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 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 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

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

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 17, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #148 Spots and Dots

Dots are defined as a small round mark and Spots are a small roundish mark, differing in color or texture from the surface around it.  One place where I often see round shapes is on the beach when waves leave behind lovely soft areas of air bubbles which slowly disappear.  The morning sunlight is accenting these bubbles and the sand which gives the area a lovely glow.  (Double clicking on the image shows off the colors.) Another example is some of the tiles in an American Mah Jongg set.  It consist of 144 tiles which includes three suits (totalling 36 tiles each).  The suits are called Dots, Bams, and Craks.  Below is…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Fine Art Photography, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Spots and Dots