Hi, everyone! I’m back to blogging after spending some time with family in beautiful British Columbia. Before I jump into Anne Sandler’s challenge this week, I’d like to thank to our wonderful guest hosts in July–Aletta, Jez, Andre, Tracy, and Sarah–for stepping in for us and doing such a terrific job. Your posts and inspiring themes were wonderful!
While we were traveling last month, Anne Sandler’s question popped into my mind from time to time. What type of photography do I enjoy the most?
To tell you the truth, I’m still exploring different types of shots–landscapes, still life, seascapes, portraits, macro, architecture, abstract, and so on. The Lens-Artists challenges have given me wonderful opportunities to explore different photographic genres and get valuable feedback from all of you. Your thoughts and impressions are helping me figure out the types of images that “work,” and what genres inspire me.
Like Anne and Tina, I switched to a Fuji mirrorless camera several years ago. It turned out to be a great decision. I’ve been delighted with the size of the camera, how it feels in my hands, its retro look (yes, I’m that superficial 😀), and the crispness of its images. The Fuji lenses are simply outstanding.
Here’s a small sample of my most recent photos taken in British Columbia. It’s an eclectic collection shot with a variety of lenses. (Click on each image to enlarge it.)

As many of you may have noticed, I’m drawn to flowers. This image was captured in Stanley Park in Vancouver with my 35mm f1.4 prime Fuji lens. I love how the lens is tack-sharp and works so well in low light conditions.
Shooting macro has opened up new photographic “worlds” for me. This image was captured with my Laowa macro lens. This is the first time I’ve bought a manual lens, which took some getting used to, but now I enjoy its ability to drill into the details. It also allows me to really control the focus in a variety of shooting conditions.


I shot this image of lily pads on Bowen Island with my trusty Fuji 18 to 55 mm lens– the one I use the most.
One of my current interests is creating more abstract images, so the shapes and colors of these lily pads really caught my eye.
Why do I always stumble across wonderful landscapes when I don’t have my Fuji camera?
I used my Google Pixel 6 to capture this sunset in English Bay in Vancouver several nights ago. The cell phone camera has several lenses and a “night sight” mode, which is great in low light. Landscapes and seascapes are some of my favorite types of images.

One of the joys of photography is experimenting with light and keeping me in the present moment. With the chaos swirling around all of us right now, I find peace and joy when I lift my camera up to my eyes and view the scene before my eyes. Photography allows me to witness the beauty in the world at that moment. It’s my form of meditation.
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new Fuji 70 to 300 mm lens, which has been on backorder for months. Soon, I’ll be sharing my experiments with this lens. So stay tuned!
We invite you to join Anne’s “What’s Your Photographic Groove?” challenge this week. Be sure to visit her site to see her wonderful photos and learn about her photographic journey. Next week, it’s my turn to lead the challenge, so please stop by next Saturday at noon to join the fun.
Until then, stay safe, stay well, and be inspired!
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
I can’t wait for you to play with your new lens (70-300). I love the bokeh they have 😀 😀 Wonderfully gorgeous photos for this week. 😀
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Hi, Cee. I’m so excited. I will get it next month! Thanks for your thoughts on this week’s collection. 😀. I’m delighted.
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Always happy to visit BC, even if only virtually. Your time there with your trusty camera(s) was well spent indeed. Though simple, I really like your first image.
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Hi, Margaret. I’m delighted you like to re-visit B.C. 😀 Yes, I agree about that shot. I think the lighting creates some drama for a simple flower shot. I hope all’s well!
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Yes thanks. Recovering from Young Family Onslaught 😉
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Ah…the Onslaught! 😀❤️😀
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Welcome back Patti! Loved your response this week as well of course as your image. All beautiful illustrations of your talent across genres. Loved the lily pads especially
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Thank you so much, Tina! It’s interesting how the lily pads are a favorite this week. I wasn’t sure how it would go over. Your images are such a treat, as always! I hope all’s well with you. ❤️😀😀
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That first wonderful crisp shot is my favourite, Patti, with the gentle hues of green in the background. Glad you had a good holiday. Welcome back 🤗💗
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Thanks so much, Jo. The break really helped to reinvigorate me. I hope all’s well. Thanks for the kudos on the flower.
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Some great images, Patti! What model Fuji is your camera?
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Hi, Sue. Thanks! I have the Fuji XT4. It’s terrific. Let me know if you buy it. 😀
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Aaaah, and that’s the one Ann Christine has!
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Welcome back, Patti! Love your flower shot. The abstract image is my favorite. The cell photo is amazing!
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Hi Amy. Thanks!! 😀❤️😀. I’m glad you like the lily pads. It was fun to explore Bowen Island with our son. And yes, the cell phone takes great photos, too! I’m so impressed with the power in that little camera! Take care. I hope all’s well and you’re enjoying this summer.
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Patti, I’m so glad you enjoyed your travels and are back with us. What a lovely post for this challenge. The lily pads are outstanding. It would make a challenging puzzle. Take care.
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Hi Anne. Thanks so much! We went far and wide–up to the Yukon, over to Vancouver Island, and a few places in between. It was so much fun. Yes, the lily pads would make a great puzzle. Um…I know there’s a company that can change photos into puzzles…great idea! I hope all’s well with you, too.
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I know Shutterfly and Costco do it. At least they did pre-pandemic.
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Patti
Welcome back and hope you had a great time traveling
You were missed
Oh and how interesting that your groove right now is to go a little more abstract –
😉
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Thank you so much, Yvette. 😀😀. I am so happy to hear that. ❤️❤️. Yes, abstract. We’ll see what happens….And I hope all’s well with you!
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☀️😊🙏
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Beautiful! And I, too, love the lily pad photo! 💙 I am considering getting a mirrorless camera, but I would hate to not be able to use my cannon lenses. I just take photos for fun but I’d like to expand my options. I love looking at other blogger’s photos!! Thanks for sharing your info too!
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Hi, Lisa. I felt the same way, but I was won over by the Fuji lenses. You could try renting a Fuji (lensrentals.com or borrowlenses.com) and see what you think about the lenses? That’s what I did. B & H Photo also offers great trade-ins. I traded in all my Canon lenses. A thought for you! 😀😀
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Well, I don’t want to trade mine in. Part of the reason I’m thinking about a new option is so I have a back-up camera! But I’m going to do some thinking and reading. And looking at beautiful photos! 😊
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PS: I had no idea you could rent a camera, interesting thought!
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I love the lily pads Patti.
I recently bought a 70 – 300mm and it’s quite good but not what I need for my bird photography. I wished I could have afforded a bigger lens. The phone camera photo is quite good, I am hopeless with mine 🙂
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We went to an air show this weekend and some of the lenses are absolutely huge! I’m looking forward to exploring the zoom capabilities. For birding, I’m sure the more powerful lens would open up more possibilities. Yes, the phone cameras are really improving! I’m already thinking of upgrading.😂😂😂
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Lovely clicks..
Love the macro of the ancient coin.
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Hi, Philo. So you love ancient history (the coin), like me!! Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
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Welcome Pattimoed.
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Welcome back Patti! Glad you had a wonderful time away! Thank you for your kind words and for all the help with my post! I also love the lily pads! The colours and the light in it, are just amazing!
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😀❤️😀. Thanks so much, Aletta! It was a wonderful break to travel and explore with our son. He’s a lot of fun. As for the lily pads…we both took shots of them on Bowen Island. I’m glad you enjoyed them. 😀
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That’s great!
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Welcome back.These photos are perfect examples of what I’ve been missing. The photo of the lily pads, for example: dappled light, the colours of a reflected sky and the variety of colour in the leaves.
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Hi, IJ. Thank you! I’m so glad the lily pad photo resonated with you. My son took another one, a close up. I’ll send it to you when I get it from him! It’s a soothing image. I hope all’s well with you.
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Great to see you back with more super photos to share. I have to single out your lily pads here, I love the colours and the patterns they make.
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Hi, Sarah! Thanks so much! I’ve taken plenty of shots this month and last, so you’ll be seeing more of them. 😀😀. I hope all’s well and thanks again for hosting in July.
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You’re very welcome. I enjoyed the challenge of playing host 😁
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A lovely variety of images. Flower photography is still my favourite genre and I like to use my prime lens too as it creates lovely soft backgrounds. I also bought a 75-300mm lens primarily for birdlife, but I find it too heavy to use and hard to keep steady at full zoom so really need to use it with a tripod. I wish now I had bought another prime lens.
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Oh! Thanks for the feedback, Jude on the lens. Is it a Fuji 70 to 300mm? I am hoping it’s not too heavy. I’m already thinking of my next lens!! I hope all’s well. Thanks for your feedback, as always. 😀😀
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Great, Patti. I love your water lily pond. It reminds me to Claude Monet‘s garden in France
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Thanks, Andre! I love that…Monet’s gardens. I haven’t visited them yet. Have you?
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Yes, I have. A few years ago. It’s very nice but crowded. Go early and preferably out of French summer holidays. We were there end of July and arrived around noon, fortunately with pre-booked tickets. Saved us a lot of time. Worst and crowded place was the house. https://solaner.wordpress.com/tag/monet/
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Lovely shots, Andre. It looks like the sun was dodging the clouds. I’m glad you didn’t go during covid!
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😁 the days before, there was a severe storm (great opportunity to get magnificent images of the rough sea – we stayed in Etretat) and just that morning the weather turned to become nice again. So, you had a good eye 😀
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Thank you for sharing your journey regarding cameras, and the comparisons. I have been thinking of a mirrorless for quite some time. Always love your work, and words to mimic your photos. I too find peace and joy behind my lens. I loved your lily pads.
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Hi, Donna. Thanks so much! You made my day! I’m delighted you enjoy my photos. 😀😀. Doesn’t it feel good to go out and shoot photos? I love it. Glad you do, too. Take care. Enjoy the day/week.
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Thanks Patti.
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Beautiful shots! I love the yellow flowers’ details.
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Hi, Dawn. Thank you! 😀😀❤️. I really appreciate that!
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Beautiful images Patti, I especially love the way you captured the flowers with the Laowa macro lens 💛
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Hi, Xenia. Thanks! You put a big smile on my face! The Laowa is quite sharp. Glad you liked them! I hope all’s well, too.
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I was in Stanley Park in June. I didn’t see you. 😱 LOVE the lily pads. Superb.
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Oh! We missed each other! I wish we had the chance to meet! I hope you had a great time here.
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So good to have you back, Patti! I always love your images, they are from other places than mine, and show me your view of the world. Great variety. You are a master of landscapes and architecture – it is what you love that defines you, isn’t it. I have to agree with so many of the others – the lily pond is a magnet to my eyes!
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Hi, AC. It’s wonderful to hear from you! Thanks so much for your thoughts on this pics. The lily pond was interesting. My son and I took quite different photos of the same scene. I love that! I’ll be in touch via email. I have a question about one of the trips you took to Spain. 😀❤️😀
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Somehow I missed your post last week, Patti. I was reviewing the reader this evening and discovered your photos. I really like the tone of the image with the lily pads.
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Thanks, John! No worries about missing last week. I think it’s impossible to keep up with everyone! 😀😀. Glad you like the lily pads. That turned out to be a popular one.
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