What does it mean to photograph a dramatic scene or create a dramatic looking picture in post processing? What makes a picture appear dramatic? It is said a dramatic mood can be created by anything that evokes strong emotions in the viewer and gets the imagination going, or is mysterious, exciting, scary or unusual. Below are a few of my favorites which seem to fit this defination. Dramatic Old House! This house in Maine is perched atop a seaside cliff which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Interestly, last summer on the internet I saw its photo along with an advertisment about an FBI mystery thriller novel being for sale…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #281 Highlights from 2023
“Photography is a love affair with life.” – Burk Uzzle This week Tina wants us to share a few favorite pictures from 2023. Selecting only a few turned out to be harder than I thought! Note: Clicking on a picture to open it in full screen. Also, to read more of an individual post, click on the underlined title. “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” – Orhan Pamuk It only seems right to start off by showing pictures of Tucker, our puppy who recently turned one year old. His energy and enthusiasm has dominated our household and our lives! Tucker was featured in May…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #278 Unique
“Unique is the quality of being unlike anything else.” – Amy, L-A host for the week. Here are a few unique scenes of trees and architectural structures I stumbled on over the past many years. The header shows Fort Gorges, a former US military fort on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Maine, built in 1864. It was never used and fell to decay and ruin until a few years ago when it became a historic landmark, was restored and opened as a tourist site. “Of all man’s works of art, a cathedral is greatest. A vest and majestic tree is greater than that.” – Henry Ward Beecher This grand…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #276 Looking Up, Looking Down
“Sometimes changing your perspective is all it takes to see the light.” – Dan Brown James of Jazzibee is the guest host this week. He challenges us to view the world from different perspectives by Looking Up and Looking Down. This first image was taken looking up at the colorful rigging on a local commercial shrimp boat. Looking up at the upper half of the stupa at Brahmavihara-Arama Buddhist Monastery in Bali, Indonesia. Tibetan style eyes surround the top symbolizing Buddha’s wisdom to see all things in four directions. “Look, up at the sky. There is a light, a beauty up there, that no shadow can touch.” – J.R.R. Tolkien…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #268 Tell Us Why
This week Tina says “our challenge is to choose a few images which are our all-time favorites. No matter the subject or how long ago they were taken. Then we need to TELL US WHY you chose them.” (Note: I apologize in advance that many of you have seen these images before -clicking on a picture will enlarge it) This cloud formation below appeared after an afternoon storm in Maine. This is a favorite because the sunlight creates various colors in the clouds and is also focused on what appears to be vertical looking columns of clouds. These flowers are from our garden in Wells, Maine. I am drawn to the…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #267 Recharge
“Lose yourself in nature and find peace.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Egidio, Through Brazilian Eyes, is the guest host this week. The topic he chose is Recharge, he suggests we show examples of something we enjoy doing or seeing that help recharge our batteries and relax. For me, a walk outside is the perfect solution. I tend to walk fast when exercising, oftentimes taking our dogs so we can exercise together. Needless to say, at times when they are along it is not particularly relaxing right now since the puppy often sees interesting things to explore along the way. Although going out with them does increase my energy level for…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #265 Black and White or Monochrome
“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.” – Stefan Kanfer What is the difference between black and white and monochrome pictures? They both start as a black and white image with various shades of grey. Although, monochrome images go one step further since a single toning filter is added to create an overall mood or feeling. I always photograph in color and usually in Raw which means some post-editing is necessary. One of the last steps is to convert the picture to black, white. It is always fun to see how a picture looks in black and white verses color. Here are a few black and white examples below….
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #262 Framing Your Photos
This week Amy suggests we share a few different ways a photo can be framed either by nature or man made designs. The header shot is framed by beautiful oak trees and marsh grasses at sunset. The two framed, sculpted flower designs below are located on the lawn of the City Hall Building in Old Montreal, Canada. An example of a wrought iron gate framing a view of the harbor in Monte Carlo, Monaco. A locked doorway protecting the privacy of a garden and walkway on the hill in Eze, Monaco. A bee is framed by the lovely greenish daisy as it gathers pollen. I will close by showing a favorite…
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #259 Unbound
“I have never in my life been so struck by any place as by Venice. It is the wonder of the world.” – Charles Dickens This week Dan of departing in 5 mins, is the guest host, and has chosen ‘Unbound’ as our photo challenge. He says, “Unbound: Capturing moments that take you away from your daily routine and/or everyday responsibilities. Is it a day trip, a road trip, or maybe a great escape?” Several years ago my husband and I took a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea, visiting many interesting countries along the way. We spent fifteen wonderful days learning about other people and countries, sight seeing, relaxing and…
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…