Category: Miscellaneous

Lens-Artists Challenge #279 Magical

This week Ann-Christine asks, “Magical – I wonder…what is magical to you?” According to Wikipedia, Magical can mean: “…beautiful or delightful in a way that seems removed from everyday life. ”

The feeling of creating magic!

A game of dreidel is played during Chanukah. 4 sides of the spinning top have hebrew letters that represent, “A great miracle happened there!”

The menorah represents 8 Days of Chanukah

In this time of war it is also important to remember the Ukrainian people who are standing up for the right of their country to exist against the odds. Their fight keeps the war contained to that region.

Standing up with strength

Last week I lost my Aunt Elsa. She died in Boca Raton, Florida at 99 1/2 years. Elsa leaves two children and many, many grandchildren. She was the last of the previous generation. A Holocaust survivor born in Lodz, Poland. Despite the horrors that she experienced at the hands of the Nazis she remained a quiet, kind, sweet, and optimistic person. Much of the family lives in Israel. I will miss her.

I am saddened that the world has forgotten the history of 75 years ago. My parents carried their trauma of surviving Nazi concentration camps before restarting a life in New York after World War II. I also feel it in my bones. Being aware of what trauma does to those who survive I see no winners in war. My first cousin (1 generation removed) from Holon, Israel spoke to a Sacramento, Ca. congregation last week. She spoke about a yearning for peace in the region. 

Maybe in the coming year 2024, a miracle or some magic can happen to bring about peace for all!

Lens-Artists Challenge #271 Contrast

This week, Amy is focusing on Contrasts. She tells us that in photography, contrasts can include different ranges of tones, colors, subjects, and areas of light and shadow–to name a few. So this is my take on the subject.

I thought this would be an easy challenge, but it took me a while to figure out which way to approach this.

Shapes

Straight and spirally
Rusty stuff in a variety of shapes
Keep out!
River rock in so many shapes and sizes

Color

This colorful photo was taken at a Yarnival
These hardware parts looked like robot eyes
The blue sky really sets off the shape of this plant.

Textures

Fascinated by this belt
A captivating display of textures
So many different textures and colors
A carpet display at an Ikea store
It’s not easy being green, unless you are a fern next to other plants.

Quirky contrasts

Ready to go to the county faire.
What is it, and why is it here?
Rolling down a street in Maui. New and old!

That is all for today’s photographic journey through my images in contrast. What did you find captivating?

Lens-Artists Challenge #260 Overlooked

This week Janet wants me to share with you images that I think many would have overlooked. For me, that is what I often focus on, and now I get to share them with you.

I love to look at puddles and see reflections or things floating by.

These leaves came together in a heart shape

Wilted Flora

Sometimes, I arrive on the scene after the flowers have shown their best side. But I find this side interesting too.

I see some sunflower seeds!
Sunflowers are the stars when they are in bloom. Look and see the seeds.
These wilted pods spoke out to me!

Lost or abandoned

I currently am knitting a baby blanket for my granddaughter’s baby due in January. This will be my first great-grandchild (a boy).

I wonder who created this blanket? I wonder if it is missed?
Maybe this baseball player will remember
where was the last place this glove was seen.
I liked the splash of color on this lost straw hat.
The newspaper was left there on a bench. Perhaps to share.
You never know when an outhouse can come in handy!

Eye Glasses

In May I had an eye exam and ordered new frames. They arrived, had them adjusted, and still everything looked blurry. I returned the glasses and made an appointment to have my eyes reexamined. I had another eye injection for my AMD (macular degeneration), and on Monday I went for another exam. My vision changed dramatically, for the better. Yay! So I picked out another frame, and glasses have been ordered.

I once lost a pair of glasses. Hope the owner has a spare.
This lost pair provided a reflection of a beach in Maui.

Peeling

I am always looking at peeling paint or bark. Looking for fascinating images.

Do you see what I see?
Found on the side of a building.
Buildings in Old Sacramento reveal its history.
It would be easy to overlook this caution sign. But don’t!

Trees tell tales

Love occurs naturally
Pine cone found in the snow
It took me a moment to remember what I saw in this image. Now I see it.
Such texture
Walking along I come across this.
You may have missed this. I didn’t.

One of the reasons I love photography is that it gives me time to look at the world instead of rushing about. I hope that you enjoy the slower pace, and can find new things that you may have overlooked.

Lens-Artists Challenge #243 It’s Tricky

This week, it’s Donna’s turn to host the Lens-Artists Challenge: It’s Tricky! If you’d like to fool us, this is your week. Otherwise, I hope I can inspire you, or trick you into joining the fun.

Water Reflections

Glass Reflections

Spherical Reflections

What do you see?

Movement

Ghostly Images

My dog Charlie will always be in my heart!
Who is crossing at the crosswalk?

The Great Escape

I am always on the lookout for images that can be seen in a different way. Sometimes I play with my shutter speed control. Sometimes the image unfolds throught a reflection on glass or water. Sometimes, the image is just a happy mistake. It all depends upon how you look at your surroundings.