enjoying photography – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #400: The Rule of Three

When you are about to take a photo, do you think of yourself as a designer of your photographic masterpiece? This week, Tina introduces us to a designers stand by, The Rule of Three. Having worked with a graphic designer for 20 years, I learned quickly about odd numbers adding flow and interest to a piece.

I use this rule when I compose an image in camera. Like these three trees.

This doesn’t happen on a conscious level, but instinctively. It happens at the zoo when there’s more than one animal to photograph. Or when on an outing and photographing wildlife.

Oh my, I even caught the Rule in a building reflection showing three other buildings.

Someone understood this rule when they placed these shells on a pier. They really bring your attention the the texture of the wood.

These three sculptures, “The last Conversation,” are part of five (two not pictured) by Juan Muñoz, taken at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s the three I took or the entire sculpture of 5, the sculptor understood the Rule of Three or having an odd number.

Now, I hope Tina doesn’t mind me cheating a bit. I’m claiming the Rule because I’m treating the sculpture as one and my photo buddies as the other two.

The more you think of the Rule, the more instinctive it will become. Thanks Tina for introducing us to this important guide. When you post your reply, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We had a great time last week with Egidio’s challenge of being stuck in place. Patti will be challenging us next week. So stay tuned. Whether you’re stuck in place or wandering remember be a little odd in your photo composition.

Stay healthy and be resilient!

Posted on May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 34 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge # :Choose a Color

When you’re drawn to color like I am, you can make serious shopping mistakes with impulse buys! This week Ritva’s post is all about color, its meaning and its importance. I love red, and when I see red, I automatically try to figure out where I can use the item. More than not, I don’t need it. The older I get, the more level headed I am and can leave the item behind.

When we were young marrieds, my husband drag raced a red Pontiac with cheater slick tires. It became my car. I cannot tell you how many police followed me on the freeway until they realized I was a woman. Then they left me alone. Here’s a somewhat red car with a beautiful reflection.

I guess I like deep colors like red because my skin is pale and pastels just make me look like a ghost. I went to our new friend AI to find out what red symbolizes:

Passion: Red often represents strong emotions like love and desire.
Danger: It is commonly used to signal warning or alertness.
Energy: Red is associated with vitality and enthusiasm.
Power: The color conveys strength and authority.
Courage: Red symbolizes bravery and determination.
Action: It encourages movement and urgency in various contexts.

Is that me? I’m not sure. I’m passionate about photography. But, I don’t go looking for danger. I used to have a lot of energy. I’ve never been power hungry. I do have courage. In an emergency, I do take action.

Let’s look at some more images. If I have a choice, I’ll sit under a red umbrella. I think I should have bought those cups, but I restrained myself. Japanese gardens always include red. While red is a stimulating color, this bridge calms me down. Just walking across it creates serenity.

You know I love flowers. I could have filled this post with flowers, but we are limited. Here are two: a tulip and rose.

Now that Ritva has me in a red mood, I just might go shopping. One more red blouse or a red doodad won’t hurt. But I really don’t need them. What to do?? Maybe I need to end this post and busy myself with some other color. I do like blue, purple, and green!

Talking about color, your textures last week showed beautiful colors of rust, wood and florals. Thank you for participating. When you post your colors, please link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag. Next week Egidio will challenge us, so look for his post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on April 26, 2026April 29, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 47 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #395: Looking Back #155, On the Water

Find LAPC post #155! I’ll be honest, it took a while for me to find this particular post as requested by Beth; but, it was fun. I took you all around the San Francisco Bay Area and into the Gold Country–from ocean to river. This time, as we look back, I found some fountains. So let’s take the plunge!

We have a Roseville shopping center called The Fountains, but there is only one fountain. But, it does put on a spectacular show. Here, I caught the water in slow shutter speed, regular and through a crystal ball.

We jump from a fountain to water features. Look at the captions for a brief explanation of each.

**Water shoots up in a small fountain.**

Water also shows up in drops. They can be dropping from a faucet or riding on a pond leaf.

There’s also danger at a zoo pond.

Summers can get hot in the Sacramento Valley. Many cities have fun water parks for the kids. This young man is cooling off in a Roseville water feature.

As I’m writing this, we are expecting water to fall from the sky. Yes, rain and more rain. Even with all the rain we’ve received this year, they say our snow pack is below the “breathe easy” level. We shouldn’t have to be careful with water usage here in Northern California, but I’m not sure about Southern California.

That does it for this week. Be sure to link to Beth’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag when you respond. Did you enjoy the many history lessons from last weeks challenge given by John? I enjoyed them all. Next week Ann-Christine will be leading the challenge. Be sure to look for her post.

Until then, be safe and resilient!

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 35 Comments

Flower therapy: McKinley Rose Garden

Who could resist the beautiful rose blooms at the McKinley Rose Garden in Midtown Sacramento. It was peak time and just perfect for photography. A couple of weeks ago two of my photo buddies and I went down and this is just some of what I captured through my lens.

Of course, there were more. But I pick my roses carefully. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who help make mornings like this possible. We photographers appreciate you!

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #386: Mastering the Power of Juxaposition

Like the “Little Engine That Could” I thought I’ll never find photos for this challenge. But when I re-read Patti’s post, I started thinking, “I Think I Can!”

So, I started searching and found some. Here’s what I found.

A very much alive window washer next to a store window mannequin. Taken at a local shopping center just before the stores opened. There are also a lot of reflections.

The Washington Monument towers above the tree line at the Capital Mall in Washington DC. This was taken just before President Obama’s inauguration and from a car window.

The shadow of a window appearing much larger than the actual window. Taken in downtown Sacramento.

Shadows reflecting on various parts of a wall at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, CA (UC Davis campus). I love the different walls and how the shadow reflects on them.

A sculpture of a small girl standing on a TALLish building, inviting you to be persistent.

Here we have the juxtaposition of color, style and placement of the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, This museum caters to grade-school children. SMUD is our Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District.

Thanks Patti for teaching me that when I “think I can,” I can! It was fun. Please remember to link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag when you respond. We certainly had a “cropping” good time last week when Ritva gave us the encouragement to crop away! John is presenting our next challenge, so look for his post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 31 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge#383:Looking Back to 174 — Shapes and Designs

What catches your eye and makes you stop, gaze and press that shutter button? Tina has it right–shape and design. In this week’s challenge, she asks us to post images that showcase shapes and designs taken during our photographic journey. This is the first of the “Looking Back” series. See her full post here.

I’m glad to have the opportunity to post on this challenge since I hadn’t discovered the LAPC community until much later. I’m always on the lookout for shapes when I’m out with my camera whether it’s a graceful tree branch, a lazy river or building. Here are some of my finds.

I might be drawn to circles.

Designs

**Part of a mural in Downtown Sacramento**

Shapes

As the elephant doorknob shows, we also look for the unusual. Thanks Tina for helping us realize how we choose subjects to photograph. When you respond to her post, please link back to hers and use the Lens-Artist tag.

I totally enjoyed your rejects last week. I’m left wondering why they were rejected! Next week Beth will be challenging us so look for her post. In the meantime stay safe and be resilient!

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 17, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 29 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #351: Looking Back to #20 – Doors

We can look at doors physically; when open, we walk out or in. But there are also emotional doors that can free us or hold us prisoner. Photography, in itself, is a door for us photographers. With camera in hand, we walk out to new and old discoveries and away from reality for a while. This week Sofia is encouraging us to share our door images. Let’s see what doors I’ve come up with.

I visit many small towns primarily in the Gold Country area. Doors range from rustic to cut glass modern.

Gates can be classified as doorways. They also swing in and out! Well, except for the gate at Folsom Prison–it swings only in! And I zoomed way in to get this picture. We couldn’t go beyond a certain point. Oh, and I did a lot of cropping too!

**Main Gate to Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento**

Here are some images that are singular in their category. They are captioned.

Let’s end this post with some unique door knobs.

What a fun challenge this was. Thanks Sofia. Be sure to link your response to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we enjoyed the sights and sounds of your trips to fairs and markets. Some were unusual and colorful. Next week Beth will be challenging us, so look for her post.

In the meantime stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on July 4, 2025July 4, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Short visit to the Sacramento Zoo

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!

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 48 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #340: Portraits

When I’m asked what type of photography do I do, I always answer “Pretty much anything except for portraits.” Then I qualify that statement by saying, “I do environmental portraits, meaning while I’m out and about I’ll take photos of people.” I don’t have the mind for or inclination to set up lights, etc.

So when Ritva set this portrait challenge–yikes! I decided to show you my photojournalism images.

I write a monthly personality profile article for my community’s newsletter. It’s fun and I get to meet people. They don’t mind being interviewed but they do mind having their picture taken. Of course it’s just a mug shot taken outdoors. That’s my expertise level!

Let me know if I’m capturing a little bit of their personality.

Next, I enjoy capturing candid environmental portraits. It’s not easy, and when I get caught, I ask if I can take their picture. Most of the time, they agree; sometimes not. These two gentlemen had no idea I was taking their pictures. But I think they tell their stories.

Now for some fun. My photo buddy Greg, who passed away, had a great sense of humor and posed for me in a Mona Lisa cut out. If anyone can tell me how I photographed three eyes in this alpaca, please let me know! When I brought it into Lightroom, this is what I found.

My last portrait is one that is special to me. It is one I took at my granddaughter’s wedding. It was the only wedding I photographed and the last. I admire all you wedding photographers out there. They were married on the Delta King paddle wheel boat. I was stymied because the management didn’t open the part of the boat facing the river. Anyway, this is my favorite because you can see the love they have for each other.

That’s the extent of my portrait taking. Thanks Ritva for this challenge that helped stretch my thoughts on taking people pictures. When you post your response, please link to Ritva’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I enjoyed seeing how all of your personal life changes affected your journeys. I thank you for sharing your challenges, dreams and accomplishments with us. Tina will present the next challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude!