No matter how dismal a day or my mood may be, the world is a brighter place when I have a camera in my hand. Photography is my mood enhancer. This week’s challenge, from Ann-Christine, is all about mood: how photography reflects it.

Sunflowers make me feel joyful as does a field of yellow mustard flowers. Watching the bees in a sunflower field shows me how nature naturally is at work. A vast blanket of yellow is inviting and beautiful. One flower is large and the other is small. Each has its importance.

We move from nature at work to human and animal companionship. Those of us who have pets know they can bring joy into a household. My husband loves animals and struck up a friendship with this horse. What are they saying to each other? Human and animal bonding is not restricted to pets, even for a fleeting moment.

While we’re talking about animals, one of my favorite places to stroll through is our local Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Deer find grazing here safe with few predators. They accept us humans as a distraction because we shoot with cameras and not guns. Their acceptance is joyful to me, especially since we are in their habitat.

I love fog. It sets a mood of mystery, It’s enveloping and cool. I remember this outing well. My husband was upset because it was foggy and would ruin my opportunity for good pictures. I thought it was great and exciting.

How sweet and relaxing is a meandering path. My friend was walking as I watched her. When the time was right, I asked her to stop and pressed my shutter. The yellow grass of summer against the green trees and brown fencing–well, what can I say. It was enjoyable. She was certainly enjoying her walk.

Ann-Christine asked us how a black and white image reflects our mood. I love black and white and wanted to see this sunset in monochrome. For me, the color version is more soothing; yet, the monochrome version is more dramatic. What do you think?

I’ll finish with a scene that left me awestruck and excited. In my 81 years, I’ve never woken up to a blanket of snow. I just stood there taking in its beauty.

Now you see why photography brings me joy. Even when an outing doesn’t produce the desired results, I find something to photograph. Just having the camera in my hand motivates me. How about you?

I was away for a couple of weeks and couldn’t participate in Patti’s challenge, but I did see many of your responses, and they were beautiful. When you respond to this challenge, please link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Sofia will present next week’s challenge. I wonder what mood she’s going to set.

Until then stay safe and happy.

56 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #319: Setting a Mood”

  1. What a beautiful post, Anne! I’m sure that many of us are just like you: our cameras set our moods. The foggy images are striking, but to my surprise, it was the monochrome sunset that created a different reaction for me. I was pleasantly surprised that the monochrome photo felt very cold, almost like a winter scene.

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  3. A beautiful, thoughtful post Anne – welcome back! Loved your husband the horse-whisperer, and the deer. But my favorite this week is the golden sunset. A giant NO to turning that glorious scene into B&W!! Also loved the way you tied photography to moods, perfect 😊.

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    1. Thanks Tina! It’s good to be back. I took my camera with me and never took it out of the case. It’s just been busy since I’ve been back. Taking the camera for a walk this weekend.

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  6. I have never really understood the point of turning a beautiful sunrise or sunset into a black and white images. We tend to think of the colours with those scenes. My two cents worth.

    Great images Anne you have certainly set the mood.

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  8. Beautiful scenes, Anne! Sunflowers make me happy too 🙂. I like the picture of the road with your friend. The sunset – I like both versions but the b/w one not as a sunset but as a study of contrast.

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  12. Some lovely images here, really setting the mood. I must admit, I love sunflowers, too. And the bees! A marvellous post, really reflecting the theme of the Challenge this week. Congratulations. (Oh, and I’m in the ‘leave the sunset in colour’ brigade. 😉)

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  13. As Margaret says, Anne, your post has lifted my spirits too. I can feel the excitement of that first-time witnessing of a glorious snow scene. Also love your tangential approach i.e. featuring the act of photography as prime mover in creating your own mood. Yes, the joy in things that catch our eye and heart strings.

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  15. You are so right – a camera in hand can lift or enhance any mood! A varied and beautiful gallery with shining moods. My favourites are the blanket of snow and your man and horse. Now you even made me long for winter…I can imagine the feeling waking up like that – I still feel the magic of the first snow fall.

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    1. Thanks Ann-Christine! That snow storm was amazing. It took three men and a snow machine to dig my son’s truck out and clear the driveway and walkway. The grandkids had a ball sledding down their hill.

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  20. There’s something about yellow that makes me happy, although I can’t wear it near my face as it makes me look sallow. So I love the shot of the bees, doubly so because seeing bees makes me happy too. Fog often makes a lovely scene many times better, giving a beautiful moodiness or sense of mystery. I much prefer the color version of your two and your final photo brings me great joy, as I’ve always loved winter. So what am I doing in Arizona??? 😉. A happy-making post, Anne.

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      1. I’ve always enjoyed winter and never the chores that went with it. We moved here to be near my parents but even though they passed away several years ago, we’ll be staying. There are pros and cons to both. In winter, I could put on enough clothes to spend time outside, whereas in an Arizona summer, with 110+ temperatures (sometimes 90 at 5 am), you can’t get comfortable outside. But there are wonderful things about being here too. 🙂

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  21. I couldn’t agree more, Anne. It’s a wonderful post full of relatable moods, the fog has the same effect on me, and I also agree with your view on the sunset, the colour one feels more in line with what I want now. Last one is my favourite, if I had to pick one, but it’s a close call.

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  23. Such a thoughtful and beautiful photo selections, Anne! The last three are breathtaking. Love the color version especially. Wonderful capture of your husband and the horse.

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