Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #402: Looking Back at Wonder

My camera! No, it’s not a wonder, but it brings me to amazing wonders. This week Sofia has us looking at the moments, places, people that we treasure and cause us to wonder.

I live in a place that brings me and my camera to many wonderous places–rivers, lakes, mountains and parks. Let’s take a look.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers, especially macros and close ups. Whether in a nursery, garden or sunflower field, I love the challenge macro photography brings. It gives me something else to concentrate on, shoving the world out. I become relaxed and happy.

Landscapes are nature’s way of humbling us. Just look at the beauty waiting for us to capture with our cameras–especially sunsets.

Wildlife especially birds are amazing to watch. They are free to go anywhere and mostly travel with friends. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Animals are also wonderous, and zoos invite us to visit many that we normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to see–like this beautiful or handsome Okapi. It’s wondering why I’m pointing that black thing at its rear. Who could resist that beautiful pattern!

And then there’s the funky or maybe artistic photographs that we take for fun and later wonder why to took them!

These are my moments of wonder. Thanks Sofia for this fun challenge. When you post your response please link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, Patti had us concentrating on our compositional abilities. I enjoyed seeing your many wonderous compositions. Next week John will be leading the challenge. Until then enjoy good health and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

Macro Mania: Green Acres

It’s been a long time since I put my macro lens on my camera and took it out for a walk. Last week my photo buddies and I visited Green Acres Nursery in Citrus Heights, Calif. Richard had a cell phone, Ray had a bridge camera and I had my XT3.

Here’s some of what I captured.

I am so grateful to Green Acres for allowing us to come and photograph their beautiful flowers. We do sometimes purchase flowers and other items. It just relaxes me to wander through the rows of florals with my camera, and, of course, lunch always follows!

Posted on 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 by Anne Sandler · 27 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #387: Shadowed

It’s shadow play this week! I remember playing with shadows as a kid, and we still do–with our cameras. This week John is encouraging us to show shadows affect our photos. I’m going to dive right in.

I’m always looking for shadows when I photograph flowers and leaves. They add dimension and interest to the subject. It’s almost like seeing a flower within a flower or leaf within a leaf. Shadows also accent the folds and lines in the subjects.

Next are shadows captured during museum visits. Here are two different sculptures. The first was at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento and the second at the, unfortunately, now closed Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, (Not to get political.) I liked how the lighting created two shadows in the first picture. And somehow the shadow of the photographer shadow bombed the second! I remember thinking the lighting on the sculpture was fantastic.

Sometimes shadows make photographing the beautiful Sacramento murals difficult. Or do tree branch shadows add a mysterious dimension?

Sometimes shadows make a ramp more interesting, accenting lines, and an old window look more mysterious.

Finally a shadow can culminate the end of a fun photo outing with a good friend.

Thanks John for encouraging my shadow play. When you respond to his challenge please remember to link to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we had fun with Patti’s juxtaposition challenge. I totally enjoyed seeing your responses. Next week Ann-Christine will be leading our challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #379: Favorites of 2025

Three days ago we said good bye to 2025. I said it happily. Yes, sometimes a year isn’t a spectacular one. But, I did find some favorites and I’ll tell you why I chose them. To celebrate, the entire Lens-Artist team is hosting. Have fun!

My longest lens is 300mm. Even with the extra length a crop sensor camera gives, it is still limiting. So when I can catch birds, I’m happy. My first picture is of a sandhill crane. Fortunately, it was in a pool of water closer to the road. Usually they are too far away for me to get a good picture.

Next is a swan trying to sleep if only the photographer would let it.

Finally we have an egret coming down into the nest carrying a twig.

My next picture shows us how creative we can get. I love to people watch when I’m in Old Sacramento.

My first, and maybe only, rodeo shows the punishment on both the humans and animals. Why?

While visiting my Reno family, my son took me to see the wild horses. I saw this mare and colt just after he was born.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers.

I love the zoo animals, especially the giraffes. This is mom looking after her young one.

These are some of my favorites. It was a difficult task to pick out just a few from a whole year. My back injury has prevented me from processing pictures from my cruise through the Panama Canal, and right now it is telling me it’s time to visit the couch!

What wonderful last chance photos you all posted two weeks ago. It’s great to be given a last chance! I look forward to seeing your 2025 favorites. I’ll be leading the challenge next week. How exciting, a new year and a new challenge! Stay tuned. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 35 Comments

Macro Therapy: Green Acres Nursery

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.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 56 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #348: Serenity

Serenity can be found in a crowd with yelling people, horses and riders. Yes, this weekend we went to a rodeo while visiting friends. I had fun experiencing a rodeo for the first time and trying to capture the events with my camera. With my attention captured, I was calm and serene. But, that’s not the only way to capture serenity. This week Egidio suggests that we show where we go to be serene.

I like landscapes with beautiful skies; and, I like to see people enjoying the same scene I do. The next two images show people enjoying flowers, one at the ocean and the other in the forest. Both are calming and wonderful.

Skies can help a landscape become serene. Whether at the ocean or in the country, a good sky can create a calming atmosphere. Water is always calming. Whether I’m at a lake or ocean I’m entranced by water. Our country outings always have a calming effect especially when the scene is simple and beautiful.

We can also find serenity viewing public art. Our yearly Chalk It Up and many murals about downtown Sacramento leave me in awe and serene. A mural of a mother and child embracing sends me to a calm quiet place–not that raising kids is always calm! A mural of a swan and heart reminds me of how graceful swans are as they glide through the water.

Last, there’s nothing more serene than a beautiful sunset. I sometimes sit and wonder how nature can paint these beautiful pictures.

After seeing these images, you’re probably wondering how I can find serenity at a rodeo. I just got immersed in the activity. Mind and body relaxed. Isn’t that what serenity is all about? Thanks Egidio for sending us to serene places this week. I’ll catch up with all your posts and look for more. When you do post, please link to Egidio’s original post and tag Lens-Artists. Next week Tina is challenging us.

If you’re wondering about my Rodeo pictures, they are still in the camera. You’ll see them someday. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 55 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #345: My Go To Places

John wants to know where I go to relax and rejuvenate. At first I didn’t know since I don’t have a designated place that calms me down. I gave it a lot of thought while I was editing photos, and then it came to me. My go to place is anywhere my camera takes me!

Yes, I can be upset, not feeling well, tired, etc.; but when I’m holding my camera, I have energy, I’m happy and not weary. The upsetting world drifts away, and I’m absorbed in a sunflower field, beautiful countryside, rivers, wildlife, buildings or anything that attracts my photographic eye.

Along a Mountain Road
Ironside Winery
Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Parks
McKinley Rose Garden
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Old Sacramento Railroad Depot
Sunflower Field

At least one photo outing gets me through the week. Thank you John for helping me realize how important this photo hobby is to my physical and mental being. It’s definitely good for my soul. When you post your response, please link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

What a week this amazing photo community gave me in your responses to “abandoned.” They were varied, heart felt and amazing. Thank you everyone. Sophia is presenting next week’s challenge, so be sure to look for her post a week from now. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 42 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #343: Seen on my Last Outing

I’m twisting again! My last outing has to be this morning’s outing because I’ve already posted on the zoo–my real last outing. Gosh, this is getting confusing.

Anyway, it’s tulip time so I went off to Jensen Botanical Garden, in Fair Oaks, to photograph their small tulip patch. This park is close to my home, and a much easier ride than driving to Grass Valley to photograph the tulips at Ananda Village.

You never know what you’ll come across when you go to a public park–like these girls being photographed. I asked what the occasion was and was told they were just having fun.

Then I came across another group taking pictures. This time I didn’t ask what they were doing. I didn’t want to intrude because the picture taking looked formal. However, I was spotted with my camera aimed and ready, and I received a nice smile. I also stopped to photograph a mother and child. The mother saw what I was doing and gave me a smile of approval.

So that’s what I did this morning. What an amazing morning! Tulips and more!

Thanks Ann-Christine for this fun and easy challenge. Last week Egidio had us running wild. There were many ideas for WILD! I enjoyed them all. Next week, I’ll be leading the challenge, so remember to look for my post. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #334: Exploring Color vs Black and White

This is a dilemma we all face–color or black and white (AKA Monochrome). Patti suggests, for this challenge, that we show a maximum of three images processed in both color and black and white.

When I compose a photograph, I don’t think color or black and white. That time comes during processing. Since I mainly use Lightroom, if I think there’s enough contrast, I will use the black and white button in LR just to see what it would look like. If I like it, then I process the image using LR and Silver Efex.

I photographed this water lily and wondered what it would look like in B&W. I liked the drama that was created and finished processing in Silver Efex. Do you think the contrast in the leaves makes up for the loss of color?

Sometimes, an overcast day presents an almost B&W image on its own. This was taken in Bodega Bay on the California Coast. I thought the dark boat, clouds and light shining on the water created enough contrast for a B&W image. But then the color image looks right also. What do you think?

Finally, not knowing Patti was going to present this challenge, I challenged myself to a sunset in B&W. What would a beautiful, colorful sunset look like in monochrome? See for yourself.

I think the monochrome works mainly because of the reflection in the water. But is working good enough? What do you think?

This has been a great exercise Patti. Thank you! When you post your responses, please link to Patti’s original challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag. I’m anxious to see your posts. Last week, we saw a lot of dogs and cats thanks to Tina’s challenge. It was fun to see your pets and grand pets. Next week Ann-Christine will challenge us, so please look for her post.

In the meantime, be resilient and live in gratitude.