The Portuguese language has a wonderful word that always seems complicated to translate accurately into English. The word is saudade (IPA pronunciation: /saʊˈdɑːdə/). Wikipedia defines saudade as
an emotional state of melancholic or profoundly nostalgic longing for a beloved yet absent someone or something. It is a recollection of feelings, experiences, places, or events, often elusive, that cause a sense of separation from the exciting, pleasant, or joyous sensations they once caused.
It sounds complicated, doesn’t it? When we attempt to find an English equivalent, the word longing is what most people use. So, longing is this week’s challenge. I would like to see what you long for, so please use your catalogue or new photos to show longing. To give you some suggestions, here are a few things that come to mind for me. Who knows, maybe you will surprise me with your choices.
The featured image for this post is one of those magical places we long to revisit. We have been to the Grand Canyon three times. Two of those were at the North Rim. Going to Cape Royal at sunset was like being in a fairy tale. Wotans Throne at sunset brought some magic to our eyes. We visited this location three times during our last visit. Each day, the sunset was different. Do you have a special place you long for where sunsets are unequalled?
You might recall we just got back from Colorado three weeks ago. We often visit Colorado because we enjoy its mountains, forests, and streams — not to mention its fantastic weather in the summer. We long for open spaces. You may long for a specific or general place. Think about a vacation spot you would want to return to. It would not be your first time there. The location left such an impression on you that you long to go back.
Some places have a mystical quality to them. When we first saw Spider Rock at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, that was the view we had. There was a mystical connection we felt, one that made us long to return. During our second visit, we revisited this site and also did a tour of the canyon floor. We saw Native Americans still living in the canyon, we visited some ruins, and we were taken to the base of Spider Rock. That was an exhilarating moment. Do you have moments such as this that you long to experience again?
Now, with all this physical activity of longing for and going to places, I must also acknowledge that I long for certain foods. I would go as far as saying it’s more than longing. At times, I crave some Brazilian desserts. As luck would have it, there are good Brazilian restaurants in the Austin area. In addition to the usual all-you-can-eat Brazilian steak houses, we also have regular Brazilian restaurants with our traditional cuisine, including desserts. In particular, there is a Brazilian restaurant just 7.5 miles (12 km) from our home. I long for Brazilian home food, especially the desserts.
I could elaborate on those two, but it would make this post too long. Beijinhos (Little Kisses) are a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, butter, and shredded coconut. Brigadeiros (Brigadiers) are made primarily from sweetened condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder. As for the strawberry camafeu, it is a sweet, creamy filling, often made from condensed milk, butter, and strawberry powder or puree, which is cooked until it forms a thick fudge-like consistency. Condensed milk has a huge market share in Brazil, as you can tell.
Now, what are you longing for? If you join the challenge, don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag so we can easily find your post in the Reader.
Your responses to Ritva’s challenge were great last week. The galleries I saw were beautiful. Next week, Tina returns with 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 may also be interested in others featuring Canyon de Chelly NM, Cape Royal, Grand Canyon NP, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, National Monuments, National Parks, Spider Rock, and Wotans Throne. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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SoyBend
The strawberry camafeu looks delicious! Yum.
Egidio Leitao
It is! I probably need to go back to that restaurant. Thanks for writing.
Steve Schwartzman
As soon as I saw the word “longing” in your title, “saudade” came to mind. It’s interesting that Portuguese extended the senses of “saudade” more than Spanish did with its cognate “soledad.”
Egidio Leitao
It’s indeed interesting. Thanks for writing.
restlessjo
I knew I wanted to join in with this as soon as I saw it, Egidio, but there really wasn’t time last week. I hope you don’t mind a late entry.
https://stillrestlessjo.com/2025/09/22/saudade-on-a-monday/
Egidio Leitao
Jo, it’s never late to join any challenges. I’m glad you did. Thanks for your feedback.
Sue
Hello again, Egidio, here’s my post: https://suejudd.com/2025/09/20/lens-artists-challenge-365-longing/
Egidio Leitao
Hi, Sue. Thanks for the link to this beautiful post.
margaret21
You have plenty to feel saudade for, Egidio, and have shown us why in wonderful pictures – and words. I’m quite late to the party, but am looking back to the time when we lived in France: https://margaret21.com/2025/09/20/saudade-for-our-little-corner-of-france/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Margaret. Your post is spectacular. I wrote a note there.
margaret21
Thank you!
Michael Williams
Egidio, your dedication to getting these shots humble me. Thank you very very much for sharing these powerful captures!Mike
Egidio Leitao
Mike, I thank you for the support and great feedback. Much appreciated.
Lindy Le Coq
Late. Sorry! Such a fine subject. https://lindylecoq.com/2025/09/20/lens-artists-challenge-365-saudade/
Egidio Leitao
It’s never late, Lindy. Thanks for the feedback and link.
Lens-Artists Challenge #365: Longing | Murtagh's Meadow
Pingback: […] week, Egídio at Lens-Artists sets the theme as “longing ” or the Portuguese word “saudade“, which is […]
Egidio Leitao
I appreciate the link. What a great post that is!
Murtagh's Meadow
What a great post and interesting challenge Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
lifelessons
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/09/16/longing-for-lens-artists-challenge-365/
Here are more longings for you. Thanks for the prompt.
Egidio Leitao
Judy, thank you so much for contributing. I loved your post.
Rebecca Cuningham
Thanks for this interesting challenge, Egídio. I have found a few photos that elicit saudade for me. https://fakeflamenco.com/2025/09/16/defining-saudade-yearning-in-photos/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for comments and the link to your wonderful post.
Rebecca Cuningham
Thanks for hosting, Egídio!
Egidio Leitao
You’re welcome.
Joe and Julie
Thanks for the great challenge Egidio! Here is ours: https://joehahnenfeld.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/lens-artists-challenge-longing/
Egidio Leitao
I’m thrilled that you liked the challenge and contributed with your link. Thank you.
Lens-Artists Challenge – Longing – Joe & Julie's Journal
Pingback: […] are therefore challenged to write about longing. I could write about friends and family that are no longer with us, or things that could have been; […]
pattimoed
Hi Egidio. Your images are gorgeous! What spectacular beauty. And I love this new word, saudade, which I saw this week on a sign in Porto. A great challenge! Here’s my post: https://pilotfishblog.com/2025/09/16/lens-artists-365-the-sweetness-of-longing-love-food-and-nature/
Egidio Leitao
Patti, thanks so much for your feedback and link.
Exploring Longing: Embracing the Power of Saudade
Pingback: […] week, Egidio challenges us to share what we long for: a person, a place or something that’s inaccessible, far away or no longer a […]
Susan Gutterman
The Grand Canyon is, indeed, magical. Here’s a link to my post https://musinwithsusan.com/2025/09/15/lens-artists-365-you-cant-go-home-again/
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked that photo. Also, thanks for including your link. Thank you.
solaner
Gorgeous landscapes. I love them!
Regarding saudade: is it in any way related to Fado?
Egidio Leitao
Fado evokes a lot of the same feelings. I’m glad you liked the landscapes. Thanks.
solaner
thanks for the confirmation, Egídio.
Longing… – Nes Felicio Photography
Pingback: […] this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge: Longing (Saudade), led by Egidio of Through Brazilian […]
Lens-Artists Challenge – Longing For That Day – Blog of Hammad Rais
Pingback: […] For Egidio’s Lens-Artists Challenge #365: Longing […]
Katharine Asals
This beautiful prompt landed on a very sad week for me, so I went with it, full on sad…
https://followyournose.me/2025/09/15/saudade/
Egidio Leitao
Katharine, thanks for taking the time to contribute, especially during this sad week for you. Thank you.
Katharine Asals
Oh, it’s good to have little tasks… <3
tgeriatrix
https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/longing/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link, TG.
Longing – Geriatri'x' Fotogallery
Pingback: […] Lens Artists Photo Challenge #365 […]
JohnRH
Inscrutable as ever, with beautiful photos. Mine: https://fairplay740.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/lens-artists-challenge-365-longing/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your feedback and link, John.
LENS-ARTISTS CHALLENGE #365 –Longing – John's Space …..
Pingback: […] Egidio […]
ladyleemanila
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/lens-artists-challenge-365-longing/
eklastic
Your photos would just start “Fernweh” for me again!
Here is my contribution for this week: https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/09/15/heimweh-and-fernweh/
Egidio Leitao
Elke, I hope you don’t mind that feeling of fernweh. Thanks for the feedback and link to your post. I’ll go check it out immediately.
Longing for… – Wandering Teresa
Pingback: […] week, Egidio invites us to lean into the melancholic and the pensive, to notice the longings we carry with […]
Marsha
Hi Egidio, Your pictures are stunning, and go perfectly with Terri’s theme of orange and yellows. The sunsets created such a rich color in your canyon pictures. You could write your own Sunset Magazine. I love your word for longing, too. It is as deep and rich as your canyon pictures. It reminds us that there are many more valuable and natural things to long for than the material posessions we think we have to have. Well done.
Egidio Leitao
Marsha, thank you very much for these kind words. I so appreciate your feedback. I did a subsequent post just for Terri’s Sunday Stills. I agree with your about so many more valuable and natural things, too.
Marsha
Cindy wrote a great poem about nature today – she often writes about nature. You two should pair up! Your pictures and her words would be a stunning collaboration.
Egidio Leitao
I’d love to read her poem.
Stupidity Hole
Just beautiful photos. You’ve captured the size and expansiveness of everything quite well. Also, those delectable treats are pretty nice, too.
Here’s mine for this one:
https://stupidityhole.com/2025/09/15/sunset-from-window/
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, SH. Your words are appreciated. I’ll look at your entry.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Here is mine https://sillarit.com/2025/09/15/lens-artists-challenge-365-longing/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link, Ritva. I can hardly wait to see your post.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
😀
Rupali
Word magnificent came to my mind after seeing the introductory image. A wonderful theme and your illustrations Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
I’m thankful for your kind remarks. Thank you.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
PR
Oh yes, I know what “Saudade” is! Great theme Egidio and lovely pictures. My entry here:
https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2025/09/14/lens-artists-365-longing/
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked the theme. Thanks for your kind words and link.
Lens-Artists #365 – Longing – Flights of the Soul
Pingback: […] For the lens artists challenge by Egidio. […]
Toonsarah
As I mentioned to Sofia, it’s always interesting when a particular language has a word to express something that other languages can’t quite capture as effectively or as succinctly. Learning about Saudade is just such an example – English has no single word for the emotions the two of you describe within that one word. And your photos and descriptions here bring it to life very well indeed. Your images of Wotans Throne and the Canyon de Chelly are especially stunning – easy to see why you would long to return.
My special place (as you may know) is Paris and I was there just last weekend, so you’ve given me the perfect excuse to share some photos from that latest visit: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-paris-stays-with-me/
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, your point about languages is well addressed. That is always fascinating. Thank you so much for your kind feedback and link. I look forward to “traveling” to Paris via your photos.
Heyjude
Saudade. What a wonderful word. The only thing I am longing for is a world full of peace, but I think I am going to have to wait a long time for that to happen. Your desserts look amazing, but also amazingly sweet! I remember someone at a conference giving my OH a can of dulce de leche which can be used to make quite a delicious ice-cream.
Egidio Leitao
Jude, I second your longing. I appreciate your feedback. In Brazil, we also have dulce de leche, but in Portuguese, it’s called “doce de leite.” As expected, it is also very sweet. Thank you for the feedback.
Yearning to... : LAPC - bend branches
Pingback: […] Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Longing […]
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link to your post.
I am tired of Algorithmic Advice | mazeepuran (माझे e-पुराण)
Pingback: […] can tell now that I am longing for quiet moments in my digital […]
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the ping, Rupali. Your post is beautiful.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Glorious images Egídio and I love the idea of saudade! Our contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2025/09/14/peace-in-our-heart/
Egidio Leitao
Xenia, I’m glad you liked the challenge and responded to it with that post. Thanks for your feedback.
Terri Webster Schrandt
My post is live, Egidio, thank you for hosting!
https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/09/14/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-vibrant-yellow-and-orange-hues-with-hints-of-yellowstone/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for this great post.
Tina Schell
PS. My response is here https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2025/09/14/lens-artists-challenge-365-longing/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link. What a great post!
Lens-Artists Challenge #365 – Longing – LEANNE COLE
Pingback: […] from Through Brazilian Eyes is our host this week, and as you can see, he has set the challenge LONGING. This was a challenge […]
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link, Leanne.
Tina Schell
Loved your challenge Egidio although I must admit I struggled a bit with my response! Your images this week are especially magical! Had never heard of Spider Rock but it looks amazing.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Tina. I guess it wouldn’t be a challenge if we didn’t have some type of struggle. However, your post is far from showing struggles. Spider Rock is a mystical place. We visited it twice and were pleased to travel down the canyon floor. The rock appeared in the 1969 Western film “Mackenna’s Gold.”
Lens-Artists Challenge #365 – Longing | Travels and Trifles
Pingback: […] to reading about them. Please be sure to link your responses to Egidio’s beautiful original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. We offer our thanks to all those who […]
robert heft
hello egidio,
You’ve chosen a wonderful selection for the challenge, I really like them, especially the first and third ones.
Here is my contribution for this week, https://wp.me/pfnz9O-St.
Many greetings, Robert
Egidio Leitao
Robert, thanks for this feedback and link. I’m glad you liked the selection.
lens-artists photo challenge – longing – photo robert blog 3
Pingback: […] lens-artists photo challenge […]
Lens Artists Challenge #365 - Longing - Joanne Mason Photography
Pingback: […] that’s it for me this week. Thanks to Egidio for a thoughtful theme that led to many nice feelings and memories for […]
Teresa
Amazing collection Egidio. This made me melancholy and hopeful at the same time. Here is mine https://wanderingteresa.com/longing-for/
Egidio Leitao
Teresa, thank you for the lovely words. I loved your post and photos, too.
Leanne Cole
Well you really got me thinking on this one Egidio. I had to really read your post first, thanks for the tips and I love you places, though I think I will stay away from the food that I long for, the list would be too big.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the great feedback, Leanne. I look forward to seeing your post.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Davvero interessanti le tue descrizioni, sia dei paesaggi che del cibo. Buona domenica!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille, Luisella. Buona domenica anche a te!
Vicki
Amazing array of ‘longing’ images. The first one of the sunset is worth putting on one’s Bucket List.
I never cease to be amazed by the rock formations, especially The Grand Canyon.
(and yes, I have my food longings too, especially since I’ve had to revert back to gluten-free and mainly soft food).
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Vicki. Yes, that place at the Grand Canyon got us back the following night again. As for food, I have to control my urges (for health reasons, too).
Marie
A new word and so full of meaning and feelings.
Egidio Leitao
Marie, “saudade” is indeed that way. Thanks for writing.
bushboy
Good none Egidio I can relate to having a great holiday and wanting more. The deserts have sent me to the kitchen to make some lunch 😋
Egidio Leitao
Hehehe… I was afraid the desserts might trigger that reaction. Thanks for the feedback.
philosophy through photography
That’s a beautiful take on saudade—the words almost turned it into a landscape itself 🌄.
Longing really does have many flavors: places, moments, even desserts that pull us back with invisible strings.
Egidio, now I’m curious—when longing calls you louder, is it usually for a place, a moment, or a taste?
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for your wise words and caring thoughts. To answer your question, when longing is not to be with my family in Brazil, longing is louder for a place. I love revisiting places that connect with me.
philosophy through photography
That makes perfect sense 🌍—places often hold the echoes of family, love, and memory. Revisiting them feels like touching the past and present at once.
Egidio Leitao
I couldn’t have said it better. Thanks.
photobyjohnbo
Egidio, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s responses. What a wonderfully expressive word in the Portuguese. That photo of Spider Rock reminded me of my journey there and the beautiful canyon viewpoints.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your note, John. Spider Rock is a great place to see from the top or at the canyon floor. It’s quite amazing.
Wind Kisses
Saudade. I love the word, I read your post three times and enjoyed feeling your interpretation of saudade, something so ingrained in your soul. Your Cape Royal image made me want to cry. We used to love camping off the grid up there for exactly as you say. The sunsets. And Spider Rock? I feel as you do, and I urge your readers to notice the tiny thread of a road at the bottom to get and idea of its size. A beautiful post, and a unique and creative challenge.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so very much, Donna. As Sofia said it, this is really part of who we are. I hope everyone would experience Spider Rock and see how spiritual Canyon de Chelly is.
Leya
A wonderful challenge, Egidio – and with your wonderful images I feel I’m longing for those places too!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Ann-Christine.
Terri Webster Schrandt
What a wonderful theme you’ve chosen this week, Egidio. Your images are incredible, and demonstrate the longing many of us have for wanting to be within nature and grand places. The Brazilian food looks amazing, too. I’ll be able to join you tomorrow!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Terri. I’m happy you liked the idea. I look forward to your post.
Anne Sandler
What a wonderful post Egidio. I love your images of the Grand Canyon. Now I need to taste your Brazilian foods. I’ll find a restaurant that is local. Now to work on my response.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to your response.
Rebecca Cuningham
Otimo, the ultimate Portuguese themed post – Saudade.. I miss the days I could speak full sentences in Portuguese without using porteñol! I hope to join your challenge this week. Beautiful landscapes.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your wonderful feedback, Rebecca.
Sofia Alves
Ah, Saudade!
I love brigadeiros, but by God, they are so, so sweet 🙂 I can see how landscapes like these have such an impact that you would long to revisit, time and time again. Lovely challenge, Egídio. One very close to my heart.
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2025/09/13/lens-artists-challenge-longing/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Sofia. I loved your response, too. About brigadeiros, yes, they are sweet, and so are beijinhos.
Ritva Sillanmäki
This such a beautiful post and the photos are amazing. Longing for is such an abstract thing in a ways. I have to think about this one. These places are worth a new visit, I am convinced of that
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ritva. You are correct about longing being abstract. It’s also very personal.
Sue
Great challenge Egidio and great iimages! I wiil think about my post
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sue. I’m looking forward to your post.
Lens-Artists Challenge – Longing – photographias
Pingback: […] Posted for Egídio’s Lens-Artists Challenge […]
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, I can understand your longing to return to these magical places after seeing your beautiful images. The Brazilian deserts look yummy. This is a great challenge!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Beth.
Writing to Freedom
This is a wonderful challenge Egidio, and I love the long wiki definition for the Brazilian word. The Grand canyon and Colorado images are gorgeous and shared longings for me too.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked them, Brad. Thanks for writing.
Writing to Freedom
My pleasure. 😊