Kutubiyya Mosque, Marrakesh. You can’t go in to the mosques in Marrakesh but they didn’t seem to mind you taking pictures from outside. We timed it so we’d be near the mosque at around midday when we knew the doors would be open. This was just a quick grab shot and I had no idea what I had until I processed the image later. I could have easily filled this post with favourite images from Marrakesh.
Tina over at Travels and Trifles has led this week’s Lens-Artist’s challenge. I’ll echo everyone else and say how this was a really tough challenge. It would have been easier to duck out completely but I thought ‘No, I’m going to do it’. I’m posting late because we’ve been away.
I have so many images I could have posted here, all of which fit in to different categories of favouritism. I’ve decided to base my choices on images I’ve set out to try and achieve (I sometimes call it ‘making my own luck’) and then come away pleased with the final pics.
The Tulip Staircase, The Queens House, Greenwich, London. I’d seen so many shots of this staircase and I was really keen to have one of my own. We made a special effort to get over to Greenwich during a visit to London and I got my shot. We were there on a Saturday and it was surprisingly quiet. It works equally well in colour or B&W.Clevedon, Somerset, UK. I had to include a wedding pic as weddings played such a large part of my photography story. There was quite a backstory to this image as Andy and Louise had specifically asked me to try and get a shot of them on their tandem during their wedding day. The full story is here. Brooklyn Bridge, NYC. I know it’s been shot thousands of times but I took this early on in my digital photography journey, so long ago in fact, it was taken with a Canon 50D. I’d researched how, where and when to get this and lugged a tripod around NY with me all day. Two tripods, in fact, as I’d bought a new one at B&H earlier in the day.Bristol, UK – Finally, an image I took at the Upfest Festival, Bristol a couple of years ago. I’d been drawn to the artist because of his cool hat. I knew from watching these guys that he would stand back to check his artwork so, I plotted up behind him and waited. It just worked out perfectly and I entered the shot into the British Photography Awards that year. I was shortlisted in the competition Events section. I didn’t win but we enjoyed an evening out at The Dorchester Hotel, London for the awards ceremony.
16 thoughts on “Lens Artist Challenge #341 – Personal Favourites”
These are all truly spectacular Steve. Each one is perfectly composed and your timing is exquisite and obviously well-planned. Hard to believe the first is a grab-shot. It’s marvelous. Also loved the bridge shot and with family in NYC believe me, I’ve seen and shot many. Yours is wonderful. Also loved the staircase image as well as the composition of the closing image. Color can sometimes be off-putting but in this case it’s the star. Loved them all and appreciate that you included the stories behind them.
Thank you Tina. Thanks for hosting. I’m really enjoying the challenges. We’ve just been on holiday since I re-started my blog and entered some challenges. It’s changed the way I shoot now and I found myself shotting doors (for Thursdays doors) that I would have nver bothered with before. I used the iphone a bit more as well for blogging. Its a healthy environment around here 🙂
A marvelous set, Steve! The staircase is a winner – but on the other hand, they all are. The last one is very special – it could have been just too much, but instead it is a perfect shot.
Steve Hyde 
These are all truly spectacular Steve. Each one is perfectly composed and your timing is exquisite and obviously well-planned. Hard to believe the first is a grab-shot. It’s marvelous. Also loved the bridge shot and with family in NYC believe me, I’ve seen and shot many. Yours is wonderful. Also loved the staircase image as well as the composition of the closing image. Color can sometimes be off-putting but in this case it’s the star. Loved them all and appreciate that you included the stories behind them.
Thank you Tina. Thanks for hosting. I’m really enjoying the challenges. We’ve just been on holiday since I re-started my blog and entered some challenges. It’s changed the way I shoot now and I found myself shotting doors (for Thursdays doors) that I would have nver bothered with before. I used the iphone a bit more as well for blogging. Its a healthy environment around here 🙂
Oooh. The spiral staircase in black and white – perfection!
Thank you Kirsten.
A great collection Steve, hard to pick a favourite of these, but the colourful hat and the background is very unique and eye-catching. Maggie
Thank you Maggie 🙂
A winning collection, Steve! The mosque opening shot is fabulous.
Thank you Egidio.
A marvelous set, Steve! The staircase is a winner – but on the other hand, they all are. The last one is very special – it could have been just too much, but instead it is a perfect shot.
Thank you Ann 🙂
I love all of the things to look at in the first photo. Great shot!
Thank you.
The first two images are great Steve. I dream of getting a shot like the stairs, but I am yet to find anything like it. Great favourites Steve.
Thank you Leanne.
Amazing selection, Steve, all absolutely perfect.
Thank you Sofia 🙂