My Colorful Expressions

July 20, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #258 Fences

“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why is was put up.” – Robert Frost When I started looking for examples of fences for this week’s photo challenge, they seemed to be everywhere, in all sizes, shapes and colors! Fences seem to have been around forever and their appearance and location is a stong indication of its purpose. I will start with a couple of fun pictures which could be considered a ‘works of art’. The first fence is associated with a popular seafood resturant. And, the other is a wooden property fence along with a child’s beautifully painted lemonade stand. The Wedding Cake House, and it’s designer…

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

July 11, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #257 Simplicity

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. — Hans Hofman Our photo challenge this week is from guest host is Mr. Philo of the Philosophy Through Photography. In his post he wrote, “I considered selecting simplicity since the modern world is so stressful and chaotic that we are losing the fundamental clarity and simplicity that allow us to concentrate on what is really important.” He suggested several ways of creating simplicity in photographs which I have tried to show in these images. “Simplicity is nature’s first step and the last of art.” – Philip James Bailey Choosing a clear and compelling subject that stands…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

July 1, 2023

Weekend Sky #106

“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them.” – John Ruskin Sunrise on a cloudy on Kiawah Island, SC.

written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography, Sunrises, Weekend Sky, WeekendSky

July 1, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #255 Telling A Story

“Story telling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.” – Robert McAfee Brown This week Patti’s topic is Telling a Story. She says, “the story you tell is totally up to you. Document an event like a birthday, a meal you enjoyed or a visit to a favorite place. Share a photo that conveys an emotion–happiness, sadness, awe, humor–to name a few. Show us a memory of a place, time or person.” I decided to tell story from a few years ago that I will probably never forget. It is about rewarding random acts of kindness toward strangers. I wrote about this a few years…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography, Portraits

June 24, 2023

Weekend Sky #105

“If you are in a place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset,then you are living like a lord.” – Nathan Phillips The header image was taken in southern Maine as a storm was approaching. And, in the image below, the sun is setting over Kiawah Island, SC. Hope you enjoy seeing these pictures!

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

June 17, 2023

Weekend Sky #104

“At every sunset, the sky is a different shade. No cloud is ever in the same place. Each day is a new masterpiece. A new wonder. A new memory.” – Sanober Khan My sincere thanks to Hammad Rais for inviting me to participate in his weekly blog entitled Weekend Sky. Be sure to see and read his great post by clicking here! The header picture was taken early one morning in October on Kiawah Island, SC. Below is a view of the summer sky near sunset from our deck in Wells, Maine several years ago. “When you’re a kid, you lay in the grass and watch the clouds going over, and…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Cloudscape, Photography

June 16, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #253 Fragments

This week Brian has selected a challenging topic, at least for me anyway. He suggests we show examples of our interpretation of the word Fragments. After giving this a little thought, I decided to present a few pictures from one point of view showing the subject along with its fragments. For example, separated clouds floating away from the larger one close by, a stuffed animal’s tail torn off a dog’s toy and apple slices cut out of the apple. For the opening shot, as these clouds were passing overhead yesterday I noticed many wispy fragments had broken away and were floating by on their own. And the picture below shows…

written by Sylvia - Posted in American Cocker Spaniels, Clouds, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

June 8, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #252 What’s Bugging You?

“Should an insect land on you… Don’t be scared. Appreciate that you were confused for a flower.” – unknown Donna at Wind Kisses is suggesting we explore the world of bugs and share a few favorite pictures. She has many interesting species in her post so be sure to check it out by clicking here. Personally, I am not too fond of some bugs and have an unspoken agreement with them – I will respect their space and they need to respect mine. That being said, there are so many others I enjoy seeing and photographing, such as butterflies, lady bugs and bees. Note, these pictures can be enlarged by…

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

May 27, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #250 Skyscapes or Cloudscapes

“Every cloud has a silver lining.” – John Milton Clouds come in all sizes, shapes and colors, that is what makes them so interesting. The images you see now will change within five minutes or less. They can blanket the sky and block out the sun or provide a backdrop for a spectacular sunrise or sunset. This week Amy, of The World is a Book…”, chose a very interesting topic; Skyscapes and Cloudscape. What is the difference between the two? The dictionary describes a Skyscape as a section of the sky, usually extensive, which often includes a part of the horizon usually seen from a single viewpoint. Whereas Cloudscapes are…

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

May 20, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #249 Art in the Park

“The arts have an incredible potential for expanding interconnectedness, for reaching people, touch them, and increasing empathy and compassion in the world.” – Olafur Eliasson The challenge this is week to feature public art that we enjoyed seeing. My husband and I often travel to Boston, MA, visiting the museums, exploring the City’s well-known history, plus the occasional Red Sox game. To me, Boston is one of those cities where my camera is always ready because there is so much to photograph! When we were there in 2006 Boston was hosting a citywide Cow Parade. Since our challenge for this week is to feature public art in all of its…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Boston, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Street Art, The Jimmy Fund Boston

Several years ago, a talented group of four ladies started a blog log called Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. Each week one of them selects a topic and the challenge for all LA blog followers is to post their pictures and text relative to the topic. By the way, anyone is welcome to join this international group of photographers.

Participating in this continues to be quite rewarding. It has trained my eye to be more aware of people and things to photograph in addition to making new blogging friends all over the world.

Photography has always been a big part of my life and traveling offers many wonderful photo opportunities. I live on Kiawah Island in South Carolina and spend summers in southern Maine. Hope you like seeing my posts as much as I enjoy creating it!

“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” ∼ Ansel Adams