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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Tell Us Why

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Tina of Travels and Trifles is an award-winning photographer. Her challenge this week is a tough one: “choose up to a MAXIMUM OF TEN images which are your all-time favorites. No matter the subject or how long ago they were taken, you need to TELL US WHY you chose them. If you select images for their sentimental value they should still be strong from a technical perspective.“

This one always gets great reviews, and I’ve posted it a few times. It’s got the “WOW!” factor of an exceptional landscape that shows depth, scale, color, and unique geographical features. Steve is the human scale model in the lower third, perfectly placed. I love how it turned out! I also love that it was an absolute WOW moment in real life. We’d driven a long way from Wisconsin to the Badlands of South Dakota, and this was our first view of the Sage Creek Wilderness, where we’d be camping. We pulled over at this vista to stretch our legs and take a look. And yes, WOW!

This one is a shot that I was really excited about. I had just bought myself my first digital camera for my 50th birthday and was learning how to use it. We were out on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail when these sandhill cranes suddenly took flight just yards away from us. I quickly shot off my new Canon without even looking at the settings, and this is what I got. I was thrilled! The clarity, color, wing position, composition with birds and clouds…everything came together in an instant without any forethought. What luck!

I think I did a pretty good job depicting this iconic Wisconsin landmark. I got the rule of thirds in the composition, great Fall color, and an interesting sky. After I posted it, someone contacted me asking to use the image on a Memorial Service leaflet. I consented proudly.

I was both thrilled and terrified when my son asked me to do his wedding photo shoot. Outdoors, to boot. I’d never studied portrait photography, never even played around with it much. The weather was perfect, fill-in flash helped eliminate shadows, somehow I got the lighting to work with their very contrasting skin tones, but the fact that they’re both ridiculously photogenic was my absolute best strategy. It all worked out beautifully! I love the old-fashioned lace and the Mona Lisa smile in this one.

This one may be my technical best. I took a long time playing with exposure settings to get the water to do that impressive silky thing. Then a Lens-Artist Challenge taught me how to soften the image in post processing (thank you, Bren Brashley!) to create a dreamy look that I really love. This is Alsea Falls in Oregon, my new home state, so it also represents a journey.

These four just prove that there are plenty of fascinating things in the natural world that make great images when you capture them in their ordinary splendor. Color, depth of field, cropping, and getting close make them stand out.

This final one is my favorite as a photo journal; it really tells a story. There’s mood and action, reflection and great light. Plus, it’s my daughter on the Oregon Coast, so it’s sentimental to me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my favorite photos…again. And learning why I think they’re special. I love seeing your favorites, your travels, and hearing your stories. Thanks, Lens-Artists!

22 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Tell Us Why”

  3. Priscilla, I absolutely loved your post this week. Yes I’d seen several of these before but they mean so much more having heard your explanations. The badlands image is fantastic and I hadn’t thought about your son and his bride having contrasting skin tones but you’re so right that is a BIG challenge and you definitely rose to it with some wonderful results. The cranes made me very jealous as I’ve never seen them and I’d really love to. Terrific job this week!

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  4. I was literally saying myself WOW when I saw the first photo and before reading caption for that. Great photos. Love the Autumns colors and the Alsea Falls long exposure.

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  5. So special!!! All of them. A few I remember like the first and the one of your son and daughter-in-law. I love the stories you shared with us, Priscilla. Photos change with the story intertwined. Good on you for capturing the Wisconsin landmark and being selected to have it on a leaflet. You should be proud. And I especially love the photo of your daughter on the Oregon Coast. I loved this….ALL.

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  6. What a wonderful collection, Priscilla! I totally enjoyed your photos and the stories that explained each situation, challenge. I am drawn to the one of the Badlands….What a view!

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  7. Beautifully chosen and explained, Priscilla – but I didn’t expect anything else! I love, love that first one. Ever since I saw it the first time, it sends glorious vibes. Your wedding photography is beautiful, and the last one of your daughter sends happy smiles to me.

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  8. My comment went away! Again – love that first one ever since I first saw it. Glorious. Your wedding photography is delightful and the last one – sends happy vibes!

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