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.
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.
The first storm I can remember was the 1949 category 4 hurricane that made landfall near West Palm Beach Florida. I was about 6 years at the time, but remember the tremendous and horrific winds. To this day, I don’t want to be out in the wind.
Then came the 6.6 magnitude Sylmar earthquake (while we lived in the San Fernando Valley), followed by the 1989 6.9 Bay Area quake. Things have been calm since we moved to Sacramento. While our rivers are prone to flooding, we are far enough away to be out of danger, and the area’s creeks are not allowed to overflow.
So that’s a brief stormy background of my life for Beth’s first challenge. She wants to know about various types of storms: stormy weather, stormy feelings or stormy situations.
I can tell you from experience that each leads into the other. Bad weather leads into frightful feelings which, in turn, lead into terrifying situations! Here are some bad weather situations I was able to capture with my cameras.
Let’s start with rain. While camping in Lassen National Park, it would rain every afternoon. Last month, while visiting our kids in Reno, a rain storm was heading our way. I’ve never been able to catch rain like that with my camera.
Lassen NPReno, NV
We’ve also seen some threatening clouds. These may have been taken during our Alaska cruise.
Last year, we experienced atmospheric rivers in Northern California. These are rains that drop about 4 to 6 inches of water in a short time. The American and Sacramento rivers did flood at Discovery Park (the confluence of both rivers).
Our local creek also crested during another storm. The water was channeled into the rivers.
We are too low in elevation to get snow, but California has mountains. On one trip down to Southern California, we ran into snow. This is on Highway 5.
Now for Highway 80 on a visit to Donner State Park.
Last but not least was our famous “getting snowed in” trip to my kids in Reno. A snow blower is helping to dig them out.
These are fond memories, but I’m glad they are just that. I was too young to capture pictures of the hurricane, but the snapshots of the aftermath are still alive in my memory. Fortunately, we didn’t have much damage from the earthquakes, but I do remember holding my son’s highchair down during the afterquakes.
Beth, I hope you’re having fun with the various responses you are getting. Thanks for taking me down memory lane and having me appreciate where I live–out of super storm’s reach. Please link to Beth’s post when you respond and use the Lens-Artists tag.
I’ll be challenging you next week, so stay tuned and look for my post. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.
Once upon a time, a grandmother wanted to see the wild mustangs just outside of Reno while she was visiting her kids and grandkids. Her wish came true.
My son, daughter-in-law, grands and I piled in their SUV and began our trek. Our first stop wasn’t to see the horses. We stopped for chocolate. Oh my gosh–yum! We are going back there when I visit next.
On our way to the small town of Genoa, we spotted a horse family. A mare, her colt and the stallion. Here are some of the pictures I captured.
The final image is where they noticed me and decided to trot away. Their herd was nearby.
So grandma’s wish came true. These horses are just beautiful. I’m sure there will be another visit when I return.
We all mellow out in different ways. Many of you have posted music lyrics. Music also relaxes me. One song does come to mind–“Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison of the Beatles. However my favorite rendition is by Richie Havens. Google it. You’ll soon be dancing around, forgetting your cares and mellowing out.
But this is a photo blog, and this week Sofia asks us to mellow out. Here are just a few places I take my camera to relax.
A High Sierra Lake. The still water is calming and I do love the forest.
Trees with their graceful branches are beautiful and welcoming. They are also beautiful when snuggled in fog and looking mysterious.
Driving on a mountain road is relaxing for me. Since I live in a valley, driving these roads, away from suburban traffic, mellows me out. The car was off the road when I took this photo!
And, how about the gracefulness of birds in flight. I sit and wonder what it must be like to soar in the air like that on your own power.
You know how much I love to photograph flowers. Just being able to capture their beauty mellows me out.
And finally, we can’t forget the relaxation brought by an amazing sunset. We have to watch carefully so we don’t miss its natural beauty because the moment is fleeting.
Thanks Sofia, you reminded us of the need to just get away and mellow out however we do. It’s a great practice for our physical and spiritual beings. When you post your response, please remember to link to Sofia’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Ritva opened the wonder of books–another way to relax. Next week Beth is leading her first challenge, so be sure to look for her post.
My macro lens has been sitting in the camera case for a long time. It must have been calling to me because I got the sudden urge to take it to my local Green Acres Nursery. They don’t mind photographers walking around with cameras.
I was there about an hour, taking pictures. I focused on the task, and left relaxed, feeling good and not thinking about what’s happening in the world. Here are some of the beauties I photographed.
I hope these flowers relax you as taking their photos relaxed me. Take care and live in gratitude.
For so many years, books were my window to the world. They took me away from the Bronx tenement where I grew up to many lands and different ways of life. They were my childhood escape. As I grew up and became an adult, my tastes in books changed. Married and with children, I found amazing children’s authors. But I still relied on books to take me to foreign lands. That remained my treasured hobby–until photography and the Lens Artists community.
Now you take me away and teach me about the world. And with photography, I can express myself and show my travels outside of and within the United States.
This week Ritva challenges us with the task of showing what significance books hold for us. Here’s one for this week’s show and tell.
Last December was a choose your own book month in my book club. I chose to re-read “Travels With Charlie” by John Steinbeck. This was a journal of his cross-country trip with his dog Charlie. This re-read showed me what an impact books and certain authors can have on your life. Now I know why I wanted to travel across America in our 5th wheel trailer in 2013. By the way, this was when I began photography and got my first DSLR.
Our 5th wheel and truck. AKA Rocky (the truck) and Bullwinkle (the trailer)
Steinbeck’s words resonated with me even more after re-experiencing his journey. We may not have gone to the same towns or met the same people, but he found the differences in culture and ways of life as we did.
Here is a small sample of the places we stopped.
Siligman, AZThe Petrified Forest NP, AZMemphis, TNMetro Station in Washington D.C.
We didn’t have Charlie, but we had Gem who was 3 years at the time. What an education that trip was. I still hold those memories in my mind and heart. Just see how you can attract people in a Maine campground with California plates on your truck!
Visiting Family in New JerseyNiagara Falls, NYSpringfield, ILRocky Mountain NP, ColoradoDinosaur National Monument, Utah
Our trip came to an end after 3 months and 16,000 miles. I could have continued for another 3 months. There was so much of the U.S. we didn’t see. But, Richard needed to have a torn meniscus repaired. And Gem was missing his big house. He wasn’t a good traveler!
Thank you Ritva for driving home how one book made a difference in my life. When you post about your favorite book(s), remember to link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
Wow, what a week we had. I truly enjoyed your zooms and creativity. Some of you tackled zooming for the first time and others were pros at it. All your posts were great and fun to see. Thanks for participating.
Next is Sofia’s turn to challenge us. So look for her blog post. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.
We are back at the rodeo. This time we are roping cows and tying their legs. We are also riding horses that don’t want to be ridden.
When you’re sitting in the stands, watching the action you are in awe. You are amazed at the skill of the riders, you don’t think about the possible injuries they sustain while riding. You also don’t think about the animals. There’s a reason they don’t want to be ridden.
I’m not sure whether I’ll be back to another rodeo. I also don’t like boxing. I think it’s not right to have two men or women get in a ring just to hit each other.
Okay, off my soap box and on to the action. Here are pictures of one cowboy’s effort to lasso a cow, get it to the ground and tie its feet. I think it’s amazing that he can pick up the cow and get it on its side.
Here’s the bucking bronco event. This is one cowboy’s rough ride.
I’m glad I went to experience a rodeo. Another experience I want is to ride in a hot air balloon. You can be sure if I do, you’ll see a post about it!
Zoom, zoom, zoom! It’s one of my favorite types of photography, and it is fun! Zooming is part of the Intentional Camera Movement family, but instead of moving the camera, you are just moving the lens back and forth. This yields photos of a different kind!
In this technique, you adjust the focal length of a lens to change the magnification of the subject, giving the appearance of moving closer or further away without physically changing the camera’s position. This is achieved using a zoom lens, which has a variable focal length.
Now, this is going to be a do as I say and not as I do challenge. Remember the “Break the Rules” challenge Ritva recently gave us? I break the rules when it comes to zooming.
If you can catch a reflection while zooming, you get an additional WOW!
Use a tripod. I sometimes do use a tripod. That’s how I got the name of the ride clear in this picture while pulling the lens in.
But sometimes a tripod isn’t handy. Just hold the camera as steady as possible while you’re zooming the lens.
You can start with a long exposure photograph and then have more fun experimenting. This was taken during Christmas time, which is a great time to take out that zoom lens and have fun.
If the light is bright, you’ll need to use a polarizing or neutral density filter to stop down the light. Either that or find shade. This image was taken towards evening. I was totally unprepared to do zooming but wanted to try it. I’ll confess that I don’t usually carry a polarizer or ND filter with me each time I go out. These days, I go as light as possible. I do have them though. You’ll also notice there are no daytime photos in this post. Remember do as I say—not as I do!
Additional suggestions:
Photograph at a low ISO—100 or less.
Use a long shutter speed. Start at 1 second and go down from there. You’ll need a long shutter to give you time to move the lens in or out.
Start with an aperture of F/22 and move around from there.
Use manual focus.
The longer the focal length of your zoom lens the better your effect will be. I’ve used 18-55mm and it yielded good results, but the 18-300 was better. My last thought: prime lenses do not zoom!
Your challenge this week is to take your camera and zoom lens out for some zooming. If you don’t have a polarizing or neutral density filter, then go out at night. There are always lights for you to have fun with: streetlights, neon lights, window light displays. This takes practice, so don’t get discouraged. And, there is no right or wrong in Intentional Lens Movement–just good old enjoyment!
When you post, remember to link to this post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I want to see all of your zooms!
I really enjoyed seeing your post on Tina’s challenge, “The First Thing I Thought Of.” And your humor was greatly appreciated. Laughter is good for the soul. It’s amazing how a picture can have different interpretations.
Next week Ritva will be back leading the challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay healthy and live in gratitude!
Slow Shutter Speed 