August 7, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #159 POSTCARDS

Postcard pictures from the southern coast of Maine – show postcards or our own pictures which could be used for postcards and which create happy memories.  Years ago I collected postcards when traveling to remind me of interesting sights and happy memories.  Now in the era of digital photography it is easy to snap a picture and design my own postcards for friends.  Friends like seeing them along with a brief note, a thank you or just ‘thinking of you’ message.  “I choose to collect memories instead of things.” – Elena Levon Since I am in Maine now it only seems right to show my postcard pictures from here.  The…

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

July 28, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #158 Along Back Country Roads

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost This week we are challenged to feature images seen on back country roads.  Roads we walk or ride on off the beaten path, through farmland, forests, quaint small towns or in the middle of nowhere. Here are a few sights which caught my attention when exploring unknown country roads.  The building below is on Peake’s Island, a small Island in Casco Bay off the coast of Portland, Maine.  Peake’s Island is only accessible by ferry; the few people who live there have cars, otherwise others have…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Fine Art Photography, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Old Buildings, Photography

July 10, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #155 On the Water

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” — Loren Eaiseley Having spent most of my life near the water, it’s the wildlife living in and on the water I enjoy seeing the most.  Three favorite pictures show Bottlenose Dolphins, a Mute Swan and Great White Pelicans enjoying the water.    Some of you have already seen this dolphin picture as they are following behind our boat.  This particular pod lives in the Kiawah River in South Carolina.  There are several previous posts where you might enjoy learning more about these very unusual pods of dolphins:    #88 Chaos,   #89 A River Run Through It   and …

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Wildlife

July 2, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #154 One Picture Two Ways

A single picture can be presented in several ways as well as a single subject can be photographed from different angles and in various lighting situations.  This week Tina challenges us to show a edited photo along with a different way it could be viewed using additional editing.  This first picture is of a lovely flower bed which lines the path to Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.  These lush, colorful flowers are a stark contrast to the rugged cliffs straight ahead beside the Atlantic Ocean. Here, Photoshop software was used in  an artsy manner – swirls were added and colors blended and softened. An favorite arrangement of graceful tulips. By…

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

June 18, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #152 Shadows and Shade

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree and long time ago.” – Warren Buffett This week our Photo Challenge is to show examples of Shadows and Shade.  I decided to feature various pictures starting with this opening picture showing both shadows and shade on the golf course green behind our house in Maine.  In the picture below it is interesting to note tourists taking advantage of the narrow shaded area in the street along as well as the person who is also in the shade walking in the opposite direction.  This street scene is in Corfu, Greece. Interesting shadows of the man and his son…

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

June 11, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #151 From Large to Small

“The world is glittering with gold and yellow streamers of sunlight wind through the tree boughs like God was throwing a party!” – Christine Anderson Patti is challenging us to pick one color and then select several photos featuring  just that color.  Starting with a large subject and then progress down in size by showing smaller and smaller examples.   Yellow is such a happy color that I decided to feature it.  As the sun came out from behind the rain clouds it ended up casting such a lovely yellow glow on everything it touched.  (This first picture was featured not too long ago in my post on Natural Light.) “How…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

May 26, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #149 Blue and Green

Blue and Green colors can be calming and relaxing as well as exciting and vibrant.  The good news it they can be found most everywhere in unexpected places.  “Green calm below, Blue quietness above” – John Greenleaf Whittier Tina is hosting this week and she wants us to “return to the color wheel and its cooler members, which include blue (primary) green (secondary) and blue-green or blue-violet aka purple (tertiary)….Simply explore the many ways the cooler colors appear in our world.” My banner shot shows a set of coasters I purchased a couple of months ago.  Image my delight when noticing the lovely shades of blue and green – maybe…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, Blue and Green Colors, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

May 8, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #146 Focusing on Details

“Photography is an art of observation.  It has little to do with the things we see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt This week Patti suggests we feature photos Focusing on Details.  I found a few images showing details that really seem to make the picture more interesting.  This first one was taken a few years ago in Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, Florida.  This room is his writing studio where, it is said, he used the typewriter on the right to produce seventy percent of his works during the nine years he was in residence, 1931 – 1939.   Notice that there…

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

April 24, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #144 Taking Flight

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.”  William Blake The phrase, Taking Flight, made me think of birds although it can easily describe other things flying like butterflies, bees and balloons.  Looking through my photo archives, I found pictures showing several species of birds Taking Flight that I’d like to share.  (Double clicking each image shows a larger version).    These two pictures are of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) as he gracefully glides through the air, so quietly he can hardly be heard in spite of his size.  These owls are the largest common owl in the eastern United States with a wing…

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

April 10, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #145 My Choice – A Morning Shoot

With such beautiful weather on Kiawah Island now, I was compelled to grab my camera and head out to photograph a few interesting birds for this week’s challenge.  Too bad the birds were not aware of this.   The location I chose was around Cinder Creek.  A rustic clubhouse is beside the marsh along with a lovely gazebo out over the Creek.  Directly across the road is a large swamp area and a ghost forest.  This is where birds had been spotted several days earlier.  Although, unfortunately there was only one White Egret to be seen.   Since I was already there, to make the best of the situation, I decided…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Digital Art, Kiawah Island SC, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature