Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #76 – On Display

15 december, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 73 kommentarer

What’s “On Display” this week for Amy’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #76? I know many of you have smashing Christmas displays, so I will not even try… My choices are from daily life, what I like to do and to see. But, In the header I just had to be a bit ”Christmassy” – if you look closely, I am on display in every single bulb….

Books have always been a big part of my life, and this is just a tiny fragment of the gigantic pillar of books I found in a shop – it went from floor to ceiling. I would guess maybe 4 meters high.

From a dusty market in Tibet – Yak bells! Christmas is coming… Our horses used to have bells when they were pulling the winter sleigh to church. When my mother was a child.

Chilies and peppers – a daily ingredient in my cooking. A great display is always crucial if you want to sell. This one would make me buy more than I could use…

Many of us love to walk the markets in foreign countries. I love seeing the farmers come to town to sell their products. Some of them only have a small garden, but they work hard to produce vegetables, fruits and berries to make a living.

This lovely old lady was pleased at my attention, but only body language was possible. There was a story, somewhere, I know. But we exchanged smiles, and I felt she still had a good life.

We hope you join us this week for Amy’s fun “On Display” challenge. Just add her link to your post. (Links from the Reader are not working correctly.) Use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you.

As always, Patti, Amy, Tina and I thank you for your continued support of our photo challenge!

Lens – Artists Photo Challenge #75 – Nostalgic

7 december, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 37 kommentarer

I prefer the mystic clouds of nostalgia to the real thing, to be honest. – Robert Wyatt

Tina is hosting this week, and she wants us to be Nostalgic. This is a feeling that easily comes to me, touches me, just like tears do. Nostalgia is such a unique phenomenon because it fuses both positive and negative experiences and emotions.

The word nostalgia is a Greek compound, meaning ”homecoming”, a Homeric word, and ”pain” or ”ache”, and was coined by a 17th-century medical student to describe the anxieties displayed by Swiss mercenaries fighting away from home. Today its meaning is a bit different. So, my Nostalgic will be entirely about my own life.

I don’t have any digital photos of my grandmother, but my childhood was so much about her. My nostalgic memories always take me to her garden and the flowering apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees, plum trees and …her sweet voice and contagious laughter.

I always make a distinction between nostalgia and sentimentality. Nostalgia is genuine – you mourn things that actually happened. – Pete Hamill

After my grandmother, my first Lagotto, Mille, evokes my nostalgic memories. He was such an impressive dog who hit all your senses already in the first blow. You did not stand a chance. He will be forever remembered by everyone who met him.

Tropical Pointer

Can you feel nostalgic about one single flower? I can! Many years ago I had a fantastic favorite orchid – a Cattleya hybrid, ”Tropical Pointer”. I had it for several years and it came back again and again with a multitude of flowers. I think of it as a He – don’t know why. He just flowered himself to death (if you can say it that way…). And like everything else in this world, you can never get the same thing twice. I kept searching for a new Tropical Pointer, in every garden center, in every country I visited, but new hybrids come every year – and the old ones are forgotten…

Nostalgia is a very human trait. – Stephanie Coontz

My beloved apple tree – a bit of a warden tree for this house (about 100 years old). Nostalgia hits me when looking at it in its former glory. You who follow my blog know it is the same tree (but lying down, 2019) in the Creepy post.

Finally, we had some foreign guests in town when the children played in different orchestras, some 15 years ago. A big meeting with other European countries brought a couple of young guys our way. They stayed at our house for some nights while the festivities lasted. This young man was an avid accordion player – every time I look at the photo, I can feel his love for music and for his instrument warming my heart.

In the header, one of the very few photos of my whole family together. Nostalgia over all those years we still traveled together, and how excited we were over reaching our dream – Tibet.

Thank you, Tina, for hosting this week instead of me! And, as always, Amy, Tina, Patti and I thank you for your continued support of our photo challenge.

Lens- Artists Photo Challenge # 74 – Abstract

30 november, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 75 kommentarer

It makes no difference whether a work is naturalistic or abstract; every visual expression follows the same fundamental laws. – Hans Hofmann

Patti is asking us to go Abstract – ”relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures.”

Over the last 30 years I have developed a taste for abstract art. But, something – ”that could have been painted by any child”, (said about a big blank canvas with a single red dot) as my mother would put it, will probably not hang on my wall. But I am sure it will hang on someone else’s wall instead! That is one of the reasons to why art is so interesting. Now we are looking forward to seeing Your ideas of Abstract!

In the header, a work by a favorite of mine, Antoni Gaudí.

Colourful from our exhibition park in Wanås, Sweden. Much of the art exhibited here, it is allowed to climb on or walk into. Do you think some art/art forms are ”more useful” than others?

Glass from Kosta-Boda Art Hotel – a material very much ”alive”

The more horrifying this world becomes, the more art becomes abstract. – Ellen Key

People like abstract art because it makes them feel clever. – James Acaster

The two images above are both examples of a mix of photographic art and architecture. The first one is a phone photo from Helsingborg trainstation, processed in several apps, and the second one was made by simply tilting the photo (and raindrops on the lens).

Finally, some of Nature’s own abstract art –

I used to wonder, How do artists think when they work with an abstract piece of art? Well, Pablo Picasso says that There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.

– Sounds perfectly right to me.

We send our heartfelt wishes to all our Australian blogger friends who have experienced weeks of devastating fires. May the rains come soon and bring an end to the terrible fears and destruction.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #73 – Cold

23 november, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 73 kommentarer

This week Tina is asking us for something Cold – and cold it is in Sweden now. But where I live it almost never gets below -20C. In recent years the climate has changed and our winters send us very little snow, and temperatures mostly around zero (+-0C). Gone are my childhood days when skiing was a winter joy.

For some real cold, I must go up north visiting friends or my daughter in Umeå. For many years we went to Dalarna to ski, but not anymore. So Tina, I will venture up north and to Iceland – for the real thing. In the header, Gullfoss, and I believe the coldest moment ever in my life.

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.

– John Steinbeck

My old apple tree and a Bullfinch. And yes, I do love winter – when it is Winter.

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.

– Aristotle

A warm house in a cold winter night is another name for paradise!
― Mehmet Murat ildan

It’s too cold outside for angels to fly.
― Ed Sheeran

Keeping the warmth

And last, of course, the beautiful Tännforsen, Jämtland, Sweden. Our highest fall, 37 meters and 60 meters wide.

Many thanks to those of you who responded to Amy’s “waiting” challenge. Our waiting was well rewarded…we so enjoyed your creativity! As always Amy, Patti, Tina and I greatly appreciate your support of our challenge.

Finally, for those who celebrate, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by those you hold most dear. Next week it will be Patti’s challenge #74 – so stay tuned.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #72 – Waiting

16 november, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 65 kommentarer

This week Amy asks us to contemplate Waiting – something all of us have to learn early in life. How do You look upon it? Here is something from my way of thinking – quite literally, Waiting…and some quotes to go with it.

In the header, one of my favorite ladies – even if she is not a Real Lady-in-Waiting…

The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

– Eden Phillpotts

And while we are waiting for that to happen…

Some things are waiting for their proper owners…

Some people are waiting for proper leaders to lead…

There is no great achievement that is not the result of patient working …

…and waiting.

– J. G. Holland

All things come to him who waits – provided he knows what he is waiting for.

– Woodrow T. Wilson

The worst part of life is waiting. The best part of life is to have someone worth waiting for.

– Unknown

And sure enough even waiting will end…if you can just wait long enough.

– William Faulkner

Finally –

On climate change, we often don’t fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen.

– Kofi Annan

Thank you All for last week’s Creepy creeps! ( – tough sleeping this whole week…) So very creative and diverse posts! We never imagined the world could be so full of creepiness!

If you wait for tomorrow, tomorrow comes. If you don’t wait for tomorrow, tomorrow comes.

Senegalese Proverb

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #71 – Creepy

9 november, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 219 kommentarer

Halloween some days gone… I thought you might still have some interesting thoughts and images left for us and this challenge – things Creepy!

If you look up ”Creepy” in a dictionary, it says ” causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease”.

Here are some of my creepy nightmares… and in the header my worst scenario. Just how many spiders were at work weaving all those nets? And that – in my own garden…

When a sudden look down a side street – reveals an abandoned house – or, maybe not…?

When it is raining men…

…or they suddenly dissolve in a haze – right in front of me.

Or – I have to pass through dark tunnels …and I notice someone lurking inside.

I also avoid walking in the forest late nights…no option…when there are tree trolls towering 2×5 meters high and wide.

Seeing a giant Gunnera waking up…gives at least me the creeps…

And, Totti…? Is that you?

According to a recent study, the creepiest job was working as a Clown, and among the creepiest items mentioned, were dolls. Personally I clearly can relate to ”unpredictability” as an important component of creepiness. If you are interested in reading more of this study, On the nature of creepiness, here’s a link.

We just have to remember that being ”creeped out” is deep down a good thing for our ability to survive! So – now we are looking forward to seeing Your Creepy answers!

Thank you for the many inspirational and varied entries for Patti’s Monochrome challenge! Some of you were not much used to monochrome before, but found your own ways to answer to the challenge – clever and innovative!

Have you seen these:

Photo Robert sends us an elegant flower gallery
Jeremy of Picks of Pics lets us in on breathtaking views
An interesting study of what filters can do, we get from Laura of Poetrypix
Olga of Stuff and what if...sends almost ethereal images and verse

As always, Amy, Tina, Patti and I hope you will join us.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #70 – Monochrome

2 november, 20198 mars, 2020 / Leya / 84 kommentarer

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #70, Patti is our host, and she is inviting us to explore the world of monochrome– which includes black and white and sepia, as well as different shades of one color.

Patti also allows us, for an extra challenge, to try using a selective color – which is easily done in Lightroom for example. Just take out all colours (saturation) in the colour table – except the one you decide to keep. Sometimes you will find it gives the image that little ”extra touch”.

I have chosen one B&W ( a sweet meeting on the steps in Mariacka Street, Gdansk ) and three with selective colour – looking forward to Your posts!

The new WWII museum in Gdansk – keeping the colour Orange

A carpet shop in Tbilisi – keeping the colour Red

A shop in Mariacka Street, Gdansk – keeping the colour Lilac

We had a lot of fun with all the Doubles for Tina last week – thank you for posting with such great variety and creativity!

Next week it is my turn (Leya) to host challenge #71, so please be
sure to stop by and find out what is on the table!

Lens-Artists Challenge #69 – Seeing Double

27 oktober, 201924 februari, 2020 / Leya / 52 kommentarer

Tina’s challenge for the week sounds like this: ”Double trouble, double-time, two’s company, take two …. the world is filled with references to twosomes. This week, let’s double our pleasure and focus on things that come in twos.”

In fact…my first thought was of shoes – they always come it twos! These art clogs stand in a street in Malmö as a memory of one of Sweden’s most beloved actors at the beginning of the 20th century. He was from my part of Sweden, Skåne, where clogs were the only footwear needed in the old days.

In Tbilisi, Georgia, one of the most common things to see in twos are…dogs! But in the header, two lovely young women as well, peeping out from an art studio.

As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. – Audrey Hepburn

And people talked to the stray dogs, took time to feed them or to just give them a warmhearted pat. I loved how this young man kept his hand resting on the sun warmed, relaxing dog, and with his other hand using his modern, electronic device. Overall the people in Tbilisi did not use cell phones that much. ( If someone did, you almost knew it was a tourist…) They seemed to care more about the living beings around them.

Some years ago we had a pair of swans often landing at our summer house, and we were kindly allowed to admire their young – if we kept the distance of course.

Parent and child – a loving and comforting twosomeness.

The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention. – Unknown

Lastly – young lovers strolling this magnificent Spanish beach towards the setting sun.

Thank you for all the lovely variety of Layers sent for Amy last week! Now – Tina, Patti, Amy and I look forward to seeing Your twosomes.

Lens-Artists Challenge #68 – Layered

20 oktober, 201920 februari, 2020 / Leya / 61 kommentarer

Amy is our host this week, and she suggests we look for layers. Have a look at her inspiring post from Plitvice, Croatia!

Here are some layers from my favorite world of mountains, rocks and stones. In the header – the Pancakes of New Zealand, South Island.

Ireland, Giants’ Causeway.

The Hellnar cave.

And last, Iceland, south west part, Snæfellsnes peninsula – the cave at Hellnar. Look closely, and you will find a mink looking for young gulls nesting, or some eggs for dinner.

Hope to see you joining in the fun!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #67 – Candid

12 oktober, 20196 mars, 2020 / Leya / 229 kommentarer

What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.
– Karl Lagerfeld

Taking photos of people or animals when they have no idea that you’re doing it is called candid photography. One of the beautiful things with photography is being able to catch someone in the act. It adds natural life to your pictures. Even if my choices here are mostly in B&W, of course feel free to use what you find most suitable for your shots!

So, this week I thought we would go for candid photos of people or animals – Have fun with the challenge, and we are looking forward to seeing your candid finds!

It is always about keeping your eyes open and be prepared when an opportunity comes up – have your camera ready and just shoot.

Remember to take many photos…the digital cameras give us unique chances to choose which photos to keep or not:

Your first 1,000 photographs are your worst. – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Sometimes it might feel a bit difficult to photograph people – at least if you are a shy person, like me. A great help can be if you have a longer lens that gives you the possibility to ”hide” behind it and still get close. With a little luck, and practice, you sometimes get one of those lovely smiles – or two.