August 3, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #56 SEASCAPES

  “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau   This week Amy encouraged us to show favorite pictures of various Seascapes, such as the water front, shoreline and waves.   Early one morning when walking on the beach at Kiawah Island, SC with our dogs, I was excited to see this female Loggerhead turtle returning to the Ocean after laying her eggs in the sand dunes. Fortunately, I was able to take a series of pictures documenting her long, laboring journey back to the ocean. This first one, originally posted on Mar 15, 2019 in my blog “Around The Neighbor”,…

July 24, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #55 DREAMY

DREAMY, this is the subject Anne-Christine chose for this week.  I found this topic a little difficult to define since dreamy can imply many different things – a dreamy song or meditative music, a dreamy atmosphere, a person who daydreams often or someone who is so visually beautiful they look dreamy.   After some thought I decided to “artistically” edit a few pictures in hopes of creating dreamy colors along with soft dreamy shapes and designs! “Everything that’s lovely is but a brief, dreamy kind of delight.” – William Butler Yeats     “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves…

July 12, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #53 CHOICES – Black and White

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of Lens-Artists Photo Challenge we are invited to post pictures on a subject of our choice.  I decided to feature only black and white images this week.  Interestingly, since not all pictures turn out to be good black and white candidates.  Worthy ones tend to emphasis shapes, lines and texture, in addition to shadows, reflections and contrasts.  Often times these features add mood and emotion and can attract more attention, maybe this is why many people believe this is photography in its purest form.  Hope you enjoy seeing these images in a different “light”! 😊 “There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.” –…

July 4, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #52 SERENITY

This week Tina chose to challenge us with the word SERENITY.  Looking through my pictures it became obvious I tend to be drawn to serene landscapes.  I guess it is visual and mental peace, stillness and tranquility of the moment that captures my attention in the otherwise hectic life style I lead.  A popular definition of Serenity is the absence of mental stress or anxiety, a state of peace and quiet; perhaps this is the reason why I have enjoyed practicing yoga over the years.   “Serenity opens the door to inspiration and creativity.” – unknown   When coming upon this inviting scene I thought how wonderful it would be…

May 24, 2019

DELICATE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

DELICATE is the photo challenge word for this week.  Ann-Christine wants us to think about different ways this word can be portrayed with pictures.  Such as a Delicate touch or colors, perhaps butterfly wings and new growth on plants and trees.   “This is what it means to be loved… when someone wants to touch you, to be tender…”  – Banana Yoshimoto   A Delicate, gentle touch from this boy as he strokes the back of our dog in a loving way.        “The colors of the (water and) underwater rock are as pale and delicate as those in the wardrobe if an 18th-century marchioness.” – William Manchester…

May 17, 2019

STREET ART: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

For this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge, Patti suggests we share some images of Street Art.  Looking through photos, there seem to be different styles such as “artsy” pictures, fun images designed to make people smile, those showing a landscape scene or ones where the artist has a statement to make.  Interestingly, in many cities’ artists are encouraged to create murals or Street Art on buildings, sidewalks or wherever they can find a “canvas”.  For example, Montreal holds annual graffiti or Street Art festivals, one of which is internationally renowned.    “I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like…

May 5, 2019

HARMONY: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina suggests we explore the word “Harmony” and show examples of it with our photography.  It can be experienced anywhere in life, music, art and nature.  One dictionary describes Harmony in nature or the arts as a sameness, the belonging of one thing to another, such as the repetition of elements like color, texture, shape, lines and form.  Experiencing it tends to creates an overall sense of peace and a visually calming rhythm. Tina also encourages photographers to improve their skills by studying favorite images, our own and those of others.  Examine what draws us into an image and become aware of what we feel – peace, relaxation,…

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…

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…

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…