Sarah of Travel with me is our guest host this week, and she says:
”I want to ask you all to join me in sharing three of what you consider to be among your very best shots. This exercise will really test your ability to be self-critical, as it has mine. Look into your archives and apply your most critical eye; play ‘judge’ and try to look dispassionately at your images.”
Sarah asks us to pick out three that stand out as particular favourites, and three from different genres. The genres are up to us to decide: macro, wildlife, street, landscape, architecture. Anything goes, but ”each must be an image you are proud of.”
Not easily done this picking…and I sneaked in a header photo as well…hope you don’t mind, Sarah! But, I made it fairly easy for myself by picking the two award winning images I have, in genres I love, macro and nature – trees. But let’s start with the third image, from 2016:
This favourite is from the Fluela Pass in Switzerland. I have showed it many times, but never tire of it. Also a pleasant surprise as there was no reflection when we passed here in the morning – then this magic appeared when we went back the same road. The people in the image shows the very size of the landscape, and I love the feeling of an endless mountain range disappearing into the blue sky. I remember the difficulty in getting it all inside the frame…a vast landscape and a difficult angle.
This Epiphyllum cactus, in Sweden called Princess of the Night, is a gem. This is her first flower, a warm summer night in 2016. And how we stayed up late, waiting for the wonder to happen! 25 cm of magic, only lasting for a few hours. This photo was taken with my phone, but won a medal of honour and a place in our Nordic photo competition that year. It is in their yearly book of best photos as well.
It was my first competition – I generally don’t send photos to competitions… and I was happy and proud. I think that magical night and the first time I saw the beautiful flower unfold, will stay with me forever.
This image (from the Autumn of 2018) of my favourite beech tree is very precious to me. The photo was taken before the great storms and the heavy snowfall last year, so the tree is intact in this image. Some of his big branches are gone now.
Not much to be seen of the tree in the picture, but that thrills the imagination of the viewer. We understand that the size of the tree must be huge – look at the texture of the trunk and the long, horisontal branches. He is hundreds of years old, and more than 30 meters high, standing alone in an open meadow. I also love the view of the birch trees and the beeches taken under his wings… Because I imagine he is a he – and he is keeping an eye on us all. We usually talk at least once a week.
Being an award winner too, and the only photo of mine sitting on my wall – I have to pick this one. Getting it printed on canvas was part of the prize, and the reason for me to participate was the story of a favourite tree, as trees are my passion. The host was a national park.
If I try to summarize…I can see that I photograph more with my heart than with camera and lens. Strong memories and precious moments I treasure the most. I want the image to reveal my emotions – and to stir yours. I have several thousands of photos collected throughout the years…but the best ones have sprung out of special moments where my feelings shine through.
Special thanks too to Tracy for hosting that interesting Surrealism challenge last week and to everyone who joined in; it was great to see the variety of responses! Anne will be our host next week, Saturday, August 6. Her intriguing theme will be What’s Your Photographic Groove.
Until then, stay safe and cool – and be kind.
Leya 
Wonderful images … but the tree is a stunner!
congratulations…the light in your Epiphyllum cactus adds to the moment.
Thank you, Brenda.
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I love all three of these — so unique and so indicative of your talents as a photographer. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Rusha. As we are hardly traveling anymore, those are precious memories too. Thank you for a lovely comment!
The beech tree is new to me. I’ve never seen one. I was a city girl gorwing up.
The roots and bark look ominous but the view through the canopy looks magically misty.
There’s so much going on in the photo including the varieties of colored leaves. I love it ❤️
Congratulations on winning the award with you Epiphyllum cactus flower. Simply elegant
as all flowers are to me. Beautiful color.
The first photograph is WOW … it’s extraordinary in every way. Great selections …
Isadora 😎
Thank you so much, Isadora. I guess we both love flowers ♥♥♥
Fantastic choices. The after story of the cactus flower is wonderful, but the experience must have been something else altogether!
Thank you, I.J., unforgettable. Nature’s wonders and beauty is unsurpassed.
They are all so wonderful
If I had to choose it would have to be the first one
Such incredible colours
Thank you, Alison!
Amazingly beautiful, AC! Thank you for sharing these award winning photos. You are taking photography to new heights!!
Amy, you are always too kind. These were taken long ago…and I don’t travel that much anymore. Not even at home. My husband cannot walk that well anymore. So, oldies and garden photos…
I admire your photography. It takes outstanding skills and observations, say the least. It’s always a privilege for me to visit your photo posts.
Sorry to hear that your husband can’t walk well. But, your photos you took sometime ago are timeless. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Amy! And i say the same about you – it’s a privilege to visit your photo posts – I learn new things as well!
💖
I agree. The best photographs come from the heart. And these clearly do. I can’t possibly choose my favourite among your images.
Margaret, you are too kind. All I can produce nowadays are oldies and sometimes goodies…glad you enjoyed them!
All stunning images, A-C – each in their own way, but the Fluela Pass composition is extraordinary in the way the sweeping arcs of scree and snow and their reflections add such dynamism to this monumental landscape.
Thank you so much, Tish. Some places just stay with you forever, don’t they.
They do indeed, A-C.
Ann-Christine, these photos are so you. I particularly love your two award winning photos. They are both exquisite. Thank you for sharing them again. The scale of the Swiss mountain pass is massive. What a perfect time to be there. I didn’t even notice the people in the photo until you mentioned it in your comment.
Thank you so much, Tracy – glad you found the people…;-D
When you have award winning images, you have to share them… and I know the issues of scale you encountered in your landscape photo. It’s sometimes hard to make those composition decisions.
That flower is stunning, and it’s a great capture, but I am most intrigued by that ancient tree. I’d love to hear the stories of the times he’s lived through.
Thank you so much, John – you should come along with me one day and listen to him…
These are very strong images. All of them. Inspiring, Ann-Christine.
Wonderful photos all round, Ann-Christine. They are all magnificent and wonderful work. No surprise you are an award-winning photographer. The Fluela Pass looks so grandiose in your image, yet I can also feel such a big sense of peace radiating from it. I love reading your motivation behind photography and how you photograph with your heart – and that really shows and it’s probably why so many of us connect with your photos. Hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer season 😊
I am happy you liked them, and a wonderful comment of course!Hope your winter is moving along nicely towards spring! I am ok, but there has been much turbulence in the world that haunts me.
Winter is moving along okay…still unusually cold but days are slightly longer now. The world needs a lot of love right now. It will get better. Stay safe, Ann-Christine 💕
Lots of love from me ♥
Amazing photos…especially the Fluela Pass
Thank you so much – that was a great moment.
The reason I always love your photos is I can tell your heart is in them. They’re not just photos, their moments you’re sharing with us. Thank you for giving a bit of the story behind them too.
Thank you for a lovely comment, Sofia – it makes me happy to think you feel my heart in them!
These are so wonderful. I must agree that when you take a photo with your heart, it shines through the lens, captured forever. Looking back that sense of heart glows ever bright remembering the moment 🤗❤❤
♥♥♥ 😀
Oh, I love your photos! So amazing so beautiful! I love the mountain reflection!
Thank you for a lovely comment, Lisa!
Amazing photos, that flower is a jewel in the crown
♥ Thank you, Pam –
I love the photo from Fluela Pass and love the story about the shadows with it. But, like you that tree is an award winner. It draws the eye to the colorful trees in the distance and its size makes a statement. It must look stunning on your wall. Donna
Thank you so much, Donna! I am glad you picked the tree. I love that tree, surely you can tell…hope I am never TOO much about trees though.
Wow Ann-Christine, these are beautiful photos. If I had to pick just one, I’d pick the cactus flower. It is stunning. I’m so glad you were able to capture it.
Thank you so much, Anne! That night was magical!
A wonderful collection Ann-Christine, through which your spirit comes shining through. Perhaps the name of the challenge should have been special moments, since it seems that is what most of us spoke of as we described our images. Your photography is always amazing but these 3 are among MY favorites of your many beautiful captures. And I’d add the camel landscape along with them as well.
Ah, thank you Tina, you are always so positive and make my heart glow!
I don’t need to tell you, you passed the test with flying colours. That first is mind blowing, and then the exquisite cactus flower. And if I was ever going to hug a tree I’d know where to come. Happy August, Ann-Christine.
Thanks, Jo – we could be tree huggers together…if i bring a cake?
Excellent idea 🤣💗