Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – Favorite Images of 2020

“A new beginning is a blank canvas ready and thirsty for paint. “
Chaker Khazaal
The Lens-Artists team is back after our brief hiatus and is happy to wish a warm welcome to 2021. More than ever, this New Year brings with it a sense of hope that life will return to something closer to normal – perhaps with a greater appreciation for what is most important. Our annual “Favorite Images of the Year ” challenge presents a different opportunity this time around. While typically we might include visits to faraway lands, or to family in other places, 2020 was a very different year. Rather than highlight what I might consider 2020’s best photography, I’ve chosen instead to include images that tell my personal story for 2020.
I’ve opened with an image taken during our only trip of 2020, an early March visit with family in New York City. In fact, it was the last time we were with any of our family, our biggest disappointment this bizarre year. As it happens, we were but one tiny step ahead of the first major outbreak in New York. We remember joking about it, thinking it had been over-hyped and was nothing to worry about. We could not have been more wrong and in fact our timing was simply pure, dumb luck.

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.”
Josiyah Martin
We returned to the shelter of our small island, where we have taken advantage of fresh air, nature’s many gifts, and relative safety. As the COVID storm swirled around us we were able to spend time with friends – our pod members if you will – playing golf, walking the beach, bicycling and dining outside in our typically mild climate. We were unable to visit our families, and prevented from traveling for pleasure, but because we have been much more fortunate than so many others we cannot help but count our blessings.

A new dawn always breaks after darkness, but only those who have survived the night live to see it.”
Tristan Roulot
I will admit my enthusiasm for photography waned a bit this year, as the news continued to grow darker each day. Having become used to seeing new faces and places, the idea of capturing the “same old thing” failed to interest me. It was a visit with a friend whose beautiful garden drew me in that helped me to remember Mother Nature’s wonders were more than worthy of my attention. The luscious fruit above was one of my many images that day.

“You can do the impossible, because you have been through the unthinkable.”
Christina Rasmussen
Once re-energized it seemed nature’s gifts were everywhere. I took to biking around the island with my camera, with an eye toward being more observant. It was on those outings that I captured the images above and below.

“The key to a better life isn’t always a change of scenery. Sometimes it simply requires opening your eyes.”
Richelle E. Goodrich
Happily, our local photography club continued its weekly meetings using Zoom. We were able to host amazing professionals who would otherwise have been on the road leading groups exploring exotic locations. There were wonderful opportunities for expanding our skills, including an introduction to the concept of Wabi-Sabi which struck a chord with me. The two images that follow resulted from that session, which explored the beauty that can be found both in aging and imperfection (two concepts with which I am very familiar 😊).

“The days without difficulty are the days you do not improve.”
Evan Winter

“The great lessons in life often come to us through some form of extreme hardship.”
Robert White
Our lives are filled with moments of wonder that offset times of difficulty and hardship. It is only through the latter that we learn to better appreciate the former. Let us hope that if nothing else, 2020 has shown us that the curveballs life throws us are opportunities for growth that once overcome, strengthen our resolve to keep moving forward.

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.”
Og Mandino
We are excited to announce that next week’s challenge will be guest hosted by Slow Shutter Speed’s Anne Sandler. Be sure to stop by her blog this week to see her beautiful photography and to make sure you don’t miss her post next Saturday at noon EST.
As the sun sets on 2020, may 2021 bring peace, good health, and moments of joy to us all. We look forward to seeing YOUR favorite images of 2020 and understanding why you’ve chosen them. Remember to link them to my original post, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. As always, we greatly appreciate your continued support of our challenge and the creativity of your responses.
Pingback: 20 for 20: Foto(ein)s for 2020 | Fotoeins Fotografie
Pingback: Natural Light – Heavens Sunshine
Ciao Tina. Here is my entry. Hope you like my shots…
Enjoy
https://wp.me/pjXOq-3lB
Wanderful Shots Tina !!! My favorite is the second but are all really beautiful .
Ciao e Buon Anno !
Max
Many thanks Max – Ciao e Buon Anno to you too!
Pingback: 2020 Photos in Review | Albatz Travel Adventures
You chose some beautiful photos of your island Tina. Here are my choices for 2020
https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/lens-artists-challenge-favorites-of-2020/
Many thanks Nora – off to see your choices!
Definitely the last selection!
https://helensphotomania.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/lens-artists-challenge-129-my-favourite-images-of-2020-take-3/
LOL, thanks for sharing Helen.
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – My Favourite Images of 2020 – Take 3 | Helen's Photomania Blog
Pingback: Favorite Images of 2020 - A Year in Review ~ Rambling ranger
hi tina, i like the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th especially each one has something special, here is my contribution for this week, https://wp.me/p2AvI7-3Gd.
and a great year with many wonderful pictures
many greeings robert
Thanks so much Robert, for your lovely comment and for your support of our challenge throughout the year. Wishing you a wonderful, creative year as well.
Pingback: lens-artists photo challenge 129 favorite images of 2020 – photo roberts blog
Pingback: 2020 Moments – Ana Linden
Pingback: Puppy-Girl-Approved Reflection of 2020 – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
Pingback: Foto Friday #114 – Grammy Writes
Thank you Tina Schell.
Love the aerial view with one the wing of the plane.
Love the impressionist and painterly clicks.
Here is my contribution
https://philosophyvia.photos/2021/01/08/lens-artists-challenge-129-favorite-images-of-2020/
Many thanks Philo – hopefully we’ll be having such a view again soon 😊
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – Favorite Images of 2020 – Philosophy Through Photography
Pingback: Best of 2020 according my photos – Eat, Play, Live
So many lovely images Tina. I particularly like the beach scene.. it’s soooo inviting ! and age and beauty.
I decided to do a second selection and will probably do a 3rd tomorrow as I am enjoying looking back. Thank you for inspiring me to do that.
https://helensphotomania.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/lens-artists-challenge-129-my-favourite-images-of-2020-take-2/
Our pleasure Helen – have been enjoying your selections! Rather like choosing your favorite child, isn’t it?!
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – My Favourite Images of 2020 – Take 2 | Helen's Photomania Blog
Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC-129-2020-Favourites – WoollyMuses
This is a wonderful, warmhearted retrospective, Tina. With the current situation I find much comfort and appreciation through your creativity and superb photos, kind words and inspiring quotes. It’s indeed like a cuddle! 💞
Warm greetings to you and yours from the Norfolk Coast 🌊
The Fab Four 💃🏼🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🚶🏼♂️
Thanks so much Hanne et al! We are off to a difficult start to the new year but hopeful that things will begin to improve soon. At least nature continues to thrive, pandemic notwithstanding. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.
Pingback: 2020 Favourites | Story Twigs the Imagination!
Pingback: https://joollychic.wordpress.com
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Favorites of 2020 | Journeys with Johnbo
Hi Tina, I enjoyed your post – variety and richness — a top quote :
“The days without difficulty are the days you do not improve.” and smiled with your note on age and imperfection – haha – such a beautiful part of life too 🙂
and here is my link for the 2020 in review https://wp.me/p1VBv6-5dR
happy new year
Many thanks Ms. Yvette, yes, definitely beats the alternative! Thanks for joining us and Happy 2021 to you.
😊☀️☀️☀️
Pingback: Consider Making the Most of Plan C (2020 in Review) – priorhouse blog
Pingback: 2020 Landscapes – Beyond the Window Box
Pingback: Photo Challenge – Lens-Artists: Favorite Images of 2020 – Photography in Pearls
Love this idea, brings back memories of 2020. your photos are so artistic. I tried to do a pingback ..not sure it it went through. Here is my post https://100countrytrek.com/2021/01/06/lens-artists-challenge-129-favorite-images-of-2020/
Pingback: Lens-Artists #129: 2020 Favorites – Musin' With Susan
Here’s mine TIna and gosh it wasn’t at all easy ! https://helensphotomania.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/lens-artists-challenge-129-my-favourite-images-of-2020/
So happy to have you joining us Helen. Hope we see much more of you through the new year.
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – My Favourite Images of 2020 | Helen's Photomania Blog
I can see why they’re your favorites!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed. Wishing you all the best in the new year.
Pingback: 2020 -This is the Year That Was. – HorseAddict
Wonderful photos Tina and thank you so much for your fun challenge! Have a wonderful and safe new year! https://thankfulbylily.ca/2021/01/05/lens-artists-129-fav-images-of-2020/
Thanks so much Lily and all the best to you in the new year as well!
Pingback: Lens-Artists #129 – Fav. Images of 2020 – tbl
Another great post – just adore the ghost forest pic! Here is my offering: https://maximizingluxurytravel.com/2021/01/05/lens-artists-challenge-129-favorite-images-of-2020/
Thanks Karen – it’s a really beautiful, ethereal spot. I was there this week on a sunny day and much prefer it when it’s cloudy or stormy!
Happy New Year, Tina. As usual, you pictures never disappoint. The picture of the bluebells with the little mothy clinger couldn’t be more elegant. Thank you for the challenge to post best pictures. Sometimes the ones that tell the story are not the best, but then I realize, I could cut back on the words! 🙂 The world doesn’t need to know how many times I washed my hands for 20 seconds. 🙂
LOL, our poor hands may never recover from the over-washing Marsha! Thanks for stopping by and for your good wishes. How fun that you get to explore your new surroundings during COVID- it must almost feel like a vacation! All the best to you in 2021
We have not come out of vacation mode yet, Tina. LOL. I’m up to Feb. with my post. I’m not doing well with cutting back! It was a busy year.
LOL, hard to believe isn’t it Marsha?!
Indeed it is! 🥰🥰🥰
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129: Favorite Images of 2020 – The Sandy Chronicles
Pingback: Favourite images of 2020 | Zimmerbitch
Fabulous retrospective, Tina. Your images help to lift our spirits and spread light and beauty to all of us. I know what you mean about struggling at different points to pick up a camera. But your persistence shows that beauty can emerge even in times of darkness. All the best in the new year, Tina. Plenty of good health, joy, and satisfaction to you and all your loved ones.
Many thanks Patti – I’ll admit I did miss those wonderful images we take in faraway places, but it was gratifying to get closer to nature and its power to revitalize us when times are difficult. Photography as you well know adds yet another element of interest to it. The same good wishes to you and yours in the year ahead my friend.
I agree. Faraway places will never lose their allure! Thank you for the good wishes, Tina. Your friendship is a gift, too.
Sending high hopes for a better year, though the next week or two are likely to be rocky!
https://lindylecoq.com/2021/01/05/lens-artists-photo-challenge-129-favorite-images-from-2020/
Thanks Lindy – sadly I fear it will be fairly rocky through the spring although I am hoping to be wrong! Wishing you good health and much happiness in the coming year.
Pingback: ~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #129: Favorite images from 2020 ~ | Lindy Low LeCoq
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – Favorite Photos of 2020 – John's Space …..
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #129 – Favorite Images of 2020 – https://joollychic.wordpress.com
Pingback: Best of Each Week in 2020 | The Day After
Pingback: Favorite Images of 2020 |
Pingback: Favourite Image of 2020 – My French Chronicles
What a fabulous collection. I’ve chosen pictures from NYC too. But your lest one, “light at the end of the tunnel” is dreamy and all softness. Like a cuddle. Let’s hope this the kinder of tenderness we’ll get from 2021… eventually!
Happy New Year.
https://lesfrenchchronicles.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/favourite-image-of-2020/
An excellent wish for the new year VO – thanks very much!
Nice blog
Thank you Shristy