Our team is back and we wish you welcome to 2022. This New Year comes, again, with much hope for the future –
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 this year too. For me, this year meant continously living in my bubble, but a bit more freedom than 2020. Still much less camera…and much less energy – but, here’s my year through lens and sense. Sometimes maybe not the best image, but the one that stirs up feelings of joy and happiness.
I begin with my absolute favourite image for 2021 – the fabulous, snowy landscape a late evening in February. the opener though, is from yesterday – the frosty landscape we had the last days of December.
The feeling of Spring and early Summer is always the highlight of the year – and my backlit tulips represents that to me.
Macro moments and surprising views are also much appreciated. A walk by the brook in a special light,
My husband turned 70 and we celebrated all summer…one of the highlights was a visit to ARoS museum in Aarhus, Denmark.
Another one was the fact that the biggest wandering sand dune in Europe is to be found – in Denmark.
The beginning is always today.—Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
A visit to Tjolöholm Castle was a real treat this summer. A Tudor castle in Sweden! And the most modern things in those days – unknown to ordinary people – were brought here from England. Showers that sprinkled you all around, and Roman baths on every floor.
Every moment is a fresh beginning. —T.S. Eliot
My daughter’s exam, and the most beautiful Lotus flower.
Autumn now just around the corner, but the colours were slow to arrive this year.
It was a joy when they finally fired away and had me using the camera again.
And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
And lovely new things were revealed and enhanced by the late autumn fog – the delicacy of the leaves and trees, and the little things that inhabit the forest floor.
Yesterday’s captures were frosty sheep in -12 degrees C, sticking together despite their thick coats…
― Oprah Winfrey
The low sun and the soft light this winter makes it such a joy to walk with Milo. He loves the snow just as much as I do. And, as not many photographs are taken or images made in this cold weather – he is content not having to wait for me…
The Lens-Artists team is excited to announce that we’ll be welcoming several new members beginning in 2022. In addition to those of us with whom you are all familiar, we’ll be joined this year by
Sofia Alves of Photographias
Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed
John Steiner of Journeys with Johnbo
Those of you who have followed us for some time will be familiar with all of them as they have all been regular participants and each has Guest-Hosted for us in the past. We know they will bring their marvelous photography, extensive travel experiences, close-to-home adventures, and fresh insight to our weekly challenges. We are very much looking forward to having them with us. Please be sure to follow their blogs to be certain you don’t miss any of our upcoming Lens-Artists challenges.
Finally – may 2022 bring peace, health, and happy moments to us all. We look forward to seeing Your favorite images of 2021 and understanding why you’ve chosen them. Please 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 
I like your picture 📸
Thank you
Wonderful images, and wonderful light!
I don’t know how you selected these photos since you have so many wonderful ones from which to choose. I love this bee photo, and I could hang it in my home, for sure. So sweet, clear, and colorful.
Glad you liked them – and I agree on the bee photo. That was taken one of the last warm days, and almost no bees around anymore. I also think this is a fly species.
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What a joy to see your favorite photos for the year. They would make a nice book! Thanks for all you and the other lens artists do for us, Leya. I’m sure you will welcome some additional artists. I hope it will lessen the load you all bear having so many followers! 🙂
Thank you, Marsha! Yes, we welcome the new artists – thrilled!
I bet. 🙂
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I love all of your outdoor photos the best! My favorite, favorite, is the one with the sheep! I am going to try and participate in this challenge more this year because I enjoy seeing everyone’s beautiful photos! Mine for today is here! https://thecadyluckleedy.com/2022/01/07/lens-artists-challenge-180-a-look-back-at-2021/
Thank you so much – and you are so welcome!
All wonderful picks you’ve got for this one.
Just lovely stuff all around.
Here’s my rather late submission. Forgot these were resuming last week and not this one:
Happy new year!
Thank you – and happy New Year to you as well!
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Ann–christine, your gallery is testament to the old adage quality over quantity. I remember many of the these photos and you have included a number that I was particularly charmed by.
I haven’t found my mojo yet but it is comforting to know that when I do, the Lens Artists challenge will still be there to inspire me. Thank you.
♥ Always love you, Tracy♥ Stay cool and it will find you again…I feel like I will never find mine again though. I have been told I am going to be a grandmother in May – hope that will help my positive and loving spirits awaken.
Oh, wow, Ann Christine. That’s both terrifying and exciting. That does bring a great responsibility to be more optimistic. I assume it’s your son who is going to be the new dad?
Terrifying, yes, and being optimistic and smiling is essential…newcomers to this planet must be well taken care of. We know nothing of the future. My two children had both decided not to have any children of their own – considering the bleak future of Planet Earth. Love can change everything…can’t it? And hope. And positive thinking. I hope there will be something in it for me too. Some light in the tunnel.
Hope you are all well, all your furry ”children” and children too! Your true love is still your True Love!
Yes, love can. That should be the motti for the world, Ann Christine.
We had a stormy start to the new year but we have come through it remarkably well.
I am glad, Tracy. ❤
Hi – I like tour choices – so rich and colorful – with moods and the connections to the ups dn downs you mentioned as you show your ”year through lens and sense.”
🙂
I am glad you liked them, Yvette. I guess they are on my sleeve…
🙂
Loved the flow of your 2021 images and words. Photography was a saving grace for me last year. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2022/01/07/bitter-sweet-2021/
♥
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I really love the look of the back-lit tulips. Happy New Year, Leya.
Wishing you all the best for the new year!
Love the quote from Cicero, ”If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. – Cicero”
Beautiful Pic Round-Up
me? Lost hardwear and external back up drives back in November – thus?
As always, for me –
The pictures and stories live on in my mind – will I quadruple back up my photo library in the future? Maybe, Maybe not – why? the digital copy only tries it’s best to communicate to others, the story that is held in my mind – thus, the best story I can tell is,
”So, my story slate wiped clean? Okay – now what shall I re-write it with??” – 🙂
You lost all your words and pictures in November? Oh…disaster! But you have a good point there…
I love seeing your world through your lens, Ann-Christine. You have such an eye for beauty. Happy belated 70th birthday for your husband. I love that you celebrated all summer! And I love that image of your daughter. It was wonderful the first time I saw it and again now. Your lower perspective on the dunes really draws us into the scene. I’m delighted we’re continuing our collaboration on LAPC this year. You are such a valued member of our team.❤️❤️
Thank you so much for warming words, Patti! I am happy we are continuing together!
❤️❤️
What an amazing gallery and the text. Great beginning of 2022, Ann Christine.
Thank you, Rupali. I hope for a better year for us all.
Happy New Year! May this new year be filled with Happiness! 🙂
Wishing the same to you, Nicole!
A wonderful visual trip through the past year, beautiful shots, Leya 😃
Thank you, Jez – all the best for you in the new year!
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Each photo is so BEAUTIFUL, thank you for sharing
Thank you for a lovely comment
So many of my favourites are in this post Ann-Christine. Tulips, your daughter and the Lotus flower just wonderful 🙂 🙂
You are always kind, Brian, thank you. The lotus seems to be a favourite!
A beautiful selection Ann-Christine and I especially love your Winter wonderland 💙 Wishing you a wonderful and blessed 2022 too 💖 xxx
Thank you, and wishing you the same!
Thank you! 💗
My goodness these are gorgeous images. I can’t even pick just one.
Thank you, Dawn, happy you like them.
The backlit tulips are lovely Ann-Christine! I also liked your snowy scenes. Snow softens everything. Thanks for hosting thus challenge over the years.
Thank you for being there! And yes, snow softens and beautifies everything. So happy this winter to be blessed with some.
I decided to link to all four of you. Thank you for all the prompts and hurrah for the new year with helpers! This is my January 2021, for other months welcome to follow me through the year and we will discover my favourites together. 🙂
Yay! Will be back for your pictures when I am at the computer!
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I took my time and lingered on each photos..each one has a distinct beauty, too exquisite in fact. Lovely to see them and shared to us.Happy New Year to you and may you have the best in the coming years…
Thank you for a lovely comment, and all the best for 2022!
Happy 2022, Ann Christine.
Your photos are delightful and I’ve been utterly charmed all through the year. I owe my expanding general knowledge to your informative posts. Thank you for doing such an amazing job with the challenge and your regular posts. I look forward to them all.
Sheetal – thank you for reading and commenting so positive thoughts – always! As an old teacher, your words warm my heart!
A beautiful journey of the year through your photos
I am glad you enjoyed them, Nora! All the best for 2022!
Thanks for a trip that includes all the seasons. The details of the third image are amazing. The glass hallway is very interesting. Happy New Year … and congrats on expanding the LA team.
Thank you, Frank, for walking with me through 2021! And with the new members, we hope to for lots of inspiration and a bit less of stress!
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These are beautiful. You really know how to capture the mood.
Thank you, VJ! And all the best for the new year!
Welcome. You too!
Beautiful pictures Ann-Christine, I especially like the ones taken in the garden and walks in the forest. Happy New Year in 2022!
Thank you, Sylvia, and all the best for the new year!
I can’t choose a favourite among your photos, Ann-Christine , they are all so beautiful!
❤
soo nice as every time
Oh yes. I can’t choose a favourite among your favourites!
They are all my fvourites – I am sure they would love to be yours as well😀
Those photos could almost be paintings. They’re superb 🙂
Now that was a lovely comment, Pam! Thank you!
Thoroughly enjoyed *all* of these gorgeous photos and very especially the backlit tulips.. the colours are breathtakingly beautiful!
Thank you so much, Liz. They make me smile!
An interesting selection of images and moments. A wonderful way to start the year.
You are very kind, Ana, thank you 🍓
Your favourite images are inspirational A-C, you have such a creative eye. I love your winter scenes as we get so few these days and rarely this far south west, but the photo I adore is the Lotus flower. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Thank you, Janet, and a crooked beauty is still a beauty. I love that lotus too. Stay well 💚
I enjoyed all your photographic memories. And yes a new year is a new chance to get it right . That is such a positive way to more forward.
Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, I try to be positive…and that is the only way.
Yes it is the only way!🙂
As I scroll thru’ these beautiful photos I am sitting in my library looking out at the happy summer greenery of my garden . . . Cicero may have a point . . . meanwhile, thank you and may fair winds blow your way . . .
I rely on Cicero! May the fair winds bring you joy!
I’m not sure which one of you is hosting this week! 😮 Or it doesn’t matter and we leave our link wherever we wish? Thank you!
I don’t know either…I think it is ok the way you do it!
Hihih!
Happy New Year Ann Christine! The beauty in your post and photography is a wonderful start to 2022.
Thank you, Anne! Happy New Year and welcome onboard🥂
The tulips reaching for the sun represent happiness for me, hon, but you handle snow and winter lighting so beautifully. Some middle ground for me, maybe, because I loved the year’s turning autumnal too. Thank you!
❤❤❤🥂
Your stunning images transported me across the ocean to your beautiful Sweden. Thank you!
Thank you, Beth! And Sweden welcomes you!
I admire your creative eye for a beautiful image Ann-Christine and enjoyed browsing through your favourite shots. Happy New Year and here’s hoping for more freedom this year.
Thank you! So good to hear from you now and then! Hope you two and your garden is thriving!
Wonderful choices. I really love the winter ones. Looking forward to 2022’s challenges. Happy new year
Wishing you a beautiful New Year, Karina! Thank you for always lovely comments, and images from your beautiful country. Stay well and healthy.
So many beautiful photos from last year. Ann-Christine, I could easily place myself in any of these photos. Your winter landscapes always captures my wanderlust self. Your flowers, particularly your lotus, is so special. Have a great one.
Thank you for 2021, Cee, always love your work and appreciate your comments. So glad you love the lotus – a crooked beauty – just like life… Cheers to a better New year!
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I wish you could hear the applause I’m sending your way Ann-Christine! Loved your choices for year-end, most especially those of your snowy or foggy terrain. Oh, and of course your beautiful flowers. OK, I simply loved them all. Wishing you peace and joy in the new year.
Thank you, Tina, I think I heard something yesterday in the wind…Glad you liked them. And the wishes for peace and joy is for you and yours as well! May this year be a better year than 2021.
Happy New Year, Ann-Christine! I’ve often joked how much I like winter scenes, viewed from my computer in Arizona. 🙂 Truth is, I love what snow and ice do to a landscape, as you’ve well demonstrated here.
I must say, though, that my favorite is the lotus flower, the sharpness of the image and the bokeh make for a photo I’d love to hang in my house.
Thank you, John! I know I am Nordic deep in my heart and soul, so I don’t blame you…not loving snow that much! And thank you for expressing your appreciation of it anyway 😀
The lotus flower is a very serene flower, but this one with a twist!
Happy New Year to you and yours, AC! These images, wow… I love the snow scene especially. The lotus flower is breathtaking. I admire your backlit shots.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well, Amy! Hope you are having lovely holidays and can see your family! And the snow was wonderful for me – and Milo – but now it is all gone. Rain, rain, rain. Thank you for this year and looking forward to working together again.
Thank you for your good wishes, AC! We had fun time during holidays. Hope you did too. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful images. 💖
I hope we will be seeing much of each others’ work during this year as well!
Happy New Year, Ann-Christine. Great collection. I like especially the first winter image. It’s so pristine, clear, and calm. My collection is here: https://solaner.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/lens-artists-photo-challenge-180-2021-a-review-in-images/
The same to you, Andre! And I always love your collections – you are an inventive photographer with a clear eye.
Thank you so much, Ann-Christine 😊
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