Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Beautiful Photographs

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Spots & Dots #148

Published on May 15, 2021 by Russell SmithLeave a comment

The purpose of the artist is to leave the world a little more beautiful than when he found it.

The incredible Watts Towers above and below. The minute I heard “spots & dots,” I thought of Watts!

Photographed last January, I never got around to posting this lovely orchid until now. It’s loaded with lots of spots and dots.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #147 : Gardens

Published on May 12, 2021 by Russell Smith4 Comments

I’ve always loved gardens. I like gardens that have little statues in them besides just flowers. Here are my contributions to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #147: Gardens.

It’s a bit blurry, but I think the boy in the center, leaning against the log, is holding a squirrel.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

There’s an older version of this nursery rhyme where the last line reads, “Sing cuckolds all in a row.”

Lens-Artists Challenge #144 – Taking Flight

Published on April 19, 2021 by Russell Smith16 Comments

Here are my contribution to Lens-Artists photo challenge #144 – Taking Flight.

This bee is actually zooming in for a landing.

This was a difficult capture but I think it looks pretty cool.

This honeybee is just getting ready to take off.

This dragonfly looks like it has a big smile on its face.

Lens-Artists Colorful April Challenge #143

Published on April 17, 2021April 17, 2021 by Russell Smith5 Comments

Here is my contribution to the Lens-Artists Challenge #143 – Colorful April. This is something of a part 2.

Silver dollars have a simple but colorful blossom.

The wisteria is beginning to bloom. When they reach full bloom, they are quite stunning.

No mention of April is complete without a look at some tulips!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #143 – Colorful April

Published on April 16, 2021April 17, 2021 by Russell Smith15 Comments

The tulips have been riotous this Spring!

As the daffodils die back, the silver dollars run rampant.

The azaleas are gearing up for a major explosion.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #143: Colorful April

The croci are always the first to show themselves at the end of Winter. I find them a welcome sight every late Winter, early Spring day.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #141: Geometry

Published on March 30, 2021 by Russell Smith10 Comments

Here is my contribution to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Geometry.

The Maryland Statehouse is a stunning masterpiece of interior and…

…architectural design.

There’s an overload of geometrical shapes in the images above- lots of rectangles with a few perfect squares thrown in, and some lovely straight, A to B lines. In fact, if you look closely at near center, you will see a jet engine trail, again A to B!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #139 – Special Moments

Published on March 16, 2021 by Russell Smith9 Comments

I took this photograph on June 20, 2002 in Maui. I was driving the Road to Hana and pulled over. Walking into the forest I came across this waterfall where people were jumping into the reservoir below. Luckily I had a waterproof disposable camera, so I was able to join in the fun. The very next day, I turned 40 years of age. A special moment indeed.

I took this photo on September 16 of last year. I was having a difficult time making any sort of a decent capture with my camera. The strap got a bit tangled around my wrist, and while trying to untangle it, I inadvertently snapped this shot. Another special moment.

Baltimore is one of those cities with a lot of one way thoroughfares. If you make a wrong turn, unless you’re very familiar with the city, you will get lost in a heartbeat. That’s what happened to me. The day was winding down and I was beginning to panic because rush hour was on the verge of beginning. I saw this view in my rearview mirror and decided to take advantage. I stopped my car, hopped out and took this shot. The people behind me in traffic were less than pleased, but I saw many cars taking my same route.