Thursday Thoughts – Remember Balto

/ Leya / 5 kommentarer

The Greenland sled dog is one of the oldest breeds in the world. And among the strongest – with a mental competence described as a ”desire to go” despite the tough climate and hardships along the way. During winter time, they move up to 10 000 kilometers. So, the summer rest is well deserved!

Their summer camp lies between the houses, where the open spaces are filled with little huts and dogs, sleds and snowmobiles.

When walking in the area, every now and then an elegant dog is watching you from the roadside. But they never approach you – they are all working dogs.

Most of the older dogs are chained, but the young ones are free to run and play.

Sleds and snowmobiles stand waiting for the snow…

..while the dogs sleep and relax to regain strength for the next season.

In 1925, the sled dog Balto (a Siberian Husky) became an international hero when he led his team over ice and snow, through heavy snow storms, carrying life saving medicine for the people of Nome, Alaska, that was struck by a diphteria epidemic. I read the book and saw the movie, and I guess some of you did too. You cannot but admire these dogs – and their mushers!

Lens -Artists Challenge #404 – Subjects on the Letter B

/ Leya / 34 kommentarer

I am Back with Birds for Beth!

Cranes at Hornborgasjön, Sweden. Then a gallery from far and wide. Some strange birds, like the Shoebill stork and the Kori bustard. I think you will recognise the others, ”the flying banana” and the night heron too.

I hope you have fun finding lots of things starting with B. Please limit your responses to no more than 10 images for your response. Please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to the original post.

The Lens-Artists team will be taking a break for the next two weeks. I, Leya/Ann-Christine will be hosting the next challenge when we return on July 18. Until then – stay well, and huge apologies for late comments!

You can keep up with all of our challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Ritva, Beth.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Lens-Artists Challenge #403 – Tools of Composition

/ Leya / 26 kommentarer

Last week John invited us to explore the photographic composition tools of perspective, depth and scale. I borrowed Tina’s conclusion:

Perspective – the angle or viewpoint from which you photograph a subject

Depth – Creating an illusion of 3-dimensionality through depth of field or perspective

Scale – The relative size relationship between objects

As I’ve been away for two weeks with no possibility to post or comment, here’s a late, quick entry to join in the fun!

Deapth enhanced by a hole into the next room.

Deapth in every direction of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Scale of an Icelandic crater.

Scale in Lofoten, Norway.

Perspective in Segovia.

Perspective in Rome.

Thanks to Sofia for her 2018 Looking Back challenge, “Wonder” that made us go back to and enjoy gems from a long time back and learn about other wonders.This week, Beth was ready with a new theme. We look forward to seeing your responses. Be sure to link to her original post in the comments section, and tag your entry with “Lens-Artists” so we can find you.

If you’re sharing a Lens‑Artists Challenge response for the first time, welcome—we’d love to visit your post. To participate, publish your take on this week’s theme, link back to this page, and add the Lens‑Artists tag so others can discover your work. You’ll find more details on how the challenge works here.

Lens-Artists Challenge #403 – Looking back #1-Wonder

/ Leya / 61 kommentarer

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

– Albert Einstein

Sofia asks us for wonders. In post number 1, I featured the endemic Elliots Storm-Petrel galapagoensis; ”Elliot” after the man who discovered the bird and “Petrel” refers to Saint Peter walking on water. ”Storm” was the part given to it by the sailors, who believed the birds were warning them about a storm coming their way. To get three OK photos I spent hours on deck and clicked hundreds of shots. I still think it is one of the greatest wonders I have witnessed.

The whole world is a wonder, and so is everything in it. It’s wondrous to see the tiniest ant at its daily work, it’s wondrous to see the sun rise and set, it’s wondrous that we are here, on planet Earth. I only wish we took better care of her – the only home we have.

From the greatest mountains…

…to the endless plains,

from the waves of desert …

… to the deepest jungle –

from the oldest creatures…

…to the youngest member of a family.

And from different religions to different peoples.

When we understand that everything is connected, it’s clear we must live in peace and harmony with each other in order to preserve our home and to survive.

Sofia says: ”We’re looking for the moments, places, people that we treasure, the little stories behind a shot that stuff our lives with meaning and joy.” Remember to link back to Sofia’s original post and to tag Lens-Artists so we can easily find you.

Last week we had Patti’s challenge on the importance of how to focus on our subject. A great, technical theme that rendered fantastic photos and differrent approaches. Thank you all for the inspiration.

Next week it’s John’s turn to lead us, Saturday 20th June. Until then, stay well. I will be in Greenland from tomorrow.

If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.