At one time or another, some of us feel a lack of inspiration or motivation to photograph new things. Some people address those times by going out with only one lens. Others force a change in perspective by switching to monochrome. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Ritva’s color challenge from last week, for example, is another way to spark fresh ideas. Today, I’ll offer another challenge that will hopefully unlock new inspiration in your photography.
We will practice being “stuck in place.” So, gather all your gear – lenses, tripod, lights, filters, cell phone, and whatever you use on your photo journey – and let’s get stuck in one place. Ideally, you should carve out thirty minutes to an hour to do this. Here is the one rule: you can do anything with your camera and lenses, but you should limit how far you move from where you are “stuck.” You can move 10–15 steps in any direction to capture new images.
I have done this a few times — and the photos in this post are from the last session. After experimenting outdoors, I decided to come home and look in my own backyard – literally!
As the header image shows, that is the main view I have from our back porch. As beautiful and tranquil as it is, I am certain there are other things I can photograph besides the amazing wildlife I see. Until now, I hadn’t taken the time to see what was right under my nose. That is when “stuck in place” comes into play.
I could try an ICM (intentional camera movement), for example. However, just as I was photographing a bird on a feeder, I shifted the camera a little to the right and did not refocus. For this image, I went with intentional blur while keeping the camera still. I liked the light play. To my eyes, it felt like waking up under a tree and experiencing the first rays of light. After capturing this image, I added a radial blur to intensify the light coming through the tree branches. Exploring my surroundings and looking for things I had not seen before gave me new ideas to keep going.
Another example always staring me in the face is one of the bird baths we have around. I watch birds drinking from them or bathing in them, but I never explored the beauty of a floating leaf as in this image. For someone unfamiliar with the bird bath, this leaf appears to be levitating. I intentionally filled the frame to keep out the bird bath structure.
We always hear others telling us to look up and look down. Well, when I looked up, I noticed the intricate play of light and shadows coming from the lattice work that covers our back porch. All I had to do was position the camera at an angle to capture what you see. It tricks the eye into thinking those could be steps. They are not. The support beam is in the lower-left corner of the image.
Finally, one more example. This useful doormat sits at the back door I use to get to the deck. Another close-up revealed textures I had not noticed before. I also caught the symmetry. It had been there every day, but I never paid attention to it.
So, that is your assignment for the week. Capture as many photos as you want, but please do not post more than 5 images from this creative photography exercise. It is not quantity that matters here, but rather your unexpected compositions and discoveries. Pick a place to stay put for thirty minutes to an hour. What I have found whenever I do this exercise is that my creativity starts flourishing after I exhaust the obvious compositions. I look forward to your wonderful responses.
Challenge Requirements at a Glance
- Pick one spot — indoors or outdoors — and stay there for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Limit your movement to about 10–15 steps in any direction from your chosen spot.
- Bring any gear you like: lenses, a tripod, lights, filters, or just your phone.
- Look closely for compositions you usually walk past — the goal is fresh seeing, not new scenery.
- Share up to five images from the exercise (quality over quantity).
Ritva’s challenge last week got us all looking at single colors. I loved the variety of colorful responses I saw. I hope you will join this 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, Tina 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 Abstracts, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Macros, Teravista, Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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The Extraordinary in the Ordinary – Anita's Images
Pingback: […] For Lens-Artists Challenge #399: Stuck in Place […]
Rebecca Cuningham
Thanks for this mindful challenge, Egídio. I am in the garden. : ) https://fakeflamenco.com/2026/05/30/flower-photo-patches-of-rebeccas-garden/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much for the feedback, Rebecca. I’ll leave a comment in your post.
Albatz Travel Adventures
This challenge was a lot harder than you made it look. I had to go twice to actually get any decent shots. But I couldn’t stay there too, too long or I would have sat down on one of the many chairs and fallen asleep in the warm drowsy weather. https://elizabatz.wordpress.com/2026/05/29/a-series-of-photographs-taken-while-stuck-in-one-place/
Egidio Leitao
I also had to test a couple of places. The magic lies in what a place can offer. Thanks for the feedback and link.
Murtagh's Meadow
Great and creative challenge
Egidio Leitao
So glad you think so. Thanks.
Murtagh's Meadow
Great challenge – very creative. Love all your images
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked the challenge.
Anita
Thank you for this inspiring challenge, Egídio. Choosing a location was the hardest part, but once I settled by our fish pond, I found plenty of unexpected details to explore. It was both a fun and rewarding challenge.
Here’s my “last minute” contribution:
https://maltanita.com/2026/05/29/the-extraordinary-in-the-ordinary/
Egidio Leitao
Anita, how nice that you made time for the challenge. Thanks for your feedback and contribution.
Yanaj *
A wonderful challenge, Egídio! Love the variety and details in the example images. – I wanted to sit this one out, though, as I knew I wouldn’t have the chance to head out again, but somehow my snail encounter, which lasted about 30 minutes, seems to fit. At least when it comes to observing nature’s little wonders. So I give it a try: https://beingamazedcom.wordpress.com/2026/05/29/%f0%9f%93%b8-inseparable/
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, your enthusiasm is a great reward for me. Thanks for the feedback and link.
margaret21
And here is mine: a nearby barn …. https://margaret21.com/2026/05/29/an-elderly-barn/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link, Margaret.
Leya
Love this challenge, Egidio! I haven’t been at home this week until now – but managed to get stuck in the most lovely way. Your examples are beautiful, and the one that got me going was the levitating leaf. And, I never thought I would be that enthralled by a door mat…
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, It’s great that you liked the challenge. Your feedback was wonderful. Thanks so much.
Writing to Freedom
Fantastic challenge and collection of images Egidio. I especially like the ICM and floating leaf. Very beautiful and creative.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. I appreciate the feedback.
Wind Kisses
Love the idea. In particular the levitating leaf.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Donna. Glad you liked the leaf. xx
I. J. Khanewala
You got some really brilliant stuff by staying in one place. I love that levitating leaf. But I must say the macro of the doormat gives it a tough competition.
Here’s mine: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/05/27/brass-band/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. That doormat was also a surprise to me.
Pepper
What wonderful and inspirational images. 👍🏽
Egidio Leitao
Pepper, thanks for the feedback.
tgeriatrixTraudel
https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2026/05/27/to-sing-with-fervor/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the link.
carabeinsplash
What interesting photos! That leaf is great.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Cara. Glad you stopped by.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Gosh, I forgot to add my link to your comments section. Thanks for hosting this challenge. I also loved that levitating leaf!
https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/26/the-flower-hour-32-going-to-the-dog-woods/
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for joining the challenge, Terri.
Terri Webster Schrandt
It was my pleasure and fun inspiration!
Tish Farrell
Such a thoughtful, thought-provoking challenge, Egido. I love your fresh take on familiar items, but especially the elevating leaf. Just looking at it makes one’s mind have a bit of a float too 🙂
https://tishfarrell.com/2026/05/26/lens-artists-in-the-early-morning-garden/
Egidio Leitao
Tish, it was very interesting to try and find new things I see everyday and was overlooking them. Thanks for the comments and link.
Anita
This is truly a creative and inspiring challenge you came up with, Egidio. I like the way you transform ordinary details into something unexpected and artistic. All five photos are excellent demonstrations of how much beauty and creativity there is when we take the time to observe our surroundings. If I had to choose just one of your images, I’d probably pick The Levitating Leaf as my favorite.
Egidio Leitao
Anita, thanks so much for your kind feedback. I was glad I chose a place that is very familiar to me and “force” me to find new things I had overlooked. Your comments are the best reward. Thanks.
rootedhabitat
New participant here. Learning a lot from Lens Artists and really appreciate this challenge. Had a blast observing, discovering, and photographing. Will use this practice again. Your levitating leaf is stunning and beautiful. https://rootedhabitat.wordpress.com/2026/05/25/lens-artist-challenge-399-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Welcome to the Lens-Artists weekly challenges! I’m happy you had a blast creating your post. I’ll check it right away. Thanks for your complimentary feedback.
Pamela Zmija Photography
Here is my entry for this weeks challenge – https://yourlifeasartphotography.com/2026/05/25/lens-artists-challenge-399-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, again. I’ll leave a comment in the post.
Pamela Zmija Photography
Egidio, what a fabulous challenge not only to re-ignite creativity but also to bring more awareness to where you are. Beautiful examples, your opening image, your back porch view is spectacular!
Egidio Leitao
Pam, I thank you for these kind words. I appreciate your support.
Steve Schwartzman
You’re promoting an ancient dictum of art: freedom within limitations.
Egidio Leitao
LOL That’s a good way to put it. Did I sound like a dictator? Just kidding…
Suzette Benjamin
This is a fascinating and brilliant assignment Egidio. Brilliant! I love all your photos, the leaf and the door mat are amazing compositions!
Egidio Leitao
Suzette, many thanks for this very supportive comment. Much appreciated!
Suzette Benjamin
You are very welcome Egídio!
restlessjo
I absolutely love your levitating leaf, Egidio. I doubt you ever have time to check the links on my walks but I was amused to find that Penny had done almost exactly as you asked this week, using a piece of sculpture she found on a walk xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment and the heads-up about Penny’s post. I’ll check it out.
Ken Hartke
This was a great idea for the challenge and I liked your image examples, especially the floating leaf. It seems to be levitating. I confined myself to the immediate surroundings of my courtyard. It’s a very familiar place but sometimes not actually seen as I did this time. So my contribution is here: https://klh048.wordpress.com/2026/05/25/lens-artists-challenge-399-stuck-in-one-place/
Egidio Leitao
Ken, thank you for the wonderful feedback. I’m glad you liked the challenge and went for it. I’ll look at your post. Thanks, again.
Rupali
Quite a challenge, Egidio. Your images are wonderful as always.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rupali. I appreciate your feedback.
Sue
A great challenge, Egidio! I hope you will indulge merry as I have adapted your prompt for my post, and think it still showcases what we can do despite limitations: https://suejudd.com/2026/05/25/lens-artists-399-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Sue, thanks for your kind words and link. I’ll check your post right away.
The Light of Spring in One Place – Nes Felicio Photography
Pingback: […] Lens Artists photo challenge this week, led by Egidio, is to pick a spot and stay put for an hour or so. Then share no more than five compositions from […]
photobyjohnbo
I am looking forward to this challenge. I am trying to decide where I am going to get “stuck”. This should be a fun series of responses to see.
Egidio Leitao
I think you’ll have a good time. The responses so far have been quite interesting and enjoyable.
pamperrault21
Egídio – your images are all wonderful and I enjoyed reading your narrative. My favourite is the doormat. You’re too right, those ordinary, everyday items often escape our notice and/or attention. Those patterns and textures are a great find. Thank you for creating this challenge for us – I thoroughly enjoyed it. pp
Egidio Leitao
Pam, that is so kind of you to write this wonderful comment. I’m happy you liked the challenge. Thanks.
Steve Hyde
A proper ‘challenging’ challenge this week Egidio. I liked this. It made me think about how to take it on. a great idea 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Steve.
Tina Schell
This was such a wonderful idea Egidio which of course you executed beautifully. I chose to find a spot outdoors with an interesting intersection of different landscapes. I was fortunate there was a beautiful sunset. Not as creative as your post but a lovely way to spend some time with nature at her best. My post is here https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2026/05/24/lens-artists-challenge-399-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Tina, thanks for the feedback and for making time to participate in the challenge. I originally had done a set for the challenge using a park. I didn’t like the results and came home. I’ll check your post now.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egidio and such a great idea for a challenge! I often take several images from within a few steps of one another, so this came quite naturally to me. Our contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2026/05/24/haiku-an-empty-cup/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Xenia. I’m glad it was not a crazy idea for you. I’ll check out your post right away.
PR
Alright then – here it is – https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2026/05/24/lens-artists-399-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
PR, thanks for sending your link. I’ll check your post right away.
Teresa
This is a fun and interesting challenge. But I think I am giving myself more time so that the weather will be better. Thanks for the great examples.
Egidio Leitao
Teresa, thanks for writing. Here’s hoping for better weather for you. I appreciated the feedback.
Teresa
Here is my entry for the challenge. https://wanderingteresa.com/stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for posting the link, Teresa.
Toonsarah
This is such an interesting idea for a challenge 🙂 I loved your examples of fresh-seeing, especially the levitating leaf and the porch lattice! And talking of leaves, I decided to take one out of your book and focus on my own back garden. It’s so small that I probably didn’t quite meet your instruction to spend at least 30 minutes there but I hope I achieved something close to what you had in mind: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-small-is-beautiful-2/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Sarah. I feel the challenge already succeeded as it got you to examine your familiar surroundings closer. I’ll check out your post now.
Pepper
This is going to be a fun on, Egidio. Thanks for the inspiration. 😊
Egidio Leitao
I’m happy to hear that. I’m looking forward to the response we’ll see this week. Thanks for writing.
Sofia Alves
Beautiful post. I love this idea for a challenge, Egídio and your photos inspire us even further! I had so much fun 🙂
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2026/05/24/lens-artists-challenge-stuck-in-place/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Sofia. I’ll check out your post.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
You live in such beautiful place! Your photos are great, love them, leaf is one find that I really liked. I think this is a wonderful challenge.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Ritva.
Leanne Cole
Looks like an interesting idea Egidio, looking forward to seeing what people post.
Your backyard looks really interesting.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne.
Alison
Interesting challenge and a good one to look around at our surroundings more.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ali.
Vicki
A great challenge. Love your examples, but the pond itself in the first example is my favourite. The leaf seemingly floating in mid-air is another favourite.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Vicki. The pond is the usual view. The other shots were my discoveries.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Fascinating theme, Egidio and incredible photos! I will try to join you with a Flower Hour Post!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Terri. I hope you’re able to join.
klh048
Great challenge idea! My mind is racing — where to go and when? It is always a surprise what we see when we really look closely at our surroundings. I did a quick “dry run” photo shoot of my office and discovered (a) one can learn a lot about a person by what is on their bookshelves. and (b) Yikes! I need a house cleaner.
Egidio Leitao
LOL That is hilarious. Yes, we can discover a lot about our surroundings. I did two runs for this challenge. The first was outside, but I didn’t like the results. So, I came home and did it on the deck, where I meditate and photograph birds.
Hammad Rais
This is really interesting. I better scout for that perfect spot, to yield maximum results
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment. A perfect spot is the best. When I did these photos, I tried outside in a park, but didn’t like the results. I ended up liking the home shots better.
Anne Sandler
I just love this challenge and the photos you came up with as examples. I’m in Reno visiting the kids so I’ll be staying in one place here. This will be interesting!
Egidio Leitao
Anne, I’m glad you liked the idea. Wherever you are or choose to be, you can explore what you see around you. Enjoy Reno and family!
PR
That’s wonderful! I don’t have any problem in taking up this challenge – provided the “stuck in place” rule is not for home 😬..I have to take a thousand (with a pinch of salt 😉) pictures of every scenic place, therefore making it impossible to travel with other people 😂..
Egidio Leitao
PR, the location is all up to you. Sometimes, outdoors will work better because there are more options. Before I picked home for my stuck location, I tried outdoors but was not satisfied with the results.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, thank you for this inspirational challenge. I like how you captured everyday things in creative ways. I would have never guessed what the image of the lattice work was if you hadn’t told us. The dormat is great, too.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment, Beth.
margaret21
This is inspired! It’s easy to feel we can only do fresh shots somewhere fresh.. You have shown with your well-observed shots that this is not so. I shall enjoy this, staying right here, not far from my front door.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret. That’s the beauty of the challenge. You can do it anywhere you want. It’s just an exercise in creativity.