Lens-Artists Challenge: Celebrations Around The World
Posted on August 2, 2026
The Lens-Artists Challenge this week is all about celebrations around the world.
Of course, many things are celebrated in many different ways globally. However, one very common feature is fireworks. I have been fortunate to watch many celebratory firework displays in different parts of the world over the years and taken many photos of them.
It’s always something of a lottery trying to capture good firework images, but here’s a short selection of some that worked out well enough.
Sydney – New Year’s Eve
Abu Dhabi – National Day
Mézières-sur-Issoire – Fête Nationale
Last On The Card: Silk Tree
Posted on August 2, 2026
I know it also goes by other names, but here in France it’s known as a silk tree. We have one in our garden and, against all the drought-induced odds, it has flowered.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Adventure
Posted on July 21, 2026
The theme for this round of the Lens-Artists Challenge is ‘Adventure’. I freely admit that I am not the adventurous sort: no Indiana Jones experiences for me, thank you very much.
When we went on a game drive in the nature reserve on Sir Baniyas Island in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, that was quite adventurous enough for me. Unfortunately, when a giraffe stuck its head right inside the SUV I couldn’t get the shot, but I had better luck with this curious ostrich.
Monochrome Madness: Figures In The Built Environment
Posted on July 19, 2026
The environment in which these figures are set is certainly built, although it was a very long time ago: its Petra of course.
Here a local man with his two donkeys waits patiently for a couple of tourists to decide it’s too much of a walk to return to their hotel. For a fee, he’ll be happy to take them…
Lens-Artists Challenge: Bars
Posted on July 3, 2026
I spy, with my photographer’s eye, something beginning with ‘B’. Which is fortunate, because that’s the subject of this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge.
More specifically, I’ve gone with this image of a heavily barred window in what is clearly an abandoned building ,which I doubt would be worth the effort for anyone to try and break into.
(For good measure, this is to be found in the nearby village of Bussière-Poitevine.)
Last On The Card: Big Beast
Posted on July 3, 2026
As noted elsewhere today, we’ve got the payseagiste in, with his big brute of a tractor, and here it is.
To give an idea of scale, that blue cylindrical thing on the left is a rotary airer and its about two metres high. Looking out on progress today, I can report that the beast is taking no prisoners…
Monochrome Madness: Bright As Can Be
Posted on July 1, 2026
Today, the payseagiste is tackling about four acres of overgrown undergrowth (if you can have such a thing) for us. Yesterday evening he dropped off the beast of a machine that he’s using to do the job. It’s basically a very oversized tractor. For the most part it’s a functional black but parts of it are painted bright orange.
It struck me that this close-up of the manufacturer’s logo would make a good subject for this new Monochrome Madness, as the contrast between black and orange is striking. Converted to monochrome, you could say that it’s a case of black being the new orange…
And here’s the real thing…
Monochrome Madness: Bright As Can Be
Lens-Artists Challenge: Tools of Composition
Posted on June 26, 2026
Framing an image so it’s something more than just a snapshot is one of the fundamental joys of photography, and I’m always on the lookout for a view or perspective that lifts a ‘picture’ out of the ordinary.
The wonderful architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a goldmine of creative compositional opportunities, including this arcade of arches and marble pillars, reflected in still pools.
Cellpic Sunday: Volcan de Lemptegy (again)
Posted on June 14, 2026
Another example of nature fighting back. This solitary weed (for that’s what it is) looked quite dramatic against a background of almost black volcanic rock.
Cellpic Sunday: Volcan de Lemptegy
Posted on June 7, 2026
Hot from the press this one. Only yesterday we went on a coach trip to the group of extinct volcanoes that are to be found in the Puy-de-Dome region of central France (the Massif Central, as it happens).
The Volcan de Lemptegy has long been quarried for its volcanic rock, and that has produced some dramatic landscapes inside the original crater. Despite the best efforts of man, however, nature will find a way back, and there are trees and other vegetation everywhere, making a pleasing contrast.
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