Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.
W.H. Auden
We’re delighted to welcome Anne Sandler as a new member of the Lens-Artists team. For her challenge this week, she has chosen Water as her subject. Perfect! I was born near Long Island Sound, so I have had a long and loving connection with water.
Its majesty and power are indisputable. Several years ago, when we visited Niagara Falls on a frigid winter day, I was mesmerized by the plumes of freezing mist rising above the cascading water.
They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
In warmer months, water can show its gentler side. I captured this photo in the Japanese Gardens in Grand Rapids one spring day. Here, the water tantalizes and dazzles.
Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.
― Wallace Stevens
In this photo, water acts as a mirror. I captured this view of the Crown Fountain in Chicago one fall day when a person in a red jacket was walking through a pool of water. He seemed so deep in thought that he was oblivious to the reflections.
For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It’s always our self we find in the sea.
― e.e. cummings, 100 Selected Poems
Winter is the rainy season in Vancouver. In a typical year, an average of 47 inches of precipitation will fall.
On a rare sunny day this past December, I joined Canadians making the “pilgrimage” to English Bay to admire the setting sun.
You didn’t come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here.
– Alan Watts
This final image was taken on a warm evening in Nadi, Fiji. The soft purple in the clouds, the sky, and the water were stunning. During our visit, the water was gentle, docile, and very relaxing.
I believe, as Alan Watts says, that we are like waves in the ocean. Up to 60% of our bodies are comprised of water. We need water to survive and we are forever connected to it. During my life, some of my happiest moments were spent near rivers, lakes, oceans, and harbors–swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. But, oddly enough, taking a cruise was not my cup of tea. I wonder if I had a genetic memory of my grandfathers and grandmother crossing the ocean from Ireland and Italy, clinging to the ship’s railing as the seas roiled and rolled? Maybe.
A special thanks to Sofia for hosting the Low Light challenge last week. I really enjoyed your images, which were inspiring and highlighted the power and beauty of low light photography. Looking ahead, we are very pleased to announce that Karina of Murtagh’s Meadow will be hosting LAPC #188, so be sure to visit her site next Saturday at noon to get all the details. Until then, have a safe, peaceful, and inspiring week.
We invite you to participate in our weekly Lens-Artists Challenges. If you want more information on how to join us, just click this link to get all the details.
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
P.A. Moed 
Niagara Falls is awesome in the true sense of the word. I enjoyed your second shot of drops and smiled at the Chicago shot, as I’m using the same fountain later this month for an entry for SquareOdds. It’s an interesting fountain and the red jacket really adds to the shot.
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Hi, Janet. Isn’t Niagara Falls amazing? I’ve been there twice and both times I’ve struggled to comprehend the magnitude of it! Oh, you’re using that same spot for your image too? It’s a very photogenic place. 😀. Have a good week.
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The Bean is best but this fountain is rather cool as well. I’m using the fountain for a different post this week, not the Lens-Artists post.
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Right. Have a good week!
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Wow … water is a broad topic so I like your approach. From roars to quiet to settings for the sun, well done. Rising and setting suns over water are special! Thanks, Patti.
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Hi, Frank. I thought you’d like the topic! And of course the sunrises and sunsets over the water. They are special. You must live near water! Have a good week.
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Cincinnati is home … But we spent some of winter on northern Gulf coast … So I get to see sunrises and sunsets over water
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Hi Patti, I really like your water photos for this week. Brilliant gallery 😀
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Thank you, Cee. Big smile! 😀
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I love all of your images this week, Patti. So many moods! But water is like that, isn’t it? I especially like your pink droplets and the young man with all the cares of the world on his shoulders.
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Hi, Jo. He does like burdened by the world, doesn’t he? So deep in thought. Glad you like the happy pink one, too. Yes, indeed. Many different moods. So you and I both like living near the water!
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Lovely photos Patti. I especially liked the one of English Bay as I used to live near there.
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Hi, Anne. Thanks so much. 😀 Yes, English Bay. How long has it been since you’ve been there? We hope to go back there this summer. Fingers crossed.
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I moved to England when I finished university That was in 1971 so it is eons ago.
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Outstanding images for this challenge Patti! I especially liked your photograph of the American Falls in Niagara Falls. When we visited, I was amazed at how much water was flowing over and the force of it was amazing. I also liked the reflection image in Chicago. All the images were great.
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Hi, Anne. I enjoyed this challenge. I was delighted to find the Niagara raw file deep within my archives! What a happy find. Niagara is truly astounding. It ranks up there with the Grand Canyon in terms of the massiveness of it. Thanks for your kind words about this collection. You gave us great inspiration this week!
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Lovely selection of water, Patti. The Niagara Falls is majestic. We were there in our early travels. The battery was frozen because of the cold in January. I thought the camcorder was broken.😄
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Oh, dear. A frozen car battery? Or camcorder battery? It’s not surprising. The hour or so we were there was absolutely numbing! We were there in late November. I can’t imagine what January was like! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. Have a good week.
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It was the camcorder battery, Patti. We went years ago, before digital camera!
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Loved this one Patti – really beautiful images and thoughts. The Crown Fountain is absolutely amazing! Of course you waited for a guy in a red jacket!!! And your image of the falls is terrific. Really well done.
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Hi, Tina. Thank you!! I found the Niagara shot deep in my archives. What a happy find! The same with the Crown Fountain. Phew! Every week, I wonder if I’ll find or shoot some good images! Take care. Good talking to you this morning!
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Lovely photos. I’m a sucker for photos of droplets of water caught in vegetation, but the following photo actually stole my attention: the reflections, the mural, and the guy in the red jacket below it.
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Hi, IJ. So, you like the Crown Fountain! Great. It’s really an interesting spot. The images of people are projected onto that rock/slab and they change every few minutes. The water also comes out of the mouth of one of the people in the photos! Kids and adults love that. I’m glad you did, too. Have a good week.
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This lovely post highlights the many different moods of water. The one in the Japanese Gardens is an unusual and lovely view of something we take so much for granted.
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Hi, Margaret. It’s a very long, gray winter in Michigan, so when the sun breaks through the clouds again, it’s cause for a real celebration! I saw that tree in the Japanese Gardens on that type of day! Thanks so much for your thoughts, as always! Have a good week.
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I’d love to see Niagara in winter – your shot really captures the magic I would hope to find there! And I love the image of the man in red walking past that fountain in Chicago – perfectly timed and so effective!
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Hi, Sarah. Thank you! I think the Niagara shot was our reward for an hour or so in the freezing cold! I’m glad you like the man in the red coat, too. He was a happy coincidence. I hope you get to see Niagara in the winter. Dress warmly!
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Water, water everywhere and some beautiful photos to illustrate that. At the moment we’re having rather a bit too much water, though thankfully it’s sunny this morning.
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Ah, rain, rain go away! I hope the sun continues to shine there. We’re still in a period of snow. No sign of spring yet! Thanks so much, Jude, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, as always! Much appreciated.
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Very nice, Patti. I lave especially the droplets on the tiny plant
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Hi, Andre. Thank you! I’m delighted you like that “vision of spring” in pink! I hope all’s well. Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
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You’re welcome 😊
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Great photos and quotes Patti. Superb.
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Hi, John. Many thanks! I’m delighted you enjoyed them. 😀😀
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Of all your wonderful photos, the droplet one is my favourite and a very close second the fountain in Chicago. That red hoodie is a masterful detail.
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Hi, Sofia. Thank you!! Your favorites seem to be the most popular ones! I am glad I waited for the fellow in the red hoody to walk past. It was a happy moment! Thanks again and have a great week.
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I really enjoyed the different ways you have captured water. I think Niagara Falls is my favorite. I, too, have had a long connections water.
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Hi, Beth. I’m sorry I didn’t see your comment until now! Niagara Falls is astounding, isn’t it? I was dumbfounded by it! So we are kindred spirits who love the water! Have a great week.
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The photograph of the Japanese Gardens is my favorite.
They’re all superb selections, Patti. I visited Niagara Falls.
The power of the water and its sound is unforgettable. I wasn’t
into photogrphy at the time. I’ll have to go back and get some pics.
Good excuse …. right???
Isadora 😎
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Hi, Isadora. Sorry for my late reply. I don’t know how I missed your comment. I’ll take a look at your post next.
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I love your water image selections, Patti. The waterdrop image is my fav. The Vancouver sunset is stunning. We can use some of the rain they get. 🙂
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Hi, Amy. My apologies! I missed your comment last week. Thanks for your thumbs up for the water drop image. It was such a beautiful scene–in the spring after the rain. I hope you get some rain too. Have a great week and again, my apologies. 😀
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Hi Patti, It happens to me quite often. Don’t worry about it. Preparing the new theme post, responding to comments, visiting site… can be overwhelming.
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Hi Patti
I adore Niagara Falls, and your photo is stunning. And dazzles is indeed a great word for the plant in the Grand Rapids Japanese Gardens!
I’ve updated my page to include your link, I had published before yours hit the streets as they say.
Here’s my slender offering for the Lens Artists 187: Water topic.
Best, Babsje
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Thanks, Babsje for adding the link. Much appreciated. I’m late replying….my apologies! I’m delighted you enjoyed my photos. I’ll take a look at your post next.
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I also love being near water
Great images Sofia
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Hi, Alison. Many thanks. So we both love water! 😀❤️
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Beautiful choices, Patti. I especially love the moodiness of that Niagara Falls photo. Great choices for this week’s challenge!
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Hi, John. Thank you! Niagara was awe-inspiring and very cold!
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heart melting shot in the Japanese garden and the water mirror is a great capture
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Oh, thank you, Laura. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Have a great rest of the week.
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Great gallery, Patti! Love the red jacket and Fiji – a really enjoyable post again!
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Thanks so much, AC. You know how to put a smile on my face! Have a good week.
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I am glad to have put a smile on your face – you often do that with me! Happy to pay back some of your joy!
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Beautiful images Patti and I especially love the dazzling droplets in the Japanese garden 💗
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Beautiful collection of images and words, especially e.e. cummings. I found myself in this post.
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