October 18, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #369 Dreamy

Ann-Christine defined Dreamy in the challenge this week. She wrote: “Soft, dreamy photography is one that utilizes soft light, soft focus, delicate tones, and other gentle elements to create ethereal pictures. It often gives a blurred, or hazy feel to the images – an almost surreal or unearthly effect.”  This style often prioritizes mood and feeling, making it popular for subjects like romantic portraits, landscapes, and fairytales.  These Dreamy pictures were randomly selected and seem to convey different moods or feelings. The one below was taken in one the the many parks in Charleston, SC. Giant live oak trees like this one are seen throughout the City, offering shade and…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

October 4, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #367 Everyone Should See This

The challenge this week is to share a few photographs that have inspired me or are meaningful in some way. Each picture either has a story to tell or captures a particular meaningful moment. All were taken near our home on Kiawah Island, SC, except the last one. This first picture is telling a story about an Anhinga and the juvenile alligator. When I walked nearby, the Anhinga was quietly resting on the fence post. Then, when the alligator decided to cross the golf path and head for the water on the other side, the excitement began! The Anhinga went crazy, he started making loud “cruk-cruk-cruk” sounds while moving around…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Nature, Photography

September 12, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #364 Quiet Moment

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” —Hermann Hesse A Quiet Moment is precious time spent alone with one’s thoughts. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday sounds. Alone time can provide the experience of inner peace and personal growth by listening to your inner voice, enhancing your creativity, improving mental clarity and gathering your strength. Quiet moments can be further enhanced by being with nature or going to a favorite place in your house for reflection.   This first series of pictures shows my favorite Quiet Moment locations close to our house in Maine. This first…

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

April 26, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #345 My Go-To-Places

“Connections we make to people, places, things, and ideas, are what give purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Emily Esfahani Smith One of my favorite places to be is at home on Kiawah Island, outside walking in the neighborhood or on the beach. This is something I enjoy doing several times a week. (Years ago I loved jogging on a regular basis with our dogs but after having to replace two worn-out knees, my doctor advised me to take up another gentler sport, like walking.) I love going on long walks, especially with Tucker, our two year old Cocker Spaniel. These walks are important to me and he enjoys…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, Photography

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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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