This week, we’re delighted to welcome John Steiner as a new member of our Lens-Artists team. For his topic, he asks us an intriguing question: What does change mean to us? My answer covers different types of change–some obvious, others more subtle.
Change From Morning to Night
Nothing endures but change.
Heraclitus
Change is inevitable and predictable, but why does it surprise, annoy, upset and confuse us?
Life is always in flux. There’s an ebb and flow to the day and the weather, just as there is an ebb and flow to our moods, as well times of happiness and sadness.
From early morning to late at night, the skies lighten and darken, threaten and clear, obscure and clear. Here’s a series of images taken of the Duomo in Florence from day to night.
Changing Skies Over the Duomo. Shot with a Fuji XT2. Duomo at Sunset Duomo at Night
Change in the Seasons
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
Socrates
The change in nature from winter to spring or summer to fall seems effortless, joyful. Fighting change seems to be part of the human experience, except for an enlightened few. I’m trying to embrace change, but it’s a work in progress.


Change on a Global and a Personal Level
The world as we have created it is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
Albert Einstein
I think it’s safe to say that our world is in the midst of tremendous change. We are questioning our concepts of gender, race, democracy, autocracy, progress, materialism, freedom….to name a few.
Here’s a set of change on a more personal level. My husband, pictured on the left at age 7, is boarding a plane to Minnesota with his mother. They were on their way to the Mayo Clinic, where Rich would undergo life-saving cardiac surgery with the gifted, brilliant surgeon, Dr. John Kirklin. On the right, here is Rich again many years later with his wonderful white hair and white rimmed glasses. Clearly, the operation was a success and changed the course of his life…and mine, too!


Subtle Change….White Car, Red Car
Some change is subtle and happens in the blink of an eye. Last week, I was standing on a street corner near the Langham Hotel in downtown Boston and I captured the image on the left just as a white car passed. Then a minute later, a red car sped by.


Circling back to John’s initial question, change is a complex concept for me. Some changes are easy and welcome, like a change of scenery, a change in the light or the seasons. Others are far more worrisome and challenging, like the shift from middle age to that 30-year expanse that we erroneous call “old age.” I am trying to redefine my “later years” into a time of fulfilling long-held dreams and finding meaning in creative projects and reaching out to others.
Thanks Amy for last week’s inspiring Travel challenge. I loved seeing what travel means to all of you–at its best and even at its worst.
We hope you join us this week for John Steiner’s Change challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing what change means to you.
Next Saturday, February 12th at noon, Sofia Alves of Photografias will leading the challenge, so be sure to visit her beautiful site for all the details.
Until then, have a safe and inspiring week!
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
Great interpretation on this challenge Patti! From changing of time to your husbands life saving surgery.
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Hi, Anne. Thank you! I wasn’t sure how I was going to approach this one, but I worked it out. 😀. I’ll look at your post next.
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Ahh… Duomo in Florence. Beautiful images of the Subtle Change. Wonderful to hear the success of the operation for your husband. There are many changes we have to adjust; very well said about our personal level of change.
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Thank you, Amy! We are very, very fortunate that Dr. Kirkland performed not 1, but 2 life-saving operations on Rich. We are so thankful to him. Glad you like my “take” on change. Ugh. Sometimes it’s so hard. Take care and have a good week.
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An interesting interpretation. The OH and I watched a TV program last night about Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years as our monarch. It was odd to see our lifetime pass through in the space of an hour – so many changes. It left us feeling rather subdued. Time passes so quickly.
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Hi, Jude. It’s true. So many changes. I think sometimes of the years growing up with TV, a clock radio, no computer, a stereo, no cell phones…etc., etc. A world of difference from today. And yes, Queen Elizabeth has lived a long, long life and has been at the forefront of all the major historical/political events during that time. Amazing. I loved The Crown, by the way!
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We don’t have Netflix so no Crown for us, but a popular program by all accounts.
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Beautiful photos of morning to night changes and the daffodils, Patti. You remind me of taking some flower photos. 💐
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Hi, Miriam. Wonderful! I’m looking forward to seeing them. We are very far from flower season on the East Coast. 😀.
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I’ve been watching the news about the snow on the east coast, Patti. Stay safe.😊
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We are. Thanks.
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What a beautiful post 😀
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😀😀. Thanks so much, Cee! Wonderful to hear from you.
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I really like the two images of the hotel. Beautiful composition from that viewpoint. Of the three shots of Duomo, I really like that sunset. Beautiful!
It is so true that some change is easy, other changes are harder to “swallow.” There are changes we can affect, and changes that affect us, but in any case, there is but one constant, change. 🙂 Love your take on it, Patti.
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Thanks, John. The perspective on that street corner really grabbed my attention and I had to take a photo (or 2 or 3…). Glad you agree on the nature of change and my take on it.
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What fabulous shots. Gosh, what a difference, too.
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Thanks, Luanne! I’m delighted that you stopped by and gave me a big smile. I hope all’s well with you. 😀
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Daughter’s wedding is this weekend!!! Woot!
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Wonderful! Congratulations! 😀❤️
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An inspiring post, Patti.
The personal reflections are honest and heartwarming. Prevailing through the changes and coming out the better for it.
And beautiful photos.
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Hi, Nes. Wow. Many thanks for your thoughts and kind words. 😀😀. Yes, trying to gain wisdom through the changes. That’s the goal. Some changes are easier than others! Have a good week, Nes. Thanks again.
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Love the different images of Brunelleschi’s dome, Patti!
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Thanks, Sue. We rented a wonderful apartment with a view several years ago, so I took lots of photos. 😀.
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Great!
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A beautiful post, Patti! And I was glad to be reminded of some positive changes too. Rich and You – and a happy life. My husband’s grandmother lived almost 100 years and was born in the 1890’s. She was a remarkable woman, and I often wondered how she was thinking, living through so many major changes in her life.
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Hi, AC. Thank you! Some changes are positive, others negative. A mix. And yes, we are so grateful that Rich’s surgeon repaired his heart and gave him all these years with us. ❤️. I wonder too about our grandparents who lived through so much. The flu epidemic, the depression, two world wars….unbelievable. Have a good week. I hope you have some wonderful walks in the sunshine.
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I hope you have a great week and a lovely weekend too!
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Terrific interpretation Patti – I adored your Duomo photos, all of them! the building with 2 different cars was very clever, and of course it is impossible not to love the change Rich experienced – what a frightening time that must have been for his mother. How amazing to still have that photo! I hear you about the aging change, not so fond of that one myself but as they say, beats the alternative! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
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Thanks so much, Tina. We are so thankful for John Kirklin’s amazing skill that gave Rich so many years of life. I am trying to imagine how his parents felt when the doctor told them he wouldn’t live for more than a few years. Unbelievable. He surprised them all. 😀❤️. I will be thinking of you this week as you travel north. Take care.
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I love your approach to growing older…gaining experience, as I like to think of it, Patti. The Duomo photos are wonderful, but I really like your bulbs to daffodils too. And Rich- that’s a great name for a lucky guy!
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Hi, Jo. I told Rich what you wrote and he loved it! He is a lucky guy. Thanks so much for your kind words. Have a great week too. Plenty of sun, I hope.
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The Duomo with all the changes, absolutely beautiful! Love your interpretation of the topic. Including the story of your hubby.
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Thanks so much, Alegria. I love your reaction. 😀😀
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This is an intriguing look, through your photos, at Change. Many different ways of looking at change. Fascinating post Patti.
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Thank you, Anne! I really appreciate your kind words. Big smile. 😀
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I really like your idea of showing the flow of time. All three are great examples 👍
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Thanks, Andre! I had fun with this post. I wanted to give a sense of time passing. I’m glad that came through. 😀
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you’re welcome 😊
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The sky is so ever-changing. Of course, I love the Duomo pics as my favorites. Change is such s broad word, so I appreciate your perspective, plus on with a personal touch. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi, Frank. Many thanks. 😀 The Duomo is inspired architecture, isn’t it? 😀😀. Have a good one, too.
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Excellent Patti. Quite the dramatic clouds in the Firenzi shot.
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The light and sky are amazing there. Thanks so much, John.
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Your Duomo pictures swept me back to Florence, Patti. As usual your post was thoughtful and your parting words of changes in self, of growing older and hopefully wiser, really struck a cord. 😊
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Ah…Firenze. We both love it! And yes, growing older (but not old) is an interesting proposition! Take care and have a good week.
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Wonderful photos of the Duomo, especially the one at Sunset ~ and all all the photos were excellent, but especially liked the contrasting shots you made at the Langham hotel ~ great perspective/framing and then the white/red car passing by add a nice symmetry. Beautiful post.
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Hi, Dalo. Many thanks! I saw the hotel lit up at night and I loved how it looked…especially from that perspective. I really appreciate your feedback. Many thanks!
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This is an inspired take on the challenge. I particularly enjoyed your take on the Duomo. And thanks for sharing your husband’s story. A good news story indeed!
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Thanks so much, Margaret. We are so grateful for that amazing surgeon who operated twice on Rich and gave him many wonderful years of life.
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Great take on the topic 👍🏼
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Thank you, Teresa! I appreciate that.
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Beautiful photographs of the Duomo Patti and what a wonderful story you share here about your husband’s life-saving surgery 💗
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Thank you, Xenia! The apartment we rented had a gorgeous view of the Duomo so I took hundreds of shots. And yes, thank you about Rich. We are very grateful.
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These photos really blew me away, and also the stories they tell. Especially the series with the Duomo of Firenze is magnificent.
The photos of Rich reminded me of a mesmerizing work which I’d seen in an exhibition in Rome: it was a series of passport sized photos in which an artist photographed himself every day for forty years.
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Wow, IJ. You gave me a huge smile this morning. Thank you! I’ve heard about photo projects like that…the Nixon sisters were photographed every year for 30, 40 years. Fascinating.
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Beautiful post.
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Thank you so much, Rupali. 😀
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Beautifully depicted and described too, loved going through your post.😊👍🏻
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Thank you so much, Ashu! I am delighted you enjoyed it! 😀😀😀.
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Everything about this was uplifting. Even the challenges, are to be embraced, aren’t they?
I loved how you talked of the ebb and flow of life. The sky and daffodils were reflective of that. The story of your husband brought a tear to my eyes. Look at his mom. That strong and beautiful smile and poised demeanor, and yet not knowing what changes were around the corner.
Loved the love that poured from this, even the knowledge of loving yourself as you/we have a few more creaks in the mornings. lol. Donna
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Hi, Donna. Thanks so much! Your comment and thoughts really made me smile. It’s true. His mom was so strong and beautiful. She was a wonderful mother-in-law. And yes, I’m trying to love the wrinkles and creaks. Trying and trying. 😀
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yes… I am sure you have heard me call them “knowledge lines”. We have indeed earned all of “those” lines, right?
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It is amazing what doctors can do. So glad everything worked out for your husband. And I agree the images of the Duomo are stunning.
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Fabulous images of change Patti 🙂 🙂
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I loved your post from start to finish. Changes are linked to our lives, for better or for worse.
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Hi, Ana. You always know how to give me a smile! Thank you. Yes, change is a constant in our lives, isn’t it? Have a good weekend!
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A great post Patti! Thank you for sharing your pictures and thoughts. And, I especially like the quote by Socrates.
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Thanks, Sylvia. Change is something I struggle with at tlmes, but sometimes it’s wonderful! Take care and have a good weekend.
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Enjoyed your take on the challenge so much!
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Thank you, Pepper! I really appreciate that. 😀
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My pleasure. 😊
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Incredible beauty in the first two photos! I love daffodils!
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Thank you, Robert! 😀
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