November 13, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #173: Interesting Architecture

“As an architect you design for the present with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” – Norman Foster Interesting, beautiful architecture can be seen most anywhere people live, especially in cities and towns.  It is visual art that is hard to ignore.  I always enjoy photographing interesting looking buildings.  I selected a few favorites pictures from within the United States – Maine, Boston and Chicago. This Gothic-inspired architectural house has won the distinction as the most photographed house in Maine.  It is known as the Wedding Cake House since George W. Bourne (a prominent 19th-century shipbuilder) built it for his new bride in 1825. …

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Architecture, Boston Massachusetts, Chicago, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Travel

November 6, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #172: A Day in My Week

“Right in this moment, I can’t even remember what unhappy feels like.”  – Maggie Stiefvater A few days ago around sunrise, I decided to take a long walk on the beach, something I try to do at least twice a week.  When walking down the boardwalk my attention was immediately drawn to the beautiful sweetgrass brushes growing beside the sand dunes.  “Nature unfolds her treasure at the first ray of sunrise.” – Kishore Bansol The beach looked magical this particular morning.  It was low tide and the sun was casting bright rays of light off the ocean surface and wet sand.   For the first half an hour the ocean and…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Sunrises

October 23, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #170: Street Art – Boston

Street art, such as sculptures, murals, graffiti, poster art, is commonly displayed on buildings, walls, sidewalks – anywhere it can attract public attention.  This week Patti invites us to share images of street art whether it is scrawled messages all the way up to the most elaborate of commissioned work.  Even though Boston Massachusetts is full of beautiful and interesting murals and graffiti, I decided to feature four pieces of commissioned works of art and public statues.  The header shot of the Tortoise and Hare at Copley Square, was created as a tribute to all Boston marathon runners by Nancy Schon in May 1995. This first street exhibit more than…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Boston Massachusetts, LENS-ARTISTS, Sculptures, Street Art

October 6, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #168: Seen Better Days

This week our focus is on sharing images of things that have seen better days.  Even though worn out and aging, these subjects still have a lot of character and stories to tell. This once prosperous looking building was probably a family home, desirably located on the main street of town within walking distance to shops and activities.  Even though run down and dilapidated after all the years, it is still stately looking and has character.  Am guessing there are many interesting stories associated with it – along with a few secrets. Image how great this broken-down model T Ford and tow truck looked back in the ’30.  And, how…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Old and Worn Out, Photography

October 2, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #166: Colors of Autumn

“Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” – Lauren Destefano Autumn comes early in Maine.  You can tell it has arrived when a sweater or light jacket is needed in the mornings, leaves begin to turn into lovely yellows, reds and oranges, colorful chrysanthemums are visible everywhere and small groups of Canadian Geese stop over in local ponds for a day or two as they head south.    “How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.” – John Burrows. A look…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Autumn Colors, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Photography

September 18, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #165: Going Wide

“Appreciation is like looking through a wide-angle lens that lets you see the entire forest, not just the one tree limb you walked up on.” – Doc Childre Life through a wide angle lens. This is where the camera records what you see when looking at a particular scene with eyes fixed in one area.  By using shorter lenses you are able to get more in the picture and everything is on a smaller scale.  Wide angle lenses are versatile and work well in landscape scenes, street photography and architecture shots. I decided to feature a few landscape scenes which were converted to black and white.  The header shot was…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Black and White, Fine Art Photography, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Travel

September 11, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #164: Looking Up/Down

“When I’m in Boston, I always feel like I’m home.  I almost cry, I feel so good.” – Luis Tiant This week’s guest host, Sofia Alves, suggests we be conscience of photo opportunities around us which are either down, below our feet, or higher up, above our heads.  Recently we spent two days in Boston.  What a great photo opportunity for this week!  The header shot shows a row of colorful umbrellas hanging above the sidewalk on Hanover Street in Boston’s historic North End.  (Notice the emojis dangling from the purple umbrella!) We started our trip to the city on this Downeaster Amtrak train Wednesday morning.   Once arriving at the…

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

September 3, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #163: Keep Walking

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead.  Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow.  Just walk beside me and be my friend.” – Albert Camus This week Amy is asking us to share pictures of people walking.  What better place to see than in Charleston, South Carolina.  Due to it’s size, it is an easy city to walk, and one of the most visited cities in the United States.  Much has been written about Charleston Historic District which showcases magnificent historic homes, churches, and other buildings.  (A post for another day.)   These pictures show part of the retail and business area in Charleston.  They were taken…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Charleston SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

August 27, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #162 It’s All About the Light

“I am forever chasing light.  Light turns the ordinary into the magical.” – Trent Parke The challenge this week is to explore the magic of light.  Share images illustrating the extraordinary power light has to convey emotions in a photo. This first picture shows the sunlight on clouds which have been stirred up by ocean breezes.  The light has turned them into a golden color giving the picture an airy, light, optimistic feel.  “Photography is painting with light” – Miroslav Tichy The power of light… I can still recall an eerie feeling sweeping over me as everything turned pinkish and blue.  This soft natural light created several surreal, ethereal moments…

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

August 21, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #161 Feet and Shoes

Ann-Christine suggests we focus on shoes and feet this week.  A favorite pictures is of our cocker spaniel showing his feet beside my husbands shoes.  As a baby, he loved to cuddle up with these shoes. These pictures, taken in India, show how large elephant feet are compared to ours.  And, how small the monkey feet are.  Below are favorite, everyday shoes our two children wore from the age of three to twenty – sunday shoes at easter time and “big boy shoes” for clowning around! They started playing soccer at an early age and continued on throughout high school. Their shoes continued to get larger as they move up to varsity…

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