 landmarks worldwide lit up in pink this month as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) #

The illuminated Fernsehturm in Berlin is pictured next to a sculpture during a light rehearsal for the upcoming "Festival of Lights" on October 13, 2008. (REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz) #

Giant projections of iconic Japanese artwork illuminates bridges and monuments, projected from a boat navigating the Seine river in Paris, France on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008. The images were shown to celebrate the 150th anniversary of French-Japanese relations.(AP Photo/Francois Mori) #

A police officer of the NYPD stands in front of a stone lion lit with pink lights before the DVD launch event for "Sex and the City: The Movie" in New York City on September 18, 2008. (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson) #

The Milad telecommunication tower, tallest tower in Iran, and the fourth tallest in the world, is seen during its inauguration ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) #

Lights are seen projected on the walls of the Tower of David in Jerusalem's Old City - part of a show called "Or Shalem, Jerusalem Lights the Night", staged by a group called Skertz� on October 7, 2008. The Tower of David is a massive citadel that, over the centuries, has served as a fortress, military barracks and cannon position. These days, the Tower serves as a popular tourist site. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) #

The Gendarmenmarkt, a square in Berlin, Germany, flanked by the concert hall at right and the Deutscher Dom at left, is colorfully illuminated during a rehearsal for the annual "Festival of Lights" on late October 13, 2008. (THEO HEIMANN/AFP/Getty Images) #

Pilgrims hold candles during a procession at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, Sunday night, Oct. 12 2008, in Fatima, Central Portugal. Thousands of pilgrims attended the anniversary celebrations in Fatima where three shepherd children claimed the Virgin Mary appeared to them in May 13 and Oct. 13, 1917. (AP Photo/Joao Henriques) #

Pedestrians look at the Palais am Festungsgraben, an illuminated building in Berlin, Germany, during the "Festival of Lights" on October 14, 2008. (REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski) #

The Berlin Cathedral is colorfully lit on the opening evening of the annual "Festival of Lights" on late October 14, 2008. (BARBARA SAX/AFP/Getty Images) #

Images of books on shelves are seen projected on the walls of the Tower of David in Jerusalem's Old City - part of a show called "Or Shalem, Jerusalem Lights the Night", staged by a group called Skertz� on October 7, 2008. The Tower of David is a massive citadel that, over the centuries, has served as a fortress, military barracks and cannon position. These days, the Tower serves as a popular tourist site. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) #

More links and information

Festival of Lights - Berlin, official site

Skertz� - official site of the group that staged the "Or Shalem, Jerusalem Lights the Night" show (and more)

Tower of David - Wikipedia Entry

Milad Tower - Iran, Wikipeida entry

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#21 bends my brain. Awesome pics. Really, man, the consistency of your entries - just great.

Posted by adam bennett October 22, 08 12:23 PM

Pretty amazing. Different for sure.

Posted by Dano October 22, 08 12:28 PM

I had to take a good look at many of these to fully realize all the details. Spectacular, indeed.

Posted by robina October 22, 08 12:34 PM

#16 and #21 are awesome.... they should be next to each other so they are more easily compared to each other!

Posted by Maria October 22, 08 12:35 PM

Learn about "light pollution" here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution

It's more of a problem than you may realize.

Posted by Jon Kovac October 22, 08 12:36 PM

Simply spectacular as usual. Thanks for continuing to bring us these amazing images.

- Blake J. Nolan
http://www.BJNArt.com

Posted by Blake J. Nolan October 22, 08 12:39 PM

I need to find out about these things sooner...Great job!!
-Camron Ware
http://visualworshiper.com/blog/

Posted by Camron Ware October 22, 08 12:56 PM

New "thing to do before I die:"
Visit Berlin during the Festival of Lights.
ok two:
Visit the Tower of David.

http://weatherford.wordpress.com

Posted by Evan October 22, 08 01:02 PM

how can you omit vegas from this set? it's got some crazy lights.

Posted by mick October 22, 08 02:27 PM

Jon Kovac... comment #5. You're a Debbie Downer.

Posted by me me me October 22, 08 02:27 PM

No picture of "La Fête Des Lumières" in Lyon, France ????
It's one of the biggest and oldest enlightement of a city in the world. It attracts over 4 millions people every year during for days. It's held each year around december 8th.
It's wtarted years ago to thanks and celebrate Marie, mother of Jesus Christ. She's the holy protector of the city and has saved it and it's inhabitants from a plague epidemy. Peoples used to put little candles on their windows' edges and now all the biggest monumets, places and buildings of Lyon are illuminated by famous light artists.

Posted by Romain Massola October 22, 08 02:28 PM

Following of my previous comment :
Some samples of Lyon's "Fête Des Lumieres" :
From 2002 :
http://www.routard.com/photos/lyon/29294-fetes_des_lumiers_2002.htm
From 2004 :
http://www.routard.com/photos/lyon/29289-fetes_des_lumiers_2004.htm

www.romainmassola.com

Posted by Romain Massola October 22, 08 02:32 PM

It's interesting that we find these uses of light to fascinating. Many cultures and governments have used as effective propaganda/persuasion tools. In fact, Hitler used them at his rallies to inspire. See Figure 4 on this page:

http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Architecture/Albert-Speer-and-Nazi-Architecture.125924

the "cathedral of light"

Posted by Gwen October 22, 08 02:44 PM

Posted by nanimo October 22, 08 03:46 PM

Wow, I've never seen such a picture of "La Mecque" (#8) before
People looks just like fireflys, it's beautiful!

#21, it reminds me of JR's work. Awesome!
http://darkskinlady.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/jr-strikes-again-women-favela-of-providencia/

Posted by Liz October 22, 08 04:11 PM

Berlin is by far the best big city on earth! ;)

Posted by yup October 22, 08 04:48 PM

Around the world at night with The Big Picture.
Wonderful.
Thanks from Rosemary

http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com

Posted by Content in a Cottage October 22, 08 05:02 PM

Amazing pictures!

Only a repair in #18: Our Lady in fact appeared to 3 children from May 13 to October 13, each 13th day during 6 months (except August).
For those who were incredible, She made a miracle in October (the famous miracle of the sun) that was seen by 70.000 people!
It could not be denied, despite all efforts...
Hail Mary.

Posted by Marcos October 22, 08 05:27 PM

you missed some "Tel Aviv" Lights to complete the SAGA ,Even though , great set

Posted by Anonymous October 22, 08 05:51 PM

Another awesome series. The lights on Niagra Falls would have made a great addition to this series.

Posted by Chris October 22, 08 05:53 PM

Beautiful. Thanks again for the wonderful post, "Big Picture."

Posted by Dane Deasy October 22, 08 07:11 PM

Your photographs are captivating and enriching. Thanks!!

Rishi Singh
http://chs-jccss.org/blog/

Posted by Rishi Singh October 22, 08 07:20 PM

CRACK spotted in #7

Posted by crackhead October 22, 08 09:38 PM

Love the butt crack in #7! lol
Butt (sorry couldn't help it) seriously...always a joy to see the artistry on this site!

Posted by Kim October 22, 08 09:50 PM

What a waste of energy! Don't these people realize that climate change is upon us!?!?! Between this and auto racing we'll all soon be boiling from the heat.

Posted by Heather October 22, 08 10:24 PM

I love your pics! Great work!

Eugene
www.mymodernmet.com

Posted by eugene October 22, 08 10:52 PM

So great!

Posted by hong October 23, 08 01:11 AM

Stunning pics...u take us to a different mesmerising world.
Great job Alan...u continue to impress...with your every single post.
Hats off to your rigorous image selection process. All the pics are just breathtaking
keep going....

Posted by Rajarajan October 23, 08 03:00 AM

Fantastic set of pictures - #8 for the scale, #14 for the colour - simply brilliant.

http://www.mattrutherford.com

Posted by Matt Rutherford October 23, 08 03:28 AM

The official website of Lyon "Festival of Lights", since the 19th century (with photos) :
http://www.lumieres.lyon.fr/fetedeslumieres/sections/en/lyon_and_light/photo_album/photo_album/

Posted by Quentin October 23, 08 06:10 AM

The mexican border crossing training was disturbing. The rest were good.

Posted by Winkle October 23, 08 09:42 AM

AMAZING pictures!! SO MANY recognisable places from Berlin! Has only made me feel more homesick towards Berlin!! :(

Posted by Kaushik Vaideeswaran October 23, 08 10:39 AM

LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos, they are outstanding. I'm just wondering what type of camera was used???
-Cal

Posted by Callie October 23, 08 11:55 AM

#8 is amazing!

Posted by Anonymous October 23, 08 12:01 PM

What a terrible life in a country where you "simulate" trying to leave it...

Posted by Bob October 23, 08 12:02 PM

Should the second half of the caption in #8 read "Mecca" instead of "Macca"?

Posted by Boony October 23, 08 12:38 PM

re: ...even reasons with more meaningful messages.
than what??

Posted by t. wolf October 23, 08 12:41 PM

Ah! I was just in Germany this past March.

So great to see the places I visited on this blog.

Posted by Javier October 23, 08 01:16 PM

Great collection !

Posted by D October 23, 08 01:25 PM

Pittsburgh has an amazing lights festival! Why travel to Berlin (not that it's not a great city), when you can pop on over to the burg.
http://www.pittsburghcelebrates.org/

Posted by Amy October 23, 08 01:54 PM

Germany has always been an inspiration to me, as I started my lighting design career in Koln, however now living in Boston. Please visit www.illuminaleBOSTON.com to see how Boston's First Lighting Festival evolved on October 1st -5th, 2008. (10) project sites....

Posted by Lana Nathe October 23, 08 02:03 PM

I can never get any picture from boston.com displayed, can anybody help me here? The pictures seem to lie on cache.boston.com, and my browser (safari or firefox) can't locate the server. It works when I open the picture link in a new window and remove the "cache.", or when I access boston.com through a proxy (tor)
Is it a regional filter, and it simply can't be accessed from outside the US? Or does it only work with IE? Does nobody else have this problem?

Posted by maledei October 23, 08 05:48 PM

Your entries are a magnificent offer to our minds. You enlight our concept of humanity and I am delighted at your professional and outstanding contribution!
Please keep it up, brain power seems to have been eaten by " computer games", and trivial entertainment. Nothing to think about, no dreams to be pursued, just bread and circus.
Thanks for being there for all of us!

Posted by Adriana martin-Hiebsch October 23, 08 06:51 PM

re: #5
"Learn about 'light pollution' here: ... It's more of a problem than you may realize."

I doubt the light contribution from all these events combined is more than a drop in the ocean compared to the lights of 'evernight' earth.

Posted by ...tom... October 23, 08 10:06 PM

The berlin motto: "Poor but sexy". ;)

Posted by Berliner October 24, 08 01:04 AM

Amazing.. I hope you cover The Indian Festival of Lights.. Diwali..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

I assure you it is even more amazing than these...

Posted by Sriram October 24, 08 03:55 AM

Where's the Eiffel Tower ???

Posted by J�r�mie October 24, 08 05:36 AM

thats realy wonderful

Posted by Violet October 24, 08 09:25 AM

Gorgeous

Posted by The Baltimore Babe October 24, 08 09:34 AM

nice pics

the number 8 and 18 wooow

wallpapers haha

thanks

Posted by www.ayudacytotec.com October 24, 08 01:02 PM

Great to see my home town Berlin represented over here! Thx!

Posted by Christian October 24, 08 06:01 PM

REALLY WONDERFUL IMAGES! FANTASTIC! NIGHT IS SO BEAUTIFUL WITH THESE IMAGES!

Posted by ALAMURU SURYA VENKATA RAMANA RAO October 25, 08 03:12 PM

Wonderfvul pictures...
Well, in Fatima (Portugal) people are holding candles, so, no waste of energy (,")

Posted by deonplayground October 26, 08 09:33 AM

Oh my goodness! Every time I see this blog the photos are so beautiful that it just blows me away! Thank you! Another really cool place to see "night lights" is the Sound and Light Show at the pyramids at Giza. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sure!

Posted by KBrown October 27, 08 01:49 AM

The blend of architecture and colors is just brilliant. And #8 is enchanting.

Posted by TareX October 27, 08 05:38 AM

Amazing Petra photo! Thank you!

Posted by Mircea October 29, 08 09:23 AM

waou ...How beautiufl pictures,thanks.

Posted by mehrez October 29, 08 10:39 AM

Great picture-set, as usual.

cheers Chan from TheJunction

Posted by Chan TheJunction October 29, 08 01:55 PM

Awesome pictures. Thanks for adding the Mecca picture. Love this blog.

Posted by Tahir October 30, 08 09:18 AM

very nice

Posted by Hedayat zadeh Majid October 31, 08 02:09 PM

nice

Posted by amel November 3, 08 03:18 AM

Excellent, thanks to my friend Ron, an excelllent photographer himself.

Posted by Francis O'Beachain November 6, 08 12:21 PM

Just a small city (and just a low quality photography) - but here is an impression of another lighting event in Darmstadt, Germany.
The night of the 10000 lights
Unter the name of "luminapolis" there are several yearly events throughout Germany, especially in the Rhein-Main-Area (Frankfurt).

Posted by Michael November 7, 08 11:36 AM

These pictures are simply beautiful and outstanding. Have seen most buildings in Berlin, but not during The Festival of Lights; quite a different view.

Amanda

Posted by Anonymous November 10, 08 01:49 PM

why not have a festival of darkness or of few lights. Why not go to time square, same thing. Why not turn out some lights and revisit the cosmos and stars again!!!! Nice pictures. This would be even nicer if the light was natural, ie..candles and stars! whether you like it or not. light pollution is a huge problem, along with all the dirty coal and nuclear waste it takes to produce it.....You right that is a bummer , but,, so true

Posted by Karen November 28, 08 12:25 PM

it's cool and beautiful...............

Posted by Merlyn December 2, 08 11:49 PM

really superb

Posted by megna December 10, 08 06:10 AM

really nice pix

Posted by jakefavs December 25, 08 05:19 PM

wow i've always seen number 10 in my dreams but i never knew anything about it so thanks about this

Posted by Alec C. Blondin January 12, 09 01:30 PM

i really like #19...although #21 looks the coolest out of them all.but then again...#16 has more colorful details...all the same they really are great pics!

Posted by Logan January 12, 09 01:34 PM

#8...absolutely mind-boggling. Beautiful images, all of them. I will travel the world vicariously through you =)

Posted by Fatima February 4, 09 10:12 PM

Type your comment here...
I was facinated with varius scence.
I HOPE U ADD ALAKSA MOSQUE>

Posted by dr ahmad February 8, 09 04:42 AM

it is circle in the top it lights up in the night

Posted by anvit May 24, 09 10:32 AM