Posted on by Anne Sandler · 41 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #303: Connections

Every day we connect with people and places; some stronger than others. I’m the type of person who needs those connections. Right now, my old dog is resting near me as I type. Just having that connection comforts him. And, yes, his presence comforts me.

This week, Donna wants us to explore what connections mean to/for us. Since I retired 10 years ago, photography has connected me to wonderful people, some who have become great friends. I’ve also become a member of PSA and one of its chapters and clubs.

I’ve learned so much through workshops from the Gold Rush Chapter and the Sierra Camera Club. This image was featured in the PSA June Showcase.

Some other connections.

Fences are individual boards made of wood, steel, plastic etc. that are all connected together. Once connected, they separate one side from another, keeping people or animals either in or out.

Bridges connect one side to another. They come in all sizes, go over rivers, streams or even land.

Doors connect us to what’s inside or back out.

A park bench is a great connector. It helps connect people to their thoughts or nature, friends to each other or sweethearts to further discovery.

Holidays, fairs and celebrations connect us to fun, enjoyment and each other.

We don’t have to look far for connections. Just say hello and smile to a stranger–you’ve connected. Thank someone for helping you or ask for help–you’ve connected. And my dog, Gem, would suggest that you pet your animal so you can connect with unconditional love and loyalty.

Thank you Donna for reminding us that connections are important to all of us. Look at how we have all become virtual friends through LAPC. Remember to link to her challenge when you post your response and please use the Lens-Artist tag.

John certainly presented us with a great learning experience last week. I enjoyed seeing all the various responses from our community. Ritva is presenting our next challenge, so be sure to look for her post. Until then stay away from monster colds, make new connections and stay safe.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 54 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #302: Artificial Intelligence and Photography

I was excited when I first read John’s post on AI because it’s something I wanted to become familiar with–maybe not use fully, but become familiar with. Two things I didn’t count on were: 1. my technical inability and 2. catching the worst ever cold.

This cold has me with a fever and typical cold symptoms. So my lack of technical ability is made worse by my fuzzy thinking right now. But I’ll persist on.

I’ll admit to using AI when I take unwanted things out of a picture and doing a sky replacement. However, I found early on that I don’t have the artistic ability to do a sky replacement correctly, meaning the light source in the sky has to follow through to the ground.

I didn’t see any distinct lighting in this sky replacement so maybe I’m okay.

Lightroom Classic has just come out with some new AI features like Content Aware. So I figured how could I miss with my favorite LR. My goal was to take out the bush to the right of the swan and increase the water in the lake. But, I ended up with three swans a swimming. I don’t know how that happened. I was really too sick at the time to figure it out.

Then I heard that WordPress would do AI when given a prompt. So for my first prompt I asked for a swan in a lake just showing the lake. My second prompt was for a lighthouse just showing the cliffs and wildflowers. AI wasn’t listening too well.

You can’t say I didn’t try! I’m not too fond of AI beyond simple edits. After all the great photographers dodged and burned their way into producing amazing images. But when you can create full images just on a simple command, I don’t think that’s entirely right. If you do use AI beyond simple edits, please say so. You don’t have to worry about me doing that; I haven’t really figured out how. I don’t think I want to.

If you haven’t responded to John’s challenge yet, please link to his post and use the Len-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing all your beautiful floral post last week and look forward to seeing what Donna has in store for us tomorrow.

Take care everyone and stay away from this cold!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 40 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #300: Delicate

You know when you stop and put your mind to it, nothing is impossible. When I first saw Ann-Christine’s challenge this morning, I thought, “I don’t have any delicate images!” So I did my usual of choosing a year, 2019, and began to go through the pictures. Here’s what I found.

A beautiful glass ball in a garden.

Museums are great for finding delicate items and the Haggin Museum in Stockton is no exception. Look at the intricate, delicate work on this clock and the tedious, delicate weaving of this woman in this picture.

We photographers like our insects for their delicate wings and beauty. Yes, even bees!

I can’t forget trees. Their trunks may be sturdy and large, but their branches are delicate, beautiful and graceful.

Looking very much like tree branches, spider webs are delicate strands of silk created to catch a spider’s prey.

So that’s it for delicate, but here comes the twist. You know there’s typically a twist when I do a challenge. When I was looking through 2019, I found three images that truly impressed me as sweet and then maybe delicate in interpretation.

Love, no matter what species is undeniable. Cuteness popping out of blades of grass is sweet. And a small child walking among giant redwoods–well she has to be delicate!

I hope you didn’t mind my detour. When you post your response, please remember to link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I was amazed at all the hope that came last week responding to Patti’s challenge on Hopeful. I think we made our LAPC world a little smaller and kind. Next week Sofia will be challenging us with Floral. You’ll notice I didn’t use any flowers in this post. I’m saving them! Look for her post.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 20 Comments

Running away for the day: UCSC Arboretum, Santa Cruz

All Laura had to do was ask if I wanted to go to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and I jumped at the chance. I haven’t been anywhere since my August 2023 auto accident for more than 2 – 3 hours. Since Laura was driving, the 3 hours both ways, I knew if I needed rest, I could sleep. It was a wonderful day out. I had never been to the arboretum, and anything floral has me feeling great. Laura wanted to photograph the humming birds and I just wanted to leave.

The humming birds were confined to one bush that was blossoming. I got my one hummer picture and walked around. Laura has patience, where I don’t, and a longer lens. She stood by the bush for about 1/2 an hour, taking pictures. Of course, she was more successful in the number of hummers.

Here’s my one picture! Of course, the colorful hummers sort of blended into the bush.

We walked around through the various zones. It was relaxing and fun. Here’s a sample:

Our day didn’t end at the arboretum. We took the long way home through Half Moon Bay, stopping at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Those pictures will be in my next regular post.

And, I didn’t need to sleep!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 47 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #299: Hopeful

I chose to live in gratitude this year, and given the world condition, it’s difficult. So, thank you Patti for reminding me there is always hope and encouraging us to look into our own lives to show what gives us hope.

My rose garden, which I’ve neglected this year and still blooms, gives me hope. I’m not a gardener, but these roses have the resilience to show their beauty without much help from me. Maybe if individually we each show our beauty of spirit we can help bring beauty into this world.

Animals in their own habitat also give me hope. They live life simply and naturally. Some only hunt when hungry and some live off the land.

Holidays and festivities give me hope. For a short while we gather and enjoy, laugh and become childlike. Each year our community has a July 4th parade where golf carts, cars and bikes are decorated. If you’re not in the parade, you’re watching it. This is followed by a good old fashioned hot dog lunch.

Dedication to a passion brings me hope. When I’m out with my camera, I don’t think of other things. I just enjoy. My camera brings me to nature and sometimes artistic festivals where artists display their talents. One such festival is Chalk it Up. These artists paint with chalk, putting their all into it only to have it last a few days. Their dedication to their art and wanting to bring joy to others gives me hope.

I love trees–big ones like our Giant Sequoias and small ones; trees with leaves and those without. Trees are expressive in the way their branches bend, or stand out straight. Trees are strong and have a certain energy. Have you hugged a tree lately?

I’ll end with sunflowers. Just looking at them as they follow the sun, gives me hope. Their determination to blossom every year in the same fields shows that given the right care they will continue to smile at us. Can we give the world the right care and have it smile back?

We may not be able to change the world, but we can affect our small micro world and create hope. We can offer hope to our family and friends by helping and caring for them.

Thank you Patti, for reminding us that there is still hope. When you respond to her challenge, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I truly enjoyed your responses to Tina’s challenge last week of Children (human and animal). What a joy they are, giving us hope. Next week Ann-Christine will be presenting the challenge, so look for her post. Until then, stay safe and have hope!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 44 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #297: Music to My Eyes

I can’t carry a tune. I can’t find the beat. But I love music!

Music fills my heart and soul with joy, love and sometimes sadness. I don’t care, I’ll sing along with my favorites no matter how bad I sound. Most of my favorites catch me because of their lyrics. They have to have meaning to me, and it helps if the instrumental portion is as beautiful as the lyrics.

However, Egidio challenged us to see the image and relate to the music it brings forth. For me, it came backwards. I feel the music and see the image. Kind of a twist, but that’s not unusual for me. Here are six of my favorites.

Here Comes the Sun. When I’m depressed, sad or just feeling down, I play this song. Written by George Harrison and made popular by the Beatles, I like Richie Havens version the best. His instrumental gets me dancing. By the way, I can’t dance either, but this song gets me moving and feeling the sun around me. Soon I’m out of my funk.

First light. Yosemite National Park.

Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran. If you’ve buried your Mom, this song can’t help but bring back sweet memories. I think of my mom often, but especially when I listen to this song.

Tulips, Ananda Village, Nevada City

Piano Man by Billy Joel. I love this song for it’s message and instrumental. Joel’s lyrics take me out of my reality and into a bar filled with smoke and lonely people. Plus I enjoy listening to a piano, and this tune is exceptional.

Dave Bennett at the Sacramento Music Festival

Sound of Silence by Paul Simon. I’m not the first to pick this song as a favorite. I’ve been reading and listening to your posts and three of you have also picked this. Written by Simon and performed by Simon and Garfunkel, this song reaches my soul and I want to scream out we must do something. That something depends on what is happening in the world.

Lassen National Park

Forever Young by Rod Stewart. This song fills my heart, remembering when my children were infants and the love and light they brought into my life. I also remember seeing my grandchildren for the first time. Welcoming a child or grandchild into your life is an amazing experience and one never to be forgotten.

My younger set of grands at the Sacramento Zoo. Now they’re teens, but will be forever young to me.

Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn. This song brought me to Memphis and Beale Street during our cross country trip. Oh my, I just soaked it up. The small cafes with music inviting you in. I did ask one of the gals singing if she knew this song. She did and sang it for me. I don’t know where my mind went, but it was euphoric.

Beale Street, Memphis, TN. Can you guess it’s biker night!

Yes, music is an important part of my life.

Thanks Egidio for taking me on this musical trip. When you post your response, please remember to link to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we all enjoyed doing and seeing abstracts as requested by Ritva. Next week Tina will be leading the challenge so be sure to look for her post.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 29 Comments

It’s tulip time: Jensen Botanical Gardens

We had a choice, see a terraced bounty of tulips at Ananda Village’s Crystal Hermitage Garden in Nevada City or a small patch of them locally in Fair Oaks. Ray and I remembered the crowded walkways and decided to go to Jensen Botanical Gardens. Fortunately, we were the only people there.

I had my 80 mm macro lens on to get up close to these beauties and I was amazed at the variety they planted. Take a look.

So not only did we save time and gas money, we experienced a beautiful tulip garden.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #295: Rock Your World

It’s no wonder rocks rock our world. They are everywhere. So Donna’s challenge this week should be easy, but there are so much to choose from. I limited myself to two years and began searching. Here’s what I found in 2015 and 2016.

I found that rocks and water make wonderful effects like waterfalls and water sprays.

Locally, we have a town named Rocklin. Can you guess why? If you thought it was the sight of quarries you’re right. The site of Griffith Quarry is now a park.

Rocks are also abundant along rivers. The following pictures were taken along the South Fork of the Yuba River.

South of Sacramento in Gold Country is Sonora. We visited our friends who live there during the wildflower season.

I do have a much larger rock to show you. This was taken near the town of Bridgeport on the way to the ghost town Bodie.

I’ll close with an image taken on the shore of local Folsom Lake.

There are many more opportunities for finding rocks and mountains in Northern California.

When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link it to Donna’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we all learned more about ways to edit our photos in John’s “Before and After” challenge. I totally enjoyed reading all of your editing methods. Next week Ritva is challenging us so be sure to look for her post.

Until then, be happy and stay safe!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #294: Before and After

It seems like I’m always confessing in these LAPC blog challenges. Well, here’s another one. John has challenged us to show how we edit images. I don’t edit that much and use Lightroom most of the time. I’ll go into NIK, Topaz and Photoshop for minor help, but that’s about it. It’s not that I’m against other editing programs, I’ve just never taken the time to learn them.

With that said, here’s my first image before and after. This was taken recently at Dry Creek in Roseville. The sun was bright and the trees provided shade, but not all the way. This resulted in roots that were bright and dark. The editing was done in Lightroom with the adjustment brush to burn in some of the roots. Then I toned down the shadows and brightened the image a bit. Then I intensified the color with the orange color slider. Original is on the left and Edited one is on the right.

Next is Rush Ranch taken in January. It was a foggy day which didn’t bother me. I love the mood fog gives an image. But it can leave it dull. In this one, I brightened it with the tone curve, added more contrast, did a sky select and used the blue slider to accent the fog. In Photoshop, I removed the insect trap on the right. I use Photoshop when I want to remove something from a picture.

This flower was photographed last month at Jensen Botanical Garden. I cropped the photo to make the flower larger. I also lightened the background a bit and used the Lightroom sharpener for good measure.

I believe composition is most important. Sometimes I photograph a tight composition and sometimes I give enough room for me to finish composing in editing. My first two examples were framed tight in the camera and this one wasn’t.

Thanks John for having us think about how we edit (or not), and how we can learn from how others edit. When you respond, please link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we had fun with Sofia’s Water in Motion challenge. I enjoyed seeing all your various responses. Dawn is presenting next week’s challenge so look for her post.

Have a great week and take care!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 18 Comments

Dry Creek Isn’t

Crazy title, right! But it’s true. Dry Creek in Roseville has an abundance of water because of all the rain we’ve had this winter. This lovely creek is next to a community park, and sees lots of kids enjoying a summer swim.

However, when Ray and I went there yesterday, there were downed trees and broken limbs all over the shoreline. I’m thinking they will have to do some cleanup before the summer heat hits so the kids will be safe.

Here are some pictures of our short outing.

I enjoyed the short time at the creek and the sunshine. We’re supposed to get more rain tonight and tomorrow. I read in the newspaper that our snow level is way above normal which is a good sign for a long ski season and the summer. Take care everyone!