Whispering Waves: Calm and Wild

Lens-Artists Challenge #293: Water in Motion


There’s a deep connection between moving water and the human spirit. I find the power of listening to water soothing and entrancing. Some of the best hikes I have done include trails along creeks. The same is true when I stay in a cabin near a stream or lake. Even at home, sitting on my backyard patio, I can enjoy the soft sounds of a fountain nearby.

For this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, Sofia is “looking for Water in Motion, gentle or powerful, man-made or natural.” Since nature is my first go-to place for challenges, I wanted to take this further and focus on water abstracts. I wanted something different. I have shared many photos of waterfalls, lakes, and rivers in this blog. Water abstracts are all around us but sometimes go unnoticed. I hope you will relate to the images I present and how water in motion impacts my life. Hopefully, this will resonate with you on different levels.

Mysterious Island

Mysterious Island is a macro I captured at our home backyard fountain. As often as I sit outside and enjoy the surrounding nature, I hear water’s constant change and flow. Watching moving water can be a calming reminder to accept the impermanence of things and find peace in the flow. Looking at that photo, I see a reminder that water is power and renewal simultaneously.

Architectural Flow

Even in a busy cityscape, water can provide reflection and tranquility. In Architectural Flow, I can pause and gently be carried away as water peacefully moves around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. That view can take me into a meditative experience, promoting introspection and a sense of calm.

Shallow

Shallow is a reminder of purification and cleansing. Rainwater flows into our creeks and replenishes our water resources. Sitting by a flowing river can feel cleansing, both physically and emotionally.

The Peaceful Garden

Finally, I can reflect and enjoy tranquility with water in motion in The Peaceful Garden. I feel grounded like the blades of grass in the photo while the constant water flow renews and prepares me for the adventures ahead. Water in motion has been intertwined with our search for meaning and connection from baptismal rituals to offerings made to rivers.

Last week, Tina’s challenge asked us to “share images of the people we’ve captured along the way.” I was ecstatic with the photos you shared in your posts. There were countless stories you told in beautiful photography.

I am now looking forward to seeing your responses to Sofia’s challenge. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post and use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post.

Join us next week when John will introduce a new Lens-Artists challenge. We look forward to your participation. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.


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40 Responses

  1. Cee Neuner
    | Reply

    You captured waters movement wonderfully well. 😀 😀

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Cee, your feedback is so much appreciated. Thank you.

  2. Brad Volz
    | Reply

    I love your artistic take on water. Nice collection Egidio.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Brad, I truly appreciate your feedback. Thanks. I’m glad you liked my take.

  3. JohnRH
    | Reply

    Great selections Egidio. Well thought out. 👏

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      John, thank you for the feedback. It’s much appreciated.

  4. Tina Schell
    | Reply

    Wonderful choices for the week Egidio. I loved them all as well as your titles and the inspiration you draw from them. For me the closing image is pure magic!

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Tina, I’m happy you liked the choices. That last image is special for me, too. It was captured in a nearby park. I couldn’t help but see glimpses on Monet’s gardens. Thank you for the feedback.

  5. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    This is a creative interpretation of this challenge. I loved all your abstracts. You’ve shown us that water is also art.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Anne, your feedback is so lovely. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m glad the abstracts were pleasing.

  6. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    I think you got the tranquility down very well, very calming images Egidio.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thank you, Leanne. I appreciate your feedback. Incidentally, if it takes long for me to reply, it’s because your comment is in my spam folder. I check that a couple of times a week.

  7. margaret21
    | Reply

    These vividly show how water in its natural environment is always alive, always on the move.

  8. Wind Kisses
    | Reply

    All the feels with this one, Egidio. You defined tranquility. That you captured that tranquilly even in spaces that might have surrounding noises, resonated with me. Focusing on abstracts was a great choice. Impressionism comes to mind with the last photo.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Donna, thank you very much for the positive comments. You hit the nail right on! Impressionism was on my mind for that last photo edit. It’s far from a Monet, but his Giverny garden came to mind as inspiration.

  9. Sofia Alves
    | Reply

    Beautiful painting to finish an amazing post. I agree with Donna, you brought a peaceful feeling even in places I wouldn’t think possible. Always inspirational, Egídio.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thank you, Sofia. That final photo was an edit to bring up impressionism, as Donna pointed out.

  10. solaner
    | Reply

    A very artistic choice. Love it, Egídio 👍👍👍

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      André, thank you very much. I’m happy you liked it.

      • solaner
        | Reply

        Well deserved 😊

  11. photobyjohnbo
    | Reply

    Egidio, yours is a unique take on the challenge. I only wish I’d thought of it myself. >grin<

    My favorite image is the reflected cityscape. The Peaceful Garden is a spectacular abstract, and I love your opening gallery display.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      John, this feedback you gave me is very rewarding. Thank you for your kind words.

  12. pattimoed
    | Reply

    I love your take on the challenge, Egidio. Your images are terrific and definitely create a peaceful mood. I especially loved the Architectural Flow and the Peaceful Garden. Great photos.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Patti, I’m very thankful for your feedback. I’m glad you liked my responses to the challenge. It was fun thinking about what I’d include.

  13. SoyBend
    | Reply

    Great photo of the buildings’ reflections, Egidio!

  14. Photos by Jez
    | Reply

    Beautiful examples, Edigio 👏 The Mysterious Island immediately got me thinking of the cause; to me, it looks a bit like a frog about to surface, but the great thing about abstracts is we all see something different. The reflected cityscape is a genuinely calming way of looking at what is, in reality, a chaotic scene 😃

  15. I am sure I have already responded to to this post, but its not here. Architectural Flow and Mysterious Island are my favorites of these beautiful pictures Totally different from each other but the element of water is there.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Ritva, thank you for your lovely remarks. I appreciated reading your feedback.

  16. Leya
    | Reply

    How I loved your take on the challenge, Egidio – you indeed master everything, the abstract too. And sharing your thoughts made it even more beautiful. A mindful post of the importance of water and what it does to our senses. Most of us love the sound and sight of water. You gave it a new dimension.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Ann-Christine, your kind words are wonderful to read, especially at the start of the day. You lift up my spirits with your support. Thank you very much.

  17. What a wonderful sense of water in motion abstracted. Love these!

  18. Fab collection!
    Architectural flow and mysterious island, my favourites.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thank you so much, Philo. The mysterious island is a favorite subject for me. That fountain is in our backyard. So, I like to experiment with abstracts, ICM, etc.

      • How fascinating!
        The allure of mysterious islands is timeless, sparking imagination and exploration.
        Having a fountain in your backyard is perfect for experimenting with artistic techniques like abstracts and intentional camera movement (ICM).
        Perfect channelling of your creativity!

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