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When I started this caper, a few months after Dave and Lee had started going out and about with their cameras before inviting me to the party, there was Flickr. I joined Flickr as instructed so that we could see each other's images, and began to post, sometimes producing a glut of output from one outing and entering it into hundreds of groups at will. There was something called 500px, but from what I could see, unless you were Joe Cornish you might as well not bother - it looked like a place for the bigger boys and girls in the playground. You know, the ones who knew what focus stacking and bracketing meant and had learned that the funny graph on the back of their camera actually had a purpose.
So, I stayed on Flickr alone as far as the photography community was concerned, gradually building a small following as I began to learn about the mysterious things that my two colleagues kept jabbering on about endlessly. I also posted on Facebook, because none of your non clacking friends are ever going to start setting up accounts on Flickr or 500px are they? Of course, the reaction from my personal friends was rather more rapturous than that of you more discerning types, but then again, I'll bet many of us have been through that experience, haven't we? "What's Flickr?" I'd be asked if I ever mentioned it. "Well it's a bit like Facebook, but for photographers," I'd reply as I tried to explain our community to outsiders.
And then there was Instagram, which I was urged to get involved in by friends who were also photographers. I found many of you were also Instagrammers, but by no means all. Add to that the plethora of excellent photographers I found there who had never bothered with Flickr, and the personal friends who refused to do Facebook, but liked the fact that Instagram was a bit less rowdy, and there was another community that I suddenly felt engaged in. I like the instant accessibility, and it's a place where I'm slightly less discerning about what I post there - almost daily in fact. My Flickr stories need a lot more effort and I do like to try and present an image that passes muster here with you. The trouble was, that on that platform, we were forever competing with an endless wave of garbage. It's no surprise of course to learn that a phone snap of a pretty young lady in front of Kirkjufell or Skogafoss garnered a huge amount more interest than the compositions that you and I agonised over. Of course, that's not why we do this, and of course I'm not bitter. No, scratch that, I'm definitely bitter - why wasn't I endowed with chisel like features to capture a thousand faves by looking enigmatic in front of a camera?
And there you have the issue that many Instagrammers began to complain about. No longer was it a place where serious photographers could display their work - especially those who were trying to earn some money from photography, which thank goodness I'm not. Suddenly the platform was awash with endless videos, and accusations were levelled that it had turned into another TikTok. I didn't know whether it had turned into another TikTok, because I'm too old to know what that is. And then there are the restrictions on format. If you really want a picture to stand out, you need to be thinking 5 by 4 in portrait mode, so you end up having to take shots twice, or you need to see a crop within your frame to make things work. But still, I persevered with Instagram because of the virtual friendships I'd made there. Two platforms were enough, quite frankly.
But then Vero came along, swinging its fists like the new kid on the block who wanted to get some attention quickly. For I while, one or two of you were kind enough to message me relentlessly, telling me how good the new platform was, almost rejoicing the fact there were no adverts and the only thing that appeared in their feed were posts from the people they chose to follow. A number of togs had moved lock stock and barrel from Instagram, citing their irritations at the TikTok thing. I didn't want to lose contact with them, and none of them were active over on Flickr, so it seemed I'd have to join the new platform, but not the exodus. After all, how would my personal friends, many of whom are so supportive (including financially on occasion), see my work? After a good deal of faffing, all of which surrounded the fact that Vero don't trust the manufacturer of my mobile phone and therefore won't let me have the mobile app, I joined the throng - just a few days before heading for Iceland. I quite like Vero - it's full of work by very good photographers, including some of you of course - but I am struggling to maintain a presence on all three platforms. It's like being a circus juggler, especially frustrating at a time when I have an enormous backlog of photos to work on.
And there's the thing - three platforms on the go because of all of these virtual relationships. Goodness knows how people who have extra marital affairs manage. But Flickr remains the number one for me personally at any rate. This is where I will always post and share stories, for as long as I'm able to, and that's mostly because of the interaction and feedback I receive here. So sorry about that - you'll have to put up with me. But if you are on Vero (or Instagram) and we've somehow missed one another, do look me up.
As for this image - well I'd already told the story in my previous post, but I'd come away from the lakeside with three or four shots throughout the sunset period that I really liked. You can always read that one again if this tale sent you to sleep. This one has grown on me rather a lot since I edited it.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend, whatever you have planned. I'm going to see my new-born granddaughter for the first time. How did I get old enough for my children to have their own offspring? She entered the world on Sunday night - my first grandchild. She's beautiful - but of course I would think that wouldn't I? Needless to say, I'm very excited. I'm taking her a present from Iceland, even though I'm not sure she's ready to say thank you just yet.
Happy Fence Friday. Look close to spot Bessy and Cletus keeping their distance. They don't get too many visitors.
Eatonville, Washington
Escape to the breathtaking beauty of the Lake District! 🚶♀️✨ There's nothing quite like a peaceful walk amidst stunning mountains and serene waters.
This aerial photograph captures the sculptural beauty of Namibia's vast desert dunes. Shaped by centuries of wind, the golden formations stretch endlessly across the horizon, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light, shadow, and texture in one of the oldest deserts on Earth.
Taken with a DJI Air 2S. Captured a train stopped along the Missouri River at Weston Bend State Park.
Everyone shoots the barn at Capitol Reef. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to get the ruggedness of the barn, but still get the beauty of Capitol Reef. More: wp.me/P7JpRt-4g
D810 ISO64 1/30sec 15mm ƒ/18
Moremi Game Reserve | Botsuana
This little calf played quite some time, till it realised that two strange big animals with 4 whells stood nearby and then "fled" into safety and watched as carefully from underneath his mother.
A serene day on the rugged coast of Crimea, where warm light kissed the cliffs and the sea stretched into infinity. It was one of those magical moments when everything aligns — the water, the sky, the silence.
My friend Tobias and I have been on a two-day hike in the Palatinate Forest in begin of August, 2025. We climbed up this sandstone formation in the dark and with our headlamps on. The weather was windy and partly wet. But we really enjoyed the view and the mood up there. We would stay out for hiking and shooting for the whole day and would have a warm dinner and campfire in the evening and a good night sleep in our tents.
October 2025 | Palatinate Forest
© Maximilian Engelsberger
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After leaving the high mountain slopes of Popova Šapka, we slowly drive toward one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans: Lake Ohrid. The winding road leads us through a landscape that gradually opens up, until suddenly the deep blue of the lake appears in the distance. High above the water we arrive at the wonderful Paradise Nest Guesthouse, perched on the mountainside overlooking the entire lake. The small houses are beautifully built of wood and blend perfectly into the natural surroundings. From the terrace the view is truly breathtaking: the vast lake stretches toward the horizon, framed by soft mountain ranges that slowly fade into the blue distance. The family who runs the guesthouse is incredibly warm and hospitable, making you feel welcome immediately. The narrow road leading up the hillside winds along the slope and is a bit rough in places, but by driving slowly it is still manageable without a 4×4. Along the way we stop several times to enjoy the stunning panorama over Ohrid and the lake. The town lies along the shore, with its many red roofs spreading out beneath the old fortress on the hill. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe and is estimated to be more than one million years old. Because of its remarkable age, the lake is home to hundreds of unique plant and animal species that exist nowhere else in the world. Together with the historic town, the region forms a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city of Ohrid is known for its many ancient churches, narrow streets, and the impressive Fortress of Tsar Samuel, which towers high above the lake. From the hills, the town almost seems to float between the mountains and the water — a place where history, nature and light come together. Standing here above the lake, looking out over Ohrid and the endless blue water, you quickly understand why this place has managed to enchant travelers for centuries.
After leaving the mountain slopes of Popova Šapka, we slowly descend toward the deep blue waters of Lake Ohrid. High above the lake we stay at the beautiful Paradise Nest Guesthouse, where wooden cabins overlook one of the oldest lakes in Europe. From the hillside the view over Ohrid and its red-roofed houses beneath the old fortress is simply breathtaking. Location: Ohrid, Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia.
Na het verlaten van de hoge berghellingen van Popova Šapka rijden we langzaam richting één van de mooiste meren van de Balkan: het Meer van Ohrid. De slingerende weg voert ons door een landschap dat steeds opener wordt, tot plots het diepe blauw van het meer in de verte verschijnt. Hoog boven het water komen we aan bij het geweldige Paradise Nest Guesthouse, dat tegen de berghelling ligt met uitzicht over het hele meer. De kleine huisjes zijn prachtig van hout gebouwd en passen perfect in de natuurlijke omgeving. Vanaf het terras is het uitzicht werkelijk adembenemend: het enorme meer strekt zich uit tot aan de horizon, omlijst door zachte bergketens die langzaam in het blauw verdwijnen. De familie die het guesthouse runt is bijzonder gastvrij en behulpzaam, waardoor je je meteen welkom voelt. De smalle weg naar boven slingert langs de helling en is hier en daar wat ruw, maar met rustig rijden nog net te doen zonder 4x4. Onderweg stoppen we meerdere keren om te genieten van het prachtige panorama over Ohrid en het meer. Het stadje ligt langs de oever, met zijn vele rode daken die zich uitstrekken onder de oude vesting op de heuvel. Het Meer van Ohrid behoort tot de oudste en diepste meren van Europa en is naar schatting meer dan één miljoen jaar oud. Door deze enorme leeftijd leven er honderden unieke planten- en diersoorten die nergens anders ter wereld voorkomen. Samen met de historische stad vormt het gebied een UNESCO Werelderfgoed. De stad Ohrid staat bekend om haar vele oude kerken, smalle straatjes en de indrukwekkende vesting van Tsaar Samuel, die hoog boven het meer uittorent. Vanaf de heuvels lijkt het stadje bijna te zweven tussen de bergen en het water — een plek waar geschiedenis, natuur en licht samenkomen. Wanneer je hier boven het meer staat en uitkijkt over Ohrid en het eindeloze blauwe water, begrijp je meteen waarom deze plek al eeuwenlang reizigers weet te betoveren.
A breathtaking sunset over the Swiss Alps near Grindelwald, where golden light illuminates dramatic mountain peaks and paints the sky with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple. The calm alpine lake creates a perfect mirror reflection, capturing the peaceful beauty of one of Switzerland's most iconic landscapes.