Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #130: It’s a Small World

13Jan
by Oh, the Places We See
raindrops on budding flower

With the challenge from Anne Sandler whose blog Slow Shutter Speed features macro shots of flowers with welcome tips for improving any close-up shots. So, like Anne, I, too, am sharing flowers and a pretty seashell, but ending with something I love to get close to: good food!

Flowers in the rain, like the tender, just-barely-open hosta flower pictured above and this giant hosta leaf are always welcome sights. And, at the first sign of water droplets, I rush out to my front yard, camera in hand, to catch the details.

Hosta leaves with rain drops

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you may have noticed my love of white flowers. Southern Magnolias in my subdivision are ancient and enormous, and the big-enough-to-climb-on branches produce magnificent blooms every May. I like to move in close so I can see the centers — before they bloom and then after — as if I’m privy to a secret show.

  • Southern Magnolia barely open
  • Inside Southern Magnolia
  • Southern Magnolia spilling

Seashells, too, have great appeal, especially if the details reveal nature’s order and beauty.

Sea Biscuit Sand Dollar
Details in focus: Sea Biscuit Sand Dollar

But perhaps some of my most fun “small world” encounters occur in restaurants. Both my husband and I enjoy fine dining, especially when a fabulous presentation at the table rivals the creative preparation of fresh ingredients in the kitchen. Joseph Lenn, owner of JC Holdway in Knoxville and a James Beard award-winning chef, knows the art of cooking. But equally important to him is making sure each dining experience is a delight for the senses. Even my iPhone shows off Lenn’s creations pretty well since the right amount of light came streaming through his city windows the afternoon we most recently dined out.

FriedGreenTomatoesJCHoldway
First course at JC Holdway: Friend Green Tomatoes, Crab and Arugula Salad
Pork Loin w/vegetables, JCHoldway
Main course at JC Holdway: Wood Grilled Pork Loin, Bacon, Cabbage, Snap Beans and Summer Squash
Dessert, JC Holdway
Dessert: Goat Cheesecake, Peach Sorbet, and Mountain Meadow Peaches
JC Holdway

This spring, I’ll be taking Anne Sandler‘s suggestions to improve my macro shots. And hopefully, when the Covid-19 quarantine has been lifted, we’ll tour gardens, eat in restaurants, and take more trips — looking for the little things.

Spring Awakening

Be sure to check out the other posts on this Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #130 so you, too, can pick up some tips and enjoy the captures of a Small World.

Travel small,

Rusha & Bert

24 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #130: It’s a Small World”

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. I have many food photos which aren’t good. In fact, based upon my photos, I would never patronize the restaurants. There was just something wonderful about the light in the room here that showed off the lovely creations from the kitchen staff. And those magnolias . . . oh, my. Every spring I take more pictures even though I have soooo many. Hope your weekend is a good one.

      Reply

  6. Tina Schell

    Some wonderful close-ups Rusha – I especially like your nature shots. The sand dollar looks to be one I’m unfamiliar with because of the dome shape. Is that an optical illusion or is it really shaped like that? I’m not much for food photography but those dishes sure look yummy!!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I don’t usually do well with food photography, but the light in the room helped. That seashell is dome shaped. It’s one I bought years ago, but I hadn’t looked at it closely. Nature really is interesting!! Hope all is well in Kiawah!

      Reply

  7. WanderingCanadians

    Nice shots, I especially love the pictures with the water droplets. Looks beautiful. And oh wow does all that food look delicious. I can’t remember the last time I ate at a restaurant.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks for the nice comments. We, too, have eaten at very few restaurants. This one is owned by one of our son’s childhood friends. We went to support him, but it doesn’t take much encouragement to fir us to dine there. It’s always delicious and artsy!!

      Reply

  8. Toonsarah

    The raindrops on the hosta are beautiful and I especially love your sand dollar shot, but oh that meal looks delicious! Eating out is one of the things I most miss during lockdowns – I can’t wait to dine out again once restrictions are lifted once more 🙂

    Reply

  10. Anne Sandler

    What a wonderful small world you’ve captured Rusha. Amazing floral, shell and food images. I want some of that cheese cake! Thanks for joining in on this challenge!

    Reply

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