Our team is back and we wish you welcome to 2021. This New Year comes with much hope for the future. Maybe more than ever –
It was as if the land opened its lips and breathed again, and was made anew.
― Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Our “Favorite Images of the Year ” challenge will be a bit different – as this whole year, 2020, has been different. No visits to foreign lands or faraway places. Instead it opens for images that tell something of our own journey for 2020. For me, this year meant living in my bubble, struggling to stay reasonably sane. So much less camera…and so much less energy – but still, here’s my year through lens and sense.
I begin with my absolute favourite image for 2020 – the broken window with wine leaves and the last rays of sun. From here I will travel backwards in time, down to when it all started, somewhere in January/February.
― Oprah Winfrey
A friend of mine said to me, ”…this image is like a symbol of 2020: restriction and restraint for everything beautiful.” Maybe so, but, being a person who constantly seeks beauty, I will always try to find it, and to portray it – no matter what.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. —Lao Tzu
In September my mother left us. Unexpectedly and unforeseen. And Autumn darkness at the door. After the funeral I went from feeling low to feeling exhausted and powerless. No recharging at hand. Even on our hikes I seldom brought my camera.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
A highlight in the autumn darkness was the visit to IFÖ center and the artists’ studios there. I brought my camera… Creativity is contagious – not dangerous.
My garden was a special joy this summer. And I finally got my glasshouse – hopefully there will be new plants in spring!
New life is slowly growing where my forest once was. I clearly remember this uplifting day watching the clouds sailing low, like cottonballs dropped from the sky.
A new hiking area – we walked all familiar areas and even some new ones this Spring. Nothing compares to Mother Nature when it comes to healing. A sunny day, open fields, lovely old houses – the closest we could get to an ordinary day and a normal life.
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. – Khalil Gibran
In the sandy soil of southwestern Skåne…you will find the most beautiful of spring flowers – the Pasqueflower. Only about 7 centimeters high, but abundant here. It felt comforting to lie down and touch the earth, knowing it is still there…
A lovely winter’s morning before the world changed… before everything we knew as normal was … gone.
In retrospect, I realize I have made more images than I knew of… despite this invisible invader and its impact on all our lives. Now we can only wish the vaccine will help us come back to easier and brighter days. The wiser. The first thing I would do… is go to a café for a nice cup of coffee and a tasty piece of cake – and quietly sit down to watch smiling people passing by.
We are excited to announce that next week’s challenge will be guest hosted by Slow Shutter Speed’s Anne Sandler. Do stop by her blog this week to see her beautiful photography and don’t miss her post next Saturday at noon EST.
May 2021 bring peace, health, and happy moments to us all. We look forward to seeing Your favorite images of 2020 and understanding why you’ve chosen them. Please link them to Tina’s 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 inventive creativity of your responses.
Leya 
Oh my, what an eagle! 😮 And the flowers just above it, such detail. Wonderful, all. ❤ You make a good year even out of a really bad one.
Ha, thank you, Manja! When i was going to put the post together I thought there would be nothing positive to add…I was surprised!
Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC-131-Emotions – WoollyMuses
Thanks for the year in review, Ann-Christine!
Thank you for reading, Henry – the same to you!
Pingback: Sunday Stills: Lighting Up the #Night – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Such a magic collection! I can see they came from your heart .. thanks for sharing 🙂
Julie, it did – and I am happy to share!
Leya, I am so sorry about your mother’s passing. The only thing that made it bearable for me was that she was suffering so much. Your pictures show a wide range of emotions. The fierceness and even anger in the red eyes of the owl, the strength of his wingspan. Then quite an opposite feeling with the dainty flowers against the blue sky – happy child-like good times. The stillness of leaves in the autumn. I love the swirl. I want to learn more about that. Your macros – so bold and vibrant. So even though your year 2020 was a sad one and COVID made everyone’s year weirder than weird, your pictures remain constantly inspiring. Have a wonderful 2021, Leya. 🙂
I am so happy you enjoyed them, Marsha! Wishing you a great new year with much joy!
Thank you, Leya
Such beautiful images AC! I might have to investigate how to do the swirl effect. The eyes on that owl are intense – beautiful bird! And of course, I love the puppies – always. So, because I am optimistic and one full of hope, we may be doing some hiking for 9 days in the Lofoten Islands this summer. I am trying to figure out what to do for another 6 or so days after in Scandinavia. We will probably skip Sweden, but am wondering what your thoughts are about Denmark and Finland. Most likely interested in something active. Would love your thoughts!
Interesting, Pam. Active…well then Denmark will be a bit more difficult. Maybe biking then – no mountains in Denmark…Norway and Sweden have got beautiful hiking trails. Finland I don’t know much about, but many Swedish photographers go there for wild life photography.
Ah…the mail went away too fast! Finland is also renowned for its numerous lakes and fishing possibilities. In Norway there ar glcier walks. If the glaciers are still there…
Lofoten is a gem. Well chosen.
Best
AC
Thanks AC! The wind blew and I think we are going to do a coast to coast hike in England. After Covid, we are craving some trail camaraderie 💕
Ok – wish you a great hike anyway. But you MUST try Lofoten some day!
Oh yes! It’s been on the list for a while 💕
Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC-129-2020-Favourites – WoollyMuses
WOW. Great photos A-C. VERY well done.
Thank you, John! this time they all came directly from my heart.♥
Your photos are stunning! I love the fall tree lined road. I joined in this month as well
https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunday-stills-my-2020-in-retrospect.html
So glad you liked my autumn trees. Thank you for joining in!
A-C ,,, stunningly beautiful -AGAIN!!!! My favourite images … our common window … pasqueflower and the Stockholm Central station. *smile Happy New Year, Dearest.
God fortsättning på Dig. Har haft väldigt problem med mitt öga igen och just nu tycker jag det mesta är ”skit! – haft huvudvärk i snart en vecka. Bättre idag och nu har jag bokat för isfestivalen i Poznan. Skam den som ger sig.
Du är makalös, Viveka! Hoppas ögat fixar sig nu också – huvudvärk är inget kul. Åtminstone jag orkar inte göra något alls med huvudvärk. Isfestivalen i höst då? Vi vågar inte beställa något alls…biljetter ligger ute och pengar likaså sen innan…
Har du någon Eha som fått min e-mailadress? Fick ett fint mail som säger att du är inblandad?
Your creativity seems to have expanded in response to this sad and dark year, Ann-Christine, but even so there is much light in your photos. I love them all, especially the window and the train station. Can I ask whether you feel slightly removed from your photos? I feel this about them but that may just be in the eye of the beholder.
Glad you like those – but I will have to ask you about ”removed from” – I am not familiar with the phrase except meaning I am absent in the photos. And I guess that is not what you are after… Could you explain, please? The phrase must have another meaning. Distant? Happy to learn a new expression.
I shouldn’t have mentioned it, AC. It guess I meant present but not quite present (not physically), but still very beautiful.
Maybe you felt my distancing from everything this year…my lack of energy.
That could be it. I would love to see another photo of the autumn avenue when you are feeling better about the world and have more energy. I wonder whether it will look and feel much the same? Perhaps there will be an evolution in many people’s photographic interpretations ….
Why not? I doubt it though, that I would have that’s sunny minute once more in life. I go there once every autumn when the weather is possible. Or I might use photoshop😊
The wonders of PS. 🙂
😊
What an amazing series Ann-Christine. All your images are exquisite…can’t get enough of it. I keep on scrolling up and down.
Wow, so happy you like them! They are from my heart, really.
It really sounds and looks that way A-C!
♥
Very beautiful photos!
/Skvitt
Thank you so much!
This is such a beautiful post; every image marrying so well with your words. I so hope that 2021 is a much kinder year to you.
I wish so too, Su, thank you. And still, I am grateful, there are so many having a disastrous time right now. All the best for you and yours!
Stunning photos and text, AC! Your post spreads light and joy to all of us. Fabulous! Thanks for the smile and renewing my sense of wonder about the world’s beauty.❤️
♥ You are very kind and supportive, Patti. We all need wonders in our lives. And we all need to support each other.
❤️
Wonderful photos, Ann-Christine! I love your window too, and your pasque flowers are beautifully lit, but they are all great images. I was sorry to hear about you mum. I hope this coming year brings some happiness for you and also for more opportunities for you to capture more images for your followers in 2021.
You are very kind, I wish us all a Better New Year too. And more photographic opportunities!
Great selection of photos to show off your work. I remember when I first saw your photo of the broken window. It is a symphony of light, shade, and harmony with the background lighting! Beautiful capture.
Glad you like it too, John. It was hard to walk away from that window.
Excellent collection . Hope 2021 will be joyful
Thank you – wishing the same for you!
Ann Christine this is s very powerful collection of photos. Each photo tells me of your emotional reaction to the time. On reading through this post I feel that I have come through 2020 with you. I wish you all the best of health and peace for 2021.
Anne, thank you for your support and for your journey with me through a troublesome year. I wish for us all Better New Year.
Beautiful set. The release of the eagle-owl is absolutely stuning.
Thank you – that was indeed a wonderful moment to be there. So grateful to have seen it. They are majestic.
What a wonderful post so full of emotion and beauty. Just lovely. I really enjoyed reading it. 🤗 I sincerely hope 2021 holds something wonderful for you.
Thank you, Lisa – and I hope 2021 holds something good for all of us – we need it!
Wonderful collection of photos!
Thank you so much, Anne! I think I relived that year thoroughly doing the post…
On my my … this is a fabulous collection. Thank you. Sorry, can’t do a favorite because of too many fabulous choices. But my fav finalists would include the rose, the first dog photo whose fur mimic’s the tree bark, the opening pic, and the snail. Simply a stunning collection. Thank you for sharing with us.
So happy you liked my choices, Frank! I had a great time doing the post too.
This truly must be one of the most beautiful collections of photos I have ever seen posted . . . it will be reposted to friends, filed and cherished . . . . meanwhile Health and contentment in the months arriving . . . problems of the world do not look at calendars . . . . matters will improve when it is time . . . best . . .
Thank you for a lovely comment – it truly made my day!
Wow, what an amazing series, A-C! Love your creative works. All are stunning via your lens.
Thank you so much, Amy! Always supportive!
Am amazing collection of images. Your year has not been the easiest one. For those of us that have lost loved ones this year it has been particularly hard. But your creativity wins through in the end. Here is to a brighter 2021.
Cheers, my friend! We have had a tough time many of us – a brighter 2021 is the hope!
🙂
Love the photo of the brilliant yellow leaves! Worth the wait. And I’m so glad you four ladies ae again sponsoring the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges. They’re fun! And we get to see parts of the world we can’t visit!
Thank you, Rusha and your whole family!
Oh Leya, what a marvelous post. I know you had a horrific 2020. I am hoping that you regain some sense of peace and life in 2021. Sending you lots of love and virtual hugs from my corner of the world.
And back to you from my corner, Cee! You had a tough time too with the fires and all. Take care and stay well – all of you.
The glory of that row of golden trees, but you not feeling it. I know that feeling because sometimes I look around me with wonder, but sometimes, no matter how beautiful the world, it’s hard to smile. You tell it so well, Ann Christine. And so we journey on… 🙂 🙂 Sending hugs!
Yes…so we journey on. Nothing to do but just that, is there? Thank you for your always lovely comments, Jo!
A gorgeous set, Leya. Thanks for the reminder about swirls. They are fun and I haven’t done one for awhile!
Glad you liked it, Susan – and yes, have to try some swirls again!
Stunning images, Leya! You have a wide range of talent in the different types of photography. As someone who lost a mom last year, I feel your pain. I’m sure you will remember her smile in the flowers you see which may always be a testament to your love for her. You have a beautiful garden and I’m sure you’re excited about your greenhouse. Looking forward to more of your photography in 2021!
Thank you kindly, Terri – we will see each other now and then in the blogosphere!
The broken window, I just loved. But then came another one and another one… I can’t choose…
♥ They are all for you!
Beautiful images reflecting our Covid year Ann Christine! I am so sorry about your mother. May her memory be a blessing. As for 2021: We can move past this pandemic and back to whatever normal will be for us. Stay safe.
Thank you, Anne – I wish you the same, and take care.
I saw some amazing pictures in this 2020 collection. 🙂
May 2021 bring us a more joyful year…
Thank you – Cheers to that!
I can certainly see why those are your favourites!
Thank you – glad you like them too!
Oh Ann-Christine, you have truly outdone yourself this week. Your images are spectacular and they truly tell your story.. Each one stands on its own as a wonderful work of art, and yet together they take us along with you through a year of extremes – from turmoil and despair to salvation. You have shown us the best of mother nature including the love of a mother for her children and the sadness of a daughter who has lost her mother as well as the restorative capability of a single flower or a puffy cloud. I cannot choose a single image because it would be shameful to separate one from the story. But know that each is perfection and tells its part of the story perfectly.
Tina. Big tears are falling here – you are very kind. And I think I used too many images…but the year and the story craved them. I so appreciate your thoughts and words. You know that. It has been a tough year for us all.
♥
What gorgeous images, Ann-Christine.
I love the opening window shot and its soft editing. And my other favourites are Stockholm station (a place I know but with its normality removed) and the closing frosty shots – simply beautiful.
Here’s to some return of normality during 2021.
x
Thank you, Debbie – yes, cheers to a better 2021!
All I can say is WOW! Your images took my breath away. Thank you for sharing your beautiful part of the world with us. I love them all but I think my favorite is the Autumn road.
So happy to share, Beth! And how great you loved my Autumn road. It deserves some love.
Fabulous set of images, Ann Christine! I love the broken window with the vine leaves, the icy teasels and that autumn road….
Thank you, Sue! Much appreciated.
😊💕
Truly special post.. and I hope 2021 is much kinder to you. Particularly love the swirly snail and the gorgeous red rose with brown leaves! and thank you for all this beauty.
Thank you, Liz. Much appreciated.
I wonder at your selection of photos and have to see more again so scroll back in case I missed something. Nature is within us all. Live with it and love all she has to offer. Favourites are kids, dog and tree and dog and forest 🙂
🙂 I am happy you like it, Brian.
Goodness. What a great selection. My own favourite? Maybe the shield bug on the dahlia. No, wait. The purple flowers shot from below? No, perhaps … you get the idea – I can’t choose.
That’s why I have too many photos in the post…
Never too many for me 😉
♥