Lens-Artists Challenge #53 – Your Choice

“There’s not a word yet, for old friends who’ve just met.”

Jim Henson

ELEPHANT FRIENDSHIP

Today is a very special day for us here at Lens-Artists – the one year anniversary of our Challenge. While we were all initially saddened by the discontinuation of the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, for us it became an opportunity to expand our blogging horizons and to create some amazing new friendships.

LITTLE BIRD BUDDIES

“I am glad you are here with me.”

J.R.R. Tolkien

On our end, we have transitioned from four independent photography bloggers to a tightly-knit team that supports, encourages and helps each other as we develop and create our weekly challenges. We’ve also been fortunate to have expanded our follower base thanks to bloggers like you who support and inspire us.

FRIENDS ARE FUN

“A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.”

Friedrich Nietzsche

As a result, our challenge has become near and dear to each of our hearts. We’ve gone well beyond being individual members of a team and have become four good friends. We are tremendously thankful to you for your appreciation of our efforts; and for making us smile or feel touched by your responses. As our thank you for your support and encouragement, we’re suggesting that you respond to today’s challenge with any subject that’s near and dear to YOUR hearts, as we’ve done with our images today. If you’d prefer some guidance, choose any of the four subjects we’ve selected this week (Friendship, Imagination, Connected or A Country that’s special to you).

LONG TIME FRIENDS

“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.”

Maya Angelou

Each of us has included several captures that are special to us in some way. Mine are from some of my favorite places (Africa, China, Israel and Jordan) as well as my home in Lowcountry South Carolina. They recognize the value and importance of friendship – which for me has been the biggest surprise and the most important byproduct of hosting the Lens-Artist challenge.

KIDDERS IN KEFFIYEHS

“By chance we met, by choice we become friends”

Millie

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for making this such a terrific experience. If you have a subject that you feel might inspire us, please feel free to suggest it – we’d love to hear from you. Should you be new to our challenge and interested in joining us, please click here and be sure to include the Lens-Artists TAG so we can all find you. Happy Blogging to all of our loyal followers and friends, and Happy Anniversary to us!

GUNS AND GUY PALS

“There is no gift like friendship.”

Rudyard Kipling

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?

Each week on Lens-Artists, we highlight several responses from among our followers. This special week we’d like to thank ALL of our followers for their thoughtful, funny, often-feisty and always wonderful posts. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do, and will continue to join us as we move into year two of the Lens-Artists Challenge.

See you next week when Patti resumes our normal schedule at her Pilotfish blog.

Tags: ANNIVERSARY, FRIENDSHIP

166 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #53 – Your Choice”

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Len Kagami on July 13, 2019 at 12:15 pm said:

Beautiful and touching photos! I especially love the Elephant Friendship. A bit late but Happy First Anniversary! 😉

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- Tina Schell on July 13, 2019 at 2:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks Len, a personal favorite as well. They are such amazing creatures
  
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Lindy Le Coq on July 12, 2019 at 8:52 pm said:

Cheers to the completion of a whole year! You four are an incredible inspiration.
https://lindylecoq.com/2019/07/13/lens-artists-photo-challenge-53-your-choice/

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- Tina Schell on July 13, 2019 at 7:21 am said:
  
  Many thanks lindy. We appreciate your participation and support!
  
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Pingback: ~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 53: Your Choice ~ | Lindy Low LeCoq
Sylvia Bacon www.mycolorfulexpressions.com on July 12, 2019 at 8:10 pm said:

Tina, love seeing your wonderful images!! Must admit though the first one of the elephants tugs at my heart strings…..an awesome picture! And always enjoy seeing the others, especially Guns and Guy Pals!
Decided to take a different road and made the choice to do black and white; here is the link https://mycolorfulexpressions.com/lens-artists-photo-challenge-53-choices-black-and-white/

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- Tina Schell on July 13, 2019 at 7:24 am said:
  
  Thanks Sylvia-always good to have you with us!
  
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Andrew Seal on July 12, 2019 at 7:54 pm said:

Hard to believe that a year has gone by Tina. It seem like only yesterday you all began. Congratulations for inspiring us with all your lovely photos and happy anniversary. Here’s to the next year 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 13, 2019 at 7:25 am said:
  
  It does indeed Andrew! Thanks very much – stop in and join us now and then when your artistic muse moves you!
  
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  - Andrew Seal on July 13, 2019 at 12:29 pm said:
    
    I may surprise you one of these days. Life is all about the new baby at the moment 😊
  - Tina Schell on July 13, 2019 at 2:52 pm said:
    
    Of course it is Andrew! Are they close by??
  - Andrew Seal on July 14, 2019 at 10:35 am said:
    
    Fortunately yes. 7 mins away 😊
  - Tina Schell on July 14, 2019 at 5:15 pm said:
    
    Oh my, lucky you two!
oneletterup on July 12, 2019 at 12:08 pm said:

Family connections came to mind with this week’s challenge. Happy Anniversary! Love your wonderful photos and expressive subjects 🙂

http://oneletterup.com/2019/07/12/choice-connections

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- Tina Schell on July 12, 2019 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Many thanks, both for your comment and your participation. It’s been a great week for all of us here at Lens-Artists
  
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onemillionphotographs on July 12, 2019 at 7:21 am said:

https://onemillionphotographs.com/2019/07/12/7246-orange-in-the-miraflores-neighborhood-of-lima-peru/

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Bailey Schell on July 11, 2019 at 3:20 pm said:

Tina I and your legion of followers are well aware of your talents for beautiful photography, brilliant writing and the ability to knot it all together with meaningful quotes. However what i admire most is your DEDICATION to this project, endless hours, angst when things are not perfect, joy when they are and the tenacity to save the challenge. HAVE ANOTHER GREAT YEAR. Proud to be your partner.

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- Tina Schell on July 11, 2019 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  Although you are clearly prejudiced, I still appreciate your beautiful message, and even more your patience with my level of commitment. It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without your support 😍😍
  
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Cee Neuner on July 11, 2019 at 12:47 pm said:

Oh what fabulous photos you have Tina.
Here is my entry for the week. 😀
https://ceenphotography.com/2019/07/11/lens-artists-photo-challenge-53-your-choice/

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- Tina Schell on July 11, 2019 at 3:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks Cee, so glad to have your participation and support!
  
  >
  
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Photography Journal Blog on July 11, 2019 at 1:42 am said:

I love “Little Bird Buddies” but what a lovely collection of images. I chose the idea of a Country that is special to you and wrote about a recent day trip:https://wp.me/p2owKx-1d7
Cheers, Amy

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- Tina Schell on July 11, 2019 at 7:44 am said:
  
  Thanks Amy! Appreciate your joining us-today and throughout the year.
  
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Sue (Mac's Girl) on July 10, 2019 at 1:10 pm said:

Fantastic pictures, Tina! Every one of them! Thanks for giving us this opportunity to share some of our favorites.

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- Tina Schell on July 10, 2019 at 1:50 pm said:
  
  Our pleasure Sue, thanks for your continued support of our challenge!
  
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anjum wasim dar on July 10, 2019 at 6:18 am said:

In Response to Amy’s Connection
https://anjumwasimdar.wordpress.com/2019/07/10/for-lens-artists-challenge-53-your-choice-my-second-choice-connection-by-amy-connecting-generations/

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Manja Mexi Movie on July 9, 2019 at 11:47 pm said:

Congratulations on one year of your wonderful challenge! It’s been a pleasure taking part. To many more years!

Here is my choice: the selection of 20 images from 20 of my many Lens-Artists posts:
https://manjameximoving.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/one-year-of-lens-artists-photo-challenge/

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- Tina Schell on July 10, 2019 at 8:25 am said:
  
  We so appreciate your support and participation MMM – looking forward to seeing more of you in year two!
  
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David M on July 9, 2019 at 12:05 pm said:

Here’s my choice for the challenge:

https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2019/07/09/lens-artists-photo-challenge-your-choice/

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Ana Linden on July 9, 2019 at 10:16 am said:

Happy Anniversary, Tina! Thank you for being part of the Lens-Artists challenge, for being here with us and for us every week, thus helping preserve those budding virtual friendships from the days of the WP Challenge!

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- Tina Schell on July 9, 2019 at 2:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Ana, for your much-appreciated comment and for your participation and support
  
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  - Ana Linden on July 9, 2019 at 3:47 pm said:
    
    It was my pleasure, Tina.
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Hammad Rais on July 9, 2019 at 6:29 am said:

Many congratulations on you, Patti, Ann-Christine and Amy on Lens-Artists’s first anniversary. The very collaboration of yours certainly have opened new doors for WordPress community to not only share part of the world we live in, but also what we dream and cherish about.
Which is a big feat, I say 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 9, 2019 at 7:13 am said:
  
  Thank you for the lovely comment Hammad, and for your support and participation
  
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Wish on July 8, 2019 at 7:36 pm said:

Hi Tina, I’ve just found your blog and read that wp don’t run the photo challenge any more. I got started in blogging through that challenge, putting my father’s war photos up each week. A while ago I changed to .org which is separate yet still with a thread connecting the 2 wp blog types, which is how I found you. I’m keen to join your challenge.

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 11:40 pm said:
  
  So glad you found us. We look forward to having you join us!
  
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Jane Lurie on July 8, 2019 at 3:53 pm said:

Congratulations on your anniversary and your achievements, Tina.

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 6:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane
  
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Jane Iwan on July 8, 2019 at 3:28 pm said:

Great post, Tina. Really interesting shots

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane, glad you enjoyed
  
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David on July 8, 2019 at 1:50 pm said:

Congratulations on the first anniversary.

How did your grand-daughter do at the show in Vermont? My guess is she did well. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 6:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks David! She did well but it was really a test run for her. Much bigger environment and a newer horse for her. She placed mid-pack in several of her rides which she was happy with. She’s used to first or second in smaller shows so this was a learning experience for her. Thanks for asking!
  
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  - David on July 9, 2019 at 1:27 pm said:
    
    Nice your grand-daughter did well at the larger show, and with a newer horse. Finishing farther back on the leaderboard keeps the expectations and pressure in check, giving more time to work on things. 🙂
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aakanewicloudcom on July 8, 2019 at 9:46 am said:

WOW what a fabulous post Tina!!! I so enjoyed each & every shot along with each n every word which u so brilliantly write😜 I also enjoyed sitting here thinking about your challenge👍 first thing that comes to my mind is PEACE…I think that we can all benefit by having more peace in our lives & in our world…which certainly incorporates friendships..Thank U Tina for this very thoughtful post👍

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  Peace is a great suggestion April, thanks. And thanks as always for your continued support
  
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restlessjo on July 8, 2019 at 3:23 am said:

May I join you, Tina? I can’t match your photography, but probably your passion. 🙂 🙂 https://restlessjo.me/2019/07/08/jos-monday-walk-cosmopolitan-horta/

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 7:46 am said:
  
  Always Jo! Proud to be part of your beautiful post – thanks so much!
  
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  - restlessjo on July 8, 2019 at 8:49 am said:
    
    😊😊
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I. J. Khanewala on July 7, 2019 at 11:34 pm said:

A very happy birthday. Thanks also for taking over a network and nurturing it.

https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/only-connect/

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 7:47 am said:
  
  our pleasure IJ- thanks very much for your support and participation
  
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aekshots on July 7, 2019 at 11:24 pm said:

Well done Tina…can’t believe it’s been a year already. Glad to see you guys are keeping it going 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 8, 2019 at 7:53 am said:
  
  Many thanks Andy! Happy to see your name pop up 😊. Hope alls well on your end
  
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  - aekshots on July 10, 2019 at 9:10 pm said:
    
    Been meaning to jump back in Tina…still taking shots but just can’t seem to find the time to get back into that weekly posting routine.
  - Tina Schell on July 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm said:
    
    No worries Andy—jump in any time. Would love to have you join us whenever you can!