Wow, I am so grateful for all the feedback I received from my last post. Most of it was on Facebook. It really helped me shape the next part of my journey.
I began this blog as a way to talk about my new hobby and document my chosen paths. I chose not to take classes, but study tutorials, practice and join Meetup groups. And, it’s worked. It took about 3 years, but I am confident now and ready for the next step–learning more about processing and putting my work out there. I’m not looking to sell anything, but to get more feedback. Most of all, I’m having fun and have met new friends and wonderful, helpful people.
In the meantime, I promised you the images from Jackson and here they are. I will always be open to feedback, and I’m willing to listen and try new things.
The streets in Jackson are decorated for the Christmas holiday.
This is one way to store a bike!
I love texture and found it at a yarn store.
Marlene went in to shop.
I went in to shoot!
I liked this doorway. I’m glad I was able to lighten it up so the doors and plants were visible.
The rest of the pictures are in the National Hotel.
They were very gracious about letting us shoot in their lobby.
I used flash.
Greg and Marlene used slow shutter speeds.
I liked the reflections in this grand piano.
The fireplace.
These windows were beautiful. I caught the colors outside on the street.
Confession, I’m not a birder; but my friend Laura is. While I’m looking for the big picture, Laura is looking for smaller things–birds! We celebrated her birthday recently by going to the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area or affectionately known locally as the Yolo Bypass.
This wildlife area is a 3,700 acre wetland restoration project and is located within the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Yolo County, California. The restoration was named for Congressman Vic Fazio, who was instrumental in appropriating funds for the initial construction. The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area was dedicated in 1997 by then President Bill Clinton. The facility is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Educational programs and public tours are administered by the Yolo Basin Foundation.
There are two parts to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, both dedicated to watching and shooting–one with a camera and the other, with a gun. We stayed on the auto tour route and away from the hunters. With Linda in the back seat and Laura and I in the front (She was driving.) we made our way around the wetlands that had very little water, but enough to attract some birds.
Laura, of course, was our spotter. She’s amazing and the reason I bought my very own bird book. I’m learning slowly and can name some; but I sometimes fall back on saying, “There’s a white thing!” Okay, I fall back on it a lot.
Well, I did say I wasn’t a birder! Next post will feature the second half of our birthday photography outing.
We arrived a little late, but did get some of the golden hour.
Birds and a Great Egret are feeding.
In this view you can see a working farm.
Fly away.
A Great Egret is front and center, and a couple of ring-billed gulls are in the background.
I wasn’t able to ID the main bird in this picture.
The remaining pictures are of the Great Blue Heron.
Knowing I’d have to be house bound for a week, I wanted one last photo outing before I had foot surgery. Photo buddy Laura suggested that we go to Sacramento shoot the statues and buildings. We left at 8 a.m. (Laura can always get me out early.), and it was wonderful. The streets were empty on Labor Day, and the parking was free.
Laura works downtown and knew where to go, park and shoot. Walking the streets, we stopped and shot whatever was in interesting and ended our morning at the State Capitol building. As morning grew closer to afternoon, tourists started to come and gave us the opportunity to shoot around them. I found it fun to include them in the shot.
That was Last Monday and Tuesday I had my foot surgery. I’ve spend the last week being a couch princess, processing images, posting blogs and reading tutorials. Tomorrow I’ll be going shooting with Greg and Marlene. I told Greg that I would take his back seat, use a pillow to rest my foot on, and bring a book and read if I get tired or find it difficult to shoot.
I don’t know what or how I will shoot, but I do know that I won’t be house bound. One day out!
Here’s a peak at Sacramento. I’ll show you the State Capitol in my next post.
This is the first statue we came upon. I’ve seen this before and still don’t know what it is or what it stands for. But it is bright!
This was the second statue. I think it’s bronze in two pieces.
I took this opportunity when I saw the two sculptures in one shot.
This was the second grouping of sculptures we saw. I’m only showing you one. I’m hoping you can read the words on the base.
This is a close up of one face. I like the work on this.
Here’s the other side and another set of words.
Statues like this one are guarding the doors of the government buildings. This is just one example.
This sculpture is dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives in service to the public.
My favorite. A mother consoles her daughter as the folded American Flag sits beside them.
Here’s a closer look.
The Sacramento Convention Center.
A man carries bags of recycling material passed a bicycle rack.
Just two of the transportation modes in downtown Sacramento.
Sacramento is known as the City of Trees. Here’s why.
I did fall in love at The Fountains–love with the ambiance of this outdoor shopping center and its beautiful flowers, fountains and decorative benches. This center is a great place to take a camera and practice! You just have to keep saying over and over, “I will not shop.” You can say, “I’ll enjoy a cup of coffee, ice cream, candy, cookies, salad, sandwich and more;” but you could easily spend money in the fabulous stores.
Oh, back to practice. See how you can get distracted. I’ve been there twice to practice. The first time, not knowing what to expect, I just had my 18 – 55 mm lens. I was meeting a friend for lunch and arrived early to catch a shot for my 365. The second time was today with my friend Marlene. This time I had my macro lens with me. I was ready to get deep into the flowers; however, there was a heavy breeze. Even the blossoms that seemed to be not moved, were moving when looked through the macro lens. I think given the breeze, I would have been better off with the 18 – 55 mm lens. But, that’s what practice is for.
In this post, I’ll show you some images from both outings. And, yes, I’ll be going back soon. I want to get there early in the morning to get the best light and maybe less breeze. After all, I did fall in love.
My first visit: The main fountain in the shopping center. I’m amazed that they are still running the fountains with the severe drought.
One of the benches that surround the fountain.
One of the metal sculptures.
My close up of these beauties. I don’t know what flowers are called. I just appreciate them.
An open seating area.
The patio of one of the restaurants.
This solitary flower was begging to be photographed.
I don’t know what this is, but I do like it.
Same with this one. On my second visit, these were almost gone.
Second visit with the macro lens: Love yellow flowers. I had to body block the breeze to get this one.
You can see that the center of this flower is almost gone.
Pretty in pink.
Lovely in red.
This chandelier was the only flower that wasn’t moving!
A little bud waiting to bloom.
I couldn’t figure out what was inside this flower. Looks like a water drop and crystals.
For me, photography is playtime. Just going out with the camera slung over my shoulder fills my soul and invigorates my spirit. That’s why I bring at least one camera with me everywhere. Sometimes I get down to my point and shoot or even to my cell phone! This past weekend I went to San Jose to celebrate my two friends birthdays with them and their close friends. They are the same age and one week apart.
Of course, the camera came with me, and I had a purpose in mind–practice my macro skills. My friends live in a modular home park and there are flowers abundant. Perfect conditions for macro practice except for the breeze that creates movement in all the park’s plants. But, I persisted anyway. With camera and macro lens, I went out to find success. I hope you enjoy my efforts. I do think I’m getting better at it. Oh, all these images were handheld.
The second morning I took my camera and 18 – 55 mm lens to Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. I didn’t have too much time because we had a celebration to go to. This was a pretty setting with family setting up picnics, walkers and dogs, fisherman, boaters, geese and other photographers–imagine that!
So, here’s a glimpse of my playtime.
This image may be slightly soft, so we’ll call it artsy. I just like it.
This is inside a bird of paradise.
Peeking inside a rose.
At first, I thought this was bottle brush, but I was wrong.
Petal close up.
Hibiscus. It took me two mornings to get this one.
Vasona Lake. A walking bridge.
Banana Boats! Looks like a bunch of bananas to me!
Colorful paddle boats.
Too early for these to be rented out.
The lake.
This guy’s trying to put up a hammock.
The sun peeks through this tree.
Another lake view.
The walking bridge.
Another view.
A different angle.
The geese.
There were a lot of geese! Love this flowered area.
Slow Shutter Speed 