Photo Challenges – Page 2 – Travels with Ali

My Dilemma with a Spider: Live and Let Live?

A belated Happy New Year to everyone. My first post of the year is linked to Becky’s Geometric January. I have been tracking this little guy’s progress since Christmas Eve. Now, I’m in a dilemma about what to do.

Day One

I had visitors due from the UK and thought it would be interesting for them to see. These spiders are not venomous and are reluctant to bite. I was searching for geometric photos for Becky and loved the shape of the web designs.

“The next time you see a spider web, please, pause and look a little closer. You’ll be seeing one of the most high-performance materials known to man.“
Cheryl Hayashi

He was doing a pretty good job of catching all the other insects too.

Everyday the web grew larger and he caught more insects.

A spider is slow, but its web catches the fastest flies.
~ Matshona Dhliwayo

Day 18

Christmas has been and gone and we’re now preparing for Halloween.

My dear hubby is of the voice of Live and Let Live, whereas I am “enough is enough”. So that is my dilemma. The spider has provided much entertainment and has certainly earned his keep. Any suggestions?

🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷️

One Word Sunday – Concentration

“What’s my next move?”
Legian Beach, Bali

Joining in with Debbie’s One Word Sunday – Concentration

~ Leading Lines from Across the Globe ~

For Monochrome Madness this week, Sarah from Travel with Me, has challenged us to find leading lines in our photos.

“Leading lines are a compositional technique that uses lines in a photograph to guide the viewer’s eye towards the subject. They can be natural or man-made, and can be straight, curved, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Leading lines can create a sense of movement and depth, and can be used to direct the viewer’s focus, create balance, and tell a story“.

I’ve thoroughly scoured my archives to see if I had anything along these lines (excuse the pun!).

I wouldn’t have necessarily taken a photo because of the lines, these just become apparent after viewing. I will now try and implement this technique.

It’s something I’ve come to appreciate on these challenges, I find out more and more about different ways of taking photos.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a popular tourist attraction. For the more adventurous and not something I’ve ever felt inclined to do! I prefer looking up at the ant like characters at the top.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Hong Kong Skyscrapers

Stairs leading up to a temple in
Luang Prabang
Looking over to Mount Sakurajima, Japan

Quiet street in Luang Prabang, mostly bikes. Such a peaceful road.

~ Stairs and Steps for Monochrome Madness ~

Aletta from Now At Home is the host for this week’s Monochrome Madness. The theme is Stairs and Steps.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. ”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Escher Painting, Melbourne — Painting of Street in Scanno, Abruzzi
by M.C. Escher

“All rising to great places is by a winding stair”
Gautama Buddha

**The stairs at the Ruins of Ephesus, Turkey**

~ August’s Pick a Word Special ~

It’s time for Pick a Word from Paula @ Lost in Translation. Somewhat tricky and I did look for inspiration from other bloggers! I’ve tried to come up with something different.

Angular
Transience
Trail
Shadow
Towering

I had some fun trying to put the words together!

I wish I was more Angular, but the Transience of my thoughts leave room for a Trail of happy ones, not leaving a Shadow on my life of Towering blessings.

Transience
Melting icebergs **– Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland**

**Elephant Trail, Chiang Mai, Thailand**

**Shadows**
**Osmania University, Hyderabad, India**

Manly Ferry, Sydney — **Towering Sydney Skyline**

Memorable Beach Moments: Sunrays, Vendors, and Jellyfish

Monochrome Madness this week is hosted by Brian @ Bushboy’s World. The theme is “On the Beach“.

I’ve gone back through the archives of many years ago as my recent beach photos have already been posted.

I like the use of a spot of colour. I think it can enhance a photo and create a focal point. I used the photo editor that comes with the S24.

Thanks Brian for an interesting challenge.

🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊 🌊

Balconies around the World- Lens Artist Challenge

This week the Lens Artist Challenge is balconies, hosted by Flights of the Soul. Who doesn’t love a balcony to sit out and watch the sunset or sunrise from your hotel, or if you’re lucky to have one in your own house to sit and watch the world go by. When we lived in Hong Kong we called a balcony a veranda or verandah, I’ve since learned that the word veranda is very much Australian. A proper balcony is elevated and a verandah is on the ground level, perhaps under a balcony!

Seville, Spain

The above photos were taken on a visit to Seville, Spain many years ago. With most cities a balcony is all important and a way to feel connected to your neighbour and the action below.

The above were taken whilst walking along the Regents Canal, London. I wonder what the significance of the cow is!

Our apartment was the first floor on the left, it was relaxing to sit and enjoy the spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor.

**Enjoying the sun underneath the balcony in Stanley, Tasmania**

Lorne, Victoria — **Enjoying the sun underneath the balcony in Stanley, Tasmania**

I could only stand inside the apartment and take this photo, it made me feel too uneasy being on the 26th floor!

~ Moving Forward with Day 2 of May Squares ~

It’s day two of Becky’s Squares and I’m really having to think outside the box for these themes. I’m enjoying seeing other bloggers also take to this challenge. It’s different for sure as there is no one object to focus on, brain power is needed to participate. You could use any photo but the challenge is for the words to fit and remembering to square them!

This photo was taken in December last year from the rooftop bar at the Novotel Bali Airport. We sat there watching the planes take off into the sunset over our cocktails and beer.

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A Renewing of Squares – May 1

Squares is back once again after a long hiatus. This challenge is hosted by Becky @ The Life of B. May’s topic is about Burgeoning – Move Forward – Reconstruct – Renew.

This photo was taken in Paris last year, a tourist boat moving forward along the River Seine.

Renewal and Reconstruction of Notre Dame

I had a few days in Paris last year with a friend and her husband used to like to sit and watch the progress of the rebuilding of this famous landmark.

~ Movement in Water ~

“Water is the driving force of all nature.“
~ Leonardo da Vinci ~

The challenge from Lens Artist this week is “Water in Motion” by Sophia @ Photographias.

Who doesn’t take photos of water? Everything about water, sea, rivers, lakes and waterfalls is just waiting for a photo. Here are some of mine over the years.

**Bleak day – New Year’s Eve UK from our hotel window**

I would love to see this in Perth right now! It’s just another day in paradise here but in dire need of rain as trees and plants die, as huge branches fall heedlessly to the pavement below.