May 3, 2019

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…

April 20, 2019

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…

April 12, 2019

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…

April 6, 2019

HELLO APRIL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Amy challenges us to say “Hello April!” with a few of our photographs.  The advent of April is magical with renewed beauty and life all around.  The sun begins to get warmer although April breezes add to slight chill in the air. New life appears on plants and trees while many birds and animals begin caring for their young. “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII)” ― William Shakespeare           “A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow’s warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue – An April day in the morning.” – Harriet Prescott Spofford…

March 29, 2019

WORN and/or WEATHERED: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

The topic for our photo challenge this week is Weathered and/or Worn.  Ann Christine suggests we feature a few pictures showing which things we are attracted to that are worn and weathered.  Personally, I enjoy seeing and photographing old, worn out buildings or structures constructed from wood.  Why wood?  Because it ages so gracefully, showing the marks of time; the color slowly change along with the shape, lines start to appear and scars from usage plus battling the elements tend to give it a certain kind of beauty. Worn, weathered wooden buildings or structures arouse my curiosity as I wonder what secrets they hold. Then it is fun to imagine…

March 22, 2019

HISTORY: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

“History” is the topic Patti chose for us to interpret with some of our photos.  Immediately the Monastero di Sana Chiara in Naples, Italy came to mind.  As my husband and I were walking through Naples with our tour group last year, we came upon this stunning complex in the middle of the city.  It was like discovering an oasis surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life. Sana Chiara is a religious complex built in 1340, it is steeped in history and a rare example of Medieval architecture.  Originally commissioned by the French Kingdom of Anjou for the Franciscan order in the early 1300s, it is the site…

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 15, 2019

SHADOWS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to show images of interesting Shadows we have captured.  Looking over a few photos, I randomly picked several showing Shadows on the beach, a couple of golf courses, in the mountains and by the river.  It is the shape formed by Shadows which makes an interesting picture in addition to how they interacts with the subject.  Converting these pictures to black and white seemed logical, after all shadows are not very colorful, they just display interesting patterns!    “Color is descriptive.  Black and white is interpretive.”  –  Eliott Erwitt   A bright sunny summer day as the sun’s rays filter through the tree leaves.  This photo was…