December 29, 2018 • 45

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #26 A Photographic Review of 2018

To the New Year

By W. S. Merwin
With what stillness at last
you appear in the valley
your first sunlight reaching down
to touch the tips of a few
high leaves that do not stir
as though they had not noticed
and did not know you at all
then the voice of a dove calls
from far away in itself
to the hush of the morning
so this is the sound of you
here and now whether or not
anyone hears it this is
where we have come with our age
our knowledge such as it is
and our hopes such as they are
invisible before us
untouched and still possible

Joshua Tree at Sunset. Shot with a Fuji xt2.

As we wind down the last few days of 2018, my thoughts center on the highlights of this year.  I selected this shot of the Joshua tree as emblematic of 2018.  The sheer beauty of Joshua Tree National Park was breathtaking.  Located at the intersection of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in California, this park is one of my most treasured memories from our road trip ushering in our “gap year.”  As the year has unfolded, we’ve been very fortunate to continue our travels, meeting relatives and friends around the globe and making new friends.  Each visit was unique, gratifying, and always eye-opening.

Another highlight of 2018 has been the inception of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges.  As many of you already know, Tina, Amy, Ann-Christine, and I are four blogging friends who understand the importance of a creative community.  We got together to continue the Word Press Weekly Photo Challenges, which ended suddenly this year.  Tina, Amy, and Ann-Christine have been marvelous creative partners who always provide encouragement, inspiration, and honest feedback.  Virtual hugs to you all.

I’d also like to salute you–the members of the blogging community from around the globe who are joining our weekly challenges and providing us with inspiring images, poems, songs, and friendship.  Our world-wide friendship is an ark for me, giving me safe passage across the rough waters of these turbulent times.  Here, in our community, we respect our differences and are united by our shared interest in digitally capturing  our world and its beauty.  My hope is that like us, humankind will work together to solve the political, environmental, and economic challenges facing us all in our global community.

So, in closing, I thank Ann-Christine for this week’s photographic review challenge #26, a fitting end to 2018.  I wish all the best to you and your loved ones in 2019.  May you create light and share the light!

Categories: Photography

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45 replies »

  1. Thank you for sharing this beautiful sunset and the lovely poem by W S Merwin here Patti and for all the work you, Amy, Tina and Ann-Christine have put into hosting the Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge. We wish you and your loved ones a blessed and happy New Year and may peace, a greener planet and greater humanity be at the heart of all that we do 🤗💖🕊

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  4. Beautiful image and excellent post to summer up the year. I have really enjoyed the Lens Artist challenges. Thank you to all four of you for hosting. Wishing you all things good for 2019.

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  5. Thanks, Patti 🙂 🙂 Joshua Tree National Park must be some sight! You’ve made a great team, you four. So glad you picked up the baton. You’ve done the blogging community proud. Happy 2019 to you!

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  11. Joshua Tree National Park must be very impressive – from your perfect photos it looks very special and from your praise I understand you are very taken with it – a place I would love to visit! Beautiful words and poetry to go with it too, and your post is just to love.

    Patti, it has been a marvelous journey with you, Tina and Amy – I am so grateful I got the chance to join the group: ” Here, in our community, we respect our differences and are united by our shared interest in digitally capturing our world and its beauty. My hope is that like us, humankind will work together to solve the political, environmental, and economic challenges facing us all in our global community.” I agree with you on every word, thank you for putting it so well, and let’s hope for a better 2019 for the world.

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  13. What a beautiful way to end the year Patti – and what a year it’s been for you! Meeting you is among my favorite highlights of the year, and of course working with you as well as Amy and Ann-Christine has been a true gift. I was touched by your salute to our followers, with which I whole-heartedly agree. Best wishes for a marvelous adventure in 2019 – cannot wait to see what it holds for you!

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    • Thank you so much, Tina!! I was delighted to meet you too! Definitely a highlight. We share the same feelings about the Lens-Artists “quartet” and our followers. 🙂 🙂 Stay tuned for more adventures!

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  18. Pingback: Reflecting | Out of My Write Mind

    • Hi, Jackie. Thank you, thank you! Same to you, too! I really enjoyed meeting you in 2018. I’m hoping we can get together again the next time we’re in NYC. All the best to you too in the new year. 🙂

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  20. With sincere gratitude between the four of you for creating L-A. What would we do without your talents in photographic for amateur like me. Beautiful dessert tree that makes me want to.visit. Happy New Year.

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    • You’re very welcome, Perpetua. L-A has been a lot of fun for us. It’s great having your feedback on our shots. There’s always room to improve and learn. All the best to you too in 2019!

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