Light & Glass: Inside the Umpqua Light by auntietk
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
This is a first-order Fresnel lens ... from the INSIDE! I was actually able to stick my head and shoulders up inside the lens and take pictures.
The entire lens is actually made of clear glass. When it was manufactured in 1890, red glass contained gold, so they kept things as simple as possible because it was so expensive to make. All the red glass in this lighthouse is flat, and was installed in a framework on the outside of the Fresnel lens.
The Umpqua light flashes white-white-red, and you can easily see how that is accomplished!
I have to tell you ... in the daylight I wasn't crazy about all that red. The clear glass lens is so beautiful, and I thought it was obscured by too much red. But at night? Wow. At night the red bits absolutely glitter. They call it the jewel of the Oregon coast for a reason!
The bit on the left-hand side of the photograph is the brass column on which the lamp actually sits. What you're seeing is the rest of the lens reflected in the brass surface.
We'll be stopping at more lighthouses along our way north, but I don't know if any of them can top our experience at the Umpqua light!

Comments (22)
WOW! very lovely capture, Tara
What a beautiful shot! I've been to this lighthouse many times and it is one of my favorite on the Oregon Coast. I'm sure enjoying your trip pictures.
Reminds one of a merry-go-round when seen from the inside like this. This may be your ultimate piece of "Light & Glass"...it has to be your largest such object:) You've shown so much here, many of the 616 prisms, the shiny brass lampstand and the colorful patterns...row after row...after row. Well done.
Excellent and very impressive shot!
What an impressive and different shot of a lighthouse !!
WOOO! Gorgeous!
This is beyond beautiful, it is absolutely stunning. The red looks like rubies, clear and full of that light. wow.. I am almost speechless!!
Fascinating shot! Well done.
Just amazing!
OMG - this ROCKS, Tara! Dang, I'm rady to pack my bags for Oregon just to see this light! I love red, so I'm all over this! Great photo, Tara! :-D
Wow, how beautiful! I'm surprised you ever got out again... :)
WOW!!! THIS TOTALLY ROCKS!!! What an amazing shot! I could stare at this for hours and get lost in all the details. This is phenomenal! I hope you had a great birthday!
You just had to outdo Bill on this one Tara! This is an amazing shot...so rich!
AWW!! This is soo beautiful Tara. Superb idea and shot. :)))
Stunning capture Tara, Love the colours.. fantastic!!!!
superb...
Beautiful photo! With the reflection in the brass column it almost looks like the interior of a church with stain glass windows, particularily the arches due to the curvature of the column. The construction of the lens is also quite evident here. You lucky two to be able to enjoy a trip like the one you're on! Keep up the good work! :-)
An amazing capture, you seem to be having a wonderful holiday!!!
A stunning capture of this wonderful light and the colouring looks fantastic.
Doesn't that look so cool1 Really good shot, and....thanks for the information Tara! I think the red or red's look great, but thats just me! lol Rob
A adore those Fresnel lights !
I know Fresnel from my classes in theatre arts but this is Fresnel on steroids. Very cool capture. Can you imagine a house with windows like this?