landscape photography – Page 9

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #277: Empty Spaces

I like that we always learn through LAPC challenges. This week, Patti has taught me the difference between negative and empty space. She challenges us to post images where the empty space draws the viewer’s eyes to the subject, conveys a mood, or creates a more dramatic scene. I’m not sure my images are moody or dramatic, but they bring me joy and serenity.

First, let’s look at how plain blue sky creates an empty space that accentuates the birds I captured. I do tend to crop in, almost too much, but the idea is still there.

The same goes for water. Sandhill Cranes are usually mid-way in fields and difficult to photograph with my maxed out 300 mm reach. But these were in nice blue water. Did I get lucky? The blue empty space helped create enough of a contrast, helping to sharpen the cranes.

I like landscapes. As a compositional tool, I try to find something that will lead the viewer through the image. The grass area, pulls you into the trees, creating a pathway through the image.

Man can copy nature by building roads or pathways that take you across rivers on bridges. Cement provides the empty space that draws us in.

Back to nature, this family is enjoying some empty space at the river’s edge provided by this sandy beach.

A field and blue-sky accent these wind turbines. It also helps that the field has crop lines that lead your eyes into the picture.

My last picture is a sunset that is dominated by a sky leading us down to the setting sun. We then follow through to the reflection in the water.

Thank you, Patti, for teaching us a very useful compositional technique. When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link to Patti’s original post and use the Len’s-Artists tag in the reader. I enjoyed seeing all your ups and downs as you responded to guest host James’ post. He taught us another great tool. Next week, it’s Amy will be leading the challenge with “Unique.”

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

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 54 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #276: Looking Up; Looking Down

This week James of Jazzibee wants us to look up and down; but in order to do that, I have to look back! Yes, look back in my archives. I chose to look back at 2019. This is what I found.

I try to pay attention to my surroundings when I’m out on a photo outing, but I tend to miss tiny details. So I try to look down for flowers, butterflies and other insects. Looking down I found:

A butterfly and a big black bee. I haven’t seen one since.

From a bridge I saw two people rowing in the river and one person finished for the day.

From a parking lot in Old Folsom, I was looking down on the ice rink. And from a window in the same lot I could look down on the street.

Here are three more: a lotus leaf in a pond, a rusty pail, and a daffodil.

I tend to pay more attention to the scenery that surrounds me, and I look up.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Giant Sequoias.

Apple Hill in the Fall.

Culinary Institute of America Napa Valley. Lobby and one of the buildings.

I’ll close with images of a ceiling of a covered bridge, a bird on a branch, and a staircase.

Thank you, James, for urging all of us to be aware of our surroundings when we are on a photo outing. I enjoyed my trip back into 2019.

And I thank you for all your wonderful responses to last week’s challenge. I certainly saw varied frame filling. It was a lot of fun. When you respond to James’s challenge, be sure to link back to his post and put Lens-Artists in the Reader. Next week Patti will be challenging us, so be sure to look for her blog post.

Posted on November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 185 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #275: Filling the Frame

Photography rules are guidelines and are sometimes meant to be broken. Also, photography is art, and art is subjective. Why am I saying this? Come down the rabbit hole with me!

In the last two weeks, we’ve learned about symmetry and asymmetry—two basic forms of composition. Now we’re going to delve into another: filling the frame.

When you want your subject to stand out, fill the frame! When you fill the frame with your subject, you eliminate various background distractions. The viewer’s eyes have nowhere to wander. Their attention is where you want it.

The frame refers to the rectangular scene you see through your camera. When you use this technique, you simply fill your photo’s frame with more of your subject, reducing the amount of background or negative space shown. And it can be filled-in-camera or in post processing. I tend to fill in-camera, sometimes not leaving any room for creative cropping in post. Now, I try to leave a bit more around my subject, so I have more to work with. I did a close crop in post on the sunflower, below, wanting to show the bee in action. By doing this, my sunflower became the background and the bee the subject. Sometimes we just change our minds once we view the image on our monitors.

The basic rule for filling the frame is to get close to your subject. This can be achieved by walking up to your subject or using a zoom lens. I’ve done this type of photography with a macro and zoom lens. You can fill the frame totally or leave a bit of negative space to help your subject stand out. Yes, we’re sliding down that rabbit hole now. A bit of nothing helps put the focus on your subject. Remember, photography is subjective, and everyone has an opinion. Some photographers say “no” to negative space and a soft background. But, without the small amount of negative space, how could I have had this flamingo stand out? Having a bokeh background helps this flower stand out and shows its environment.

Okay, that rabbit hole is getting slippery now. What about filling the frame to tell a story? This can be street photography, event photography, or iconic subjects. Below are two pictures. The first is of an entertainer, Tom Rigney, at the Sacramento Music Festival. The second is of the Point Reyes an old boat that has become a photographers’ attraction. Viewers would not interpret their full stories without seeing their environment. But their stories fill the frame and there’s nothing that distracts from them.

Do you like getting creative? Let’s fill the frame with an abstract! One is of cattails and the other a Ferris wheel. Both were taken with intentional camera movement (ICM).

Spilling off the frame. Most of my images in this post extend beyond the frame, meaning their stories continue beyond the confines of the image boundaries. The lotus and cactus are continued in the viewer’s imagination.

We’ve reached the bottom of my rabbit hole. Let’s climb back out so you can find your images that fill the frame. Remembering that photography is subjective, I’m looking forward to seeing your imaginative and creative responses. Anything goes! When you respond remember to link to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Thank you, Donna, for getting us in the mood with her asymmetry challenge last week. We’ve been having a lot of fun, haven’t we! Next week James of Jazzibee will guest host and present our next challenge. Be sure to look for his post.

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

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 58 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #274: Asymmetry

It’s amazing how we can learn about the way we photograph as we take on our weekly challenges. Last week Sofia had us think about how we use symmetry in our photos, and this week Donna has us digging through our files for asymmetrical images. What a learning experience. I realize that while I truly don’t think about it when I compose a picture, I lean towards taking asymmetrical images.

I guess I just like things not so obviously balanced unless I see symmetry demanding to be photographed. For example, when I compose a nature image, it’s usually asymmetrical but somehow balanced. I really don’t compose it thinking about whether it’s symmetrical or asymmetrical.

With event photography, it’s the same. Now I’m wondering why! I guess carnivals are always asymmetrical.

I tend to do the same with environmental portraits. These pictures were taken at the Empire Mine State Historical Park. I offset the man and his dog and the blacksmith. I even offset the close up of the blacksmith.

And did you notice I also posted an odd number of pictures for each segment? What does that say about me? All kidding aside, I truly don’t think too much about how I compose a photo. I just work the camera and lens until I get what I like.

Thank you, Donna, for showing us the other side of symmetry. As you can see from this post, I’ve learned a lot about my photography techniques. And to Sofia for starting us off with symmetry. I enjoyed seeing all your symmetrical images, and they were very creative.

I’ll be leading the challenge next week, so look for my post.

Posted on October 29, 2023October 29, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #273: Symmetry

Composition is something I am careful about, and I very seldom choose symmetry as a first choice. However there are times that a scene just cries out symmetry, and then I just take advantage of it. Sofia has chosen symmetry as this week’s challenge. In my mind, I remembered memorable symmetrical pictures over the years, but could I find them?? Absolutely not! So you’ll have to view what I did find.

Let’s start with some images that contain very symmetrical pieces. (Explanations are in the captions.)

**The alter in the Bok Kai Temple, Yuba City**

How about bridges.

Water helps create symmetry through mirror images.

I’ll end with some miscellaneous images.

Some day I’ll find those pictures I wanted to show you. Look for a regular post of mine. In the meantime, when you post your pictures for this challenge be sure to link to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week I enjoyed seeing all your billboards and signs–some were very clever. Next week Donna is going to challenge us with asymmetry! Be sure to look for her post.

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

The saga continues at Lassen National Park, Part 3: The Sulphur Works, Devastated Area and on the road

It’s been a rough time for this blogger. All I can say is don’t get rear ended by a large pickup and trailer. I’ve kept up with my Lens Artists posts but neglected my regular blogs. So let’s pick up where I left off in Lassen NP.

You can’t smell the sulphur aroma, but you can see the bubbles and maybe the smoke coming up. The Sulphur Works “is a vent for the last rumblings of a long-dead volcano and yet it is also reborn each day as forces of erosion and hydrothermal activity continuously alter the landscape. Although named after the chemical element of sulfur—which is a byproduct of the hydrothermal system—the area bears the British English spelling of the word assigned by a pioneer that once laid claim to what was then known as Supan’s Sulphur Works.”

On the way back to our campground near Manzanita Lake, I was able to take a few pictures showing the devastation from the fires. It’s still beautiful and sad at the same time.

I’ll finish up Lassen NP with a short tour of the Devastated Area–not connected with the recent fires, but the eruption of Lassen Peak’s 1915-1916 eruption. The short trail has voice explanations throughout and was interesting. Just push the button and learn!

This ends our visit to Lassen NP. I hope I’ll be able to get out in the trailer soon. In the meantime, there’s a lot to photograph around home.

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 56 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #271: Contrasts

Timing is everything. Amy’s challenge this morning is on contrasts: shadows and light, colors, hard and soft, etc. It just happens that this is the morning of the annular (partial) solar eclipse. We didn’t see much of it in California, but NASA put on a good show for us. Amy, I hope you were able to see the totality in Texas.

NASA gives this explanation of a solar eclipse: A solar eclipse happens when, at just the right moment, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. Sometimes the Moon only blocks part of the Sun’s light. This is called a partial solar eclipse. Other times, the Moon blocks all of the Sun’s light. This is called a total solar eclipse. As the Moon blocks the Sun’s light, it casts a shadow on part of the Earth.The Moon’s shadow creates a trail as Earth rotates. This trail is called the path of totality. If you want to experience total darkness during an eclipse, you have to be in the path of totality. In that path, the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light for a few minutes. It gets so dark that it looks like night time during a full Moon!

So why am I mentioning this? Watching the eclipse unfold on my computer screen, I thought there is no better contrast between the sun and moon during this rare occasion. This took me back to the total solar eclipse Richard and I viewed in Idaho in 2017. That was an amazing experience. We were camping in our trailer, but crowds came in that morning. During the eclipse the crowd went quiet until totality. Then the clapping and yelling started. Wow!

I took pictures with my Nikon D3100, armed with a solar filter, handheld. Here are my results of nature’s contrast of the sun and moon from beginning to totality and the end.

I hope you enjoyed my cosmic contrast scenes. Thank you Amy for encouraging me to look back. When you post your contrasts, please remember to link to Amy’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing all your varied displays last week as encouraged by Ann-Christine. I always enjoy your unique posts and interpretations to our challenges. Next week John is presenting the challenge so be sure to look for his post.

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 24 Comments

Change is sometimes okay, part 2: Lassen National Park

Once you get over the shock of change and acclimate, it’s not bad. We were getting used to the altitude at Lassen National Park and learning how to deal with it. Dealing with it meant not doing a lot of walking/hiking. Richard didn’t go on some of the trails, and the trails I went on, I didn’t go the entire way.

One of the prettiest was Kings Creek. I didn’t make it all the way to the falls overlook. I think I needed someone to cheer me on! What I did was simply beautiful.

At age 80, you sometimes have to make compromises, and this was a beautiful one. More to come!

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 44 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge # 269: On The Edge

We can be on edge, meaning we are anxious, frustrated or irritable. In photography, those words can take on a different meaning. This week Patti challenges us to show images that are on the edge and gives us a broad definition.

So I hope my pictures fill the bill.

I’ve looked over the edge of many mountain tops of our Sierra Nevadas, but this beautiful scene is one of the most spectacular–taken from Ananda Village.

When photographing flowers, we try to get the petals and centers sharp. Sometimes when we take the shot we find wings that are sharp and edgy.

Horizon lines give us a delineation between land and sky. Sunsets make this edge spectacular.

Buildings and windows provide photographers with endless edges. Here we have a large window with smaller edges that together provide an amazing reflection. Taken at Mare Island (a former Naval Base).

Also at Mare Island, a naval ship’s design forms an edge that accents the U. S. Flag.

Sometimes when you get down low, you find a simple mushroom can give you folds and edges. Hint: Don’t lay down on the grass in a senior community. Everybody who passes by asks if you’re okay!

Visiting Niagara Falls was on my bucket list. I was amazed at the amount of water (3,160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second) spilling over the edge of three falls. This picture is of the American and Bridal Veil Falls.

Now for a different kind of edge. This is more of an artistic definition. From Cambridge Dictionary: edgy adjective (unusual). Unusual in a way that is fashionable or exciting.

On a whim, I took a beautiful, colorful lotus blossom and put it in black and white. I thought that gave it an edgy look. It’s become a favorite.

Thank you Patti for this wonderfully edgy trip through my archives. It was truly fun. Remember to link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag when you post your reply. Last week Tina had us sharing our favorite images and why we took them. You all had great and varied favorites, and I enjoyed them all.

Next week Ann-Christine will be leading the challenge, 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 September 28, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Change is sometimes not good: Lassen National Park, part 1

You can’t stop change, and sometimes you don’t like it. I was anxious to get to Lassen National Park again. It had been so many years. So I called the national reservation number and made a reservation. I thought I was so smart because I had a map of the campground which showed all the sites. This was great, a pull through site right near the flush toilets.

I was so excited to be camping and not RVing again. When I opened the truck door, the forest smell hit me. Wonderful pine trees. It was going to be great. But maybe not all that great.

The pull through was not on flat land and there was no ranger in sight. All the sites had reserved signs on them. We had difficulty getting in and out of the trailer because the campsite was steep. We assumed that all the campsites were taken because they had the reserved signs. So we were stuck.

Since I have a few days worth of photos, I’ll continue my rant in part 2. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the Lily Pond trail located at one end of Manzanita Lake. I didn’t go all the way because the altitude was bothering me.