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…

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,…

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…

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!

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…

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…

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,…

December 10, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228 Diagonals

Diagonal lines play an important part in creating a more interesting photograph. Consciously or unconsciously, they tend to move a viewer’s eyes through a picture. This week’s challenge is to consciously look around for to see how often diagonal lines are visible, either in nature or man-made. When composing the shot below, I took advantage of the digonal line created by sand dunes in the forground. Does this line plus the tall sea oaks lead your eye to the focus of the picture, the sun and clouds? This golf course picture shows two types of diagonal lines. First, is the shadow at the base of the putting green (right side, middle…

March 27, 2022

Cellpic Sunday 27 March 2022 Golf Course

Kiawah Island Golf Course Many people enjoy playing golf when visiting Kiawah Island in SC.  Except for hot humid summers, the weather is otherwise delightful.  There is rarely any snow and the courses here are open year-round.  After a round of golf, my husband and I were having lunch on the back deck of Cougar Point club house looking down the 18th hole. This is a beautiful course, as are all the courses on Kiawah, with an abundance of water hazards and sand dunes to distract even the best golfers! About the photo:  taken with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Basic editing in Camera Raw/Photoshop – adjusted exposure, contrast, highlights….