Kiawah Island SC Archives - My Colorful Expressions

September 7, 2024

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #314 Shorelines

“My life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near the ocean’s edge as I can go.” – Henry David Thoreau Where do I find peace and relaxation? At the shoreline watching shorebirds search for food and listening to the rhythmic sound of gentle waves washing up on the sand. I also enjoy being around others on the beach walking along the ocean and seeing children playing in the sand. Occasionally, a few people are lucky enough to see a Loggerhead turtle return to the ocean after laying her eggs in the sand. This first selection of shorelines was taken during our many travels to the Islands of Aruba…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Nature, Photography, Travel

June 15, 2024

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #303 Connections

“The connections we make to people, places, things, and ideas, are what give purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Donna The connections we chose in our lives are very powerful. My connection with family, other people, my community, places I love and ideas I hold dear is the sum total of who I am. And it is my connection and relationship with nature that gives me a sense of calm and inner peacefulness. Whether watching a butterfly dart from flower to flower or listening to the constant rhythm of waves beating on the sand as birds fly about. I am continually reminded of the joy and wonder that can…

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

March 8, 2024

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #289 Tools of Composition

“The camera sees more than the eye, so why not make use of it?” – Edward Weston John of photobyjohnbo is hosting the challenge this week and he suggests we focus on only four compositional factors in photography; Shape, Form, Texture and Light of objects. The first two, Shape and Form, are occasionally used interchangeably although they have two distinct visual characteristics which is determined by the way light strikes the object. A Shape looks flat or two-dimensional where as a Form is an object that is emphasized by shadows and highlights creating depth or a three-dimensional look. Let’s compare a few pictures to show how to determine the difference…

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

December 30, 2023

Lens Artists Photo Challenge – Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead filled with happiness, inner peace and Hope for a better tomorrow! I feel lucky to have seen this lovely holiday scene at Freshfields, Kiawah Island, SC. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – J.K. Rowling (Albus Bumbledore, from Harry Potter) My Hope for 2024 is for it to be a prosperous year of pleasant surprises, joy and good health for you and your family! In closing, it would not seen right if I did not include my favorite quote which many of you have read before… “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful,…

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

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

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

March 11, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #239 Finding Peace

“Lose yourself in nature and find peace.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson This week Tina, of Travels and Trifles, suggests we “take Ann-Christine’s challenge (from last week) one step further, and address the ways we’ve learned to Find Peace in today’s ever-more busy world.” Experts are in universal agreement on the importance of Finding Inner Peace, a few suggestions are: Spend Time in Nature. When you spend time in nature, like taking short walks or appreciating nature, you may find serenity. Don’t Let Your Past Mistakes Define You. Take Responsibility for Your Actions. Be Grateful. Meditate or practice mental silence. Practice Acceptance and Contentment. The picture below is of the…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Finding Peace, Landscape, Photography

February 25, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #237 Bringing Softness

“I like the muted sounds, the shroud of grey, and the silence that comes with fog.” – Om Malik This banner shot shows how fog and natural light can bring softness and beauty to everything it touches. “Our soul is like a soft and gentle flower, it needs to be nurtured, cared for, tended to, with sufficient sunlight, fresh air and freedom to bloom into its most precious and beautiful form. – Miya Yamanouchi The photo challenge this week is led by Bren, she suggests we bring or show softness in a few of our photos. One way this can be accomplished in camera is by photographing in the fog or…

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

February 4, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #234 Messages

“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” – Martin Buber Animals have their own unique way of communicating such as this Bottle Nose Dolphin sending the message of affection to her calf. This was taken in the Kiawah River, Kiawah Island, SC. This is our American Cocker spaniels a few years ago when Bentley sent a warning messsage to Chester telling to leave his sock alone! A Mute swan sending me a message that I was getting too close. A Canada goose sounding the alarm to others of approaching danger. Below is the Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Like all lighthouses along the coast,…

written by Sylvia - Posted in Animals, Bottle Nose Dolphins, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, People, Photography

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