Författare: Leya

Lens-Artists Challenge #370 – Ancient

/ Leya / 30 kommentarer

Sofia is this week looking for anything that has had an existence of many years. A very interesting challenge – please visit Sofia for more inspiration!

I will go from my heart and mix natural ancient with man made. I’ll start with Viking petroglyphs and stones near my home, then, further on to the Pancake cliffs in New Zealand and the giant Kauri tree – Tane Mahuta.

A sign above the entrance to Sera Monastery in Tibet, a moss covered lavafield in Iceland, the Great Wall of China and a Peking Opera.

The last pictures are from a melting glacier in New Zealand, a Galapagos giant, and finally some well known treasures in Rome.

Some of these treasures may last for many more years and follow us into the distant future, while some of them are bound to disappear. But, we have books and films to keep them alive for our children and granchildren to see. (And, like Sofia said – I am ancient too in the eyes of my children and grandchildren…)

Last week I had many dreamy and otherworldly experiences from you – thank you for the wonderful responses! Now, please remember to tag Lens-Artists and to link back to Sofia’s original post so we can easily find you.

Next week it is Ritva’s turn to host, Saturday 25th October. Until then, stay kind and take care. If you’d like to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Lens-Artists Challenge #369 – Dreamy

/ Leya / 130 kommentarer

A lot of people tell me I’m a bit dreamy, but I like the idea of that. Of being somewhere else.

– Alex Turner

A cake to die for…a dream! In Sweden we would call this one dreamy. But, it does not fit in to the dictionary description…but why should it?

So, what is ”dreamy” for you, and how do you create a dreamy picture? According to the dictionary it is ”having a magical or pleasantly unreal quality; dreamlike.” Soft dreamy photography is one that uses soft light, soft focus, delicate tones, and other gentle aspects to produce ethereal pictures. A blurred, or hazy feel is typical to the images – an almost surreal or unearthly effect.

Frost and close-up with a dreamy bouquet.

Fog is perfect too – as is the fragile larch twigs to frame the glowing leaves.

ICM can easily transport me…to a dreamy world.

Art – a dreamy ship in the sky by Polish artist Yacek Yerka. Surrealism often has a dreamy quality.

If you like to play, you have many possibilities – like ICM, changing the colours, cropping or double exposure – just to mention a few.

A late summer evening on a country road undoubtedly gives to everything a dreamy quality. An old favourite – I can still feel the magic.

Dreamy in winter – evening light and haze in Southern Iceland.

A tropical night some years ago…adds an abstract quality to the dream.

There are many possibilities hidden in Dreamy – maybe you are given to or indulging in daydreaming? You might even want to illustrate one of your own dreams? Now we are looking forward to Your interpretation of the theme Dreamy!

Thank you to John for a very colourful and uplifting challenge – Autumn – that made us all a bit lighter and brighter in mood!

Next week, it is Sofia who is our guide – please visit her lovely site for inspiration!

Until next time – remember to take care and be nice.

Thursday Thoughts – Dear Jane,

/ Leya / 30 kommentarer

I was thinking of how easily our safe world is shaken. We, who live in a ”safe” part of the world cannot understand the horrors of those in unstable countries with war, devastation, starvation. Where people, nature and wild animals pay a high price every day. But we can imagine. We see it every day in the media. It is not easy to turn it off, to fend it off, to ignore it.

In my blog, as in my life, I try to focus on beauty and harmony. It makes me feel better, and I believe it makes others feel better too. Our children and grandchildren need us to be strong and calm. Here are only a couple of great quotes of yours that I often use:

“Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?”
― Jane Goodall

You urge us not to lose hope. ”If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world – if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren – then think about the actions you take each day.”

“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.”

So, remember –

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Dear Jane, with you, one of our brightest lights is gone. Thank you for everything you have given to us. Your kind eyes, soft voice and clear wisdom will stay with us – a legacy that will last forever. I am grateful to have lived in a time when you were here too. On planet Earth.

Love, Ann-Christine. Emma and David

Lens-Artists Challenge #368, Looking Back to #106 – Autumn

/ Leya / 47 kommentarer

John leads us through this magical season!

When everything looks like a magical oil painting, you know you are in Autumn!
― Mehmet Murat ildan 

Not here yet though…but I have thousands of Autumn pictures in my archives – what to choose?

For the dogs – Autumn is the best season. Many scents, cool temps and easy to dig around! Unfortunately Milo is still not ready to enjoy, not yet recovered, but in a month he will be ready for Autumn fun.

The galleries speak for themselves – some of my favourites. The perfect plate, magnificent mushrooms, splendid golden gates, water, birds and flowers. And the crisp light and air – Hope you enjoy!

Last week, our guest host, Joanna Mason, challenged us with “Everyone Should See This,” which brought many unique images in the responses. As I had some traumatical days and a severely injured dog, I will have to try visiting you this week instead.

Next week, the Lens-Artists Challenge is hosted by me, Ann-Christine/Leya. Be sure to visit my blog here so you don’t miss the challenge published on Saturday, October 11. To find out more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here.