Författare: Leya

Lens-Artists Challenge #297 – Music to My Eyes

/ Leya / 69 kommentarer

Egidio is leading a challenge made for real music lovers this week – and I have chosen two of the most loved songs in my book, Morning Has Broken and What a Wonderful World. Be sure to visit his beautiful site for more inspiration. And, if you are participating, please link to the original post and add the Lens-Artist tag.

Morning Has Broken – is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, ”Bunessan”. Cat Stevens made it popular all over the world. This song I consider to be one of the most beautiful ones ever written. My children know I want it for my funeral. In Cat Steven’s interpretation.

What a Wonderful World – was written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single. In April 1968, it topped the pop chart in the United Kingdom, but in the United States the president of ABC Records disliked the song and refused to promote it.

After it was heard in the film Good Morning, Vietnam, it rose to number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. Armstrong’s recording was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Louis Armstrong – I always hear his grainy, harsh voice whenever I feel overwhelmed by nature, grand landscapes and its beauty, silence and serenity. His voice is the perfect choice for every moment…

It is a wonderful world in every detail…

big or small…

from the tiniest dew drop …

to the abundance in flowers…

colours…



and animals. And everything and everyone new to the world is soft…

fragrant…

and wonderfully fresh.

My Swedish favourites I had to leave out…but I have some there too of course. Songs from our own language are special, and like all other lyrical texts, cannot be translated properly with their original feeling. In the Scandinavian countries you often find a melancholical touch with music written in a minor key. Music for magical summer nights and autumn colours.

Last week we had Ritva making us post abstract photos – and it was really an eye-opener on how many abstracts we really make! Thank you for a great challenge!

Next week it is Tina’s turn to host, be sure to visit her magical site for more inspiration. Until then – stay calm and be kind.

Lens-Artists Challenge #296 – Abstract

/ Leya / 50 kommentarer

Ritva challenges us this week to think abstract. Abstract photography breaks the normal rules of realism. She explains that it focuses on the shapes, colors, textures, and patterns of the subject rather than its literal representation. Please visit her extraordianry site for more inspiration and examples!

Abstract, sometimes reality is just as abstract – this tree in Bhutan surely has an abstract quality.

Art has a voice – let it speak”
― Rochelle Carr

A gallery from the archives tells me I do like abstract…or non figurative. I think we all do, but maybe we just don’t think of our photos as abstract. We fall in love with certain qualities of the place or thing or anything that makes us create a photograph, be it abstract or not.

Techniques – and luck – used in the gallery are close-up, double exposure, collage, reflections, steam and light play.

There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.

– Pablo Picasso

The gallery above was made with ICM on a walk in the surroundings of my old school last week.

To participate in this challenge, link to or leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag so we can easily find you in the Reader.

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Last week Donna’s wonderful post invited us to rock, and what beautiful rocks and places we got to visit! Next week Egídio is hosting, I am sure his theme and beautiful photography will once again give us wonderful inspiration.

Until then, stay calm and wait for the next bus. I will be on the road for the next three weeks, but trying to stay in touch!

Thursday Thoughts – More Mediterranean Musings

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

Let’s start with St-Paul-de-Vence and then another post on Eze. Two beautiful medieval towns close to Nice. Each one perfect for a day tour.

This is St-Paul-de-Vence, clinging to the rocks and still a magnet to all kinds of tourists. Filled with galleries and art, and Fondation Maeght close by, a private museum with collections of modern and contemporary art.

Here’s some different ”street art” – I loved that hanging lady – real size!

Stars like Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren stayed at this hotel. It still looked fashionable.

I loved Fondation Maeght, and especially the tall, thin figures by Alberto Giacometti, the cat and the dog. I have seen some of them at Louisiana in Denmark before.

So, when in Nice – take the bus out there and enjoy!