“In her presence, a quiet dawn breaks,
soft and steady, like the first light of day.”
Ahmed Gamel
The world is in constant chaos. If not close to our doorstep, we just need to look around. Wars and conflicts seem to be everywhere in one fashion or another. We are left with two options: to let things bog us down or to look for serenity to lift our spirits and calm our minds. Serenity alleviates today’s problems for me. The featured image translates as serenity and calm, with those gentle waves lapping at the shore with their repetitive sound and motion. A walk at sunset or sunrise can bring serenity. Here are other serenity examples.
“The stars know everything. How you hold me close when the world feels too loud.”
Widad
I still vividly recall our late-night walks in Évora (Portugal). The serenity in those narrow and deserted streets created a sense of stillness. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
“In the tranquil woods, I wander, each tree a thought, each breeze a lesson.”
Immortality
Serenity in nature’s details teaches us about the small wonders we sometimes overlook. It is always around us.
“When water is still, your reflection is clear, a mirror of peace, drawing the heart near.”
Hex
A single flower in bloom brings up its delicate beauty. It can be a moment of quiet appreciation and serenity for the soul, eyes, and mind.
“She brings the rain, the world turns grey, yet melts the clouds, she clears the way.”
Asher
Foggy and misty mornings, obscured details, and soft gradients lend an ethereal and quiet atmosphere. Explore those scenes to find serenity.
“In the ‘silence’, I find serenity.”
Sudzedrebel
Stripping away distractions and focusing on simple forms and negative space can create a feeling of peace, clarity, and serenity. Try minimalist compositions.
Water, deserted city streets at night, macro photography, the power of one, atmospheric scenes, and minimalist compositions are just a few possibilities to bring serenity into your photography. How do you find serenity?
Last week, Ritva asked us to break the rules. Your beautiful photos taught us that photography can be emotional, even without rules. This week, I’m challenging you to find serenity in your photos. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, it is Tina’s turn to share 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 to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Cityscapes, Évora, Fern, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Macros, National Parks, Portugal, Water lily, and White Sands NP. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Leya
Egidio, among all your beautiful posts, this one has a special place in my heart. Serenity. The word in itself is magnetic, and your images are exquisitely showing the theme. Love that fern – just like so many other commenters said. It is magicla.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, I am touched by your words. It is very rewarding to get your compliment. I’m glad the post has a special place in your heart. Thank you.
PR
It’s a great theme with very nice examples. I am trying so hard to search for any image in my collection that brings to mind the moment I felt serenity but none of them is giving me that feeling. May be my current state of mind is not comprehending serenity!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, PR. I hope the images you see today will bring you the serenity you’re looking for.
robert heft
hello egidio,
a wonderful theme and an interesting selection of pictures i like them very much especially the 1st and 2nd.
here is my contribution to the challenge week, https://wp.me/pfnz9O-In.
many greetings robert
Egidio Leitao
Robert, thanks for the detailed feedback and your link. I’ll look at your post. Thanks.
lens-artists photo challenge – serenity – photo robert blog 3
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Anne Sandler
Beautiful Egidio! We all need to find those special places. We are in the beautiful Gold Country right now, so I will publish my response when I get home.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. Enjoy your day out! Gold Country sounds like a beautiful place.
Bozeman Hot Springs: LAPC & FOWC - bend branches
Pingback: […] Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Serenity […]
Tina Schell
One of my favorites of your many beautiful posts Egidio. Each image speaks to the soul but in its own way. Like Sarah I especially loved the fern which you turned into a piece of art. I expect some wonderful responses this week and appreciate your turning us away from the chaos if just for a few serene moments.
Egídio
Tina, your comment warms my heart. Thank you so much for this feedback. I’m overflowing with joy with the responses I’ve seen. Thanks for your kind words.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egídio, I especially love the natural scenes and it is lovely to see all those places where we can find serenity. Our contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2025/05/11/seeking-serenity/
Egídio
Xenia, I’m happy you liked the images and found serenity in them. Thank you. I’ll hurry to your post right away.
Lens-Artists Challenge #348 – Serenity – LEANNE COLE
Pingback: […] host this week is Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyes and he is asking us to look at SERENITY. Is it just me, but when I think of serenity, the first […]
Lens-Artists Challenge #348 – Serenity | Travels and Trifles
Pingback: […] often eludes us of late. Be sure to visit and link your responses to Egidio’s beautiful post here and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. As always we look forward to seeing your […]
Heyjude
I think we all need a good dose of serenity at the moment in this mad world. Love the fern photo.
Egídio
It’s wonderful you liked the post and photos. That fern image is getting a lot of good feedback. You’re not alone there. Thank you.
Steve Schwartzman
Your opening photo does a good job of conveying serenity in a landscape.
Egídio
Steve, many thanks for such kind words. I’m glad you thought so. Thank you.
Toonsarah
What lovely photos – I especially love the green fern unfolding 🙂 A great them too, reminding me to slow down and appreciate the moment. Here are some occasions when I did just that: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-serene-moments-around-the-world/
Egídio
Sarah, thank you for kindly commenting on the post. I’m happy you liked the theme. I’ll write my comments in your post.
Stupidity Hole
Nice, pleasing shots in this one.
I particularly like the last one as the sand in it looks unreal.
Here’s mine for this one:
https://stupidityhole.com/2025/05/11/silhouette-against-clouds/
Egídio
I’m very thankful for your kind words. I’ll comment on yours right away. Thanks.
Teresa
You have found some amazing photos, Egidio. Especially the quiet laneway at night time. Here is my entry https://wanderingteresa.com/serenity-found-outdoors/
Egídio
Teresa, your words are soothing. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I’ll check your post right away. Thanks.
Serenity – Anvica's gallery
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Marianne
I love your gallery, especially the one of a deserted street.
https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2025/05/11/lens-artists-challenge-348-serenity/
Egídio
Marianne, thanks for your feedback. I’m glad you liked the gallery. Also, thanks for sharing your post. I’ll comment there.
Ana
What a wonderful post! Both in pictures and words. And how necessary serenity is!
Egídio
Ana, I’m happy you liked the post and theme. Thank you.
Lens-Artists Challenge # 348: Serenity – Marianne Villanueva
Pingback: […] Lens-Artists photo challenge is Edigio. One of the pictures in his gallery was taken during a late-night walk in Evora, Portugal: “The serenity in those narrow and deserted streets created a sense of […]
tgeriatrix
https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2025/05/11/serenity-in-a-spanish-town/
Egídio
Thanks for sharing your post. I’ll comment there.
Serenity in a Spanish town – Geriatri'x' Fotogallery
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Leanne Cole
Great challenge Egidio, I agree so much we all need to find that serenity in the world today. I love your photos for this too, that fern image is incredible.
Egidio Leitao
Leanne, that fern photo seems to be gaining a lot of admirers. Thank you for your comments.
Lens-Artists Challenge #348: Serenity – John's Space …..
Pingback: […] This week our Lens Artists Challenge host is Egidio. […]
JohnRH
Great theme, great photos, great quotes. Excellent! 👏
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, John.
JohnRH
Mine. Starter post? https://fairplay740.wordpress.com/2025/05/10/lens-artists-challenge-348-serenity/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link, John. I’ll comment there.
bushboy
Quite fabulous Egídio. So many wonderful photos. The water lily and fern are my favourites
Here is my contribution
https://bushboy.blog/2025/05/11/hear-the-silence/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Brian. I’ll check your post right away.
eklastic
I adore that stunning fern. And you’re right they take so much time to unfurl. Truly a serene prolonged moment.
Egidio Leitao
You and me. Ferns always fascinate me. Thanks for writing.
Brad Volz
This is a heartfelt and timely challenge Egidio. And your photos, mixed with perfect quotes, point us toward serenity in nature and the moment. I especially like the night street, yellow flower, and white sands. Well done. To finding and carrying serenity with us. 🌷😍
Egidio Leitao
Brad, what a wonderful reply to the challenge. Your words are comforting. Thanks for your comments.
margaret21
This is a great idea for a challenge, and you’ve set the bar high with your own images. You’ll be glad to hear I’ve just been for a short local walk this evening, where I knew I’d find serenity, and taken some shots especially for this challenge, Watch this space!
Egidio Leitao
Margaret, many thanks for your positive feedback. As for setting the bar high, I hope the variety of examples will actually simplify the challenge. I look forward to your photos.
margaret21
Not today, nor tomorrow … but soon.
marina
Beautiful serenity images. The deserted street in your photo reminds me so much of my hometown in Italy.
Egidio Leitao
Marina, thank you for commenting on the post. Isn’t it wonderful that several European cities have that same vibe. Your hometown must be just as beautiful as Évora.
serenity – IN PRIMO PIANO – a photo blog
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Dawn M. Miller
I’m having a heck of a time leaving a comment here.
Fourth try…
Dawn M. Miller
Finally!
Good post, Egidio.
Good topic. Very inspirational. Love the lotus and that deserted street.
Egidio Leitao
Dawn, WP is having a hard time waking up today. Your first comment is here, too. I’m glad you feel inspired with the post and photos. Thanks for writing.
Dawn M. Miller
OMG…now I am SO embarrassed!
Egidio Leitao
Don’t worry about it. WP does these things often.
Egidio Leitao
I’m sorry WP is not cooperating.
Dawn M. Miller
Not your fault, i just wanted you to know there was an issue in case comments were sparse and you were wondering.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, I love this post. I feel the serenity in every one of your images. The single flower with it’s reflection in the water is stunning.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, I’m happy to read your note and how you connected with the theme. Thank you.
Sofia Alves
Évora is my mother’s birthplace, it has a special place in my heart. Your photo of it is beautiful and definitely captures the mood there. Times has its own pace in the Alentejo 🙂 Wonderful challenge, Egídio.
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2025/05/10/lens-artists-challenge-serenity-2/
Egídio
Sofia, I’m glad the Évora shot connected with you. We loved our time there. Our house was just up that street. Thanks for your link, too.
Lens-Artists Challenge – Serenity – photographias
Pingback: […] Posted for Egídio’s Lens-Artists Challenge […]
photobyjohnbo
Egidio, I love that night shot in Portugal. European streets are so charming with their narrow roads, especially those that are too narrow to support those new-fangled automobiles.
Egídio
Thanks for the feedback, John. Portugal was a good place to experiment with night shots. I generally don’t bother with night photography because I rarely have a tripod with me.
Steve Schwartzman
I’ve occasionally experimented with night shots using long exposures during which I purposely move the camera or zoom the lens.