Lens Artists Challenge #380: What’s Around the Corner

John Ateyo. A 1950’s Bristol City FC legend. We walked through the soccer stadium grounds on route to the harbour and the view of the suspension bridge.

Well this is really spooky. This week Anne challenges us to post images from photo opportunities we’ve stumbled across on one particular walk. I’ve done exactly that today, before I knew what was coming with this weeks challenge! Here’s the story of that walk.

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Lens-Artists Challenge #379 – Favourite Images of 2025

The Lens Artist Team are asking followers to select their favorite images of 2025 – whether they’ve been included in previous posts or not.

So, I’ve organised a few of this years images into these categories.

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Photography – New Vintage Lens Additions

Canon FD 55mm f1.2 – A photography book Christmas present I was given this year.

Following on from the success and enjoyment I had using my vintage lenses in Marrakesh (blogged here) I decided to invest in a few more old lenses. I’ve spent hours researching on YouTube channels, blogs and Flickr and came up with a short list of lenses that might compliment those I already owned.

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Photography – Converting Kodachrome film slides

A digital conversion from a Kodachrome slide shot in 1958

I sadly lost my mum on November 1st this year (I lost my dad sixteen years ago). She was 90yrs old and had been diagnosed with a lymphatic cancer. The cancer didn’t help but her death certificate states she died from frailty and old age. She didn’t suffer, she wasn’t on any medication at all, and spent her last few weeks, quite content, in a local care home following a fall at home.

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Vintage Lenses – Auto Takumar 50mm F1.4 (8 Element Version)

Auto Takumar 50mm f1.4 – Shot at F5.6 earlier today.

I’ve been shooting on and off with vintage lenses for a couple of years now. I always enjoyed using them but I didn’t really stick with it. I think it’s probably because I was prioritising shooting stock images, which need to be tack sharp. To that end using my modern Fujifilm lenses, with auto focus and coatings that have superb flare and glare control made more sense. There’s more on my drift into using vintage lenses in a previous blog – Vintage lenses and Flickr

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Street Art – ‘Wonder’ by Sophi Odling

The ‘Wonder’ Mural by Sophi Odling

Three weeks ago, whilst we were on a walk about in Bristol, we wandered into the Upfest Street Art shop in Bedminster. We’d been drawn in by a framed print in the shop window. The artwork was called ‘Wonder’ by Australian artist, Sophi Odling. Linda, my wife was particularly drawn to it and after a very brief discussion we bought the framed limited edition print and it’s now hanging proudly on a wall in our lounge.

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Travel – High Atlas Mountains, Morocco 2025

Our first stop was a viewpoint overlooking a picturesque valley. Spookily situated next to a gift and tagine shop! I thought the terrain had a ‘Star Wars look about it. Not surprising really as lots of Stars Wars filming took place not far from here.

We’ve just returned from a weeks break in Marrakesh. We’re regular visitors here and every time we go I wonder where my images might come from. I needn’t have worried, I came back with far too many pics for one post.

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Lens-Artists Challenge #372 – Ephemeral

Tina has set this weeks Lens Artist Challenge and has helped by giving us the dictionary’s short and simple definition of the word ephemeral – “lasting for a very short time“. Her original challenge post can be found here. Ephemeral is not a word I was familiar with until now.

I think this Easter Lily Cactus plant, epitomises the word ‘ephemeral’. We waited five years for our cactus to flower. When it did we had this fantastic display. Sadly the flowers faded after twelve hours and a day later they had gone completely!
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Lens-Artists Challenge #371 – Street Details

I’m always drawn to these old scooters. Despite how this looks the scooter was still being used on a daily basis around the Greek island of Rhodes.

Ritva hosts this weeks challenge. You can find her original challenge post here – Lens-Artists Challenge #371 – Street Details

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Photography – Vintage Lenses and Flickr

One of the first images taken with a new Auto Takumar 50mm F1.4 – 8 Element version. I went looking for lens flare and bokeh balls and found it in my local woodland.

My digital photography story started back in 2007 when I completed a short Open University course called ‘Welcome to Digital Photography’. Over ten weeks the course covered the photography basics but also introduced me to Flickr.

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