Lens-Artists Challenge: Juxtaposition
Posted on February 24, 2026
When i saw that this week’s challenge was ‘juxtaposition’, my first thought was of one or more human figures set against part of the colossal ruins of the city of Petra, but as I searched my photo library I happened to come across this one first.
It shows a team of window cleaners carrying out the (almost literally) uphill task of cleaning the exterior of the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. I took it from my own office in that edifice, which was on the 23rd floor. I can’t remember how many floors there were exactly – about 36, I think, so these poor guys still had a way to go, in 40 degrees-plus heat and supported only by an individual safety harness.
Before I retired, at least they were given a safety cradle to use, but it certainly made me resolve never to complain about my own job again.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Unusual Crop
Posted on February 17, 2026
The challenge this week is to crop an image to provide a new slant on the subject. This is one of my favourite parts of the editing process; after all, isn’t it always good at least to try and find a new angle on a subject?
For this exercise, I’ve cropped and rotated the original photo, which is of the exterior of one of the smaller shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, to produce something that is at the same time structured yet almost abstract. For comparison, I’ve also reproduced the out-of-the-camera image below.
Cellpic Sunday: Rosemary
Posted on February 8, 2026
Well, spring must be on its way: the geese are returning from warmer climes and the daffodils are shooting, but the first new flowers in the garden are on the rosemary bush in our herb bed.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Shapes of things
Posted on February 4, 2026
It must be at least twenty years ago that I took this photograph, in the old fort at Al Ain, in the United Arab Emirates. However I still recall thinking at the time that it was a very good example of symmetry.
The characteristic roundness of these old jars is mirrored in the circle of cobblestones on which they stood (and, for all I know, still do) and also the low stone wall that is visible behind.
Last On The Card January 2026
Posted on February 1, 2026
This is the last photo I took in January, although it was only during a particularly cold snap, as far back as the 5th.
Monochrome Madness: Triptych
Posted on January 31, 2026
Lens-Artists Challenge: Monochrome minimalism
Posted on January 20, 2026
‘What is it?’ you may ask.
The answer is: raindrops on the bonnet (hood if you prefer) of our car.
Monochrome Madness: Markets
Posted on January 20, 2026
(Bit late: apologies)
The central fish market near the Rialto Bridge in Venice is well worth a visit. There are lots of stalls, all vying for the potential buyers’ attention, so an eye-catching display is important in order to grab the punters’ interest.
This particular fishmonger proffered these carefully constructed sardines, which certainly caught my eye.
Monochrome Madness: Leaves (And Berries)
Posted on November 28, 2025
My guess is that the greater part of flower photography is principally concerned with colours. However, a monochrome conversion of an image of a colourful flower can reveal otherwise hidden textural complexities.
Lens-Artists Challenge: On the move
Posted on November 18, 2025
The Lens-Artists Challenge this week is all about means of transport. Well, here’s a rather unusual one.
This is a very large (look at the human figures) mechanical elephant, which gives rides to visitors in a theme park in the city of Nantes, in western France.
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