June 12, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #401 Focus on the Subject with These Essential Tips

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” – Irving Penn This week, Patti would like us to challenge ourselves by showing pictures which follow a few proven methods a photographer can use to draw the viewer’s eyes to the subject. Several of her suggestions include getting in closer to the subject, using leading line, negative space, selective focus, simplifying the background or changing the position of the subject within the image. The first photograph is an example of seeing the subject up close.  My hope is that close…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

May 30, 2026

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #399 Stuck in Place

The challenge this week is a little different.  Being ‘Stuck in Place’ is any small area we choose to go with our camera. We are not suppose to walk around much and only spend about thirty minutes looking for a few things to photograph. These are the rules Egido has suggested we follow. This exercise is a great way to become more aware of our surroundings and find interesting things to photograph that would normally be overlooked!  I decided to choose a small area in our front yard that is close to the bird feeder. It was surprising how many interesting things I saw while standing still and really looking…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Nature, Photography

May 9, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – 396 Favorite Quotes with Images

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling. Ann-Christine, our host this week, writes, “There is much to learn from old wisdom – and wit…that speaks to us”. Her challenge is for us to make others feel these quotes through our pictures!  I agree that Illustrated quotes with pictures help to make the saying more memorable. Below are a few of my favorites. “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen   “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

May 1, 2026

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #395 The Colors of Water and Looking Back to #155

“I am more and more fascinated by the reflections of colors in water. It is quite beyond me.”— Claude Monet This post features the many Colors of Water!! Endless colors and patterns captured with my camera from lakes, rivers, oceans and even rain puddles.   Beth is hosting the photo Challenge this week.  She is suggesting we refer back to our earlier blog #155 On The Water, July 10, 2021, and now look forward and post additional pictures showing anything that is on the water. I will start off with a few pictures taken on the beach near my house on Kiawah Island, SC. “Pink moon lifted over the sea on the spring equinox,…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Kiawah Island SC, Photography

March 6, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #387 Shadowed

“We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness….the creation of one thing against another.” – Jun’ichro Tanizaki The weekly challenge from John suggests we be more aware of shadowed areas and notice how they can help define our photos. Shadows play a big role in photography, they can evoke many different feelings or thoughts such as peacefulness, tranquility, nostalgia and an appreciation of nature’s beauty. They can also define shapes and patterns, add depth and character to the overall picture and help move the viewer’s eyes around the picture. “All the beauty of life is made up of light…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Kiawah Island SC, Landscape, Photography

November 8, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 372 Ephemeral

“It is the ephemeral nature of things that makes them wonderful.” — Yoshida Kenkō Ephemeral can be defined as a fleeting glimpse or short-lived event or object that comes and goes quickly, for example bubbles, fireworks or cold brew coffee as cream is poured in the glass on the right, creating an interesting looking design.  About a minute later its appearance softened and a different pattern was created. Truly an ephemeral experience! There are many examples of ephemerality in nature and this next series illustrates a few.  First is a dandelion plant as seeds from its flower head are being blown off by the wind. Snow and ice formed on this railing…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Ephemeral, Nature, Photography

October 18, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #369 Dreamy

Ann-Christine defined Dreamy in the challenge this week. She wrote: “Soft, dreamy photography is one that utilizes soft light, soft focus, delicate tones, and other gentle elements to create ethereal pictures. It often gives a blurred, or hazy feel to the images – an almost surreal or unearthly effect.”  This style often prioritizes mood and feeling, making it popular for subjects like romantic portraits, landscapes, and fairytales.  These Dreamy pictures were randomly selected and seem to convey different moods or feelings. The one below was taken in one the the many parks in Charleston, SC. Giant live oak trees like this one are seen throughout the City, offering shade and…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

October 11, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #368 Autumn Colors

“Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” – Lauren Destefano Autumn comes early in Maine.  You can tell it has arrived when a sweater or light jacket is needed in the mornings, leaves begin to turn into lovely yellows, reds and oranges, colorful chrysanthemums are visible everywhere and small groups of Canadian Geese stop over in local ponds for a day or two as they head south. Maine as well as other states in New England have a well-deserved reputation as being one of the prettiest areas during the…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

October 4, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #367 Everyone Should See This

The challenge this week is to share a few photographs that have inspired me or are meaningful in some way. Each picture either has a story to tell or captures a particular meaningful moment. All were taken near our home on Kiawah Island, SC, except the last one. This first picture is telling a story about an Anhinga and the juvenile alligator. When I walked nearby, the Anhinga was quietly resting on the fence post. Then, when the alligator decided to cross the golf path and head for the water on the other side, the excitement began! The Anhinga went crazy, he started making loud “cruk-cruk-cruk” sounds while moving around…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Nature, Photography

September 12, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #364 Quiet Moment

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” —Hermann Hesse A Quiet Moment is precious time spent alone with one’s thoughts. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday sounds. Alone time can provide the experience of inner peace and personal growth by listening to your inner voice, enhancing your creativity, improving mental clarity and gathering your strength. Quiet moments can be further enhanced by being with nature or going to a favorite place in your house for reflection.   This first series of pictures shows my favorite Quiet Moment locations close to our house in Maine. This first…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography