Ann-Christine invites us to explore Trees this week and show a few which have caught our attention. I often look for unusual formations and details in the shape of their trunk and branches plus whether or not they are growing in an unusual place such as asphalt and concrete. As a side note, other trees have been previously featured in my blogs although the two best known are Angel Oak on Johns Island, SC and the Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach, CA. When in Aruba a few years ago, we located this well-known Diva-Diva tree on the beach close to the road. There are a couple of the popular Mysore Fig trees on the Winter…
FAVORITE THINGS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Patti invited us to share a few pictures showing a favorite place or activity…” just about anything that brings you happiness.” I have many favorites (family, people, pets, places, pictures I’ve taken) so it is difficult to pick only a few. I could fill volumes of books with a list of Favorite Things! Since we are in Wells, Maine for the summer, I decided to share a favorite activity I have enjoyed for years – going on early morning walks. Often our two cocker spaniels, Bentley and Chester, and my husband accompany me (along with my camera!). A few days ago, we decided to walk around Ogunquit. Unfortunately, after…
WILD: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Tina asked us to think about the word Wild this week and show examples of something Wild. Wild animals, birds, flowers, weather, Wild behavior….this list could go on and on. Since I enjoy being outside it seems that where ever I go untamed, Wild birds seem to be everywhere, happily chirping, calling to each other or sounding an alarm if another bird has invaded their space. Sometimes if I’m lucky, many different species can be found congregating in a favorite area as they socialize between meals or share a feeding area. It’s interesting to watch the behavior among the different species although if you get too close they immediately take…
FIVE ELEMENTS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Amy’s challenge topic for this week is FIVE ELEMENTS. She chose to highlight the Five Elements recognized by the Chinese, Wu Xing: water (shui), metal (jin), fire (huo), wood (mu), and earth (tu). In daily life these are regarded as the foundations of everything in the universe and natural phenomena and commonly used by designers and Feng Shui masters. In the universe, each element interacts positively or negatively with another element. Positive interaction would be how metal generates water; water nourishes wood; wood feeds fire; fire creates earth; earth bears metal. Negative interaction would occur when fire melts metal; metal chops wood; wood breaks up the earth; earth absorbs the…
DELICATE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
DELICATE is the photo challenge word for this week. Ann-Christine wants us to think about different ways this word can be portrayed with pictures. Such as a Delicate touch or colors, perhaps butterfly wings and new growth on plants and trees. “This is what it means to be loved… when someone wants to touch you, to be tender…” – Banana Yoshimoto A Delicate, gentle touch from this boy as he strokes the back of our dog in a loving way. “The colors of the (water and) underwater rock are as pale and delicate as those in the wardrobe if an 18th-century marchioness.” – William Manchester…
STREET ART: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
For this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge, Patti suggests we share some images of Street Art. Looking through photos, there seem to be different styles such as “artsy” pictures, fun images designed to make people smile, those showing a landscape scene or ones where the artist has a statement to make. Interestingly, in many cities’ artists are encouraged to create murals or Street Art on buildings, sidewalks or wherever they can find a “canvas”. For example, Montreal holds annual graffiti or Street Art festivals, one of which is internationally renowned. “I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like…
HARMONY: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Tina suggests we explore the word “Harmony” and show examples of it with our photography. It can be experienced anywhere in life, music, art and nature. One dictionary describes Harmony in nature or the arts as a sameness, the belonging of one thing to another, such as the repetition of elements like color, texture, shape, lines and form. Experiencing it tends to creates an overall sense of peace and a visually calming rhythm. Tina also encourages photographers to improve their skills by studying favorite images, our own and those of others. Examine what draws us into an image and become aware of what we feel – peace, relaxation,…
LESS IS MORE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Amy wants us to think about how the concept of “Less Is More” can impact our pictures. Removing as much as possible to establish the focus on only one or two elements in an image, while still conveying the overall feeling or spirit, can be challenging at times. “Simplify: say no to the good so you can say yes to the best.” Decided to experiment with two of my favorite subjects – flowers and bottle-nose dolphins. I wanted to see if it is really true that sometimes “Less Is More” can create a better picture. “There is beauty in simplicity.” – unknown This image seems to be a…
DELICIOUS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Patti’s photo challenge invites us to explore what “Delicious” means to them. To me, Delicious means good food and drink, the preparation of it and enjoyment while eating. Last summer we spent a few days in Boston, MA, with good friends exploring the city and reliving many good memories from previous years. Our adventures took us to the Food Court at Copley Place Mall and the variety and presentation of delicious food waiting to be prepared was staggering. Apologizes in advance for not having pictures of beef, pork or other meats in their showcase. For whatever reason I could not locate my photos from the meat showcases. Now I…
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Tina asked us to show Something Different this week. Hmm… a very interesting challenge which made me think about what subjects in photography I least enjoy photographing and are not in my comfort zone. Photographing people up close and especially strangers in a public place is something I rarely do and not what you would expect from me! “I like to challenge myself. I like to learn – so I like to try new things and try to keep growing.” – David Schwimmer All of these images are from a morning photo shoot which focused on street photography in Charleston, SC, on part of King Street. Some of you may…