Why do you take your camera out, hold it to your eye and press the shutter? I perform this ritual because I enjoy getting out, composing the picture and editing it on the computer. If you journey out once a week, how many thousands of pictures do you think you’ve taken? YIKES, Steve wants us to pick just five favorites. Steve, this is a real challenge! The selected pictures are all from the Sacramento Area except for the first. I’m sure I’ve shown these at one time or another. I hope they are worth a second look.

I’ve gotten it down to five–with difficulty. Here’s the first.

I was at a Toastmasters conference in Redding, California. My goal was to get there one day ahead of time to capture the Sundial Bridge at night. The Sundial Bridge is a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge for bicycles and pedestrians that spans the Sacramento River in Redding, California, forming a large sundial. The sundial at the end of the bridge is operational. At night it is lit up and is a photographers dream of lines, light and beauty!

Now let’s roam around Yolo County, just north of Sacramento County. This is our access to the countryside. We enjoy getting lost, finding interesting photo opportunities. I don’t remember where we (my small photo group) were when one of us yelled, “STOP.” Could that have been me? I liked the open fence accenting the road and the golden hillside. The sky was accommodating also. Was this worth turning around for? Could nature be more accommodating?

You know how I love to photograph flowers with my macro lens. This was probably taken at one of our local gardens–maybe the McKinley Rose Garden in Sacramento. I liked the water drops on the budding rose and its red-orange color. For me, it symbolizes an emerging beauty. Unfortunately, nature gives us beauty for just a short time. Whenever I see a volunteer in the garden, I always thank them for the gorgeous opportunity they give us.

Now for a little controversy. I come from a journalistic background, and when I see a photojournalism opportunity, I take it. The controversy is does it belong in a photo blog. One of my followers said “It does not.” I think it does given that it is an image of life and all is not rosy (like the above image.) We were walking from Discovery Park to Old Sacramento when I saw this man asleep on the ground. It’s sad but it is a sign of our time. What do I like about it? It tells a real story. What do you think?

I want to end on a happier note with this sunset image. This was taken at one of our night trips to Old Sacramento. Taken from the Sacramento side, it shows the Tower Bridge and a little of West Sacramento, Yolo County in silhouette. The setting sun was very cooperative with glowing reds, purples and oranges that night. The Sacramento River also cooperated with its glassy reflection.

So these are my five picks. Thanks Steve for sending us through our archives, helping us review wonderful memories. When you respond, please link to this post and Steve’s post. Remember to use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, Egidio sent us “Over the Top.” What fun, reading all your posts. Ritva will be challenging us next week, so look for her post. In the meantime, stay healthy and be resilient!

35 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #409: Best Images Ever”

  3. Hey Anne, a great response to the challenge. Your love of photography certainly comes across. I don’t fall out with the homeless man image. That’s just street photography, I regularly shoot those images and I’ve posted one, taken in London, in an earlier challenge post. All those pictures are great but I really like that rose image. 🙂

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  7. I enjoy the variety in the photos you posted Anne. Your words regarding the photo of the person sleeping on the sidewalk being about life and belonging in a photo blog definitely resonates for me and I am glad you included it.

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  11. Wonderful selection. My favorites are the bridges. I don’t think the photograph of the man is disrespectful; it’s a documentary shot. Although I probably would never have taken it myself, I find it very difficult to photograph people in the street, in any situation. Only when I’m very comfortable with people do I dare to photograph them. Perhaps I’m just a bit antisocial! 😆

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  14. Anne, photographers tell stories with light. Sometimes the story is glorious, sometimes it’s sad, and sometimes it’s downright gut‑wrenching. Whatever the story, it deserves a place among your favorites when it sparks a genuine connection and stirs something within you.

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  16. Anne, I love the variety of your images and the stories about why you chose each one. Yes, I think the sleeping man tells a story and deserves to be included. My favorite is your closing shot of the bridge at sunset.

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  18. Such a varied selection of wonderful images Anne 🙂 I like the way you talk about the urge to take out your camera – that’s it, exactly! My favourite is the landscape with that amazing sky!

    But I want to add that I believe your photo-journalism shot absolutely does belong in your blog. It’s a style of photography you are drawn to and as this is your blog it should reflect you and how you see the world. If anyone doesn’t like this choice of subject they can move on, although shying away from the tough things in our world isn’t necessarily a great idea imho.

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