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…

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…

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…

October 29, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #120 What a Treat!

What a Treat to be in Maine during October!  First of all, the fall foliage is specular and secondly, Halloween decorations are on display! “Halloween is opportunity to be really creative.” – Judy Gold It is a treat to walk around Ogunquit and Kennebunkport looking at such creative exhibits!  The first two images have a few interesting details: lobster claws as hands, bow ties, flip flops for shoes, social distancing and most importantly – Face Masks worn by all! 😊  (To see each image in more detail, be sure to double click on it.) “Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen. Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is Halloween!’”…

October 22, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #119 A HIDEAWAY

Being outside with nature has always provided special hideaways; a wonderful place to relax and surround myself with beauty and tranquility.  “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy while cares will drop off the autumn leaves.”  John Muir, Our National Parks This week Ann-Christine wants us to think about our hideaways, where we like to retreat for relaxation and solitude.  So many wonderful places such as early morning walk on the beach while watching Sandpipers feed, sitting by the river’s edge observing canoes idly drifting in the breeze, observing gorgeous sunsets or…

October 10, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #117 PHOTO WALK

This week Amy invites us to take a walk with our camera.  Taking the time to look around at sights which are normally taken for granted.  It was shortly after sunrise on a cool, foggy Maine morning when I grabbed the camera for a photo walk.   “In nature, everything has a job.  The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!” – Mehmet Murat Jldan  There are several ponds close to our neighborhood so instinctively I headed there.  What a lovely sight.  The sun was trying to break through the fog, bright light reflected off marsh grasses and a few ducks out for a morning swim.  Ordinally,…

September 30, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #116 SYMMETRY

Symmetry in nature and architecture is all around us in one of its many forms – horizontal, vertical or radial. “Symmetry is what we see at a glance.” – Blaise Pascal This week Patti wants us to explore a few types of symmetry.  Simply put, symmetry can be described this way; if the subject is divided in half, both sides will look similar or the same.  See Patti’s post to learn more and enjoy her beautiful examples, click here.   The first image (the header) is an example of radial symmetry.  The raindrops are making beautiful concentric circles as they hit the deck floor. Think of how many times have we…

September 23, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #115 INSPIRATION

This week Tina is inviting us to show images that Inspire us.  I had a hard time narrowing down this topic because the truth is, whenever outside there are many Inspirational things all around to see and photograph!  My husband and I are in southern Maine now so I decided to feature some Inspirational pictures taken in Boothbay Harbor. On a couple of occasions we visited this area with our friends to play golf, spend the night and enjoy the town.  It is quite picturesque as you can see; a popular yachting and tourist destination, known for lobster fishing, boat building and numerous celebrations throughout the year.  Plus, Boothbay Golf…

September 15, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #114 NEGATIVE SPACE

“I frequently leave areas of raw, unprimed canvas unpainted…’Negative’ space has just as active a role as the ‘positive’ painted space.  The negative spaces maintain shapes of their own and are not empty.” – Helen Frankenthaler This week Amy is inviting us to explore the use of Negative Space in our photography.  By definition Negative Space is the area surrounding the main subject in a photograph which is left unoccupied. Creating this Space around the subject helps communicate the composition of the photograph and automatically draws the eyes to the subject. These pictures show how incorporating Negative Space can enhance the overall image.  For example, in this first picture notice how…

September 10, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #113 A LABOR OF LOVE

“A Labor of Love is exalted because it provides joy and self-expression to those who perform it.” – Dennis Kimbro This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge topic is A Labor of Love.  Rusha wants us to recognize those who go the distance and accomplish things which impact life for others in a meaningful way.  Labors of Love can be found around us, all the time.  It is often easy to identify and appreciate what others do for the better good of so many. The volunteers below are members of the Kiawah Island Loggerhead Turtle Patrol Program in SC.  Their dedication and Labor of Love helps protect endangered Loggerhead Turtles by monitoring…