abstract photography – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 77 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #363: Virtual Scavenger Hunt

How many of you venture out for our weekly photo challenges? Or do you hunt through your archives? Me, I usually rummage through my archives. I will admit, it’s fun, bringing back great memories. And having a reason to do that search is even better. So, this week, I challenge you to a virtual scavenger hunt!

Listed below are 20 options. Do a deep dive into your archives, going back as far as you want to find the items. Some examples are:

Something with wavy lines:

Something with a camera:

Something with a wheel:

Something with a cool shadow:

Something with a smooth texture:

Below are more suggestions. You can choose from those or from what I’ve posted. Please find at least five images but no more than 10, and just one image from each suggestion. This would give you a maximum of 10 images in your post. Part of this challenge is choosing which to post!

Zig zag lines

Something with green eyes

Some cool jewelry

Something circular

Something rectangular

Something with a design

Something with a pattern

Something with a bumpy texture

Something with a soft texture

Something with water in it

A set of keys

Something glass

A zipper

Shoelaces

Art supplies

Now, if you have a deep desire to look for these outside, please do so. You can also mix it up between inside and outside. Just don’t post a picture that doesn’t relate to any of these items. Be creative and bold. Most of all, have fun! Please be sure to link back to my original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I want to check out each and every post to see what you scavenged.

Thanks, Beth, for getting us in a sports mood last week. Next week Ritva will be back so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 65 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #359: Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors and Patterns

It’s amazing how we learn. In past posts I’ve said that I learn by doing and photo composition is no different, but there’s always something new to learn. Now John is giving us a lesson on the use of lines, patterns and color in photography.

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.

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.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 82 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge#350: Zooming

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!

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 64 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #347: Break the Rules

When I started this hobby, I didn’t know there were rules, and it was a good thing. I probably would have walked away from any type of constraint. I just enjoyed taking pictures, composing and learning about my camera.

Ritva’s challenge this week has us finding images where we successfully broke the rules–or maybe unsuccessfully! How many of us keep the images that didn’t work? I throw them out, keeping only the best or the ones I like. Those are my excuses for not finding total rule breaking images in my archives.

I chose 2020 for my search because it was sort of midway in my photographic journey. Here’s what I found.

These poppies are totally centered. You might say I filled the frame, but only because I cropped in too tight.

It’s never a good idea to photograph wildlife from the rear, but look at the way this hawk has it’s head turned.

And should the horizon line be in the center of the frame? Maybe it’s okay when the sky is as fantastic as the ground.

Never shoot into the sun! Unless….

Is zooming breaking the rules? I don’t know. I just have fun with it.

And what about moving the camera while the shutter is open? You might get a scrambled jumble of color.

And finally, I think this was a cactus. I don’t know what I did to get this picture.

I think photographic rules are meant to be broken. I basically understand the rule of thirds and not to place the horizon line in the center of the composition; the rest is a mystery to me. I just compose the picture the way I like it.

Thanks Ritva for this soul searching topic. It really was a difficult challenge–at least for me! When you share your response, please link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Sofia challenged us to post cinematic pictures which was an equally difficult challenge. I enjoyed seeing all your creativity. Next week Egidio will be leading the challenge, so look for his post on Saturday.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 45 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #337: Bold

This week, Sofia is asking us to think BOLD. COLOR! That’s what I think of when I hear bold. I am attracted to bright, deep and bold colors. I’m also attracted to angles when I see them, especially when they are straight, angular and bold. This rooftop fits that bill.

Now let’s get to my favorite subject of color. Here are two samples of what I like.

Next are bold designs.

When it comes to flowers, sometimes less color can bring out the bold, especially in a single floral photograph. This flower just fills the frame with its bold burst.

I love signs, especially when they are meaningful, funny or just eye catching.

I’ll end with colorful wall and window designs at our local Crocker Art Museum.

Thank you Sofia, for brightening my morning. I love this challenge. When you respond to Sofia’s challenge, please link your to her original post and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week Ann-Christine challenged us to post just one meaningful image. I enjoyed seeing and reading your responses. Next up is John to challenge us, so be sure to look for his post.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

If you want to know more about participating in the Lens-Artists, please click here.

Posted on January 25, 2025January 25, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 45 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #333: Complementary Colors

Color, that’s what it’s all about. It’s used to entice us to purchase items. We dress in colors that complement our complexion. And as photographers we always use color even if we process in black and white. This week, Egidio encourages to show us how we use complementary colors in our photography.

Nature gives us color every time we go out, especially complementary colors. First is green. What doesn’t complement green. On the color wheel colors shades of orange, red and purple complement green when you cast a wide net.

But we humans know how to use complementary colors also. From a seat cushion, to fireworks against a golden bridge, to an abstract and to a ship’s interior.

When you see ads, interior spaces or store fronts, think about how they use color. Thanks Egidio for this wonderful and colorful challenge. When you post your response, please link to Egidio’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I enjoyed seeing your responses to Ritva’s post that had us looking down last week. You gave me lots of ideas! Next week Tina is presenting the challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #332: Shoot From Above

When I take my camera out for a walk, I always look for angles, shadows and other leading lines that would make an interesting photo. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to be able to photograph from high looking low. And that’s what Ritva is asking us to do in this week’s challenge: look down.

While I don’t recommend looking down while walking, I do suggest that you stop and look down. What do you see? Sometimes unique opportunities lay at your feet or over a rail. Here are some of mine.

Looking down into a puddle on an asphalt road can lead to abstract opportunities.

Looking down can give a different perspective on a wood platform showing its rough texture, on a bee showing a close up of its eyes and on a flower showing its center blossom.

How about a unique view of a fountain that flows down the stairs.

Talking about stairs. Here are some impressive stairs.

I’ll end with this shot looking down the mid-ship section of a glitzy cruise ship.

This was enjoyable Ritva. One of these photos took me back to before I had a DSLR! When you post your response, please link it to Ritva’s and use the Lens-Artists tag. We don’t want to miss your post.

And a big thank you to all who participated in my resilience challenge of last week. I enjoyed seeing and reading about your resilience. I’m actually still getting responses today. Now that’s resilience!

Egidio is challenging us next week, so be sure to look for his post. In the meantime, happy clicking and stay safe.

Posted on November 28, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 34 Comments

ICM at IKEA

Happy Thanksgiving for all my USA readers. My table is set and the turkey is defrosted, so I have time to prepare this blog.

Last weekend, because it was raining, we went to IKEA, each of us with different intentions. Mine was to practice intentional camera movement (ICM). I thought I could get away with it because of the store’s subdued lighting. And the designs on pillows are excellent ICM subjects. I also used pictures they had on walls.

Here are some images. I’d like some critiques if you have any.

This last one was a curtain. After processing the ICM image, I used a Photoshop distort filter.

Thanks to IKEA for letting us bring our cameras in their store. Have a wonderful day everyone and take care.

Posted on October 19, 2024October 17, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 95 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #321: Intentional Camera Movement

Come along with me on my journey to discover Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). I’ve never really attempted to do this except for the occasional image. So we’re going down that rabbit hole together! Yes, again. You’ve got to love that rabbit. The rabbit hole was found at Bushnell Gardens and Nursery in Granite Bay. Photo buddy Richard came along.

The first tip came from my friend Laura when I photographed my only other ICM. Move your body and not your camera. That way your lines are straight. This was a gate outside the nursery. I bowed before it.

I think for this one, I just wiggled my body. Laura would be proud that I didn’t move the camera. Richard liked my dance. I like the burst of color surrounded by soft greens. I’ve found it’s important to have color in ICM. I think the bright floral color help this image.

Next are four images showing what the plant really was and three more showing various degrees of ICM. The last one being a horizontal move on my part. These pictures were hardly edited. I just cropped and saturated colors. The fun was taking them.

When I stood under a lattice and saw a sum burst, I just had to try ICM. The sunburst came out at as a super white stripe that dominated the image, so I tried to tone it down. Maybe I did too much cover with the brush. But you can see ICM can be done on more than just foliage.

I also wanted to try to do a swirl. So I chose a long shutter speed and bent my body to one side until the shutter closed. I’m happy with the way these turned out. The longer the shutter is open the more swirl and softness you get.

Of course, I had to zoom a bit, moving the lens and not the camera. I forgot to take a good picture, but you can tell what this plant looked like before the zoom.

For my last set, I chose to photograph two trees. One had leaves turning and the other was green. I enjoyed this experiment. I liked how the colors and light added vibrance to the images.

For all these images, I didn’t go lower than a shutter speed of 6. I found that the image lost definition. I also learned that the more light you have, the more difficult it is to photograph ICM. Next time, I’ll bring along a neutral density filter and/or choose a different time of day.

I had a lot of fun preparing for this post, and I hope you do too. Maybe you’ve been out already learning and picking up tips. And maybe you’re a pro at ICM. Whatever the case, please share your thoughts and images. I’m in the learning stage also, and every bit helps.

We all had fun picking images from the past as Sofia had us looking back last week. I enjoyed experiencing all your wonderful memories. When you share your post for this challenge, please link back to mine and use the Lens-Artist tag. In the meantime have fun learning and experimenting with ICM.

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 34 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #316: Destination Fun

We recently went up to Reno for my grandson’s 15th birthday and to see the Ostrich and Camel Races. Half way through the 2 1/2 hour trip, all of you had better sit down for this, I realized I left my camera at home! Can you imagine that?? Since I started photography, I’ve always had my camera with me for events.

In fact, my camera has taken me to many fun places I wouldn’t have gone if I wasn’t looking for an outing. I now realize, thanks to Egidio and his wonderful challenge, that photography has given me the opportunity for fun.

For instance:

The Sacramento Zoo has been a favorite of mine. It’s fun to get to know the animals and watch them through the years. I always check the red panda enclosure to see if they are awake. Being nocturnal, they are usually napping. This one was awake! The cheetahs are a relatively new zoo addition. One day they were grooming each other. What an opportunity.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a natural habitat where deer, coyote, birds and other animals roam free. It’s located on the banks of the American River. The deer are used to humans and remain calm when we photograph them. However, they do have natural predators. Once we saw the remains of a deer carcass.

Not being a true “birder” with a super long lens, I enjoy my yearly visit to what I call the Nesting Trees in Lincoln. The trees sit in a gully in the middle of two shopping centers. The birds, blue herons and egrets, feel safe and build their nests there. Even though I only have a 300mm stretch on my Fujifilm camera and Tamron lens. I do manage to get a few good ones. I’ve also learned to bring a chair!

I do have fun at carnivals. Not riding the rides; but photographing them. I have fun zooming in and out, moving my camera up and down, combining both on a longer shutter speed. The Ferris wheel provided me with a lot of fun times.

Last, you know I like reflections. At the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento, they put a locomotive on mirrors. Did they do that just for me? Here’s one result.

All of these destinations bring me fun each time I visit. But the joy comes from being with my friends for these outings. Photography has brought me wonderful photo buddies and also a great community like LAPC. About leaving my camera home, it must have been an omen. Two days before the races, a fire broke out in Washoe Valley. It looked like they had it contained, but the wind picked up and it changed direction. While we were watching the first ostrich race, my son got an alert to evacuate. Richard and I came home, and my son and family went to stay with his in-laws. It was an intense two days, but the fire didn’t get to their community, and they were able to return home.

Your posts to Ritva’s Common Objects challenge were just the diversion I needed last week. I was amazed at all the different interpretations you had for that challenge. When you respond to Egidio’s Fun challenge, please link back to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag in the reader. Next week Tina will be challenging us, so look for her post.

In the meantime, find the joy in life and have FUN!