Category: photo challenges

Photo Challenges – The Crayola Box of 8 – Green

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I’m taking part again in the CFFC (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge) hosted by Dan at No Facilities. My greens were all photographed this week during a visit to the Delaware Bay town of Fortescue, New Jersey.

Green is the prominent landscape color around the bay towns. The foliage is important in keeping the barrier dunes intact during the Nor’easters and hurricanes that whip up the coastline.

This green boat seemed to fit in perfectly with the Crayola Box of 8 theme.

Milkweed grows in abundance along the salt marshes surrounding the bay. During the summer we see many Monarch Butterflies visiting the area. Milkweed is a host plant for Monarch caterpillars.

Unfortunately, where milkweed grows in massive displays, so does poison ivy. Many who visit shore towns and bays don’t realize that poison ivy grows well in sandy soil, as well as woodlands and hedgerows.

Chartreuse signs with green letters and illustrations were on many lawns, warning of turtle crossings. Luckily, we were aware, and on the way home, swerved quickly to avoid a turtle crossing to the other side of the road.

This image of a turtle is not the best quality, but the turtle was swimming quickly, and the current it was in was moving even quicker. Two types of turtles swam from the bay into the creek as the tide rushed in. We stood on a bridge and watched them swim beneath us, almost as if they were on a conveyor belt. We have never, in all of our lives, seen so many turtles. Four types of turtles can be found in this area: a mix of sea, freshwater, and brackish-water species. All appear green, from light to dark, with many shapes and markings on their shells.

I filled an empty coffee cup with some shells and other beach detritus. The driftwood piece was a find, as it resembles a bird’s head from both sides. I’ll have to save it for a special project or gift it to someone who collects beachy items. I was happy to find a few green pieces of sea glass. We find most of the sea glass we collect on the beaches of bays rather than on our New Jersey ocean beaches. We also have had good luck finding sea glass along the beaches of the Chesapeake Bay.

Photo Challenge – Whatsoever is Lovely – Week 23

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The photograph of a lady cardinal is a little blurry, but I didn’t want to get too close and cause her stress. I would never have seen her if I hadn’t cleaned the bird bath that sits near the tree she has built her nest in. I was scrubbing away algae with a brush, making what I know now, in hindsight, was a dreadful noise, and suddenly she flew out of the japonica bush. Later, I quietly returned and stood a respectful ten feet away, and I just made out her profile. How beautiful. Somehow, she was steadfast through the horrible noise of my neighbor’s landscaper and his huge mowing machines. She is still there today and hopefully, soon there will be the peeping of baby cardinals.

This post is part of Xingfu Mama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Photo Challenge.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV)

~Phillipians 4:8

Photo Challenges – Six on Saturday and Skywatch

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Spring yellows, golds, and oranges have a more luminous appeal than the jewel-like tones of Autumn colors. Each flower seems to capture the springtime sunshine and reflect it back towards the sky. The flowers above, blooming in my garden this week, are part of Skywatch Friday. The blooms, from top left to bottom right, are: marigold, pansy, mandevilla, butterfly bush, French marigold, and nasturtium. Thanks to Garden Ruminations for hosting Six on Saturday.

Another orange-and-greeny-gold flower is the Red Hot Poker, which is blooming now. It stands tall, perfectly backdropped by the blue of the sky. I like the patterns the tubular flowers form as they circle the stem. This flower is appreciated by hummingbirds. Thanks to Skywatch Friday for this challenge.

Photo Challenge – One-to-Three Photo Processing/Hummingbird Moth

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The weather has turned chilly for April, but I have still spotted some beautiful Cabbage White butterflies. This creates dreams in me of summer winged creatures. One of these is the beautiful Hummingbird Moth. I am using a photo of this unique insect as my One-to-Three Photo Processing reference photo.

I’ve taken many photos of Hummingbird Moths, but it’s rare to capture the beauty of their transparent wings.

I’ve used filters and overlays from Ribbet.com for all of the one-to-three processing.

I like how the Neon filter accentuates the lines and shapes of the photograph. If I were sketching the moth, this process would help me see the shape and segments of its wings.

I used the Posterize filter again this month. It is a favorite for its ability to isolate blocks of color.

The Space overlay gives the photo an otherworldly appearance. Something in the stars and the subdued colors gives the photo a sense of mystery and makes me feel creative, in a literary sense, just by gazing at it.

Thank you to Xingu Mama for hosting this challenge. This post is part of Xingfu Mama’s Photo Challenge One-to-Three Photo Processing.

Photo Challenge – One to Three Challenge/Hyacinth

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Yesterday, I wandered around the backyard and noticed quite a few early Spring bulbs emerging. The Hyacinths were just beginning to unfurl their first petals and were awash in bright colors even before they were totally out of the cold earth. I snapped a few photos with my camera’s macro lens. I’ve noticed that for every one photo in the macro mode that is a success, two are usually blurry and unusable, but this close-up portrait of a coral hyacinth turned out well. I love the way the macro lens focuses on the subject and blurs the background into a lush backdrop. I decided to use this simple photo for the March Challenge, hosted by Xingfu Mama, titled One to Three Photo Processing.

My first attempt at processing was the most ambitious. I used Adobe Express and chose a Robin’s Egg Blue background with a half circle of light on the right-hand side. I added my photo, then used the background remover tool in Adobe Express to remove the entire background with just one click. This process enhanced the flower color with a complementary shade, making it even more of a star. The photo eventually became today’s encouraging word in my Signpost Blog.

My second attempt at processing the photo used Lunapic. Lunapic is a free photo-processing site that is so much fun to use. This photo was processed with the Effect – Surreal Painting.

My third try used Ribbet and the Posterize filter. If you want to isolate some of the colors for creating artwork, the Posterize filter lets you see the photo with new eyes.

Thank you to Xingfu Mama for hosting this challenge.

Photo Challenges – One-To-Three Photo Processing

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February seems a perfect month to take part in Xingfu Mama’s One-To-Three Photo Processing challenge. My original photo was taken on the beach of Block Island, Rhode Island. The beachy scenery beneath your feet is half pebbly rocks, half coarse sand. I don’t know another place where I have seen so many beautiful stones. If you search long enough, you will eventually find a few heart-shaped rocks.

The goal of the One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge is to change the original photo three ways.

The first processed photo was filtered in LunaPic.com using an art filter called Beauty. I like the colors and the way the heart-shaped rock remains the focal point.

The second process was created in Ribbet.com and, as the name implies, is a Boost.

The third photo processing is not so much a change to the original as it is an addition. Look in the lower-left corner, and you will see a bit of editing I did in Adobe Express.

Thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting this challenge for February.

Photo Challenge – One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge/August 2025

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I haven’t taken part in Xingfu Mama’s One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge for a few months and thought this rather drab background behind my sunflowers might be worth perking up a bit.

I processed the photo three ways with an end vision in mind. I first cropped a bit and then used Ribbet to create a focal color with black and white.

I wondered if the original would look better boosted and posterized in Ribbet, but decided against using the brighter version for the final version. I might use this for another project. I like the chunkiness of the color blocks in the leaves and petals.

I next loaded my tweaked photos into Adobe Express and created a background of blue sky to really make the sunflowers stand out. I downloaded a flipped version of the image and removed the background, adding a second layer of the same sunflowers to the composition. I was happy with the finished product and decided it was perfect to use for a poster for my Signposts blog. Thank you to Xingfu Mama for this fun challenge.

HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT

BY

Henry J. Zelley

Walking in sunlight, all of my journey,
over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
promise divine that never can fail.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
flooding my soul with glory divine:
hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness;
ever I’m walking close to His side. [Refrain]

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Enthusaism

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I love the enthusiasm of children. Even strips of paper thrown in the air are great fun. My grandsons are all older now, and I miss the fun of their young years, but they have grown into wonderful young men. I am blessed.

This post is part of The Life of B blog, Simply Red Squares.

I had a great deal of fun and was filled with enthusiasm myself as I participated in this wonderful square challenge. Thank you so much Becky for hosting.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Rick’s Cafe

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Everything in Jamaica has more color. The fenceposts are brilliant, half coral/half red. The pigeons have rosy feet, and one seems to have red eyes. My photograph of a fence at Rick’s Cafe in Negril, Jamaica, is part of The Life of B’s Simply Red Challenge.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Hulk Hogan

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Both of my sons are now in their mid-forties. No longer boys, but grown men with families of their own. This photo is a reminder of how they loved to mimic boxers and wrestlers when they were young. They would set up rings in the backyard, gather friends, and put on their own wrestling matches. Oh, of course, there were sometimes bumps and scuffles, and perhaps some hurt feelings amid defeat, but I am so glad they spent a good portion of their childhood outside, rather than being glued to a screen.

I was sorry to hear that Hulk Hogan passed away on Thursday. He brought a lot of joy to many little boys, as well as just as many grown men and women. Rest in Peace, Mr. Hogan.

My wrestler with his pop of red gloves is my choice for today’s Simply Red Squares.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Zinnias

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A parasol of zinnia petals, illuminated by sunbeams, glow like stained glass. A different perspective on what we usually view from above. The beautiful zinnia is part of today’s Simply Red Squares and Skywatch Friday.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Bivalve and Shellpile

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The towns of Bivalve and Shellpile are located along the Delaware Bay. This Simply Red photo was taken on one of the docks.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Dolly in Red

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She’s almost a teenager now. I love this photo of her with a few of my old dollies, one in red for today’s Simply Red Squares Challenge. Thank you to Becky, of The Life of B blog, for hosting the challenge.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Gladiolus

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I have cut and vased almost every stem of Gladiolus so far. Only one or two have lived out their bloom time in the garden. My Glads are always floppy. I found out a week or two ago that this happens if you don’t plant them deep enough. I am already imagining where I will fit in the new Gladiolus bulbs next year. I love the bright, long-lasting bouquets I can create with them.

This post is part of the Life of B blog, Simply Red Squares challenge. Thanks to the host, Becky, for the challenge.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/Fire Engine with Peanuts

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Are you like me and remember when these rides cost a dime? I wonder if you now need a credit/debit card to take a ride on this Fire Truck with Snoopy and Charlie Brown as companions. The fire truck is part of The Life of B’s blog Simply Red challenge. Thank you to Becky for hosting.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red Squares/On the Banks of the Chesapeake Bay

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The Elk Neck State Park has a beach area for visitors on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. My family has had many camping trips to Elk Neck State Park. I love this photo of the grandgirls looking for rocks and treasure and my family relaxing. My son is wearing the shirt that is my pop of Simply Red for The Life of B blog’s photo challenge.

Photo Challenge – Simply Red/East Point Lighthouse

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The beautiful red roof of the East Point Lighthouse is just one of the charms of this beautiful building. Built in 1849 on the Delaware Bay in Heislerville, New Jersey, the lighthouse is still an active lighthouse.

The pop of red of the lighthouse roof is my choice today for the Life of B blog, Simply Red photo challenge and Skywatch Friday.

Photo Challenge – Nature’s Art

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I wasn’t sure what to call this small red fungus for today’s #Simply Red challenge. When I used the photo in a Google search, it showed me several possibilities. Since I’m not entirely sure, I’ll label it a simple red fungus on a green, mossy log. I find the contrast of colors lovely, and the delicate fronds of moss always amaze me. The hand of our Creator, revealed through nature’s beauty, always lifts my spirits.

Thank you to Becky and The Life of B for hosting the challenge.