March 2, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #137 SOFT

So many things can fit the description of soft.  For example: soft foods, soft to the touch, visually soft colors, soft movement, soft sounds.  Ann-Christine would like for us to show examples of a few soft things.  Remember walking in soft mud or sand and having it squish through your toes, and how good it felt? Swans and other water fowl can  softly glide over the water without making a sound even when paddling frantically underneath.  And speaking of soft, what could taste better than a soft, delicious donut!  Unless it is ice cream or banana pudding…. Yummy!  Flower petals, animal fur and Spanish Moss are a few things of…

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

February 23, 2021

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #136 The Letter S

The challenge this week is showing subjects that begin with the Letter S.  For the fun of it, I also decided to use multiple words starting with “S” to describe each photograph.  Interestingly, the common thread surrounding these pictures is the ocean.  This was not planned ahead, it just happened – Humm. Silhouettes showing people waiting for the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.  The sun’s rays streaming through the clouds created a beautiful display. Shadows, silhouettes, and a sunset as several men fish and watch the soaring seagulls overhead. Swirly S shape carved in the beach sand the ocean tide advanced onto the shore. Sun and clouds casted shimming…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Ocean, Sunsets

February 11, 2021

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #134 From Forgettable to Favorite

There are many Forgettable pictures in my archive files due to camera shake, wrong exposure, etc.  So, they end up being either deleted or ignored.  This week Tina wants us to revisit the Forgotten ones to see if it is possible to make them into a Favorite. (Not an easy task in some cases.😊)  Thank goodness for editing software programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, Nik, Topaz and Luminar to name a few.  Plus, some of these programs even have AI capabilities (artificial intelligence).  They do a remarkable job of analysing an image and suggesting ways to improve it. In my editing workflow, Adobe Photoshop (PS) is the go to software program.  Initial…

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

January 14, 2021

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #130 IT’S A SMALL WORLD

This week Lens-Artist’s guest host, Anne Sandler suggests we think about close-up and macro photography.  She skillfully describes the difference between the two.  Be sure to read her post, It’s a Small World. I have a macro lens but find that it is not used much.  Instead, I tend to photograph small objects using a long lens with a short focal point. This particular picture below was taken with a Nikon 18-300 lens, focal point of 145, f/5.7. My banner shot is the beautiful variegated Shell Ginger flower from Florida. This was taken with a Nikon 18-105 lens, focal point of 42, F/4.8.  Interestingly, months ago before being introduced to…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Flowers, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography, Wabi Sabi Photography

January 2, 2021

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #129 Favorite Pictures of 2020

“The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years, regardless of the number of times they are viewed.” – Anne GeddeHeader 2020 was a year like no other since 1918, everyone in the world seems to be suffering one way or another.  In spite of this, I continued to look forward to the assigned weekly word for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge.  A big thank you goes to four talented leaders; Anne-Christine, Amy, Patti and Tina!   This week’s topic is Favorite Pictures from 2020.  The banner shot above was taken on Kiawah Island in SC.  Notice the little trails in the foreground?  They were made…

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

December 24, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #128 And Here Comes the Holiday Season…

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” – Bob Hope With Christmas Day only several hours away, I am reminded of a few favorite Holiday scenes over the years.  Every holiday, until this year, has been spent with our family either in our home or theirs.  Plus there have often been years when my husband and I would spend days in New York City, Naples, Florida or Montreal, Canada, enjoying the holiday lights and decorations.   “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale These are a few favorite pictures from our travels. …

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

December 12, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: #126 The Letter “A” ANTIQUE AUTOS

This week Patti challenges us to think about the letter A.  She suggests we feature a few pictures where the subject starts with an A.  Antique Autos came to mind!  Here are a couple of ancient autos I recently discovered in Maine.  I’m guessing the Tow Truck and Model T Ford were popular around 1930s.  You can click on the photo to see these two better.   A classic Studebaker and an 88 Oldsmobile from the ’50s. Be sure to enjoy Patti’s post on the Letter “A”. Remember to stay safe and be healthy!

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Antique Autos, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

November 21, 2020

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #123 Found in the Neighborhood – Wabi Sabi

For our Photo Challenge, Ann-Christine suggests we rediscover our surrounds.  Look around and make an effort to notice things that are generally overlooked.  Think outside the box.  As she says in her post, “There is so much to discover, if only you open your mind and all your senses. Follow that road, follow your curiosity… There might still be lovely surprises around the corner.”  Be sure to see her post on Found in the Neighborhood. The Kiawah Island Photography Club had an interesting program earlier this week.  Jamie Konarski Davidson, an award-winning freelance outdoor & nature photographer, gave a presentation entitled “Wabi Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection”.  Wabi-sabi in photography…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Black and White, Fine Art Photography, Maine, Old Buildings, Wabi Sabi Photography

November 12, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #122 When the Sun Comes Out Tomorrow

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt The sun’ll come out tomorrow….Just thinkin’ about Tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs…   These are a few of the words from the song Annie sang in the Broadway musical, Annie.  Ana from Anvica’s Gallery is leading the Photo Challenge this week.  She is encouraging us to continue to be hopeful and know a brighter future is ahead.  She wants to remind us of Annie’s optimistic outlook on grey and lonely days when things were difficult.  Be sure to see Ana’s uplifting post and beautiful pictures!  Morning sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.  The top picture was taken by the…

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

November 5, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #121 Focus on Butterflies

By using a few composition techniques, the eyes can be led to the subject in a picture.  These images from The Butterfly Farm in Aruba show how easy it is. “For me, the subject of the picture is always more important than the picture.” – Diane Arbus This week Patti invites us to show several ways to draw attention to a subject.  She suggests using leading lines and patterns, color, contrast, selective focus, freezing the action and doorways or arches.  Click here to enjoy her post plus see other ways of Focusing on the Subject! When visiting The Butterfly Farm, it was a real treat to walk among these beautiful…

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