You know we use our dogs as an excuse or motivator to exercise. They know it and pretend they want to go for a walk. There’s the reality: they walk us! It was on such a walk that I received a surprise.
I had agreed to walk with Richard and Gem at their new place, Dry Creek Park. They have a new playground and sort of trail. When I go to Dry Creek, I walk along the creek with my camera to practice. This time I knew we weren’t going to the creek, but I need a shot for my 365 challenge so I brought my camera.
Now you’re probably wondering what the surprise was…wildflowers! My dog had this all planned out! So enjoy the walk that Gem took us on!
Slow Shutter Speed, that’s the name of this blog. Why? When I began this passion, I was overwhelmed with all of it. I had a feeling that this was going to be a long journey and thought that name was fitting. Of course now, it has another meaning for me: using slow shutter speed to blur objects, create abstracts and to shoot at night.
I love shooting lights at night, playing with the zoom and blurring the motion of whatever I’m shooting. So, when I heard there was a small carnival at a local mall, I took my camera and tripod down there. I had a blast, especially when people stopped and asked me whether I was from a newspaper or magazine! I’m not ready for that, but it was nice to be asked that question.
Then, a couple of nights later, I went to Old Roseville to shoot the two theaters on Vernon Street. Again, I wanted to capture the marquee and play with the zoom effect.
I’m still learning on “slow shudder speed,” but I feel like I’m not taking snapshots any longer.
The carousel at slow shudder speed. You can still see the horses and the mechanism that runs the carousel.
Same carousel but an even slower shudder speed. Where did the horses go?
A zoom on a slow shudder speed creates an abstract.
This looks like a giant top when shot at slow shudder.
Now add the zoom!
Another zoom effect.
This ferris wheel had lights out in one section. You can see the effect.
Slow the shudder speed down more and you get this.
Even slower and the entire wheel is covered in lights.
Here the lights look even more uniform–slower shudder speed.
I needed to use slow shudder speed to get this night shot crisp.
Old, quaint, touristy, and surviving are just some words to describe Sutter Creek in the California gold country and Amador County wine area. I say surviving because you used to have to go through the town as you drove highway 49. Now there’s a bypass so drivers don’t get bogged down in the town’s traffic.
From the town’s website: A wonderful balance of old and new, today’s Sutter Creek maintains its Gold Rush facade while catering to the wants and needs of visitors from around the world.Shop, dine, slumber, stroll, wine taste, and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of Amador County. Sutter Creek, the jewel of Amador County & the Gold Country, is steeped in history being born of the California Gold Rush and nurtured by the deep rock gold mines of the 19th & 20th centuries.
I wasn’t as impressed with Sutter Creek as I was by Downieville. But then, we were able to buy lunch in this town! Sutter Creek was more commercial, not catering to any season. But it is surviving.
Here are some images.
Looking down the main sidewalk.
An old pump outside a store.
Now what is Kokopelli doing in Sutter Creek?
I liked this building and caught it in between cars.
The side of this building seems to have been painted over many times.
Another building I liked.
This is the first clock I’ve seen on a street that had the correct time.
Wow, I’ve been busy in the present time! I was testing and bought a used macro lens, and I’m looking forward to learning more about macro shooting. However, this post is about Downieville, a historic town. at the confluence of the Downie River and North Fork of the Yuba River. In my last post, I showed you images of the trip up and back, saving the town for today.
Downieville was founded in late 1849 and named after Major William Downie who founded the town. The town soon became a bustling gold rush town and is the county seat of Sierra County. Today it attracts summer tourists with fishing, mountain biking, back country off-road adventures, motorcycling, kayaking, and gold panning.
Of course, we were not there in the “season,” and no restaurant was open! But, the hardware, beauty shop and a few other stores were open. Enjoy the town. Maybe in the future I’ll have some macro images to show you!
The North Fork of the Yuba River is right behind this Inn.
The grocery store.
This person sat on this bench the entire time we were in Downieville.
We were hoping to find food here, but it was closed.
I wonder what’s behind the red doors.
This bell tower was outside the grocery store in a parking lot.
The hardware store.
Still selling fishing tackle.
One of the closed restaurants.
This sign was on its door!
This old cash register was outside the steakhouse.
A house near the edge of town.
I liked the way they stored the bike.
An unfinished mural.
I can’t remember which building this was attached to, but it had cute signs.
It was an adventure back in time. With a population of 282 (the 2010 census) Downieville, the former gold rush town, now caters to summer visitors. However, photo buddies Marlene and Greg, and I were there last week. I can believe that they are a seasonal vacation spot because all the restaurants were closed and set to reopen for the season. I still don’t have any idea when the season starts!
Fortunately, the grocery store was open, had a microwave and allowed me to use it after I purchased a frozen rice dish. The small town hospitality came through. Sure I could have a glass of ice with my bottled diet coke–no extra charge for the cup! As we shot photos on the main drag, people passing knew each other. One of the residents explained that when they want to dine out, they go to the nearest town. It’s a simple life.
I’ll show you pictures of Downieville and give you more history in my next post. In this post, I’ll show you the sights on our way to the town and on the way back. You’ll be transported back in time along the North Fork of the Yuba River.
We stopped at this bridge along the North Fork of the Yuba River.
The Yuba River makes its way over rocks.
You can see the effects of the drought.
Even though the water is low, it is still beautiful.
I wanted to capture this hole.
The small falls near the bridge.
The old Oregon Creek covered bridge.
This bridge is not used any longer and probably won’t be repaired.
Another look inside.
On our way home we stopped at this Post Office. It was closed, but operational.
Is your Post Office a cabin?
Does it have a portch where you can sit.
I just liked this old barrel.
A house near the Post Office.
An old truck we found in the brush.
This truck probably hasn’t been moved in a long time.
I love street photography, but I’d rather it was candid. I know that’s the more difficult way to go, but it tells a better story. Fortunately, it was a weekend and the people were out enjoying the weather and beauty of the UC Davis arboretum. There were families, students, runners, cyclists, and many more. I’ll tell you about each image in the gallery. If I have room, I’ll also put in some odds and ends that I either forgot or didn’t fit into my three categories.
Some street photography!
Woman admiring the Red Bud, taking a cell phone shot.
Woman sketching.
Woman enjoying the serenity along with others relaxing by the creek.
A boy watching the busy ducks.
There were lots of dog walkers.
And dog sitters! This woman actually had two dogs, but this poodle was regal.
Waliking through the arbor.
A street musican entertained us during lunch.
Marlene and Laura stop to talk to a dog owner and pet the dog.
Here we are. From Left, Laura, Me, Marlene. At least I think that’s the order! It was Marlene’s idea for us to do this shot of our shadows.
Romance on the bridge.
Locks on the bridge.
Walking under a cement bridge.
An arch made out of rusted shovels.
A closer look.
At one time or another we have to use the bathroom. This one is tiled on the outside.
I’d like to think that the arboretum put on a fancy dress just for Laura, Marlene and me when we visited last week. However, I think we were lucky to catch the area in its glory. Spring had come, and beauty was everywhere, wildlife was out and people were strolling along the creek.
In my last post I explained that the arboretum is a 100 acre park that borders Putah Creek. About 17 gardens have been planted along the creek, giving variety to the eye and much to shoot for photographers. I also promised a three-part post with the second showing the arboretum’s landscape and the third–the people.
In this post, I’m showing you the landscape as seen through my eyes. I’m not going to caption these images since there are a lot of them. So, enjoy the beautiful creek, trees and shrubs. After all they dressed up just for us!
When you’re in or near Sacramento, California, you’ve got to visit the UC Davis Arboretum. Laura, Marlene and I walked the approximate 5 – 6 miles around the area, stopping for lunch. Even though I carried my cameras on a two-camera sling and everything else in a photo vest, my back was protesting during the last third of the trip.
The arboretum is a 100 acre park that borders Putah Creek. About 17 gardens have been planted along the creek, giving variety to the eye and much to shoot for photographers. I don’t know whether I’m just getting better at my craft or whether the gardens were beautiful even though it wasn’t spring yet; but, I do have a lot of photos to show you. So I’ll do it in three parts. Tonight I’ll show you the wildlife, next the landscape and finish up with the people.
The arboretum wildlife consists of birds, turtles and water fowl. And, they were pleantiful when we were there, especially the egrets. I’ve always seen one or two at the arboretum, but there were more that Sunday. No more words–here are the images.
I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with my friend Sharon from Los Angeles before she went on to San Francisco last week. I picked her up at the airport after my Toastmasters meeting, we went to lunch and then headed to Old Sacramento. Now I would never had pulled out a camera before the 365 day challenge, but I did. After feeding the parking meter, I explained the 365 challenge to her. Not only was she okay with it, she was pointing out interesting things to me.
Old Sacramento is an area, located on the Sacramento River, containing quaint shops, old architecture, a train station, a few museums (most notably the Railroad Museum).
I enjoyed that day with Sharon, not only catching up with her, but realizing that I will probably pull my camera out from now on–365 challenge or not.
This challenge is amazing. I’m learning more than I thought I would and also found the support of a long-time friend.
The clouds were beautiful.
Horse carriages are normal in Old Sacramento.
This train created some nice lines.
You can shop, walk and relax at Old Sacramento.
A view of the Tower Bridge and West Sacramento.
The paddle wheel on the Delta King, a hotel and restaurant ship.
Of course, this is a lock!
Rope holding a boat to the dock.
A small visitor scurries under the rope after I almost stepped on it.
Another view of West Sacramento.
Someone left these old boots on the wood walk way.
Slow Shutter Speed 