In a world that seems increasingly rushed and with information overload it is easy to miss things around us. When life is busy you often look, but don’t really see. I am sure that until I retired I wasn’t always fully aware of my surroundings. But now I can take my time and fully absorb the environment around me and maybe see things that are often overlooked.
Photo challenges have had an impact on the way I see things, looking for the unusual, the interesting, things I may not have photographed before.
And on my travels I always look out for the details.
Different ways of framing the view.
Macro delights when you’re not always sure of what you will see.
Taking time when wandering around a place to notice the unusual.
Finding the unexpected when out in nature. I was concentrating on the pied wagtail on the lovely textured fence.
My love of textures always has me snooping around churchyards, the older the better.
And seeking patterns in unusual places. I’m sure people think I am mad when I stop to photograph something beneath my feet.
And who stops to look at a row of wetsuits they are not interested in buying? But it’s fun spotting the odd one out.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #260 | Overlooked
TRAVEL WORDS 
The details make life interesting, Jude. Are those leeks in that basket? They look short. Far be it from me to accuse you of being away with the fairies!
They are leeks, just had the grotty bit chopped off 😁 when do you arrive here? Need a raincoat if in the next week, but it should be improving by end of next week, just in time for the wedding!
I have everything crossed. It doesn’t matter about the prelude. We just need that one sunny day 😎. We arrive 10th.
Great post Jude! I’m with you on “When life is busy you often look, but don’t really see. I am sure that until I retired I wasn’t always fully aware of my surroundings” Definitely. I particularly like that bee, the wagtail and the textured detail on the old headstone
Thanks Sue. Photography has certainly opened my eyes.
😊
Like Sue and you both, I agree that retirement can bring opportunities to notice the less-noticed. You’ve assembled a great gallery here. I was going to pick a favourite. But …. I can’t.
When you’re working and raising a family and supporting elderly parents there isn’t much time to stand and stare. Travel was the time I really began using a camera again, but that didn’t really start until 1998 when most of the kids had left home.
Yup, that sounds about right.
A splendid selection. Of course, I’m partial to the cat but the others are great, too. The macro of the bee is superb.
Ah, a lovely cat. Spitting image of mine who was the soppiest cat ever.
😽
Perfect choices for the challenge, Jude. When I retired, I also learned to look differently. Instead of always looking straight ahead, I looked at the ground beneath my feet, and the sky above.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Never enough time when you’re working. Rushing around all the time. When I stopped teaching I felt I could breathe again.
Wonderful selection Jude. And yes photo challenges have inspired me to see things differently.
They do provide inspiration. And an outlet to share those odd photos we all take 😉
Great selections. well done. 👏
Thanks John 😊
LOL for the odd one out Jude. Loved the examples today and agree about blogging being the perfect opportunity to include things we’ve captured but previously had no opportunity to share. The door handles really stole the show (IMHO!!)
I had a thing about doors and door handles once. I think these were in Geneva.
That’s a great point about photo challenges helping to influence what we see and how 🙂 I love your drunken bee, door handles and the cat window in particular, but these are all excellent spots and make for interesting shots!
Thanks Sarah. The challenges certainly take me in different directions.
You’ve done some fruitful leisurely looking. May there be much more.