November 7, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #420 Wabi Sabi In Nature and Art

“Wabi Sabi is an intuitive response to beauty that reflects the true nature of life. It is an acceptance and appreciation of the impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete nature of everything. Less stuff, more soul. Less hustle, more ease. Less chaos, more calm… Less head, more heart.” – Beth Kempton Wabi Sabi can be a little difficult to define or explain at times, especially since  Wabi has one concept or meaning and Sabi has a different meaning.  Wabi has a positive implication of acceptance in plans that have gone awry. Experiences such as disappointment or poverty could be met with calm. It expresses the spiritual abundance of discovering simple beauty in…

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

October 17, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #417 Where Does It Lead?

Egidio, the host this week, is inviting us to showcase our photos that ask the question, “Where Does It Lead?”  He suggests we interpret his title three ways; Literal, Compositional, and Interpretive. Liberal    Numerous footprints and bicycle tire tracks show a pathway many have traveled in the sand since the last high tide. Where do these tracks lead and why do so many want to follow?  Kiawah Island, SC, has a wonderful beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It’s length is ten miles from end to end and offers a beautiful vista for long walks, biking and exploring marine life along the coastline. Compositional Where is this man heading on…

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

September 19, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #413 Bridges

Beth is challenging us to feature a few pictures of interesting bridges we have seen. Be sure to double click each image to see more details.The header image was taken in the spring at Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia. Below is an image of the Natural Bridge in Aruba before its collapse during a storm. There is an interesting story about its creation, destruction, and resilience in nature. It was formed out of coral limestone by centuries of pounding surf, the original 100-foot landmark famously collapsed on September 2, 2005. It is said that travelers often note that even in its collapsed state, the ruins of Puente Andicuri remains…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

August 8, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #407 Celebrations

“Good memories are our second chance at happiness.” – Queen Elizabeth II This week’s photo challenge has me taking a little trip down memory lane. Looking through old pictures brings back so many wonderful moments—the celebrations, the laughter, the people we love, and all the little memories that made those days so special. I thought I’d share a few of the celebrations that stand out in my mind and the photos that bring those happy memories back to life.  I will begin by showing a joyful conga line winding through a favorite restaurant in Aruba, where friends and great food made for an unforgettable evening. Back at our hotel by…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, Photography, Travel

June 20, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #402 Wonders

  “Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” – Sir David Attenborough It is hard to describe how excited I was when these flocks of birds settled in the pond behind our house in Florida! Several different flocks appeared at various times over a couple of weeks before moving on to another place.  Couldn’t believe what I was witnessing, pure wonder!! Surprised, in awe and amazed at the sights in front of me.  My immediate reaction each time was to grab the camera gear and take as many pictures…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

June 12, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #401 Focus on the Subject with These Essential Tips

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” – Irving Penn This week, Patti would like us to challenge ourselves by showing pictures which follow a few proven methods a photographer can use to draw the viewer’s eyes to the subject. Several of her suggestions include getting in closer to the subject, using leading line, negative space, selective focus, simplifying the background or changing the position of the subject within the image. The first photograph is an example of seeing the subject up close.  My hope is that close…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in LENS-ARTISTS, Photography

May 30, 2026

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #399 Stuck in Place

The challenge this week is a little different.  Being ‘Stuck in Place’ is any small area we choose to go with our camera. We are not suppose to walk around much and only spend about thirty minutes looking for a few things to photograph. These are the rules Egido has suggested we follow. This exercise is a great way to become more aware of our surroundings and find interesting things to photograph that would normally be overlooked!  I decided to choose a small area in our front yard that is close to the bird feeder. It was surprising how many interesting things I saw while standing still and really looking…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Nature, Photography

May 9, 2026

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – 396 Favorite Quotes with Images

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling. Ann-Christine, our host this week, writes, “There is much to learn from old wisdom – and wit…that speaks to us”. Her challenge is for us to make others feel these quotes through our pictures!  I agree that Illustrated quotes with pictures help to make the saying more memorable. Below are a few of my favorites. “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen   “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography

November 8, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 372 Ephemeral

“It is the ephemeral nature of things that makes them wonderful.” — Yoshida Kenkō Ephemeral can be defined as a fleeting glimpse or short-lived event or object that comes and goes quickly, for example bubbles, fireworks or cold brew coffee as cream is poured in the glass on the right, creating an interesting looking design.  About a minute later its appearance softened and a different pattern was created. Truly an ephemeral experience! There are many examples of ephemerality in nature and this next series illustrates a few.  First is a dandelion plant as seeds from its flower head are being blown off by the wind. Snow and ice formed on this railing…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Ephemeral, Nature, Photography

October 18, 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #369 Dreamy

Ann-Christine defined Dreamy in the challenge this week. She wrote: “Soft, dreamy photography is one that utilizes soft light, soft focus, delicate tones, and other gentle elements to create ethereal pictures. It often gives a blurred, or hazy feel to the images – an almost surreal or unearthly effect.”  This style often prioritizes mood and feeling, making it popular for subjects like romantic portraits, landscapes, and fairytales.  These Dreamy pictures were randomly selected and seem to convey different moods or feelings. The one below was taken in one the the many parks in Charleston, SC. Giant live oak trees like this one are seen throughout the City, offering shade and…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Photography