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.
When it come to being entertained at the zoo, the giraffes provide it, especially when there’s a young one in the enclosure. Sumi is about 4 months old (I think) and is so cute. At a recent visit, she was doing something peculiar–gnawing on her mother’s ossicones! At least I think that’s her mom who is lying down. Who else would put up with that! I’ve also included some other pictures to give perspective on Sumi’s size.
A close relative to the giraffe is the Okapi. They also have ossicones but their rear ends have amazing patterns.
While their patterns are beautiful, they are not as much fun to watch as the giraffes.
My other favorite animals are the orangutans, but they weren’t out when I visited. Maybe next time.
Not taking any photography classes, I learned by experience and asking questions of other photographers. That’s when I first heard of the Rules of Thirds, negative space, etc. But they were just names to practices I was already doing. Maybe it was my working for 20 years with a graphic artist. And loving bright colors, that came naturally.
With that explained, here are my examples.
My love for photographing buildings yields many lines and patterns. I like the blue sky against the brown building.
Small town street.The Barn = A concert venueWindow in an old house.A rooftop capture.
Fabrics have lots of lines and patterns.
Have you noticed how stairs can also have patterns and circular lines?
I can’t forget ICM! Lines and patterns and color all over the place.
You’ll find lines and patters in the least obvious places. Like in a warehouse and a bridge.
And now for my favorite. This is a mural set in between two buildings. The sun, shade and reflections create lines and patterns on this beautiful image.
So there we have my journey through lines, colors and patterns. Thanks John having me delve into my archives for this one. This was a natural to follow Tina’s wonderful post asking us how we “Live and Learn.” I enjoyed see all your responses. As usual, please remember to link your response to John’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week Ann-Christine will lead the challenge.
When you just need a photographic boost, photograph flowers! That’s what I did at a local nursery. Of course there was a breeze, but that’s not a big deterrent. Just boost up that shutter speed and away you go.
Here are some images from a recent trip to Bushnell Gardens in Granite Bay.
Well, I enjoyed the outing with my Macro lens. I hope you did also.
Living is learning! I started learning to be something else other than a mom when pouring a glass of water for a friend during dinner. By rote, I poured him a half glass. He then asked if he promised not to spill, could he have a full glass! That’s when I decided I needed to do something just for me.
I enrolled in a non-fiction writing class at Pierce College, Woodland Hills. This led to writing for the L. A. Daily News as a community columnist and taking my own photos for the articles. When retirement hit, I decided I was done with writing and got my first SLR.
Then the learning began. I learn by doing. I went out on photo outings and asked a lot of questions of other photographers. Later, I joined a photo club where my photos would be critiqued. Then I found LAPC, and here we are!
Be ready. Sometimes you just have to take the shot.
More lessons learned are in the captions.
Fill the FrameGet Down Low to Accent the ForegroundFind Leading Lines
Oh, there are many more lessons I’ve learned. The biggest lesson is just have fun! I’m still in the photo club and enjoy having my photos critiqued. My photo/friend group has aged, but we still go out once a week. Photography keeps your mind sharp and body exercised.
Thanks Tina for this mental exercise, showing us why we are photographing as we do, and why we should keep doing it.
Last week we went into the woods prompted by Egidio’s fantastic challenge. I enjoyed all your responses. When you respond to Tina’s post remember to link to her original challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week John will be leading the challenge, so look for his post. Until then stay safe and live in gratitude.
Egidio, you hit the bullseye. I love the woods. Getting out of suburbia and into the fresh air is amazing. I especially love the smell of pine trees. I need to get up to the mountains more often. Fortunately, although Sacramento is too low for pine trees, we do have wooded areas around our creeks and rivers.
Let’s start with higher altitude, the forest, specifically Lassen National Park. These pictures were taken from our last visit in 2023. As soon as I got out of the truck, I could smell the forest. It was wonderful being back after a long absence. Unfortunately they were still clearing away the dead trees from the 2021 fire. Our dog was still alive and I enjoyed our walks around the campground. I think he also enjoyed the new forest smells.
Lets move on to a State Park. Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The Big Trees refer to giant Sequoias. They are impressive trees. Not as tall as our coastal redwoods, but they have amazing girth.
Woods change with the seasons. In the Sacramento area, we don’t get too much Autumn color. We photographers have to go up in altitude to find it. I found these in Grass Valley in what we call the Foothills.
While we are still up in altitude, let’s visit Hope Valley and see how fire can devastate our trees. It will take more years than I have left in my lifetime to grow a new grove of aspens.
Down in altitude and in my local area, Dry Creek is a favorite for children in the summer. You walk through wildflowers to get to the creek. Stock Ranch Nature Preserve is located just behind Costco. It is dark and moist–the perfect place for fungi to grow.
And, now for my favorite National Park in California–Sequoia / Kings Canyon. Although joined, Kings Canyon (higher than Sequoia) has mostly cedar trees and a beautiful forest. Sequoia has the larger Sequoia trees. I’m closing with an image of the infamous, well-known General Sherman. You can’t hug this tree!
You can see why I love the forest and its smells and beautiful trees. Thank you Egidio for this trip down memory lane. When you post your response, please remember to link back to Egidio’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week, look for Tina’s post since she will be leading the challenge.
In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!
Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
We moved to the Sacramento Area, specifically Antelope, in 2001. In the last 25 years Sacramento County has grown and changed. Cows were walking in Citrus Heights (where I now live), and there are still farms in our neighboring city Orangevale.
Roseville was spreading her wings and spreading out annexing properties. Roseville is in Placer County. The town now consists of West Roseville (suburbia). East Roseville (office buildings), Downtown Roseville (City Hall, shops and railroad). Old Roseville where smaller buildings are found and the railyard.
Roseville became prominent because of the railroad. There is still a depot there, and Amtrak still stops there. The day these pictures were taken, my friend and I were strolling Downtown Roseville. There are shops, restaurants, city offices and two movie theaters. Here are some of the pictures I took that day.
A freight train was moving slowly along that morning.
The Tower Theater.
The square where community events is held and water features entertain the children in the summer has a beautiful fountain. I concentrated on the sculpture and base. I guess I was in a close up mood.
Some other sights I thought were photographable.
Linda Creek borders the Downtown area and beautiful old homes.
That’s about it for Downtown Roseville–for now! Stay tuned for a festival in the square.
What is a quiet hour? Is it when you are meditating? Reading a book? Taking a walk? For me it’s all these things and also when I have my camera in my hand. I can be in a noisy touristy area or out in the country; with my Fuji, I don’t hear any noise. Guest host SH wants to know how we enjoy our quiet hours. I might be twisting this challenge, but for me a quiet place is one that brings me relaxation and peace. So here we go.
I especially like visiting our Northern California beaches, especially when they are too cold to attract swimmers or have black sand. I can sit and enjoy the solitude, watching the gentle wave come ashore.
I do find trees so relaxing. With or without leaves, their branches are so expressive and inviting. They can form a canopy welcoming you down a path, or in Autumn, treat you to a colorful display of oranges, reds and browns. Your eyes act as a portal. bringing in all the beauty and silence that feeds your body with calmness and joy.
I do enjoy walking down country paths that take me from my suburban life. Fortunately I don’t have to go far to experience the quiet of country life. It’s about 45 minutes from my home. I’m even getting used to getting lost when looking for County Road 18, 16 or 19! I get so relaxed getting lost on these roads, passing farms, wineries, and orchards. I never know what photo delights I’ll find.
Ponds and creeks are in abundance here. If I need a water fix, I don’t have to drive to the ocean. Their calm movement, seasonal changes and water fowl delights my camera.
These are just some of the places I consider quiet places. Thank you SH for having me revisit places that give me relaxation. When you respond, please link to his original post and use the Lens Artists tag. Before our holiday break we enjoyed Ann-Christine having us look back. What fun! Egidio is our host next week. Until then stay safe and live in gratitude.
It’s July 4th in the United States–Happy Independence Day to all who celebrate. This evening we will celebrate with friends and enjoy viewing some fireworks from their hilltop viewpoint. While my meatballs are cooking in the crockpot, I thought I’d share just a few pictures from the Sacramento Zoo. The zoo is remaining in Sacramento and not moving. I don’t know exactly why, probably a money issue.
Here are a few glimpses of our new giraffe. She’s growing fast, but still seeks out her mother.
The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, is asking to be let back in to it’s shelter. Is it people shy?
Our new lioness is grooming herself. I believe they are keeping the new lion and lioness separated for now, only having one out at a time.
We have a new leopard, a clouded leopard. Named because the spots resemble clouds.
I started this post with our youngest giraffe, and I’ll end it with a close relative-the okapi. This is probably the second best picture I’ve gotten of one of them. They are just beautiful.
That’s it for my brief excursion to the zoo. Stay safe and live in gratitude!
Now, I don’t think of myself as a creative soul. Maybe that’s why when I looked through 2019 for a post on the subject, I couldn’t find one. I wasn’t a team member then.
There are many types of creativity. You find it in science, architecture, art and more. Teachers and parents have to be creative to reach and teach the children. I don’t think of myself as creative. I can’t create art, but I can see it in everyday circumstances and photograph it.
Here are three places where I found creativity.
Gloshoff Sculpture Ranch in Fairfield.
This ranch is an ongoing exhibition of metal sculptures and it grows each year. You know you’re near the ranch when you see neighbors displaying Mr. Gloshoff’s art in their front yard. You need to make an appointment and he doesn’t mind photographers photographing his creations. Here are a few.
I also believe creativity is in the eye of the beholder. I guess how a photographer interprets an object is creativity. Here are some objects from IKEA as I saw them.
Nature’s shadows form creative patterns that photographers can’t resist. At least I couldn’t.
And finally, one of my favorite forms of creativity is signage.
Thanks Ann-Christine for sending me through my archives in search of creativity. I totally enjoyed your responses to my reflections challenge last week. You kept me busy and posts are still trickling in. You gave me a great week and had me smiling. Please link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag when you respond to her challenge.
We will be off next week. Wherever you are, celebrate life and capture creativity through your lens. We will be back on July 12, when, guest host, Stupidity Hole (SH) will present the challenge. I wonder what he has in store for us? In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.
What do you do when you’re getting ready to leave your home? You look in the mirror. We look to see the image we are reflecting. Reflections are formed when light bounces off a surface, creating a mirror image of the viewed object, in this case us!
As photographers, we look for reflections in:
Water
Buildings
Cars
Anything shiny can help create a reflection.
I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole again. I never gave too much thought about reflections or how I used them. I just liked them and used them a lot. So here are some tips I found while visiting some rabbits.
Still water: a body of water with minimal movement will give you clear reflections.
Check the angle of your camera for the clearest reflections.
Pay attention to lighting. Harsh glare can ruin a reflection while the golden hour can create a magnificent one.
Dull lighting can work also as found in puddles.
Long exposures is something I have never tried because I don’t carry around my tripod or my one ND filter. But the rabbit told me not to let you down and to ask Leanne Cole for advice.
Advice from Leanne Cole:
“You definitely need a tripod and ND filters. Timing depends on the filter you are using and the available light. You might need 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes or more. I use an aperture between f8 and f14. I tend to use the aperture to help me get the time I want. Long exposure for water is great when the water isn’t quite mirror like, but almost. An exposure of 20 or 30 seconds can get you that mirror like photos.”
Leanne’s Images!
Thank you Leanne!
Again, do as I say, not as I do. Use polarizing filters especially when photographing on glass. I’ve been lucky—and lazy! I love capturing interesting window reflections. These images were not photographed in bright sunlight. The first is a window reflection of a building across the street. The pink photograph is of a beauty salon and the trees across the street.
Now for some fun things the rabbit reminded me of. Have you ever used a crystal ball?
You photograph a subject through one and the magic happens—upside down reflections.
And how about seeing a busy shop through an antique mirror?
The rabbit finally tired of all my questions and chased me back to reality. Now it’s time for you to experiment with reflections of any kind. I’m looking forward to seeing how you and your camera reflect on various subjects. Most of all, just have fun!
When you post your fun photos, remember to link back to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I’m looking forward to seeing all your reflections this week. Last week Beth presented her first challenge as a team member. It was sure a stormy week. I enjoyed seeing and reading your posts. Next week Ann-Christine is challenging us, so stay tuned.
Slow Shutter Speed 