July 24, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #55 DREAMY

DREAMY, this is the subject Anne-Christine chose for this week.  I found this topic a little difficult to define since dreamy can imply many different things – a dreamy song or meditative music, a dreamy atmosphere, a person who daydreams often or someone who is so visually beautiful they look dreamy.   After some thought I decided to “artistically” edit a few pictures in hopes of creating dreamy colors along with soft dreamy shapes and designs! “Everything that’s lovely is but a brief, dreamy kind of delight.” – William Butler Yeats     “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves…

June 7, 2019

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…

May 24, 2019

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…

March 15, 2019

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to feature our neighborhood or someone else’s that makes us feel welcome or comfortable.  I have always felt comfortable around water so I decided to feature a few pictures of wildlife and activities on Kiawah’s beach, which is in our neighborhood and walking distance from our home.  Except for the first image, these other sights are fairly common.  I believe the quote below also implies being a good neighbor to wildlife, helping them to preserve their future. “To be a good neighbor is one of life’s richest joys!” – unknown   This Loggerhead turtle laid her eggs in the sand dunes and is very slowly…

March 1, 2019

CLOSEUP: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Leya invites us to show a few close-up pictures, “your own home is an endless source of motifs – and maybe a look into new worlds.”  I chose flower images because the delicate blending of multi colors, texture in the pedals and the intricate designs of each flower is so unique when viewed Closeup.  Most of these images were taken in our yard with either a Nikon 18 to 300 mm lens or 18 to 105. I did not use my micro lens but instead took Closeups of these flowers in the RAW format so I was able to crop close and show little details. A few other…

February 20, 2019

NATURE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Patti asks us to showcase some of our Nature photography.  Most of these pictures were taken on Kiawah Island where there is an abundance of Nature shots everywhere – landscape, birds, animals, flowers, trees, the Atlantic Ocean plus magnificent colors in the sky created by the sun, moon and clouds. “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”  –  John Muir ——————————-   “Nature has a great simplicity and therefore a great beauty.” – Richard Feynman   Over the past year or so photographers everywhere have had the opportunity to capture breathtaking pictures of the moon.  This picture of the moon isn’t anything special but…

February 1, 2019

UNEXPECTED: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Leya invites us to show images defining the word UNEXPECTED.  Hum….extra thought was required as to how best define this word with photographs.  Finally, a decision was made – show three pictures which reveal an UNEXPECTED outcome after editing. Below are copies of three original RAW pictures and immediately beneath each top image is its edited version.  What was so UNEXPECTED to me was the different image revealed from each photograph!   “Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.”  –  Matt Hardy                       “In many…

January 11, 2019

MY TRAVELS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Amy challenges us show memorable pictures taken during My Travels.  Last week’s photo challenge was Favorite Pictures in 2018 and since traveling was the highlight of our year many of My Travel images were featured then.  (See Travel Pictures of 2018 under Recent Posts on the right hand side.)   To accept Amy’s challenge this week I decided to show some favorite pictures from previous trips to Florida. Disney World in Orlando is one of the more popular attractions in Florida.  Who doesn’t have a warm spot in their heart after seeing the Lady and The Tramp animated cartoon, or can resist smiling at some of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog’s…

December 19, 2018

SEASONAL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to express what Seasonal means; I chose to do this with photographs.  My husband and I are able to experience the seasons in two different parts of the country.  Winter rolls in with freezing weather, complete with wind, snow and ice in Southern Maine; Kiawah Island, SC has a more moderate winter, although it can get a bit chilly at times.  Spring is a welcome relief with delightfully warming temperatures as new life begins to unfold.  And, summer days on Kiawah can heat up quickly and become humid before traveling north to Maine for more temperate temperatures.  The autumn months in Maine can be spectacular; gorgeous fall…

December 1, 2018

SPLASH: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Patti challenges us to show images of water.  She beautifully writes, “water is magical.  Its beauty, power and persistence are unsurpassed…”    What is it about an ocean, lake, stream, waterfall or just a puddle which can draw so much attention?  Water is truly magical because it is never the same – strong, angry, calm or picturesque when reflecting colors – and vital for all life.   “It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things.”  ∼   Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook _____________   “She loves the serene brutality of the ocean, loves the electric power she felt with each breath of wet, briny…