December 24, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #230 Last Chance

Tina leads our photo challenge this week with a unique topic. She suggests we feature favorite pictures taken in 2022 that have not been shown before and do not fit into any particular category. In keeping with the Christmas season, these carolers from Charleston sang holiday favorites during a friend’s Christmas party.   In August we spent a week in Newport, Rhode Island, touring the town and then several days on Goat Island for a friend’s wedding celebration. Part of the week was rainy but once the storms cleared out, the sunsets on the Island were specular. In July we traveled to Quebec, Canada, and played golf at Owl’s Head Golf…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Travel

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…

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

November 26, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #226 Textures

“It’s an obvious opportunity for black and white when a scene contains little color but lots of texture.” – John Beardsworth Texture is an important part of our interaction with art and photography. It is said to be an important factor along with line, color, shape, form, value and space. In a photograph it can add visual interest, highlight unique patterns, or even evoke emotions.  Texture in Nature:  The opening header shot was taken in Maine right after a hurricane passed through. I feel like this picture is full of different textures; the sharp rocks with soft moss growing on the tops, fast moving water with air-filled foam on the surface and the…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Flowers, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

November 12, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #224 Exposure

This week the challenge is learning more about Exposure and showing a few examples. When using your camera, the amount of exposure is determined by how much light passes through the lens. Exposure levels can also be determined in post editing using software such as Photoshop or Lightroom or the editing software in an iPhone. The picture below was edited using Photoshop and bumping the exposure slide up to give the image an ethereal look. The second one looks more like the image in the camera. Is there one look you prefer over the other? This is another example of how an original image can be converted into a high…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Fine Art Photography, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS

October 8, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #219 Treasure Hunt

Tina is hosting a treasure hunt this week so she made a list of subjects for us to feature with our pictures.  The first is about umbrellas and extra credit if people are using them in  the rain. Another is the picture of a truck and extra credit if it includes the driver and/or what the truck is hauling. Happily, I earned plenty of extra credit again😉 because the driver is loading his truck with shipping contains full of lobsters, headed for  market.  And, there is also the fire engine with the driver and his passengers as the header! Pets are also on her list; this is our two cocker…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

August 4, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #210 Three Favorite Photos

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” – Ansel Adams This week Sarah says, “join me in sharing three of what you consider to be among your very best shots… Look into your archives and apply your most critical eye; play ‘judge’ and try to look dispassionately at your images. Pick out three (just three) that stand out as particular favourites.”  Be sure to see her three favorites and learn why she chose them by clicking here. The scene below is a common sight in Kennebunkport, ME. What caught my attention on this particular day was low hanging rain clouds that were beginning to clear,…

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

July 23, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #208 Summer Vibes

“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emeson Summer is a happy time of the year. Warm sunshine and a cool breeze is energizing as well as relaxing. This makes spending time, either alone or with friends, so enjoyable. The guest host this week, Andre, suggests we share a few summer activities which initiate happy summer vibes!  For example, sailing with friends on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. “Summer means happy times and good sunshine. It means going to the beach and having fun.” – Brian Wilson A day at the beach with family and friends creates memorable summer vibes. “We…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography, Quotes, Summer

May 20, 2022

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #199 Mechanical/Industrial

John, of photobyjohnbo, wants us to “consider subjects reflecting industry or items that are mechanical in nature…. There are signs of the old ways and the new way of doing things, wherever you look.”  My first example is the wind turbines, shown in the header. Wind turns the blades which are connected to a drive shaft which is attached to an electric generator, and  electricity is produce. These turbines replaced wind mills which were used many years ago. Another mechanical example below is this vintage fire engine (pumper truck) located in Ogunquit Maine. Compare this to a much newer model truck in Charleston, South Carolina. The Southern Railway 385 Steam…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, Photography

May 12, 2022

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #198 Light and Shadow

“Darkness is absence of light. Shadow is diminution of light.” – Leonardo da Vinci Light and Shadow:  Patti suggests we feature a few pictures showing how well they play together to create beauty, drama, serenity or a smile. “I am forever chasing light.  Light turns the ordinary into the magical.” – Trent Parke “Don’t be afraid of the shadows, it only means there’s a light nearby,” – Amy Lee In this particular picture, shadows are something to be afraid of!  This once beautiful 19th century home in Maryland is purported to be haunted. 😥 “A luminous body will appear more brilliant in proportion as it is surrounded by deeper shadow.”…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Flowers, Landscape, Photography

May 7, 2022

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #197 Rule of Thirds

What is the Rule of Thirds?  It’s a compositional technique that divides your frame into an equal, three-by-three grid with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines intersecting at four points.  When placing main subject(s) on one or more of these focal points the image more pleasing to the eye and helps to create a balanced or visually interesting image. If you are not familiar with this rule, it is easy to experiment to see if you think it makes a difference.  Some cameras can display the superimposed grid over the image in addition most editing software programs offer it when cropping.  Although like most rules, it is ok to…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Fine Art Photography