Tina asked us to think about the word Wild this week and show examples of something Wild. Wild animals, birds, flowers, weather, Wild behavior….this list could go on and on. Since I enjoy being outside it seems that where ever I go untamed, Wild birds seem to be everywhere, happily chirping, calling to each other or sounding an alarm if another bird has invaded their space. Sometimes if I’m lucky, many different species can be found congregating in a favorite area as they socialize between meals or share a feeding area. It’s interesting to watch the behavior among the different species although if you get too close they immediately take…
FIVE ELEMENTS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Amy’s challenge topic for this week is FIVE ELEMENTS. She chose to highlight the Five Elements recognized by the Chinese, Wu Xing: water (shui), metal (jin), fire (huo), wood (mu), and earth (tu). In daily life these are regarded as the foundations of everything in the universe and natural phenomena and commonly used by designers and Feng Shui masters. In the universe, each element interacts positively or negatively with another element. Positive interaction would be how metal generates water; water nourishes wood; wood feeds fire; fire creates earth; earth bears metal. Negative interaction would occur when fire melts metal; metal chops wood; wood breaks up the earth; earth absorbs the…
DELICATE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
DELICATE is the photo challenge word for this week. Ann-Christine wants us to think about different ways this word can be portrayed with pictures. Such as a Delicate touch or colors, perhaps butterfly wings and new growth on plants and trees. “This is what it means to be loved… when someone wants to touch you, to be tender…” – Banana Yoshimoto A Delicate, gentle touch from this boy as he strokes the back of our dog in a loving way. “The colors of the (water and) underwater rock are as pale and delicate as those in the wardrobe if an 18th-century marchioness.” – William Manchester…
STREET ART: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
For this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge, Patti suggests we share some images of Street Art. Looking through photos, there seem to be different styles such as “artsy” pictures, fun images designed to make people smile, those showing a landscape scene or ones where the artist has a statement to make. Interestingly, in many cities’ artists are encouraged to create murals or Street Art on buildings, sidewalks or wherever they can find a “canvas”. For example, Montreal holds annual graffiti or Street Art festivals, one of which is internationally renowned. “I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like…
DELICIOUS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Patti’s photo challenge invites us to explore what “Delicious” means to them. To me, Delicious means good food and drink, the preparation of it and enjoyment while eating. Last summer we spent a few days in Boston, MA, with good friends exploring the city and reliving many good memories from previous years. Our adventures took us to the Food Court at Copley Place Mall and the variety and presentation of delicious food waiting to be prepared was staggering. Apologizes in advance for not having pictures of beef, pork or other meats in their showcase. For whatever reason I could not locate my photos from the meat showcases. Now I…
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Tina asked us to show Something Different this week. Hmm… a very interesting challenge which made me think about what subjects in photography I least enjoy photographing and are not in my comfort zone. Photographing people up close and especially strangers in a public place is something I rarely do and not what you would expect from me! “I like to challenge myself. I like to learn – so I like to try new things and try to keep growing.” – David Schwimmer All of these images are from a morning photo shoot which focused on street photography in Charleston, SC, on part of King Street. Some of you may…
HELLO APRIL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Amy challenges us to say “Hello April!” with a few of our photographs. The advent of April is magical with renewed beauty and life all around. The sun begins to get warmer although April breezes add to slight chill in the air. New life appears on plants and trees while many birds and animals begin caring for their young. “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII)” ― William Shakespeare “A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow’s warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue – An April day in the morning.” – Harriet Prescott Spofford…
WORN and/or WEATHERED: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
The topic for our photo challenge this week is Weathered and/or Worn. Ann Christine suggests we feature a few pictures showing which things we are attracted to that are worn and weathered. Personally, I enjoy seeing and photographing old, worn out buildings or structures constructed from wood. Why wood? Because it ages so gracefully, showing the marks of time; the color slowly change along with the shape, lines start to appear and scars from usage plus battling the elements tend to give it a certain kind of beauty. Worn, weathered wooden buildings or structures arouse my curiosity as I wonder what secrets they hold. Then it is fun to imagine…
HISTORY: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
“History” is the topic Patti chose for us to interpret with some of our photos. Immediately the Monastero di Sana Chiara in Naples, Italy came to mind. As my husband and I were walking through Naples with our tour group last year, we came upon this stunning complex in the middle of the city. It was like discovering an oasis surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life. Sana Chiara is a religious complex built in 1340, it is steeped in history and a rare example of Medieval architecture. Originally commissioned by the French Kingdom of Anjou for the Franciscan order in the early 1300s, it is the site…
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Tina challenges us to feature our neighborhood or someone else’s that makes us feel welcome or comfortable. I have always felt comfortable around water so I decided to feature a few pictures of wildlife and activities on Kiawah’s beach, which is in our neighborhood and walking distance from our home. Except for the first image, these other sights are fairly common. I believe the quote below also implies being a good neighbor to wildlife, helping them to preserve their future. “To be a good neighbor is one of life’s richest joys!” – unknown This Loggerhead turtle laid her eggs in the sand dunes and is very slowly…