Posted on by Anne Sandler · 41 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #362: Sports, Sporting Events and Fun Games

Another confession, which I seem to do often with LAPC, I’m not good at sports and never have been. Pro sports has become a business. Players are traded back and forth. Teams move. Fans have to pay big bucks to attend games. Have you guessed that I don’t enjoy pro sports. Beth wants us to dig into our archives for sporting events. So let’s look at everyday sports that us common folk enjoy.

Take ice skating for instance. I don’t skate (Remember I’m not good at sports!) but I do enjoy watching families on a skating rink. Young skaters have barrels to help them balance. The first two photos were taken at the Charles Schulz Museum and the third at the Folsom Ice Rink that they put up each winter.

How about a community kite flying event? I totally enjoyed watching children and their parents fly their kites at the Natomas Kite Festival.

Have you ever been on a horse? I got up on one once and got off quickly. They are big animals! We have several local parks where riders can ride on paths. I was getting fancy with the second image taken as a rider was riding around a ring.

I see a lot of people fishing at our neighboring lakes and at our rivers. These were taken at Mather Lake. Father is giving son some instruction.

Bowling is a sport I used to do about 48 years ago. I bowled on the PTA league. My average was low and handicap high. When I bowled a great game, that handicap put us over. Here we have a birthday celebration. Did you know breakdancing is a sport, making it into the Olympics in 2020! Maybe this dancer should try out.

Let’s end with a rodeo. This was my first rodeo. I wondered why the riders would do this to their bodies. I hope there was a chiropractor handy.

I think photography is a sport since it gets me moving, gets me thinking, and gets me preparing these posts for LAPC! What do you think? Thanks Beth for helping me realize that watching sports is an important part of my photography experience. When you post your response, be sure to link to Beth’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week, thanks to Sofia’s challenge, we saw all sorts of doors from rustic to fancy. We also saw unique door knockers and knobs. I’ll be presenting the challenge next week so get ready for something different! Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 41 Comments

A Horse Tale: Washoe County, Nevada

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.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 94 Comments

LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE#344: ABANDONED

Being alone, lost, forgotten feels like abandonment. Can we project our human feelings onto inanimate things? With a little imagination, we can. How many times have you passed an old rundown house and wondered about the people who lived there? Or passed an old barn on the roadside and let your imagination run wild?

For instance, old farm equipment always has me picturing a farmer riding a tractor through a field or a horse drawn plow left by the wayside when a motorized version came along. They were abandoned for the sake of progress.

When things are of no use anymore, they are carelessly left to fall apart like these two old boats that are beached and never to enter the water again.

Homes, once a place of joy and laughter now sit alone in decay. What games did children play in their yards? How many families occupied the dwellings?

Old vehicles left to decay in covered structures and an old theater that had to be vacated because multiplex cinemas took over.

And our animal shelters are full of animals left by their owners. Or feral like these little kittens abandoned at Knight’s Landing, and who were being fed by a caring individual.

And last our current homeless problem. Have we abandoned their needs for a bed to sleep in?

Your challenge is to tell and show us your thoughts on abandonment. I hope I’ve given you some ideas to get you started. I love old rundown things, especially when they are rusty. But when I got to thinking about what they would say if they could talk, it brought me to a solemn place. Where will it bring you?

I’m looking forward to seeing how you feel about being abandoned. I like people too much to enjoy being alone. When you respond, please link back to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag—anything that helps me find your post!

Last week, thanks to Ann-Christine, we shared the fun of our last outings. I enjoyed seeing the varied places you visited. Next week look for John’s post because he will be leading our challenge.

Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 40 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #334: Cats and Dogs

It’s funny that Tina should have us talking about cats and dogs, because it’s raining here right now and at times you’d think it was raining cats and dogs!

Did you have a dog when you were growing up? I didn’t! And we spent the first 7 years of our marriage without a pet. To be honest, we moved nine times in those 7 years–not conducive to having a pet. But when we bought our first house, we adopted our first dog. We’ve had one ever since. Most were adopted; two were purchased.

You’ve probably guessed that we are partial to dogs. They listen better, don’t jump on food prep counters, etc. Mostly they give back love and allegiance. Unfortunately, I didn’t start photography until we got our latest family member, Gem our Schnoodle. He’s 20 pounds of stubborn joy. Here he is as a young dog. I made the mistake of using him as a model while I was doing the 365 challenge. Now he leaves the room when I take out a camera!

He’s now 14 1/2, has a heart condition, and we are doing the best we can for him. He’s even more stubborn in his old age, wanting his daily walk and treats. I have a stroller for him when he tires.

Here are some other dogs I’ve come across during my photo outings.

And there’s always a dog at Chalk It Up!

Now on to the feline subjects of Tina’s challenge. In the past years, I’ve softened my stance on cats, but not enough to own one; or have one own me! Here are some I’ve met.

Then there are the residents of Dead Cat Alley in Woodland, Ca. Well worn ceramic statues adorn a three-blook alley.

And finally at Chalk It Up, I found one of our favorite cat characters.

We’ve come to a difficult decision to not get another dog after Gem passes. At our ages, we wouldn’t get a puppy because we don’t want to leave a dog behind and caring for another senior dog is also something we don’t look forward to. I’m hoping Gem will make it to his 15th birthday. In the meantime, it’s love, love, love!

I enjoyed all the colorful posts last week. Egidio’s challenge put us in a wonderful and complimentary world. I also look forward to seeing your dogs and cats. When you respond, please link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Until next week, live in gratitude and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 42 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #329: Last Chance

I never look forward to last chances. Maybe it’s my age. But, here we are picking photos that didn’t fit into this year’s challenges. I’m just going to reframe this post into Another Chance. Yes, I feel better now.

Here are my photos that didn’t make it into this year’s challenges and the memories that go along with them.

This first one was taken at a Scandinavian Festival in Sacramento. I had high hopes for journalistic photos, but there was hardly any opportunity. It was mostly crafters’ tables. This singer and great food made up for it.

My next was taken in an alley in Woodland Ca. called Dead Cat Alley. This is a three block alley with cat sculptures on the roof tops. This stretch of alley way was recognized in 1853 and officially named in 1962. The sculptures are old and worn. Here’s one.

You never know what you’ll find when you visit Old Sacramento. This man was sleeping just outside the main area of the train depot. I love photo journalism and seldom find an opportunity like this one.

Roseville is home to a fairly large train yard. But, stay off the tracks! There’s a story behind that statement!

I do like to photograph buildings. In one such quest, I found this great reflection.

Lastly, we have many small towns in neighboring Amador County. Sutter Creek is rich in history and its store owners use whatever old things they can. I think the sign may be original, but put on a newer bench.

There, you have my images that were given another chance. I’m looking forward to seeing yours. I enjoyed seeing all your winter photos in response to John’s challenge last week.

The LAPC team will be taking a break for the remainder of the year. We will return on January 4 with our traditional Favorite Photos of the year challenge. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the holidays

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 46 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #298: To Be Young Again

What would life be like for us if we were young again? I’m not sure I’d want to be young in this crazy, unstable world of ours. But when I see the world through a child’s face and it’s joy and innocence, I’m hopeful. Tina’s challenge is for us to be young again through children, human and animal, we have photographed.

I’m hesitant to photograph children I don’t know, and usually ask a parent for permission. However, sometimes there’s no way to ask. As in this photo. A child strapped in on a high swing having a great time. What joy.

I did ask for permission when I saw this gorgeous red hair. The girl turned around as her mother said yes and gave me a big smile. I bet I wasn’t the first person with a camera to ask permission.

Parades are very public and a great place to photograph participants.

Even the kids were enjoying this pirate festival.

And now for a diva in the making.

Being a zoo member, I’ve seen many animal moms have babies (not literally). They are precious. Here are some.

Baby flamingo making a first appearance.
They were kept inside until old enough to meet the public.
Wolf’s Guenon. Mom and baby.
Wolf’s Guenon Baby.
Mom and baby giraffe.

More animals: Swans and cygnets; Geese and goslings.

There’s a certain joy when you are in the company of children–human or animal. For me there’s three levels of childhood flooding my memories: my childhood, my children and my grandchildren. And let’s not forget the puppies that have brought joy into our household. Yes, we seniors have wonderful memories bringing us joy. Thank you Tina for challenging us with this wonderful topic. When you post your youthful images, please link to Tina’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week Egidio had us all listening to and singing our favorite tunes. I enjoyed reading about and listening to your selections. Next week Patti is challenging us, so be sure to look for her post.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 43 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #292: People, Here, There & Everywhere

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!

I was as shy then as I am now. But, I did manage to get some pictures, candid and with permission, of people. Tina requested that we post pictures of people we’ve captured. So travel back with me to 2016 and see what stories I found.

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.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #263: Faces in a Crowd

If you want to see into a person’s soul, just look at their face. One of my photographic goals is to do just that. Candid images capture their story. Once you ask a person if you can take their picture, you tend to lose the story.

For John’s challenge this week, I wish I had more candid faces, but he did open the challenge to include more avenues. And I’m taking full advantage of his generosity. I went way back into my archives to find images I may not have posted before. They were taken at various places, so here goes.

The first two faces were taken at the Crocker Museum in Sacramento. They’ve been there a long time so they must be on permanent display. I picked them because they are so different. I’m assuming the one on the left is a face, and why is the guy on the right sticking his tongue out?

These two are from a Highland Games fair we went to. It was fun to see the costumes and see the participants in the actual games.

Next is a tribute to my friend Greg Morris who passed away in 2015. He was a fun guy who enjoyed taking funny selfies. The first photo is from an outing to Locke, Calif. there was a wooden form of the Mona Lisa with a hole for a face. Greg didn’t hesitate. The second was taken a year later at Bodega Bay where we held a memorial for him. Pictured are some of the photographers there to honor him.

Speaking of photo buddies, here are two taken at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, Calif. We wore those hats while on our tour. Marlene is on the left and Linda is on the right. It was an interesting tour, but we went kind of crazy tasting and buying the jelly beans afterwards. They are so yummy!

Every year, Sacramento hosts Wide Open Walls, a mural festival. There is no shortage of faces. We drive around the city each year to capture the new art.

Last, let’s go to the Sacramento Zoo. You know I love that place. Once you get to know the animals, they are fun to watch and photograph. We were fortunate to be there at the right time to catch a tutorial on birds. A keeper had brought out a parrot for us to get a close, not behind the thick bars of the cage, look. The next image is of a giraffe and her calf. I think the baby is Rocket, who at two years was sent to another zoo.

So there you have it, faces maybe not in a crowd, but tell a story just the same. When you respond to John’s post remember to link to his original challenge and to use the Lens-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing all your framing responses to Amy’s challenge last week. There were a lot of different natural and man-made frames that gave me ideas to work on. Next week Sofia will be presenting the challenge next week, so be sure to look for her post.

If you’d like to participate but aren’t sure how to get started, click here.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 34 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #234: Messages

For her first challenge as an LAPC Team member, Donna Holland of Wind Kisses has chosen the topic of Messages. I am challenged with this challenge!! When I photograph and later look at my images my messages are in the form of feelings. So I’m hoping my feelings will turn into messages for you.

My first visit is to the Sacramento Historical City Cemetery. This is a very old cemetery, full of history and simply beautiful. When I bring my camera to this cemetery, I’m overwhelmed with sadness and peace. There are family plots containing large and beautifully engraved monuments and/ or statues, and then there is the simple statement of great loss like this one grave marker. I guess the message is to live your life in gratitude.

The cemetery’s beauty is given to us by wonderful volunteers who plant flowers to bring joy for those of us who visit. There are roses, poppies, bushes and other beautiful florals. This rose had a guest and I just couldn’t resist taking its picture. The feeling is joy and the message might be any shelter is a good shelter!

On the topic of flowers, sunflowers always help me smile and feel great. I guess the message I get is “Don’t worry be happy!”

Typically, after we photograph our sunflowers, we go over to Mezger Zinnia patch in Woodland where the family plants flowers each year and encourages people to pick them and give them to someone who cannot come and pick the flowers themselves. They even provide vases. Typically, people will pick two bouquets; one for themselves and another for someone else. What does charity feel like. To me it feels like hope. The message I think is that people do care about each other.

Keeping with the yearly theme, Wide Open Walls happens once a year in Sacramento. In 2020 we found a very special mural dedicated to Ruth Bader Ginsberg shortly after her death. This mural symbolizes her determination to do the right thing while she sat on the Supreme Court. Seeing this mural filled me with pride as a woman. I guess the message is “Yes you can!”

Another image of determination is from the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Each year salmon swim upstream to lay their eggs. Following their instincts, they do this facing certain death. I’m amazed at nature’s plan for survival. I would call that courage. I’m not sure what message it sends except that you need to do what your instincts tell you to do.

I’ll close with an image from the annual Chalk It Up Festival in Sacramento. Artists from all over gather and create their art with chalk. This art is beautiful, but it can’t last long. After the weekend festival, people will walk on it and sprinklers will spray water on their beauty. Why do the artists put all that effort into it? Do they get pleasure from seeing the enjoyment people get from their effort. I feel grateful that I get a chance to see their art. Maybe the message is to create joy for others.

Thanks Donna for this soul searching topic. At least it was for me. When you post your messages, be sure to link to Donna’s wonderful post. I know she, and the entire team, will want to see all your replies. Oh, be sure to use the Lens Artists tag. Next week it’s Patti’s turn to challenge us and she’s giving us a hint on her theme: Shadows & Reflections in Monochrome.  

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 10 Comments

Street Photography?: The Fountains

I love street photography, but I’m finding out that I lack patience and I’m too timid to take some candid shots. If you ask them if you can take their picture, then they pose. Marlene and I went to The Fountains, an outdoor shopping center in Roseville, recently to do street photography. One, the stores were just opening and there weren’t many people. Two, At its best, this center is a leisurely shopping center–not bustling.

Any way, I was able to get some window cleaners on the job.

Watch out the elk is coming for you!

This is the fountain in the middle of the shopping center. At a peak shopping time, people usually sit around with their children or cell phones! At prime time, It’s jets propel water synchronized to music. Of course we were too early for that.

I did have some fun with chairs. First are the chairs as the were and second are the chairs with a Photoshop twirl filter. Which do you like better?

I took some other fun photos.

Photographing through a window.
Chair shadows.
Table close-up.
Part of the kids splash zone.
An interesting chandelier in a shoe store.

I tried to photograph this guy through a fire enclosure, but he saw me and offered to have me take his picture. Marlene and I talked with him and found out that he has terminal cancer. Marlene offered to take his picture with his cell phone, and he allowed it.

So this was my try at street photography. Not that successful, but I had a good time. Next time we’ll have to go into Sacramento City, on a Sunday so we can park, later in the day, find a busy area and wait for people to walk by. Oh, yes, I’ll find some patience too.