Posted on by Anne Sandler · 28 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!