In retirement, Anne is pursuing digital photography--her new hobby. She found, when taking photos to accompany her feature articles, that photography was fun. Of course, those were in the film days! Now she's accepted the challenge of learning shooting the digital way. This blog is called Slow Shutter Speed because that's how she feels her photographic journey is proceeding.
Crazy title, right! But it’s true. Dry Creek in Roseville has an abundance of water because of all the rain we’ve had this winter. This lovely creek is next to a community park, and sees lots of kids enjoying a summer swim.
However, when Ray and I went there yesterday, there were downed trees and broken limbs all over the shoreline. I’m thinking they will have to do some cleanup before the summer heat hits so the kids will be safe.
Here are some pictures of our short outing.
I enjoyed the short time at the creek and the sunshine. We’re supposed to get more rain tonight and tomorrow. I read in the newspaper that our snow level is way above normal which is a good sign for a long ski season and the summer. Take care everyone!
Oh boy, water is everywhere this winter. Rain storms have added water to our area’s rivers, lakes and creeks here in Sacramento. It’s also added mega snow levels in our mountain areas. Sofia’s challenge this week is to show moving water. Let’s get started.
Lakes. While some of our large lakes are in constant motion, they don’t photograph that way. You can tell by the gentle ripples and swirls in the water.
Donner Lake, Truckee, CA; Two-Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, MT; Folsom Lake, Folsom CA
River. While we have two major rivers flowing through Sacramento County, I’m featuring the American River. It’s known for river rafting, boating, fishing and swimming. The image on the left features the iconic Rainbow Bridge in Folsom. The ripples are delicate enough to reflect the rocks and bridge. This beach is near another well-known bridge, the Fair Oaks Bridge. The American river has many swim areas.
Ocean. I don’t get to the Pacific Ocean often. It’s about a 2 1/2-hour drive, but when I do, I enjoy it. These pictures are from Pacific Grove with waves gently breaking on the shore; Pacifica which is further north and the waves break more violently, causing a major splash on this young man. Back south, we come to the Monterey shoreline, catching the ocean at sunset. The sun’s glow is beautifully reflected in the water.
Fountains. I enjoy catching water in stop-action. Fountains are great for this and so are water spouts. Here are three.
I’ll close with some miscellaneous water fun, waterfalls and drops.
Today the sun is shining and will continue for a couple of days. Then, we are getting more rain! I’d better get out and enjoy the sunshine while I can. If you haven’t posted yet, be sure to link to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag.
Pictures of people from all over the world appeared in my mail box last week, and I totally enjoyed seeing them all. Next week John will be presenting the challenge so be sure to look for his post. Until then, take care.
Let’s go back to 2016, 3 years into my adventure with photography, and the people I photographed. Was it easier to take people pictures? Was I more adventurous with approaching people when I wanted to take their picture? No! and No!
A girl and her dog. You can feel the love of human and canine.
There are many ways to have fun. Children can enjoy their play, and adults can enjoy their passion.
Music brings people together as in a concert venue or be a solo type of enjoyment. You’ve seen two of these before. I still enjoy seeing the pictures. Our guitar player knew I was taking his picture and gave me his approval.
My next three were just random choices that tell a story. The first gentleman is costumed for a pirate festival and the fun it will bring.
The gentleman in the middle had his attention drawn elsewhere. To what, I don’t know, but he doesn’t look happy.
The store employee is dressing a mannequin in a window. She saw me take her picture and smiled. It’s another workday for her.
Pictures can tell sad stories as in this couple, with all their belongings, walking over the bridge to find a place to stay for the night near the river. Homelessness is a problem most cities deal with.
But my favorite that brings me joy is this image of my cousins walking hand in hand through the Thousand Palms Coachella Valley Preserve. I remember going to their wedding many, many years ago.
Images of people can bring us intense joy and sadness. Isn’t that what photojournalism is about? Telling their stories.
Now when you introduce us to people you’ve met, please remember to link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. What great cityscapes you shared with us last week in response to Patti’s prompt. Each was an adventure. Next week Sofia will be presenting the challenge, so look for her post.
Leanne is motivating me to convert another of my color images to black and white. This time her challenge is on travel. This image was taken in Portland Maine, October 2022. Although I like the richness of the red/orange brick, I think this also works well in monochrome.
Cityscapes? Patti wants to see our citiscapes either from our home town or travels. My town is more like suburban-scapes! I’m probably not giving Sacramento its due. It has grown a great deal since I moved here in 2001. We don’t live in Sacramento proper, but in one of the small surrounding cities in Sacramento County, Citrus Heights. You can drive about 5 miles and still see country homesteads.
But when we talk about the city, we talk about the City of Sacramento about 20 minutes from Citrus Heights. I don’t go there often because of the one-way streets. It would help if the grid was consistent, but it’s not. Yes, one time I did turn the wrong way. I heard loud yells and was able to turn around quickly!
We don’t have skyscrapers, but our newer buildings are glass that reflect other buildings. So I’m going to show you those today. I do love reflections.
I also love murals. These two show murals. The Johnny Cash mural takes up the entire building side. I liked the way the artist incorporated the window in the train design.
To entice people to live downtown, residential apartments are being built above stores. Window terraces help bring in the outside.
I just liked this stairwell.
And here are some reflective buildings.
Give Sacramento another 10 years and it will be more cosmopolitan and grown up. It is the capital city of California. If you haven’t posted your cityscape yet, please remember to link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
I truly enjoyed seeing your amazing replies to Ann-Christine’s Circular Wonders challenge last week. Some were truly creative. Next week, Tina will be challenging us, so be sure to look for her post. Take care everyone!
The night would be perfect: some clouds and sun. This was a rarity for us in Sacramento lately. Taking the opportunity, Laura and I went to photograph the sunset at Gibson Ranch Regional Park.
This is a Sacramento County park and equestrian center that has picnic areas. a dog park, small lake, and other activities. It’s a perfect place that is local to catch a sunset. We were not disappointed.
Before sunset: The equestrian area was gated off, but these facilities were available to photograph.
As the sun was getting low in the sky, fishermen were still trying to catch their limit.
And I became taller! Okay, with the help of my shadow!!
Finally a great sunset and lake reflection!
After all those weeks of overcast and rain, I was a happy camper! The damp, overcast and rain did come back, so I was glad we went that evening.
When I first readAnn-Christine’s challenge, the song “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” came into my head and I can’t get it out. My youngest grandchild is 13 years, and I still remember that song. I’m hoping to get some of you to find it catching also. No, I’m not mean; I just like company!
Okay getting serious now, circles have no beginning or end and are continuous. I’ll start with metal and rust. I love the texture and patina of rust as it ages.
Nature’s floral treats are round also.
Now to round out my post with some fun single images.
Darn, I couldn’t find a bus with wheels. We’ll just have to imagine it. When you respond to this challenge, please link to Ann-Christine’s amazing post and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week we learned some compositional rules. Thanks John. All your responses were great. Next week Patti will be challenging us, so be sure to look for her post.
Black and White allows texture to come to the forefront. It’s amazing how well we can see the texture in an image once we change it to monochrome. To be really effective there must be enough contrast.
This picture of Lake Waterton in Alberta Canada was a pretty image. However, once I changed it to monochrome (I thought there was enough contrast.) I saw the texture in the mountains and water.
When I’m out with my camera, I see and notice things differently. I mentally compose the picture even before I pick up my camera. So, I really don’t pay much attention to the rules and tools of composition. I do believe I needed John’s challenge today. He has me thinking of how and why I do things regarding composing a picture.
Mostly I look for shape and texture. I do love texture. Anything wood is texture whether it’s a tree, a fallen tree or a barn made from a tree.
Actually, everywhere you look you’ll find shape, form and texture. We can build stores, machines and buildings that show off shape, form and texture.
Rectangles and circles
Squares, triangles and rectangles
Triangle and half circle
Nature’s perfect circles
And my favorite, nature’s freeform.
The next time I take my camera out, I will be more aware thanks to John’s challenge. Thanks John! When you respond, please link to John’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I totally enjoyed window shopping with you and Ritva last week. Next week Ann-Christine will be presenting our challenge so look for her post.
We are having blizzard conditions in the Northern California foothills. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are a beautiful white. My children live in Reno and are getting a lot of snow also. We are okay with just a lot of rain and wind here in Sacramento. Take care everyone.
I think my problem with shopping is that I go with an intent and usually don’t find what I want or need. I come home frustrated. I’ve learned to go out with nothing in mind and usually come home with something that I needed or not.
So window shopping is even more difficult for me. But a challenge is a challenge and Marlene and I went out to the fountains, a small outdoor shopping center, to walk and photograph.
Here’s what I found. I enjoyed playing with and capturing reflections.
Fashion in windows. I laughed when I realized that I would never wear some of these clothes, especially those boots. That’s what happens when you’re 80!
Now for some odds and ends.
I am a dog mom and love that little Schnoodle. Windows must be washed for us to do window shopping. This last one is a reflection of across the street with the ghost like image of a male mannequin in the store window. You can see him in the window being washed.
Now it’s time to stop spending money! I just liked this palm tree. Saving buttons instead of pennies.
I do love red umbrellas and shadows!
We followed our non-shopping experience with lunch. Thank you Ritva for getting me out. When you respond to Ritva’s post, please remember to link to her challenge and use the Lens-Artist tag.
Last week, I totally enjoyed seeing how you all portrayed sound in your images. Some were very creative. Next week John will be presenting the challenge, so be sure to look for his post! Take care!
Slow Shutter Speed 