Posted on by Anne Sandler · 15 Comments

Out and About: Old Sacramento

Don’t you have a place you keep going back to knowing there will always be something new to photograph. For me, that place is the Old Sacramento waterfront on the Sacramento River. They keep making changes like new parking meters 😢, new stores, boats and seals. It’s the people that have me coming back. It’s where I can practice street photography.

So we chose to go down there on a recent Sunday, getting there early for a parking space. We walked around, and when the stores opened we shopped.

One major attraction was the reopening of Evangeline’s, a gift shop and costume rental store. Last year a devasting fire destroyed most of the store. They were determined to rebuild and be a fun spot in Old Sacramento. Here are some pictures of the entertainment outside the store and some fun items inside.

We also went into an area that housed several shops. I was intrigued by the mirrors, reflections and lines.

Now for the street photography and people. This is where I’m still a little timid. Old Sacramento is a great place for me to practice.

I didn’t show any of the waterfront this time, but I have in past posts. I’m sure we will be back again for me to practice. It’s something to look forward to.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 27 Comments

Out and About: High Hand Nursery

Happy Birthday to us–Marlene and Anne! My dear friend Marlene and I have June birthdays, and each year we celebrate with a delicious lunch and photography. This year we chose to dine at High Hand Nursery’s Cafe in Loomis. We made our reservations–yes you need reservations for this cafe–and needed to do it two weeks in advance!

Lunch was delicious and the photography delightful. The only drawback was the high afternoon sun. Here are some of the pictures of the nursery.

Now we’re looking ahead to next year. Destination unknown.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #404: Subjects That Begin With the Letter B

Do you like playing Scrabble? I do and my set dates back at least 65 years. I recently went through my old set and didn’t find any “Bs” missing; only 2 “Os,” and 1 “R and T,” Fortunately, the Antique Trove, where I take my camera in the rain and heat, has a vendor selling random Scrabble letter. And fortunately, for Beth’s challenge, I have many “B” pictures in my photo archives.

I’ll just make a gallery for you and caption the pictures.

Bath and bench
Bird–Bald Eagle
Big Boy Steam engine–visited Roseville
Bricks
Beer Sign
Bulb
Bolt
Garden Budda
Break dancing
Hedge Bus

Thanks, Beth, for the trip down memory “B” lane. This challenge was totally enjoyable! When you post your “Bs” please remember to link to Beth’s original challenge and tag Lens-Artists. Look for Ann-Christine’s Challenge on July 18. The Team will be taking a 2-week break. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

I’ll be going off to the Antique Trove to find replacement Scrabble letters. Anyone care to play a game?

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #403: Composition Tools–Perspective, Depth and Scale

Photo composition comes naturally or it can be learned. This week John has a great tutorial for us. For some of us, it’s a new tool and for some it’s something we’ve been doing. However, for some, including me, we’ve been using these three tools without knowing it!

Let’s take depth first. That is most important to help our two dimensional art seem three dimensional. Are you enticed to walk through those open door rooms to the end? Or maybe walk down to the end of the ramp?

Next scale.

We have climbers at a practice rock. That’s still a high climb for me! Their images help show scale in the image. Then we have a reflection showing the scale of this tall building in downtown Sacramento.

Next perspective.

Living in California I would be remis not to show perspective using our giant Sequoias. Here we have a redwood with my friend Jean providing perspective at the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. If you’ve ever visited Sequoia National Park, you’ve seen the iconic General Sherman. This family was taking pictures and I just joined in.

So there you have it, and I posted just the six images allowed. I’m sure we all had more.

Thanks John, for a review and education this week. When you respond, please link your post to John’s original and use the Lens-Artists tag. There were so many wonderful wonders for Sofia’s challenge last week. I enjoyed them all. Next week, Beth will be leading the challenge, so look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #402: Looking Back at Wonder

My camera! No, it’s not a wonder, but it brings me to amazing wonders. This week Sofia has us looking at the moments, places, people that we treasure and cause us to wonder.

I live in a place that brings me and my camera to many wonderous places–rivers, lakes, mountains and parks. Let’s take a look.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers, especially macros and close ups. Whether in a nursery, garden or sunflower field, I love the challenge macro photography brings. It gives me something else to concentrate on, shoving the world out. I become relaxed and happy.

Landscapes are nature’s way of humbling us. Just look at the beauty waiting for us to capture with our cameras–especially sunsets.

Wildlife especially birds are amazing to watch. They are free to go anywhere and mostly travel with friends. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Animals are also wonderous, and zoos invite us to visit many that we normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to see–like this beautiful or handsome Okapi. It’s wondering why I’m pointing that black thing at its rear. Who could resist that beautiful pattern!

And then there’s the funky or maybe artistic photographs that we take for fun and later wonder why to took them!

These are my moments of wonder. Thanks Sofia for this fun challenge. When you post your response please link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, Patti had us concentrating on our compositional abilities. I enjoyed seeing your many wonderous compositions. Next week John will be leading the challenge. Until then enjoy good health and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

Macro Mania: Green Acres

It’s been a long time since I put my macro lens on my camera and took it out for a walk. Last week my photo buddies and I visited Green Acres Nursery in Citrus Heights, Calif. Richard had a cell phone, Ray had a bridge camera and I had my XT3.

Here’s some of what I captured.

I am so grateful to Green Acres for allowing us to come and photograph their beautiful flowers. We do sometimes purchase flowers and other items. It just relaxes me to wander through the rows of florals with my camera, and, of course, lunch always follows!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 47 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #401: Master Your Photography

Have you ever looked at a photo or painting and wondered where the focus is? This week, Patti has us concentrating on our subject–the focus of our image. She’s showing us five ways to lead your viewer to the focal point and the reason, you snapped the shutter. I’ve chosen selective focus, negative space and leading line to demonstrate how I help lead my viewers to what caught my eye in the first place.

Leading Lines

I love to use leading lines. They don’t have to be straight as in my photos. Think of a curved road leading to a structure or horizon line. The architects of the Cottage in the California State Empire Mine State Historic Park and the Sundial Bridge made use of the leading line theory. Oh, the bridge does have a working sundial at the end.

Negative Space

Negative space does spotlight your subject. Most of my examples involve wildlife. Capturing a great blue heron in flight is no easy task with a 300 mm lens, so I’m happy when I can capture one. An eagle sitting on a branch is a bit easier and so majestic. The sky provides beautiful negative space, especially when there’s no clouds!

Selective Focus

Since I enjoy photographing macros so much, selective focus is a favorite of mine. Using a macro lens to photograph the edges of leaves and their texture is fun. So is going through a farmers’ market where you can zoom in to find vegetables that also have texture.

This was so much fun. Next time I take my camera out for a walk, I’m going to try other types of selective focus. Thanks Patti! When you post your response, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Tina encouraged us to experiment with the Rule of Three. I could tell from your responses you enjoyed creating your posts. Remember to stay healthy and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #400: The Rule of Three

When you are about to take a photo, do you think of yourself as a designer of your photographic masterpiece? This week, Tina introduces us to a designers stand by, The Rule of Three. Having worked with a graphic designer for 20 years, I learned quickly about odd numbers adding flow and interest to a piece.

I use this rule when I compose an image in camera. Like these three trees.

This doesn’t happen on a conscious level, but instinctively. It happens at the zoo when there’s more than one animal to photograph. Or when on an outing and photographing wildlife.

Oh my, I even caught the Rule in a building reflection showing three other buildings.

Someone understood this rule when they placed these shells on a pier. They really bring your attention the the texture of the wood.

These three sculptures, “The last Conversation,” are part of five (two not pictured) by  Juan Muñoz, taken at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s the three I took or the entire sculpture of 5, the sculptor understood the Rule of Three or having an odd number.

Now, I hope Tina doesn’t mind me cheating a bit. I’m claiming the Rule because I’m treating the sculpture as one and my photo buddies as the other two.

The more you think of the Rule, the more instinctive it will become. Thanks Tina for introducing us to this important guide. When you post your reply, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We had a great time last week with Egidio’s challenge of being stuck in place. Patti will be challenging us next week. So stay tuned. Whether you’re stuck in place or wandering remember be a little odd in your photo composition.

Stay healthy and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #399: Stuck in Place

When I’m carrying my camera, I never feel like I’m stuck in one place. There is so much to photograph–even though you’re truly not interested in the subject. Egidio challenges us to find photographic opportunities in a small area. Today, being Memorial Day here in the U. S., I dug through my archives to find the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial ~ Capitol Park in Sacramento

This is of special significance to me since my husband served in the Army during the Vietnam war. It took a long time for this Nation to honor our Vietnam Vets. I didn’t have to take many steps to photograph these sculptures, but it was like I was walking miles.

It was a long year of waiting, watching the war on television and talking with my husband, Richard, who was caring a radio on his back through the jungle and wounded twice. Thank heavens for Ham Radio Operators around the world. Richard returned home, but not without emotional scars.

So, while you are celebrating with friends and family today, take a moment to remember those who didn’t make it home or made it home with physical and emotional injuries.

I’m sure Egidio didn’t mean for this challenge to be a somber one, but I didn’t mean for this post to be so difficult. You just never know what will happen when you start typing. Next week Tina will take us in another direction with a new challenge. Thanks to Ritva for last week’s colorful challenge.

Take care everyone, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 34 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge # :Choose a Color

When you’re drawn to color like I am, you can make serious shopping mistakes with impulse buys! This week Ritva’s post is all about color, its meaning and its importance. I love red, and when I see red, I automatically try to figure out where I can use the item. More than not, I don’t need it. The older I get, the more level headed I am and can leave the item behind.

When we were young marrieds, my husband drag raced a red Pontiac with cheater slick tires. It became my car. I cannot tell you how many police followed me on the freeway until they realized I was a woman. Then they left me alone. Here’s a somewhat red car with a beautiful reflection.

I guess I like deep colors like red because my skin is pale and pastels just make me look like a ghost. I went to our new friend AI to find out what red symbolizes:

  • Passion: Red often represents strong emotions like love and desire.
  • Danger: It is commonly used to signal warning or alertness.
  • Energy: Red is associated with vitality and enthusiasm.
  • Power: The color conveys strength and authority.
  • Courage: Red symbolizes bravery and determination.
  • Action: It encourages movement and urgency in various contexts.

Is that me? I’m not sure. I’m passionate about photography. But, I don’t go looking for danger. I used to have a lot of energy. I’ve never been power hungry. I do have courage. In an emergency, I do take action.

Let’s look at some more images. If I have a choice, I’ll sit under a red umbrella. I think I should have bought those cups, but I restrained myself. Japanese gardens always include red. While red is a stimulating color, this bridge calms me down. Just walking across it creates serenity.

You know I love flowers. I could have filled this post with flowers, but we are limited. Here are two: a tulip and rose.

Now that Ritva has me in a red mood, I just might go shopping. One more red blouse or a red doodad won’t hurt. But I really don’t need them. What to do?? Maybe I need to end this post and busy myself with some other color. I do like blue, purple, and green!

Talking about color, your textures last week showed beautiful colors of rust, wood and florals. Thank you for participating. When you post your colors, please link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag. Next week Egidio will challenge us, so look for his post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.