Do resolutions truly work? Which is more important, looking back or moving forward? In our Lens Artists community all three are important. With this challenge we are looking back at our favorites from 2023.

And we are looking forward to 2024 as we welcome Ritva of Ritva Sillanmaki Photography and Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes to the Lens Artists team. We know they will bring their marvelous photography, extensive travel experiences, and fresh insight to our weekly challenges. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to them. Click on the links to Ritva and Egídio’s blogs at the end of today’s post to follow them and receive all of our upcoming Lens Artists challenges. 

And now for my favorites of 2023. My feelings about 2023 are all over the place. Very positive and enjoyable and then very difficult. Let’s talk about the first part of the year which was wonderful with my trip to Melbourne Australia. My friends Sandy and Peg and I were able to visit and photograph with Leanne Cole for three wonderful days in Port Campbell. Here are some favorites from that trip.

Maist Rest Rain Forest
Building in Melbourne
Twelve Apostles
Web Bridge

And you know how much I love photographing macro subjects. Here are three of my flowers and some of their guests.

Here are some single favorites.

The difficult part of 2023 came in August when I was rearended and suffered a severe whiplash. I wasn’t able to do photography for a few months. And if it weren’t for my wonderful photo buddies taking me to places close and for short durations, I would have gone bonkers. You don’t know how important that camera is until you can’t use it!

January has me looking forward to more photo opportunities. I’m trying to add more time to the outings without traveling far. I don’t make resolutions, but I do pick words. This year is gratitude. Living in gratitude. And, I’m grateful for all of you in the Lens-Artists community and look forward to sharing photos with you in 2024.

Here is a list of our team. Please be sure to follow us so you don’t miss a challenge!

Next week Patti will be leading the challenge, so look for her post. Let’s have a great 2024!

56 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #281: Favorite Images of 2023”

  1. What a beautiful gallery, Anne! Your images from Australia are marvelous–certainly a highlight of 2023 and your nature images are always terrific. Yes, you’ve had a year of great highs and health woes. I’m hoping you have a new year filled with abundant good health, and great photo opportunities (including macro images, of course). You always inspire me and nudge me to think deeply about my themes and photo techniques. I appreciate that.

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    1. Thanks Patti! Yes Australia was the highlight of 2023. And, thank you for your well wishes for the coming year. And a great big thanks for thinking of my photography as a source of inspiration. I’ve told my cousin about you and your travels because he wants to do the same. He wants home base to be wherever they are. I do admire you for being able to do that. I could do it if I traveled in our trailer. I do need a home to come back to.

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  2. It was a year of highs and lows for you Anne but hopefully 2024 will be better. I love that you have a word instead of resolutions and I think gratitude is a wonderful word. It can been seen in the photos you shared here, there’s care and proper seeing of what you’re photographing. Your nature photos are always my favourite, very dynamic.

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  4. Lovely to see some of your gorgeous shots once again Anne 🙂. Resolutions – hmm, they don’t work for me – I have weak will power to be self-disciplined 🙄. What about you? Have a lovely 2024!

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    1. Thanks Ritva! I hope I can get out more. I was thinking about you you this morning. Here in the valley we are fogged in, In the foothills there is light snow. And in the mountains there is a huge amount of snow. For us, a great snow pack is a good start to the year.

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  7. Ah, what a delicious gallery, Anne! Impossible to pick favourites – but you know I love macros…and that building in Melbourne has got a really fascinating facade. Your animals are always stunning too…Well, you are a very versatile photographer! Looking forward to new beauties from you this year!

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  9. All lovely shots but if pressed for a favourite I would opt for the deer – such a sweet image! I’m sorry the whiplash has been so painful and has put photography on hold. I hope this year you’ll be able to enjoy picking up your camera again 🙂
    As you’re all hosting I wasn’t sure which post to link to so I opted for Ann-Christine’s as one of the first I read. But thought you might like to see mine too: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-your-favourites-of-2023/

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  12. A beautiful post with marvelous images a always Anne. You surely did have a year of high highs and low lows. Here’s hoping the lows are purely in your rear-view mirror (metaphorically rather than physically!!) and 2024 is your year of completed recovery and continued amazing photography. Oh that hawk!!!!

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  14. Thanks Terri! What’s amazing about that bee is that it’s the only big black bee I’ve ever seen. And, I haven’t seen one since! Yes, our new team members will bring more ideas and challenges to our community.

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  17. I love your word of the year, and knowing you, as I do, I know you wear it well. I remember your trip to Melbourne to visit Leanne. It was a trip of a lifetime, and I still love the Twelve Apostles photos. An amazing place to visit, I am sure. I love your love of animals, of macros, and well, simply…photography. You will get well. Just keep on…We love you. Welcome back.

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    1. Thanks I. J.! No leeches in the rain forest! I think the hawk is a Red Tail Hawk. I’m not a birder. My friend can ID the smallest of birds! I thought your post was great. So now we have another year of adventures! I’m looking forward to seeing yours as you travel.

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  21. Very thoughtful essay. Thank you for sharing that and all your wonderful photos. Gratitude is something that I also try to live by. Happy New Year!

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  25. Such a beautiful gallery Anne, the images are all gorgeous! Here’s wishing you a blessed 2024 with many more happy photo-opportunities to come ❤ xxx

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