How good are you being self-critical when it comes to your photography? Can you easily pick out the best of your shots and are you comfortable rejecting those that have been less successful?
I confess I’m pretty rubbish at it. I always hang on to far more images than I really need to, including many that aren’t quite of the standard I hold myself to. Often that’s because of the memories attached to them or because I don’t have any better shots of that place or event. And that’s fine. But when it comes to sharing with the wider world, I like to try to pick out my very best shots of the subject. And that task can sometimes feel like hunting for a precious stone in a beach full of sand!
I have been invited by the regular team to host this week’s Lens Artists Challenge – thank you all for entrusting me with your ‘baby’! I want to ask you all to join me in sharing three of what you consider to be among your very best shots. This exercise will really test your ability to be self-critical, as it has mine. Look into your archives and apply your most critical eye; play ‘judge’ and try to look dispassionately at your images. Pick out three (just three!) that stand out as particular favourites. Choose three from different genres please, but those genres are up to you: macro, wildlife, street, landscape, architecture. Anything goes, but each must be an image you are proud of.
Tell us a bit about each of your three photos please. Where you took it and when. Why you are pleased with it and have chosen it for this challenge. Does it evoke some special memories that influenced your choice of it as a favourite? Has it won a competition perhaps? Or is it simply a shot you love and are pleased to have taken. It doesn’t matter, by the way, if you’ve shared it before. The best images are worth seeing more than once, after all.
Here are my three. Believe me, I didn’t find this exercise any easier than you will. And if I did it again next week (or even tomorrow) I would probably choose three different shots!
People:
Fisherman in Fort Kochi, Kerala
Why this photo?
I take a lot of photos of people when I travel, partly because it’s a genre I enjoy but mainly because a place is nothing without its people. I want to populate my memories with those I meet and the many others I see in passing. And I like to record what people wear, how they look, how they live.
My preference is for candid or street photography. This isn’t only because I rarely feel comfortable asking permission; I also prefer the spontaneity of an unposed shot. I admit too that I rather enjoy the challenge of trying to capture people unawares. But I’m also equally happy when someone sees my camera and collaborates. That was the case with this fisherman in Fort Kochi. He was fully aware that I was taking photos during our visit to the Chinese fishing nets, the traditional style of fishing there. But he didn’t have a problem with it as you can see.
I have many candid shots from our trip to Kerala, where (as in most of India) locals were generally very comfortable with me taking their photo. It was hard to pick out a favourite, but this is one I’m especially fond of. It was pure serendipity that the colour of the man’s turban matched the net almost exactly! And I like all the textures – his beard, the hairs on his chest, the cloth of the turban. But most of all it’s his expression that makes the shot for me, because I find it so hard to read … and that keeps me looking at the image.
Structures:
An apsara at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Why this photo?
As a keen traveller, of course I take lots of photos of structures, both intact and in ruins. So picking a single favourite in this category is impossible. Luckily that’s not the task! I ask only that we pick A favourite, not the favourite; a subtle distinction but important. So I chose this one as it embodies several of my approaches to photographing a site, especially one as famous as Angkor Wat.
I of course always take what I consider to be record shots, showing as clearly as I can what the place looked like to me. But I have a particular interest in photographing the little details that make a structure distinctive, whether that’s an ultra-modern building or an ancient ruin.
All over Angkor I was captivated by the devata or apsara reliefs. These are depictions of beautiful women, with ornate hairdos and jewellery, bare-breasted and posed as if dancing. There are said to be around 2,000 at Angkor Wat alone! We explored the ruins soon after sunrise, when many of the other tourists who’d flocked to photograph it had left to have breakfast. They missed a treat. By the time they returned the light was harsh and the sun hot. But at this earlier hour it slanted in through all the spaces in the walls and lit up the small details I love. This was my most successful shot of the reliefs, because of that perfect light, the grey stone of the ruin turned to gold.
Wildlife:
An elephant in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Why this photo?
Wildlife is another of my favourite genres, both birds and animals. But when asked to choose my favourite animal, am I as torn as when asked to choose my favourite photo? No, not really; although I can never decide between the big cats and elephants.
Certainly elephants have a special appeal and in recent years I’ve been lucky to get up close to them in the wild in Botswana and in a special sanctuary in Laos, MandaLao. Both gave me great photo opportunities and pulling out just one image for this challenge was tough. But I wanted to include one monochrome shot in my selection of three, as it’s a format I’m increasingly drawn to. And this portrait of one of Chobe’s youngish bulls is one I feel works very well in black and white. I took it with my zoom lens at its furthest limit, and cropped it slightly to cut out all of the distracting background.
As to why I like this shot, I especially love the texture on his forehead, looking rather like parched ground. And look at the way the light is catching the hairs on his trunk. Isn’t he a handsome fellow?
So now it’s your turn. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s choice of three favourite shots. By pure coincidence Sandy (of the Sandy Chronicles) has chosen a very similar theme for her Friendly Friday Challenge this week. So maybe you’d like to ‘double-dip’ and link to her post too?
Thank you again to the Lens Artists team for inviting me to host this week. Thanks too to Tracy for hosting that interesting Surrealism challenge last week and to everyone who joined in; it was great to see the variety of responses! Anne will be our host next week, Saturday, August 6. Her intriguing theme will be What’s Your Groove.
151 Comments
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rajkkhoja
Hi
I visited Your site. Beautiful post
Annie Berger
Great concept for all photographers to exercise more self-criticism or awareness of the photos we take. I like this essay, Sarah, and the particular photos you selected.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie – I know I set the challenge but I found it really tough to choose just three to share!
Annie Berger
I can certainly imagine how tough that would have been!
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Anonymous
Hi Sarah. I had quite the emotional journey looking back at my archives. Love your choices. Here are mine. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2022/08/05/only-three/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for joining in the challenge Olga – we got there in the end!
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Leya
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2022/08/02/lapc-210/
I cannot find my pingback, Sarah! Here it is again. And I was sure i had read your comment, but now it is gone?
Sarah Wilkie
Your pingback IS still here, left on August 1st and sitting just below Wind Kisses / Donna’s comment.
But although I know I commented on your post, I just looked and there’s nothing there from me – that is odd! My comments don’t usually show up on your site until you moderate them, I think – could you have deleted it in error? I remember picking out the flower as a favourite but I think also commenting on the framing in the shot of the tree 🙂
rkrontheroad
Excellent! I don’t usually join these challenges, but I think the photos I’m most proud of are the ones I’ve chosen for my home page or on my photography pages, rather than my blog. I spent a good deal of time choosing them when I originally set up the web page and I’m in a different mode these days. Enjoyed seeing yours!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth – I’m glad you liked these 🙂 I’ve sometimes wondered about setting up separate photography pages (or even a separate blog just for images) but I always conclude that fewer people would bother to look and to see them there!
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Lindy Le Coq
As I made choices it became easier. I decided to present the shots I love the most (even if they aren’t technically “the best”), there is a prick of my heartstrings when I see them.
https://lindylecoq.com/2022/08/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-210-picking-favourites/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for joining in – I loved your choices and your rationale for choosing them 🙂
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margaret21
Well, in the end Sarah, I did manage to put a post together. Here it is: https://margaret21.com/2022/08/04/three-favourite-photos/
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The RA Adventurer
What wonderful Captures Sarah.
Here is my entry.
https://adventureswithra394709033.wordpress.com/2022/08/03/3-favorites-of-2022-lens-artist-challenge/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much, glad to have you join the challenge!
Cee Neuner
Hi Sarah, I so adore your photos and your photography. NIce seeing your favorites.
Here is my entry for the week.
https://ceenphotography.com/2022/08/03/3-favorites-of-2022-lens-artists/
Sarah Wilkie
That’s really kind of you Cee, and thanks for joining in with your own great selection!
Donna Robinson Photography
Excellent challenge, Sarah! Like you, I would probably choose 3 different phots the next time around! Here’s my contribution!
https://drphotographysite.com/2022/08/03/lens-artist-210-picking-favorites/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for joining in Donna and for your thoughtful consideration of which images to include 🙂
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Ark
Thank you for the challenge, Sarah.
I especially like your shot of the fisherman. Great capture…
https://attaleuntold.wordpress.com/2022/08/03/51411/
Sarah Wilkie
And thank you for joining in 🙂
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Photos by Jez
Amazing shots, Sarah 👏 Easy to see why they are your favourites 😃 Here’s mine: https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2022/08/03/two-old-one-new-lens-artists-challenge-210/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for joining the challenge Jez, I really enjoyed your contribution 🙂
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Florin
Great selection of photos, Sarah! Your topic made me think a bit more about what exactly makes some photos stay with us and speak to us. Here’s my contribution: https://florinpopa.blog/2022/08/03/triptych/.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks for joining in – I know it wasn’t easy but I love what you came up with!
sandyjwhite
Difficult to choose, Sarah!
Here’s mine: https://outofmywritemind.com/2022/08/02/three-black-white-picks/
Sarah Wilkie
Very difficult, but you choose well – I especially liked seeing a black and white contribution 🙂
sandyjwhite
Glad you enjoyed the B & W!
Leya
Excellent choices, Sarah – and interesting to follow your thoughts. I love all three of them, but the fisherman is my favourite. It is an astonishing portrait. Your images are always excellent, and I admire your skill at portrait making.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Ann-Christine, I’m really glad you liked my fisherman 😊
bushboy
Great selection Sarah. I’ll try to be back later when I have a chance to think a while 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks, I’ll look forward to seeing your choices Brian 🙂
Wind Kisses
I did love the challenge. I wasn’t sure I could truly pick three, and found I do have favorites from the past. It was good for all of us to narrow down and decide what “quality” looks like . Always a pleasure Sarah to see your work. Donna
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much for joining in Donna 🙂
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grandmisadventures
You really have a wonderful eye when it comes to finding beauty and interest 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thanks so much, I really appreciate the compliment 😊
maristravels
I’ve just looked on your website to see what other sites I had attached to you, but my mistake, they are not sites but categories. I looked at the Challenges and saw a list of names which I took to be sites. Apologies!
Sarah Wilkie
Aha, that makes sense 🙂 Thanks for clarifying, I was puzzled!
wetanddustyroads
Only three…oh my Sarah, I don’t know how you were able to do that 😄. I like your fisherman – maybe it’s the colours or his facial expression… is it a look of happiness, contentment or even just acceptance of his circumstances? Like you said, maybe that’s what makes me keep looking at this photo over and over again …
Sarah Wilkie
It was tough for sure, and if I chose today or tomorrow or next week I might pick different images but I suspect the fisherman would be among them most times if not all!
Amy
Hi Sarah, Here is my entry https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2022/08/01/lens-artists-challenge-picking-favourites/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Amy, I loved seeing your choices!
philosophy through photography
An interesting theme.
Love the concept as to why we love a particular photo and it also becomes a favourite of ours.
Love all the 3 images.
Elephant my favorite.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the concept and my elephant 😀
philosophy through photography
You are welcome Sarah.
Tish Farrell
All stunning choices, Sarah. But the light on the apsara, heightening the fine details is v. captivating. Also I’ve just discovered it was flipping Firefox stopping me from commenting on your blog. Hopefully seen off now.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tish 😊 I’m glad you got to the bottom of the problem. I’ll remember that if anyone else tells me they’re having difficulties. John (below) seems to have run into a similar problem.
Tish Farrell
Here are my 3 picks: https://tishfarrell.com/2022/08/01/trio-of-photo-favourites-from-the-old-africa-album/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much for joining in with such a great selection Tish 🙂
Beth
Sarah, thank you for this challenge and these three fantastic images!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Beth 🙂
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Teresa
This my take on the topic Sarah!
https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2022/08/01/3-memorable-shots/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa, great to have you join the challenge!
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Marsha
Sarah, as usual, you have portrayed such professionally beautiful photos. I love your explanations as well. Your photograph of the elderly man has always been a favorite of mine. The coloring is fabulous and I especially love the contrast of his sparkly hairs on his left (our right) shoulder and side of his chest. I love how you teach us with each photograph. I’ve seen some of the links attached, and you’ve drawn out some evocative photos from others as well. Thanks for inspiring us, my friend.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Marsha 😊 I’m glad you too love that photo of the fisherman, it’s definitely one of my all-time favourites! And thanks too for checking out other people’s contributions – there are so many super photos being shared!
Inside the Mind of Isadora
These are all wonderful photographs, Susan. I must say the one of the man is very detailed.
The elephant is a fav becasue I have never been close enough to one to photograph it. The
details are phenomenal. Thank you for hosting. It is a pleasure to meet you. Hope you enjoy my choices.
Isadora 😎
https://isadoraartandphotography.wordpress.com/2022/07/31/lapc-three-favorite-images/
Sarah Wilkie
Lovely to meet you too Isadora, and I really loved your gorgeous flower shots!
Inside the Mind of Isadora
I apprecite your kind and complimentstary words. Thank you …
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Sue
Some brilliant images, Sarah! I really enjoyed this challenge. Here’s my post: https://suejudd.com/2022/07/31/lens-artists-photo-challenge-210-picking-favourites/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much for joining in Sue!
Bren (Brashley Photography)
These images are beautiful Sarah…. a lovely theme for this week. Here is my contribution to the challenge. I didn’t know how hard it was to pick 3 images. 😀 😀 😀
https://brashley.photography/2022/07/31/my-favourite-three/
Sarah Wilkie
A beautiful contribution, thank you 🙂 And yes, now you know how hard it is to pick favourites 😆
Bren (Brashley Photography)
🤣🤣🤣
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Again, I’m intrigued by your ability to get people to let you photograph them. The fisherman is truly a master work, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, but I promise you in India it really isn’t difficult! The challenge is to persuade people NOT to pose!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Laughing…
Tina Schell
Loved both your post and the challenge Sarah. It’s an exercise I’ve done several times and it’s always an interesting and illuminating activity. You’re so right that our choices will vary on another day! Of yours I especially loved the portrait which has so much life and detail, but they’re all terrific. Thanks again for hosting the challenge! My response is here https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2022/07/31/lens-artists-challenge-210-three-favorites/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tina, I loved seeing your choices!
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photobyjohnbo
You made a great point about having a different selection of three if you were to do it again. As usual, my responses are posted on Thursday to the Lens-Artist challenges. I still haven’t completely finalized my three picks. >grin<
Thanks for hosting and wrapping up the July guest host list.
Sarah Wilkie
I’ll look forward to seeing them John!
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Stupidity Hole
These are, as they say, well-shot shots.
Also some nice explanations as to why you chose these three in particular.
Here’s mine for this one:
https://stupidityhole.com/2022/07/31/some-rocky-coastline/
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Hi Sarah, me again. Back today to share my link https://picture-retirement.com/2022/07/31/17175/
Sofia Alves
Your photos are always inspirational, Sarah. They are truly remarkable.
Thank goodness for the a favourite and not the favourite, that would have been impossible. Anyway, here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2022/07/31/lens-artists-challenge-picking-favourites/
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Alison
Here’s mine Sarah, I’m not sure they meet the criteria – what a challenge!
https://travelswithali.com/2022/07/31/picking-favourite-photos-lens-artist-challenge/
Sarah Wilkie
A super response, thank you 😊
Alison
🙂
Leela Gopinath
Great images Sarah!!
Will send my favourites soon…
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Leela, I’ll look forward to seeing them!
Reflections of an Untidy Mind
Sarah, you’ve chosen three wonderful examples. As well as texture, it is interesting that each of the three photos draw the viewer to the eyes first before fanning out. Thank you for the guidance on how to choose our favourite three. That’s very helpful. I mostly load up my lens-artists responses with my husband’s photos (except for the last one of course), but maybe I’ll choose three that I’ve taken. I will be back later once I’ve had a chance to look at my photo archive.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😊 I’ll look forward to seeing what you come up with!
I. J. Khanewala
Three beautiful choices. And interestingly, all three are about texture, even down to that polished texture of the sculpture’s arms. I suppose that texture on the elephant’s forehead is due to the mud that elephants like to keep themselves covered in? I can see traces of it straggling down to the trunk. Even without the mud I always find an elephant’s hide has amazing texture.
I’m trying to set the link below to become active on August 1 at 4:30 AM UTC. Hope it works, otherwise I won’t be able to fix it:
https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2022/08/01/trees-are-not-enough/
Sarah Wilkie
Ah yes, thank you for that observation about texture – it is something I look out for in my photography 😀 And thanks too for joining in!
salsaworldtraveler
I can see why these are favorites. It must have been very hard to narrow down to only three because you take so many great photos.
Paul
Thank you for hosting this challenging challenge. Your images are strking, particularly the man…or maybe the elephant…no, it’s the structure. All awesome. Here is the link to my favorites.
https://lifeinmyyears.com/2022/07/30/lens-artists-challenge-three-favorite-images/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks for joining in Paul – a great selection 😃 And John, thanks for those kind words 😀
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JohnRH
BTW, great photos and commentary. You are one of THE MOST traveled bloggers I’ve seen. Mind boggling.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks – I have a number of friends, both bloggers and not, considerably more travelled than I am!
JohnRH
😱 I’m gobsmacked.
Alison
Wow a very difficult challenge Sarah!
Yours are wonderful
My favourite of your favourites is the man in the turban, although I do love the elephant too
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Alison, I’m glad you enjoyed these 😀
Alison
🙂
Heyjude
Your fisherman is fantastic. I love that shot. But my favourite has to be the elephant simply because I love elephants. Now to think about what I’d consider to be three of my best shots.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jude – I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Teresa
Such a beautiful set of favourites. The one I like best is the fisherman…such detail in the face, the turban, the body hair! 👏👏👏 thanks for this Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thank you Teresa 😊
Sandy
Great images Sarah. I remember your fisherman, he is striking because of the contrast of his white hair against his skin.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sandy – yes, not the first time I’ve shared him!
Sandy
… and always good for viewing!
margaret21
I like your choices, and your reasons. I suspect this week, dominated by Baby Care, may not be one where I have time to pore over my own collection, but this is a useful exercise and perhaps I’ll do it later, once the challenge is officially over.
Sarah Wilkie
It would be good to see what you come up with whenever you get the chance!
margaret21
No promises … but we’ll see…
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wonderful examples, Sarah! This gives me a great idea for Wordless Wednesday this week. I like how you say “pick A favorite…” The elephant is amazing!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Terri – I’ll look out for your post on Wednesday!
Amy
Love your choices, Sarah! Your theme gives us an opportunity to share our favorite images and stories behind.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy 😊
SoyBend
I like how you cropped the elephant picture, Sarah. The way you cropped it highlights the essentials features of elephants. This was a challenging challenge!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Siobhan, and thanks for joining in 😃
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Love your examples and explanations of each. I will be joining in with a post scheduled for Sunday. Thanks for hosting. I enjoyed participating.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Suzanne, I look forward to seeing your response 😀
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Anonymous
I liked in particular the elephant photo as it reminded me of my own visit to Chobe/Zambezi River safari in Botswana.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊
giacomoasinello
Wow, gorgeous shots.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊
Prior...
Great trio and enjoyed backstories
Also – the fisherman is my fav of the post – and I take streets like you do – sometimes candid and sometimes ask – other times folks see my camera and cooperate.
Oh and here is my link for the week
https://priorhouse.blog/2022/07/30/three-images-lens-artists-photo-challenge-30july2022/
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for the feedback and for joining in this week 😊 It’s good to know you have a similar approach to mine!
Prior...
☀️😊🙏
JohnRH
Firefox now lets me open comment link in a new tab and comment under my WordPress login. Here’s my weekly, compiled in advance of your instructions: https://fairplay740.wordpress.com/2022/07/30/lens-artists-challenge-210-three-favorite-images/
Sarah Wilkie
Not sure why you had these problems but I’m glad you persisted 😃
Anonymous
https://fairplay740.wordpress.com/2022/07/30/lens-artists-challenge-210-three-favorite-images/
Anne Sandler
This is definitely a challenge Sarah. It’s so hard to single out just three! My desktop is on a full day backup process so I’ll get to this tomorrow! Love your favorites and the explanations.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Anne, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
restlessjo
That’s a challenge and a half, Sarah. My favourite of these is easily the apsara. The details and lighting are so very beautiful, but the fisherman has a great face. Full of personality.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo, I’m glad you like them 😊
JohnRH
Hmm. Can’t comment in Safari without entering all my info? Or comment box is grayed entirely via Firefox.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not sure why you were having these problems John but you seem to have resolved them!
Tish Farrell
John, I was having that problem with a number of blogs. If you click on the shield icon in front of the padlock icon in front of the https etc you should get an option to undo the firefox nonsense.
solaner
Fantastic idea! Very challenging. But, you have to think twice about what to post. 👍👍
I love you approach of explaining, why you’ve chosen these images.
https://solaner.wordpress.com/2022/07/30/lens-artists-photo-challenge-210-three-favorite-images/
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, by restricting yourself to just three you have to choose very carefully 😃 Thanks for joining in Andre, I loved your selections!
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