April 8, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #243 It’s Tricky

It’s Tricky and this is April the 4th week! Donna suggests we share a few pictures that are not what they seem to be. Below are a few tricky looking subjects and the challenge is to guess what you are actually seeing.  I am starting off with a header shot which is probably easy to identify (the answer is at the end).  But what about the tree branch below with green leaves? Would you guess this is actually a picture of Atta leaf cutter ants carrying bits of green leaves to their nest. Below is an open field filled with tall mud “towers”. How were these towers constructed and who…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, LENS-ARTISTS, Montreal Aquarium, Photography

July 2, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #154 One Picture Two Ways

A single picture can be presented in several ways as well as a single subject can be photographed from different angles and in various lighting situations.  This week Tina challenges us to show a edited photo along with a different way it could be viewed using additional editing.  This first picture is of a lovely flower bed which lines the path to Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.  These lush, colorful flowers are a stark contrast to the rugged cliffs straight ahead beside the Atlantic Ocean. Here, Photoshop software was used in  an artsy manner – swirls were added and colors blended and softened. An favorite arrangement of graceful tulips. By…

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

May 26, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #149 Blue and Green

Blue and Green colors can be calming and relaxing as well as exciting and vibrant.  The good news it they can be found most everywhere in unexpected places.  “Green calm below, Blue quietness above” – John Greenleaf Whittier Tina is hosting this week and she wants us to “return to the color wheel and its cooler members, which include blue (primary) green (secondary) and blue-green or blue-violet aka purple (tertiary)….Simply explore the many ways the cooler colors appear in our world.” My banner shot shows a set of coasters I purchased a couple of months ago.  Image my delight when noticing the lovely shades of blue and green – maybe…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Blue and Green Colors, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

March 13, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #138 Natural Light

“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” – George Eastman Light from the sun is constantly changing throughout the day.  Clouds play a big part in this and also shadows which are created as the sun reflects off another object.   Natural sunlight can shine directly on an object, it can also be seen as back light, the golden light just before sunset plus the beautiful colors seen in sunrises and sunsets. Here are a few images showing examples of natural light.  This first one was taken after a heavy rain…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Natural Light, Photography, Sunsets

March 2, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #137 SOFT

So many things can fit the description of soft.  For example: soft foods, soft to the touch, visually soft colors, soft movement, soft sounds.  Ann-Christine would like for us to show examples of a few soft things.  Remember walking in soft mud or sand and having it squish through your toes, and how good it felt? Swans and other water fowl can  softly glide over the water without making a sound even when paddling frantically underneath.  And speaking of soft, what could taste better than a soft, delicious donut!  Unless it is ice cream or banana pudding…. Yummy!  Flower petals, animal fur and Spanish Moss are a few things of…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Animals, Fine Art Photography, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

February 11, 2021

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #134 From Forgettable to Favorite

There are many Forgettable pictures in my archive files due to camera shake, wrong exposure, etc.  So, they end up being either deleted or ignored.  This week Tina wants us to revisit the Forgotten ones to see if it is possible to make them into a Favorite. (Not an easy task in some cases.😊)  Thank goodness for editing software programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, Nik, Topaz and Luminar to name a few.  Plus, some of these programs even have AI capabilities (artificial intelligence).  They do a remarkable job of analysing an image and suggesting ways to improve it. In my editing workflow, Adobe Photoshop (PS) is the go to software program.  Initial…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Flowers, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

July 19, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #106 AUTUMN

This week Patti wants us to continue thinking about the four seasons; this week the topic is Autumn.  Be sure to visit her post and enjoy the lovely autumn images. To me Autumn is about the beautiful colors Mother Nature creates as the air gets cooler and tree leaves change to glorious oranges, reds and yellows. Maine as well as other states in New England have a well-deserved reputation as being one of the prettiest areas during the fall months.  Over the past years my husband and I have spent our summers in southern Maine,  and occasionally stay through the fall and winter months.  Such a treat to be there…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Maine, Photography, Travel

May 25, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #98 DELICATE COLORS

This week’s challenge from Ann-Christine gives us a chance to explore Delicate Colors; beautiful, soft shades of color blending into each other. Being surrounded by these lovely colors can be  soothing and relaxing in spite of the hectic world we live in now. 🙃  Delicate Colors are all around us, waiting to be discovered when outside and one with nature.               Ann-Christine shows beautiful examples of delicate colors she found in her garden and neighboring forest. “There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.” – Edouard Manet Each of these pictures show a different color palette that only mother-nature can create…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Digital Art, Kiawah Island SC, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

May 5, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #94 ALL WET

Tina selected “All Wet” as our topic this week.  “All wet” would be ducks splashing in the water, dolphins spraying water as they strand feed or pelicans diving for fish in the ocean.  Another example of All Wet is our cocker spaniels getting a bath, which isn’t a pretty sight.   Be sure to see Tina’s post this week (Travels and Trifles), she has featured beautiful pictures of grizzly bears catching salmon in Alaska! After searching through achieved photos, I decided to show pictures of our trip to Burano, Italy (near Venice).  Even though there was a soaking rain throughout the day, no one seemed to mind.  I enjoyed seeing…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Burano Italy, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

December 4, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #74 ABSTRACT

Patti’s challenge this week is centered around Abstract Photography, which is non-traditional images of objects or landscapes which use shapes, forms, lines, textures and patterns to compose intriguing works of art.  In most circumstances, Abstract Art is filled with exciting colors and textures in hopes of grabbing attention and creating an emotional response.  One of the objectives is to entice the viewer to ask questions and perhaps study the image in greater depth.     “There is no abstract art.  You must always start with something.  Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” – Pablo Picasso   This is one of my favorite images probably because of its overall vertical shape along…

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