March 20, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #139 Special Moments

“It’s the special moments that keep you going and smiling, make you the person you are and give you a lifetime of memories.” – unknown With so many special moments over the years it was hard to limit it to a few pictures.  The birth of my children and marriage to my husband is at the top of the list.  ‘Aha moments’ also count as special moments; they capture my full attention, causing me to pause and savor the moment!  A few of these memorable moments are shown below. Could not resist showing this special moment as one son sorted through his easter basket and the other one waited patiently for…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Animals, Birds, Kiawah Island SC, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Red Knots

March 13, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #138 Natural Light

“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” – George Eastman Light from the sun is constantly changing throughout the day.  Clouds play a big part in this and also shadows which are created as the sun reflects off another object.   Natural sunlight can shine directly on an object, it can also be seen as back light, the golden light just before sunset plus the beautiful colors seen in sunrises and sunsets. Here are a few images showing examples of natural light.  This first one was taken after a heavy rain…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Abstract, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Natural Light, Photography, Sunsets

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

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

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

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…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Birds, Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Silhouette Photography, Sunsets, Wildlife

September 3, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #112 PICK A WORD

Anne-Christine invites us to Pick A Word this week, one or more from this list – Comfortable, Growing, Crowded, Exuberant or Tangled.  Then illustrate it with photos.  I decided to share photos of our two Cocker Spaniels, Chester and Bentley, as they were growing up.  (You are able to double click each image to view in full screen.)  “Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi During their first several weeks together, Chester and Bentley stayed close to each other and were comfortable sleeping together.  This was the beginning of the strong bond between them.  (Bentley was 10 weeks old here and Chester 11 months.) As a puppy,…

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

August 29, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #111 EVERYDAY OBJECTS

Everyday Objects or Things is the word challenge for the week.  Things we normally see and take for granted, hardly giving them a second glance. “There’s a world out there.  Open a window, and it’s there.” – Robin Williams This week, Patti, http://pilotfishblog.com, is challenging us to spend an extra second or so to really look at something and view it from a new perspective.  We recently arrived at our home in Maine so I decided to walk around the house with ‘new eyes’, looking for a topic.  When in the kitchen/dining room area, out of habit my eyes automatically went to the windows.  So easy to take windows, curtains…

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

August 20, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #110 Creativity During Covid

This week Tina asked us to share a few things we did over the past few months when the covit pandemic created a worldwide social recession.  “Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving” – Eric Maisel Catching up on long overdue projects around the house, spending more time learning from webinars and working to improve my photography skills became more of a priority. My husband and I spent mornings on the beach.  Exploring with my camera was both mentally and physically rewarding as he walked around enjoying the scenery.  It was during this period a few photography friends spotted a reddish egret – white morph hanging out with some…

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