Annes challenge for us this week is to take a lens for a walk. Yes, to choose a lens and walk. We can also use our cell phone or point and shoot camera. Another trick, when using a zoom lens, is to pick an aperture and stay with it. It is of course also possible to go for our archives. The important thing is to have fun! Remember to link to Anne’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
I usually walk with my Fuji 16-80 lens, or my 35 prime lens. But my absolute favourite is the Tamron 90 macro. It is not a coincidence that my blog is labelled with a quote from William Blake: ”To see a World in a Grain of Sand…” The complete line goes: ”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.” To me, this is the essence of Life.
As there are very few flowers and insects to photograph right now, I have chosen some of my old macros to show the different possibilities of this lens. Close-ups and macros yes, – but you will notice it is very versatile.
For macros I normally use f/11, but f/8 – f/11 works fine. I always use a tripod, and that is why most of my macros are shot in my own garden. I don’t carry a tripod on my walks. Not only because of the weight, I want to feel free. And, I often have my dog, Milo, with me too. In the beginning I tried to hand hold the camera, but there were too many photos to throw away, so Milo and the tripod are two of my best friends.
Droplets and frosty petals are always a treat, but even with flowers and other subjects that often don’t move much, I also use the timer in order not to risk accidental camera movements while pressing the button. The photo with many droplets, to the left in this gallery, was hand held. When I don’t take close-ups or macro with the lens, that works fine.
When we get really close, like in the first and the last picture, and the roses, the photo turns almost abstract. Other worlds open up and lets our fantasy work magic.
We enjoyed looking back with all of you during Sophia’s challenge last week. You sent us unique and interesting responses – some surprising ones too. Now we are looking forward to seeing your one lens walks!
Next week our new team member, Donna Holland of Wind Kisses, will be leading the challenge. Be sure to visit her beautiful site for inspiration!
If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.
Leya 
These photos are fabulous …
Thank you, Julie, so glad you liked them!
And Julie – missing your blog!
Beautiful shots!
I adore the snail.
I like the water droplets and your last photo. Indeed, mesmerising!
Thank you, Philo!
You are welcome AC
Stunning photography!!
I am glad you like them, Nora!
It is amazing to think a whole other world is going on in our gardens, isn’t it?
I love the quote and didn’t know of its relationship to to your blog. It IS fitting and yes, the essence of life. I love the frost and water droplets, but the one that intrigued me the most was the caterpillar under the leaf and the yellow flower that at first look, I thought you editing a hand, fingers in their for an interesting abstract.
I also love the little lessons you interject, like setting a timer.
Thank you, Donna, so happy you enjoyed it. This challenge was a treat for me. Looking forward to yours!
Thank you.
Great macros 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful macros, A-C. I have forgotten how much I enjoy looking at the microcosms of these small worlds. Great post for the challenge!
So happy you liked them, John! And small insects look like micro planes!
Fine set! Lots of fine details; well lit; well framed; cheers me up! Thanks. 🙂
Thank you – happy to share.
Not every gardener likes a snail, but it looks very nice in that photo. I like the ones where you got ”too close”, like the two that you pointed out, but also the single droplet and the wonderful fractals of frost.
Thank you – I like getting too close and trying to understand new little worlds. Glad you liked them too.
GREAT photos. The 1st gallery is my fave, but I like ‘em all.
Thank you, John!
Gorgeous macros, Ann-Christine. I must remember to use my tripod more often. I even have a rail, but get lazy and don’t use it.
Glad you like them, Susan – and OK, then I am not the only lazy one!
Glorious and I love the whole quote. You make me realize I need to get out my macro lens and work with it. 🙂
I am glad to have inspired then! Thanks!
exceptionally beautiful
Thank you very much for a beautiful comment, dear Anjum.
You are welcome .You are so talented and gifted Stay blessed
You are very kind, thank you.
What a wonderful selection, A C!
Thank you, Sue!
Such beautiful macros. I am hoping to get a macro lens this year.
You will love it for your garden, bumblebees and flowers! Looking forward to seeing what you will do with it!
🙂
I’ve always loved your macros with their unusual controlled depth of field. I should have realized that they are a lot of work as mine NEVER turn out like that. Beautiful as always…
Thank you so much…but your photography is excellent!
Beautiful ! Just beautiful!!
Thank you so much, Anne!
Outstanding photos for this week. I adore the macros 😀 😀
Cee, I am glad you liked them, macros are favourites with me.
I know. 😀 😀 I always enjoy seeing your macros 😀
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I love macros and your images are fabulous ❤️. I’ve been tackling macros so far without a dedicated lens for the camera, hence the details may not be so good as yours! But it’s exactly for the same reason that I don’t have it – it’ll need having to lug a tripod around! I am glad that the new phone has even better lenses than before, so even if the pics taken are not professional quality, I can still capture better closeups/macros than with my previous phone 😀. Let’s see how much longer can I resist the lure of the macro lens 😉
Thank you so much! Phones are very good these days, and for blogs and normal use, their photos are exceptionally good. And I only have my tripod in the garden…would never carry it around!
You hold it all in the palm of your hand, Ann-Christine. Number 4 beams out at me, and the tiny reflection in the water droplet. You always show us how very beautiful life can be 🤗💗
And you are always so kind and positive, Jo! But, if it is true that I sometimes can show the beauty in life – I am happy!
❣️❣️
Wow Ann-Christine, you’ve chosen such beautiful macros to show us for this challenge. I loved them all, but the snails and the water droplet with the reflection are exceptional. I haven’t been able to make friends with my tripod, especially on macros. I try to shoot at different angles and the tripod inhibits me. Thanks for this wonderful response.
Thank you for a wonderful challenge! And I only use the tripod in my garden!
Wow Ann-Christine, you’ve chosen such gems to show us. I love them all, but the snails and the single droplet with the reflections are amazing. I can’t seem to make friends with my tripod. I like to get different angles when I do macro and it inhibits
I always love your photos , whether macro or otherwise, but am horrified that you have to lumber round with a tripod. No wonder I remain a snapshot-ist. Just couldn’t, wouldn’t do it.
Margaret, I never carry a tripod outside my garden! Glad you like my shots😚
Phew! That’s a relief!
I always love your macro images, AC. Your gallery is exquisite! And you carry tripod.
Only in my garden!
Your photos are always a welcome sight in my Reader and these macros of nature are sublime. You have persuaded me to try using my tripod with my macro lens this year in my garden to see if I can improve my photography.
It is fun trying, Jude – and I am looking forward to seeing your macros this summer!
As always A-C your images are amazing. Obviously you and your lens are very well acquainted with each other! And of course little Milo is an excellent assistant. I always love your florals, and this week is no exception. But in this set, the snail and the single water droplet are my favorites.
Thank you so much, Tina! I think we maybe have the same favourites. Even if I don’t like snails in my flowers…
A stunning representation of macro. I loved them all.
Thank you!
So so beautiful photos!
Glad you like them! Thank you!
Your attention to detail in shooting your macros really pays off, they are always beautiful! And thanks for reminding us of the full quote from Blake, it’s an inspirational one indeed.
Thank you, Sarah – The Blake quote was my favourite the first time I read it, as a young girl. I knew it was ”mine”.
I’ve always loved it too, but for you it’s a perfect fit, I see that 😍
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You know I love macros, so a great collection …. and the last image was extra wonderful!
Thank you so much, Frank – and yes, we love macros both of us!
You do macro so well Ann-Christine 💞
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Ann-Christine, these are amazing macros. I love them all.
I am happy to share, thank you, Beth!
Love the detail in your photos Ann-Christine. So beautiful.
Thank you so much, Aletta!