December 24, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #128 And Here Comes the Holiday Season…

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” – Bob Hope With Christmas Day only several hours away, I am reminded of a few favorite Holiday scenes over the years.  Every holiday, until this year, has been spent with our family either in our home or theirs.  Plus there have often been years when my husband and I would spend days in New York City, Naples, Florida or Montreal, Canada, enjoying the holiday lights and decorations.   “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale These are a few favorite pictures from our travels. …

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Christmas Decorations, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Travel

December 12, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #126 The Letter “A” ANTIQUE AUTOS

This week Patti challenges us to think about the letter A.  She suggests we feature a few pictures where the subject starts with an A.  Antique Autos came to mind!  Here are a couple of ancient autos I recently discovered in Maine.  I’m guessing the Tow Truck and Model T Ford were popular around 1930s.  You can click on the photo to see these two better.   A classic Studebaker and an 88 Oldsmobile from the ’50s. Be sure to enjoy Patti’s post on the Letter “A”. Remember to stay safe and be healthy!

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Antique Autos, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

December 4, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #125 You Pick It! Black and White

“Black and white can transform a scene into something magical.” – Rob Sheppard Since Tina invites us to pick any topic for our blog this week, I decided to show a few of my favorite pictures in black and white.  I have more appreciation for these now;  interesting details are clearer and stand out more with multiple variations of shades of grey.  To me, these pictures display an abstract quality which makes them intriguing and timeless. The banner photo shows several Red Knot (Calidris canutus) walking on the beach.  These special birds visit Kiawah Island twice a  year when migrating from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America. …

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS

November 12, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #122 When the Sun Comes Out Tomorrow

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt The sun’ll come out tomorrow….Just thinkin’ about Tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs…   These are a few of the words from the song Annie sang in the Broadway musical, Annie.  Ana from Anvica’s Gallery is leading the Photo Challenge this week.  She is encouraging us to continue to be hopeful and know a brighter future is ahead.  She wants to remind us of Annie’s optimistic outlook on grey and lonely days when things were difficult.  Be sure to see Ana’s uplifting post and beautiful pictures!  Morning sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.  The top picture was taken by the…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Fine Art Photography, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine

November 5, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #121 Focus on Butterflies

By using a few composition techniques, the eyes can be led to the subject in a picture.  These images from The Butterfly Farm in Aruba show how easy it is. “For me, the subject of the picture is always more important than the picture.” – Diane Arbus This week Patti invites us to show several ways to draw attention to a subject.  She suggests using leading lines and patterns, color, contrast, selective focus, freezing the action and doorways or arches.  Click here to enjoy her post plus see other ways of Focusing on the Subject! When visiting The Butterfly Farm, it was a real treat to walk among these beautiful…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Butterflies, Fine Art Photography, LENS-ARTISTS

October 29, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #120 What a Treat!

What a Treat to be in Maine during October!  First of all, the fall foliage is specular and secondly, Halloween decorations are on display! “Halloween is opportunity to be really creative.” – Judy Gold It is a treat to walk around Ogunquit and Kennebunkport looking at such creative exhibits!  The first two images have a few interesting details: lobster claws as hands, bow ties, flip flops for shoes, social distancing and most importantly – Face Masks worn by all! 😊  (To see each image in more detail, be sure to double click on it.) “Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen. Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is Halloween!’”…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Halloween Decorations, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

October 22, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #119 A HIDEAWAY

Being outside with nature has always provided special hideaways; a wonderful place to relax and surround myself with beauty and tranquility.  “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy while cares will drop off the autumn leaves.”  John Muir, Our National Parks This week Ann-Christine wants us to think about our hideaways, where we like to retreat for relaxation and solitude.  So many wonderful places such as early morning walk on the beach while watching Sandpipers feed, sitting by the river’s edge observing canoes idly drifting in the breeze, observing gorgeous sunsets or…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Birds, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Silhouette Photography, Sunsets, Wildlife

October 10, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #117 PHOTO WALK

This week Amy invites us to take a walk with our camera.  Taking the time to look around at sights which are normally taken for granted.  It was shortly after sunrise on a cool, foggy Maine morning when I grabbed the camera for a photo walk.   “In nature, everything has a job.  The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!” – Mehmet Murat Jldan  There are several ponds close to our neighborhood so instinctively I headed there.  What a lovely sight.  The sun was trying to break through the fog, bright light reflected off marsh grasses and a few ducks out for a morning swim.  Ordinally,…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Photography

September 30, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #116 SYMMETRY

Symmetry in nature and architecture is all around us in one of its many forms – horizontal, vertical or radial. “Symmetry is what we see at a glance.” – Blaise Pascal This week Patti wants us to explore a few types of symmetry.  Simply put, symmetry can be described this way; if the subject is divided in half, both sides will look similar or the same.  See Patti’s post to learn more and enjoy her beautiful examples, click here.   The first image (the header) is an example of radial symmetry.  The raindrops are making beautiful concentric circles as they hit the deck floor. Think of how many times have we…

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

September 23, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #115 INSPIRATION

This week Tina is inviting us to show images that Inspire us.  I had a hard time narrowing down this topic because the truth is, whenever outside there are many Inspirational things all around to see and photograph!  My husband and I are in southern Maine now so I decided to feature some Inspirational pictures taken in Boothbay Harbor. On a couple of occasions we visited this area with our friends to play golf, spend the night and enjoy the town.  It is quite picturesque as you can see; a popular yachting and tourist destination, known for lobster fishing, boat building and numerous celebrations throughout the year.  Plus, Boothbay Golf…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Photography, Travel