Lens-Artists Challenge #341 – Personal Favorites

lens-artists

So this week your challenge is to choose no more than 5 images as your all-time personal favorites, which can be quite a daunting task when you have so many cherished memories captured through the lens. That is Tina’s request, and not an easy one as it is.

I have in my side panel of my blog many of my all-time favorite images, each one telling a unique story that resonates deeply with me. I my end up posting few from there. They are there for a reason. As I sift through the galleries, I find myself reminiscing about the experiences associated with each photograph I am posting, recalling the emotions tied to those moments.

This is taken in Florida, where we had the idea of enjoying a beach day, but it turned out to be a cool day, filled with gusty winds and swirling clouds, which created a captivating atmosphere. I did not have my camera with me as I was not planning on taking photos; my intention was solely to relax and unwind. Instead, I got this moody shot of the sea, which, despite the absence of bright sunshine, reflects a beauty all its own. The sea, or ocean, truly is my element—I feel a profound connection to it. I love everything about it, from the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore to the salty breeze that brushes against my skin. It is not a perfect shot by any standards, but it captures something I really like: the unique interplay of mood, movement, and indeed, the vast, ever-changing sea. Each time I look at this photo, I am reminded of the tranquil yet powerful essence of the ocean and how it resonates with my spirit.

The second picture also happens to be from Florida, specifically from the vibrant and beautiful Key West. The pelican, with its graceful wings spread wide, just came to be in the right place at the right time before the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and yellow. The pier extends into the water, while the silhouettes of satellites and palm trees suggest the tropical location. This backdrop scene, with its modern technology says something about the world we live in. Indeed, capturing the moment is the thing here, as it immortalizes not only a fleeting glimpse of nature but also the serenity and charm that Key West offers.

This is taken from my backyard looking at the forest on a misty autumn morning. The atmosphere is so intense, a little bit creepy, but so real and gloomy. The fog wraps around the trees like a delicate curtain, obscuring their forms and creating an air of mystery. It feels as though nature herself is holding her breath, waiting for something to unfold. That is the state of mind in the late autumn, where the beauty of decay intertwines with a haunting stillness.

I go to the Mustio Mansion grounds every summer to capture waterlilies there, because it’s become a cherished tradition for me. There are red, pink, and white ones, each adding a unique charm to the tranquil setting. This image I captured showcases the reflections in the water, while the texture and colors are as vivid as I remember them being. It is also a nicely focused shot, a detail I meticulously strive to achieve each time a click the button. One thing that I always try to get is the perfect angle that not only highlights the exquisite beauty of the waterlilies and serenity of the surrounding.

Waterlily on of my summer must flowers to photograph

This was taken at the Blue Mountains from our trip to Australia, and while I cannot say it is my all-time favorite, it might end up being one. The cloudy day gave the mountains and the forest much better light – more vibrant in a way, as the light was gentle and diffused, not harsh like it often is on sunny days. I am so happy with how I was able to capture the rolling forest and the various shades of green . The beautiful mountains cradled them in warm embrace, standing tall and regal against the moody sky. The delicate yellow flowers on the edge added the perfect pop of color, giving the scene a little more frame and depth, as if nature had intentionally painted this moment for us to enjoy.

Last week I challenged us to focus on portraiture. As usual your responses were wonderful and varied. Many of you, went into it with trepidation from what I read and came out of it lovely images and with more of them than you expected.

Now, Do join us and share with us your five favorite images. Please make sure to link them to Tina’s post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week at noon EST when Egidio once again leads us on his Through Brazilian Eyes post. Until then as always please stay safe, be kind and enjoy the adventure.

See more info about the challenge here

40 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #341 – Personal Favorites”

  5. What a great set o photos, Ritva! love the forest shrouded in fog in late autumn “where the beauty of decay intertwines with a haunting stillness” Marvellous! And i like your Blue Mountains image, too.

  6. This is a fabulous post with the stories behind the amazing photos. I don’t know if I could pick only five. And as I dive into a project to create photo albums (with Shutterfly) of our recent road trips, some of my favorites are ones of us in our adventures! Pictures are just so amazing and bring back great memories! Thank you for sharing, Ritva!

  7. All wonderful choices Ritva – both for their beauty and for the thoughts that came with them. Photography serves as an amazing reminder of moments that might otherwise fade from memory. Loved your post from start to finish!

  9. All are so very beautiful, Ritva, and so are their stories. As I am no sea person, my favourites are your forests – and the water lily of course. The Blue Mountains and your backyard forest are my shining preferences.

  13. So much to love about each of these images.

    They all seem to be favourites of mine too, especially the stormy-looking seascape.

    But I have to say your photo of the Blue Mountains in Australia (my home country) is outstanding. The yellow flowers in the foreground make for a great composition and their bright colour contrasts with the majestic Blue Mountains perfectly.

  17. The light in all these photos is fantastic! I especially love your forest shot and the Blue Mountains (so much depth to the scene!) but all are beautiful 🙂

  19. Your post feels more than just a selection of 5 photos, it’s more of a collection of memories in words and images. Blue Mountains is exceptional among other fantastic shots.

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