Lens-Artists Challenge #391: Phone Photography
So, this week, Tina leads the Lens-Artist challenge with a theme that should be lots of fun for everyone. As Tina says in her post, “phone photography … has come such a long way these past few years.” You should check her post and see her wonderful examples. As for my response, all the images here were captured in February on a magnificent winter day using my Samsung S23. Come ride with me along the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, covering a stretch between Round Rock and Cedar Park. If you don’t ride, you can just meet me at each stop I photographed here.
The featured image shows where I like to start my rides: near Fern Bluff. That is at the Round Rock section of the trail, and right away, the trail was setting the mood. That limestone outcrop catching the afternoon light stopped me in my tracks — there’s something about the way the rock just rises out of the earth here, worn and weathered, like it’s been holding up that hillside forever. The bare trees threw these long, dramatic shadows across the path. Fern Bluff gets its name because there are ferns growing on those walls. No tripod, no fuss — just RAW mode and good light doing all the heavy lifting.
A little way in, I ducked off the main trail and found this quiet stretch of Brushy Creek near Champion Park. It’s not the main paved trail. Instead, you ride on gravel. That green water caught me completely off guard — it has this almost otherworldly quality, especially under a wide-open winter sky. The bare trees reflected off the surface, giving it a kind of stillness that felt almost meditative. One of those spots you’d walk right past if you weren’t paying attention. At times, I’ve spotted herons and deer enjoying this seclusion.
As one reaches the end of the trail in Cedar Park, this was the showstopper of the day. The waterfall near Twin Lakes in Cedar Park is one of those features that just makes you glad you brought a camera — even if that camera is your phone. When we have had rains, the falls are present. The rust-colored footbridge above it, the cascading water catching the light, the bright green moss clinging to the limestone — it all came together in a way I wasn’t expecting. That bridge is part of the trail. I shot this one from a low angle to let the waterfall fill the frame, and the S23 held its own beautifully. There is a short walk off the trail that leads to the base of the falls.
Back on the main trail, and riding back to Round Rock, I came across this stretch of the creek where the light was doing something magical. Little diamonds of sunlight bouncing off the moving water, gnarled roots spilling down the bank, branches weaving overhead — it had this raw, untamed feel that you don’t always associate with a suburban trail system. This is the kind of shot that reminds me why I started shooting in RAW. The dynamic range in that late afternoon light would’ve been brutal in JPEG.
Just before making it back to my Jeep, I stopped at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Honestly, it was like saving one of this ride’s best moments for last. I found this spot where a big live oak frames the lake perfectly — roots gripping the earth, branches arching overhead, the water calm and wide beyond it. The warm afternoon light on the leaf litter at my feet, the cool blue of the lake in the distance — it felt like the tree was inviting you to stop and just look. A fitting end to a really good ride.
I am grateful to all of you who joined in my challenge last week. There were lots of unexpected colors in black and white. I loved the variety and creativity. I hope you will join Tina’s challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Patti will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Brushy Creek, Brushy Creek Lake, Brushy Creek Regional Trail, Cedar Park, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Parks, Round Rock, Texas, and Waterfall. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday.
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PR
How lovely!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
Leya
This looks like a wonderful trail and your photos are all tempting…us to go. The bridge and waterfall is absolutely alive with light and colours. Beautiful. I understand if it is one of your favourite trails!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ann-Christine. I love that trail.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
These are all wonderful Egídio, I love the clarity in these images 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for the comment, Xenia.
I. J. Khanewala
There are superb. For landscapes now I think phones give as good results as cameras
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, I.J. I agree. The one thing I’m not sure of is how to use manual controls on phones. It’s not as straightforward.
Steve Schwartzman
As many people as walk and ride on that bridge, I suspect very few venture down to the base of the waterfall. I’ll bet some pass over it and don’t even know it exists.
Egidio Leitao
That is true. It does not always have enough water for a waterfall. Thanks for your comments.
Joanne
Beautiful images! My favorite is The Oak’s Window; lovely tonal variation.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Joanne. That area is very scenic.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, wonderful cellphone captures of a beautiful place. The views along the trail are gorgeous. I love the waterfall.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Beth. It’s one of my favorite trails.
Toonsarah
A lovely set of photos – I especially loved the waterfall! Thank you for taking us along on your ride 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for coming along and your comment, too.
Anita
A lovely set of phone photos, Edigio! Such beautiful nature, and your last image really looks like a painting, so beautifully framed.
Egidio Leitao
That is one of my favorite stopping places along the ride. Thanks, Anita.
Sofia Alves
Beautiful captures, Egídio. Light on the living water is my favourite this week.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia.
Leanne Cole
These are great Egidio, looks like an amazing place to go riding. I would be stopping to take photos too.
Egidio Leitao
I face that problem in almost every ride I take. Thanks, Leanne.
Pepper
Egidio, these are gorgeous images. Love the waterfall and they all made me wish I was right there.
Egidio Leitao
Pepper, many thanks for your wonderful feedback.
Tina Schell
Beautifully done Egidio – the waterfall is especially beautifully captured, loved the rust color of the bridge. I do think tho that maybe my favorite is your opener. But it’s a close call!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Tina. The waterfall is wonderful to witness. I always go close to it when it’s running.
Steve Hyde
These images are incredible. Like other commentators I’d never have known these were taken with a phone. A great blog 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Steve.
margaret21
And therse are mobile phone photos? Wonderful! They make me want to put on my walking boots immediately!
Egidio Leitao
Yes, they are. Phone photos have come a long way. Thanks, Margaret.
photobyjohnbo
Egidio, your ride makes me wish I still had my bicycle, stolen so many years ago, and I never replaced it. We have rented bikes on occasion, but never in areas as beautiful as you’ve shown. A phone is really the best way to photograph when you’re on a bike, isn’t it?
Egidio Leitao
I totally agree, John. I’m trying to stop taking my bridge camera when I bike, but occasionally, I’ll see wildlife so far that a cell phone won’t capture close-ups well when zooming. Thanks.
Brad
I love your images and trail views Egidio. The first photo looks like many parts of Arkansas with the eroded limestone bluffs. Cellphones sure make photography easy and accessible.
Egidio Leitao
Cell phones are very handy. Thanks for writing, Brad.
philosophy through photography
Beautiful ride and a story! Your eye for those details… beautifully captured. It really brings the whole trail to life.
Lovely clicks, Egidio.
“Rust and Rush” is my favourite.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much. The trail is beautiful.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
Anne Sandler
What a beautiful ride Egidio. The scenery is just beautiful and well captured with your cell phone.
Egidio Leitao
It was, Anne. I like riding that trail and the views it offers.