Focus on You

So many wonderful examples of backlighting in the Flickr gallery that you all made it very hard to choose one to focus on this week! But being partial to cats as well as the way the backlighting shows off the beautiful fur of this one made this image a favorite.  This was taken by Nikki Agnew of her mother's cat and I hope she frames it! You can see more of Nikki's beautiful images on her Photostream.  Thanks, Nikki, for sharing this with us!

Focus On You

This week we've officially entered SUMMER. I am not ready for the heat and humidity, but I am ready to enjoy the summer flowers. I don't know of another flower that says summer better than a simple, sweet daisy. Honestly, can you even look at one without smiling?

I love these daisies against the gorgeous blue sky that Evangelina Murray has captured. Her photo makes me think of happiness and light and makes me feel a little nostalgic. I had daisies in my wedding bouquet way back in the early 70's!!  You can see more of Evangelina's beautiful photos on her Flicker stream.

Keep those summer photos coming to our FOL Flicker stream. Just a reminder that our focus this month is backlighting. Early summer mornings are a great time to get out and capture the light!

Focus on You

Just look at this golden backlighting! How could I possibly resist sharing this stunning photo from our longtime friend, Leanne Strilchuk? It captures the beauty of summer light as well as the theme for June. Be sure to take a stroll through Leanne's Flickr stream.

Thank you, Leanne, for not only being a faithful reader but for sharing the beauty of your life and photography with us on Flickr and Instagram.

By the way, as of a few minutes ago, we have 17,869 photos in the Focusing on Life Flickr group! Thank you all for sharing with us through the years.

Focus On You

Our month of leading lines has come to an end.  This theme can be challenging, but as usual, you accepted our challenge and gave us some phenomenal photos depicting leading lines.  

For our Focus On You today I chose two photos.  The leading lines in both make for powerful photos. 

The first photo is by Janice Johnson.  Not only does the gently curved walkway draw our eyes into the photo (and drew mine directly to the large white cross in the background), but the stripes on the flags on the left, point our way deep into the photo as well.  This is such a powerful image Janice, and a magnificent use of leading lines.  

The second photo I chose is by Larraine Zungolo.  There is so much going on here that make this photo a perfect example of leading lines.  The curves of the steps, and the lighter colored step edges, draw our eyes up into the photo, to the gentleman standing at the top, and to the columns (lines) of names on the monument.  Even the man's cane creates a subtle line pointing toward the names of the fallen.  Well done Larraine.  

Thank you to all of you who posted your beautiful photos in our flickr group this month.  It's now a new month, and a new theme.  This month use backlighting in your photos.  Click on the Monthly Theme tab at the top of the blog for more details.  

Focus on You

With our theme this month of leading lines, I couldn't help but notice this beautiful image by Barbara Vautier. I love how the distinctive curves of this shell draw the eye right in. Plus the tones are so soft and serene...it just adds to the whole ethereal quality of her photo.

There is still another week of May to explore leading lines and we would love it if you would share them in our Flickr group!

As always, thank you all for continuing to share your beautiful art with all of us.

Happy Friday!

Focus on You!

This delightful picture by SUA13photography immediately caught my eye in the gallery.

It is titled "Lunch on the Porch" and it makes me just want to pull up a chair and join in!

The leading lines in this picture draw my eye through the delicious morsels on the table right to the sweet pooch seated at the head of the table.

I love the simple use of color here, just white and blue, nothing to distract me from taking in this lovely scene!

Thank you so much for sharing this picture with us!

Please check out SUA13photography's gallery for more beautiful and inspiring pictures!

...

Be sure to share your leading lines in our FOL gallery for a chance to be featured on Focus on You Friday!

...

Focus on You

Since it is only the 5th of the month, there are not a lot of "leading lines" photos in the FOL Flickr gallery yet, but I would have stopped at this one regardless. This beautiful landscape was taken by Sandra (zinnia2012) who lives in Lausanne, Switzerland. Doesn't that curving wall disappearing around the corner make you wish you were there and could walk down that path and see what a awaited you? This photo is titled "Walking through the Vineyards" which gives a little hint into where it was shot. Sandra's Photostream is full of macro flowers and sweeping landscapes so be sure to take a minute to browse through her beautiful images. Thanks for sharing with us here at FOL, Sandra!

Focus On You

We're winding down our month of spring flowers and word art. The Focus On Life gallery has been overflowing with spring beauty. Jonquils, daffodils, or butttercups, whatever you want to call them, are one the most popular spring flowers. Did you know that they symbolize friendship? Today's image is from Patricia Margaret (teragam). These beauties do make me want to sing an ode to spring!! You can see more of Patricia Margaret's beautiful photos on her flickerstream.

Thank you to all who participated in this month's theme! Next month's theme will be revealed shortly. 

Happy Spring to you!

Focus on You

There is real beauty in our Flickr gallery this week but I couldn't pass up these pink cherry blossoms against the beautiful blue sky. And the word art is just perfect for this Easter weekend.

This is the art of Zinnia 2012 from Lausanne, Switzerland. For a wonderful break from your day, take a tiptoe through her photostream. You'll be glad you did!

And Happy Easter to all!

Focus On You

This simply gorgeous photo by PJ Scott, and the glorious quote, caught my eye immediately. What a perfect way to start our April theme of Spring and Word Art than to showcase this beautiful photo with a quote declaring that winter is dead!

You will find many more beautiful photos when you visit PJ Scott's flickr stream.

I can tell that our flickr group will be overflowing with spring and word art this month!

Focus on You!

The Flickr pool is literally coming alive and bursting in beautiful spring color!  This week we are delighted to share this beautiful image from Nadeen Flynn.  Between her spectacular focus and dreamy depth of field, this photo represents all of the exquisite beauty of the season.

Be sure to check out Nadeen's Flickr photo stream - it is a breath of fresh air!  And thank you all for sharing your beautiful spring images with us.  We are so grateful for your contributions to this community.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Focus on YOU!

Have you looked at our Flickr pool lately?  Oh my goodness....beautiful signs of spring to be seen!  Please be sure and pop over there and submit a photo or two.  And while you're at it, please visit zinnia2012's photostream Her photo of a flowering Quince immediately caught my eye!  In my part of the world when the Quince's bloom that's when you know spring isn't too far away.

Focus on You

Is there anything that says early spring like daffodils and crocus popping their heads out of the ground? When I saw these two images by Patricia Magaret (teragam), I knew I wanted to feature them this week in our Focus on You segment.  They are perfect representations of the hopefulness of spring. Be sure to visit Patricia’s Photostream for many more beautiful images and thanks so much for sharing them, Patricia.


  

Focus on You!

Oh my! There are signs of Spring all throughout the gallery! Spring is my favorite season, all the spring pictures make me all warm and fuzzy inside!

This picture by Larraine Zungolo, is so bright and happy. Don't you just love the color of those daffodils! Don't you just want to take a stroll down that brick path!

I do! I do!

Thank you Larraine for sharing your picture with us!

Visit Larraine's gallery here.

...

Focus on You

Doesn't this shot just say S-P-R-I-N-G?  Flowering branches are usually one of the first things to bloom and the soft light and all that gorgeous pink bokeh just makes my heart sing!  This beautiful photo was posted to our Flickr group by a long-time FOL follower, Barbara Vautier (drolwa). Be sure to visit her Photostream here for more beautiful flower shots! Thank you, Barbara, for sharing your art with us here at FOL!

Focus On You

I love the perspective that Larraine Zungolo used when photographing these shadows. Aren't they fascinating? Larraine has captured some beautiful lines and shapes. We can't see much of the tables and chairs, but we know the tables are round and the chairs have arched backs. In addition, we can see ornate ironwork and possibly a fence. Personally I would like to be sitting in one of those chairs soaking up the sun! You can see more of Larraine's work on her flickr photostream.

Focus on You

There were so many delightful shadow photos in the FOL gallery this week that it was truly hard to choose just one to feature. Finally I settled on this one by Life, Unscripted Photography. I was particularly touched by the caption that was written under the photo:

A Special Shadow

I took this photo back in 2013 shortly after my grandmother had passed. I was missing her when I stumbled on this crocheted table runner she had made for me many years ago. Its shadow reminds me that she is always near.

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely photo and memory with us, it is truly special.

Focus On You

by Judy

As we begin our February theme of Shadows, this photo of Natalie DeLuca's (known as hiddendoorfour on flickr) caught my eye. 

This is what winter looks like in my neck of the woods. The reflections of the trees make dark shadows in the water, and the contrasting snow covered branches give this photo the look of a beautiful painting.

Be sure to take a look at Natalie's flickr stream here.  It will make you smile!  

We hope you'll play too as we look forward to seeing our flickr stream and Instagram feed fill with beautiful shadows this month.  

Focus on You

As we continue with our January theme, bare branches, this week we are delighted to share with you this beautiful image from Life, Unscripted Photography.  I was immediately drawn into to the shot by the detail of the branches. The softly falling snow combined with the cool tones in the background give this shot a truly winter vibe.

Thank you so much for continuing to share your art with us.  We are so grateful to have you as part of our community.

Happy Weekend!

Focus on You

This shot by Larraine Zungolo jumped out at me!  Such a striking image of the sun peeking through the bare tree branches.  Be sure to visit Larraine's flickr stream!

Thank you for contributing to the FOL gallery :)