Uncategorized – Page 14 – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on May 31, 2018May 31, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

Didn’t you want to go there again? Nevada City, California

Challenges, I love them–most of the time. Visiting Nevada City in the Sierra foothills, was like that. If you’ve been following this blog, you have seen images of this quaint town and its neighbor, Grass Valley. We stopped there on our way to Downieville, walked and took photos and then went on to the city of no pizza!

I didn’t mind because it’s challenging to find something different to shoot, or maybe to shoot from a different angle which can give you different results. Exercises like these help improve your compositions and photographic abilities.

So here I am in Nevada City finding inspiration, seeing new opportunities and learning.

I was drawn to this flower pot attached to a window.

This picture belongs with the cover photo. Next time I’ll go inside.

This crystal was in a store. It was totally white; I worked with the color a bit.

Benches are occupied!

This tented crepe shop was opening for business.

Flower pots with character.

Window treatment!

I can’t resist a flower macro.

A very photo-graphical home.

The church on the top of the hill.

A home rental hiding from on-lookers.

A better view.

If I remember correctly, the end building is an entertainment venue.

I also can’t resist something old and rusty!

A cannon located in a small park.

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

What, still no pizza! Downieville, California

I was looking forward to going back to Downieville and having the pizza that my dear departed photo buddy Greg Morris promised Marlene and I a few years ago. Located at the North Fork of the Yuba River, Downieville is a small town with a population of about 300.

When we were there last, no restaurant was open, especially the pizza place Greg bragged about on our way up. Fortunately, the grocery store was open and we were able to buy our usual lunch there. Well, the term lunch is being generous. I had a cup of noodles, Greg had beef jerky and chips and Marlene ate her emergency peanut butter sandwich.

So, I was not altogether surprised that there was only one sandwich shop, Jadaa’s Kitchen, open in town the day we were there, but I was disappointed. Even though it was almost tourist season, the stores were open only on the weekends. I guess we’d have to go during the summer to see if Greg was right about the pizza.

This time our visit to the small town was cut short due to a thunder storm. We stayed as long as we could, shooting as much as we could. Will I ever taste that pizza?

The visitor’s center!

The local Inn.

The bridge that takes you over the Yuba River.

The Yuba River.

We had lunch at Jadaa’s Kitchen. Great food.

The grocery store.

Yuba River.

I was trying to handhold while using a slow shutter.

The river.

A unique fence made from skies.

Imagination continues.

A rowboat planter!

Viewing a house from below.

An outdoor heat source.

Someone’s property that is quaint.

The court house.

Someone’s property that is quaint.

An outdoor heat source.

Viewing a house from below.

A rowboat planter!

Imagination continues.

A unique fence made from skies.

The river.

I was trying to handhold while using a slow shutter.

Yuba River.

The grocery store.

We had lunch at Jadaa’s Kitchen. Great food.

The Yuba River.

The bridge that takes you over the Yuba River.

The local Inn.

The visitor’s center!

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

The unfinished story: The Clydesdale parade, Fairfield

Right now my life is like an unfinished story. I jump from one activity to another without finishing the first. And so it is with the second part of my visit to the Anheuser-Busch facility in Fairfield, California to see the famous Clydesdale horse team in action. So many things got in the way of my posting this blog, including a two-day Toastmaster conference.

But here I am at the computer ready to show you images of these beautiful horses. I received conflicting information of the horses’ ages. I can tell you that when they can no longer participate in parades, they live on a ranch and enjoy the rest of their natural life.

Another fact that amazed me was the time it took to dress the horses (in their fancy harnesses) and hitch up the team. Once the eight horses were hitched, they did one horse at a time, April (the dalmatian) and the drivers got on board for the ride around the parking lot.

I came home with over 500 shots to go through because I finally decided to use continuous shutter speed. Don’t worry, you don’t have to wade through them, just a few select ones.

April was out to greet everyone.

This is where the horses are kept until it’s time to get hitched.

The wagon. Notice, everything is red!

First horse arrives.

At least three of the staff were dressing the horses.

The process continues

In about 10 minutes, the first horse is ready to be hitched.

On the way to the wagon, horse and handler fall in step.

Hitching to the wagon.

The horses interact while waiting.

We’re now up to three horses hitched.

Beautiful face.

The parade begins.

They circled twice around the parking lot in one direction.

And then changed direction for two more rounds of the lot.

Now, that’s a fancy foot.

After the parade the team is still for everyone to come closer.

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Anne Sandler

Circling life: The Clydesdales, Fairfield, California

Both Alyse and I decided in a recent phone conversation that we were going around in circles–not literally but in the sense of getting nowhere with our lives. Returned from our 2-week road trip, neither of us felt that we were getting much done or advancing toward a goal.

I had wanted to take a course from Leanne Cole, a friend and fine-art photographer in Australia, but have yet to start it. I just don’t have the time. I’m still moving boxes around, unpacking the ones I can, shopping for new things for the house and beginning to get into a normal routine, including photography. Maybe, I’m wanting too much too soon. I want to have my house done, want to begin to meet people in my new community and want to advance in my photography ability–ALL AT ONCE!

Fortunately, I’m prioritizing photo outings with my regular Tuesday group. We recently visited the Anheuser-Busch plant in Fairfield to photograph the famous Clydesdale horses. We began with a plant tour (I’ll show the images in this post.) and then watched the hitching of the horses to the cart and the small parade. This was all done in their parking lot.

So, here are some pictures from the plant tour that lasted about 1 hour. I so enjoyed the outing, and had the feeling that I was accomplishing something. In the next post you’ll meet the horses and April, the dalmatian.

Oh, on a side note, when I met one of my new neighbors, I kept talking about going out to shoot this and that. I saw a puzzled look on her face, and realized she thought I was talking about guns! “I shoot with a camera,” I said!

This is a reflection of the truck and gates in a plant window.

Inside the plant, flags are displayed.

A mural.

On the main floor.

Lots of shiny steel.

Pipes.

The plant is immaculate.

Drums containing product.

Getting up close.

On the go.

We’re in the packaging area.

I think cases come down the circular conveyor belt.

Always a photographer, I look for an angle.

I really don’t know what this is, but it was hanging there as we excited. He’s cute.

Posted on May 8, 2018May 8, 2018 by Anne Sandler

Lost and found: Finishing up the Sedona trip

Great news, I found my rice cooker and some other things!! But, now where is the other speaker for my stereo? I know I saw it sitting apart from the other speaker and stereo, but where? This is the game Richard and I have been playing while trying to get things back to normal activity.

I did go out with my Tuesday group last Tuesday, and I’m still processing those pictures. I finally finished processing the Sedona trip. Time for shooting and processing has been minimal; plus I managed to catch a cold. I really wasn’t chasing after it.

So let’s look back at my fun time at the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona. We went for the dinner show, and it was a blast. I, of course, ate way too much. The chicken was excellent and so were the ribs. The entertainment was even better. If you’re ever in Sedona, this is a must.

We got to the ranch early because I expected Old Town Cottonwood to be more of a photo opportunity than it was.

The hall where we dined and saw the show.

Another structure.

Some attendees taking pictures.

One of the shops.

The Jail.

One of the entertainers.

Happy Birthday folks.

The trio.

A little closeup.

This gal can yodle!

Her husband.

The comic relief.

His serious side.

On the way home, when I wasn’t driving, I shared my seat with my D7100. I was able to capture some drive by shots somewhere between Utah,Nevada and California.

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 14 Comments

Home again: Sedona, AZ

After a 2-week respite from our move, I’m back to finish up–or try to complete unpacking boxes, etc. The house is mostly set up now; things still need to be moved around and set up. We are still trying to find things. Do you know where my rice cooker is??

Now, back to Sedona. This visit was more of a relaxing visit with a bit of photography mixed in. We stayed at Sedona Pines where the 2-bedrooms were separate cabin-like structures. This suited our lifestyle since Alyse is up late and wakes up late while I’m the opposite. I’d get up in the morning, have breakfast, walk, work on photos, etc. By the time I was hungry for lunch, Alyse was up having breakfast. We would spend the day roaming around Sedona. In the evening, we’d come back and enjoy watching TV.

I’ll be honest, as much as I wanted to take Alyse’s car and go shooting, I really needed the rest. Anyway, here is a glimpse of the red rocks of Sedona in Arizona, just in case you haven’t seen it already.

My favorite place. Red Rock Crossing State Park.

I did take the car to see this one morning.

It’s in a relaxing vortex.

This boy was stacking rocks.

Lovely reflections.

Water creates a fall over a man-made structure.

This couple is looking at the water wheel.

Some more of the cabin.

The red rock.

Constitution and bell rocks.

A Menorah in an art gallery.

We’re at the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It’s amazing how a tree can grow out of rock.

The outside of the chapel.

Chapel of the Holy

Some road scenery.

Bell rock and Constitution Rock.

Beautiful red rock and spires.

Posted on April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

Internet??: Half day at the Grand Canyon

We’ve come to rely on the internet for so much, and we take it for granted–that is until you don’t have it!

I’m on the road again with my friend Alyse. This trip was set up 9 months ago; a long time before we decided to downsize and move. It was a week retrieval in a sense. I had lost a timeshare week with RCI because of Richard’s inability to travel for 3 years. I was able to recover all but this particular week. So, after paying extra to get it back and extend it, I invited Alyse to join me. There would be no saving the week again.

So that’s why I’m on the road so soon after moving. Yes, we did finally move! I left Richard with a huge mess. It’s hard to lose half a house. Oh, getting back to the internet, it’s very sporadic here at the Sedona Pines Resort in Sedona, Arizona. I’m hoping to get through this blog post.

We stopped at the Grand Canyon National Park for half a day during our trek to Sedona. I was there about 40 years ago with Richard and the kids. Of course, we saw more, but it was great to be there again. The memories of our family trip came flooding back. If you want to see more than just the rim drive, you need to hop on a bus. We didn’t have time for that, so we opted for the South Rim Drive. It was enough to give us a taste of how vast the Canyon is.

On our way, I stopped in Seligman, Arizona. Alyse had never seen this quaint little town with it’s Route 66 allure. I was saddened to see that some of the manikins were gone, but there was enough for her to enjoy.

My internet time may be getting slow so let’s get on with the pictures!

The Watchtower. This structure was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter.

She painted the the art inside.

The architecture is simply amazing. Looking up at the floors.

Looking down to the ground floor.

An artistic sample.

The South Rim.

There are many colors and textures.

Here you can see the Colorado River.

Trees survive in the rocks.

The rocks have character high above the river.

It was a hazy, cloudless day so I concentrated on the Canyon.

Seligman Arizona.

I found Marilyn in a store.

Some of what’s left in Seligman.

Posted on April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Comfort food needed: Sacramento Zoo & WPA Rock Garden

I’m still not moved. I’m still frustrated. I need comfort food. I went to the Sacramento Zoo. I love that place and haven’t been there since January. You never know what the animals will be doing.

One of the snow leopards was pacing in the enclosure, the mighty lions were asleep on top of their new platforms, the wood ducks were hiding, the new flamingo babies were finally placed with the grown ups, the orangutans were hiding, the wolf guenon exhibit and tiger exhibits were closed, the red river hog babies are almost full grown and the wallabies were finally letting me take good pictures. A gal can miss a lot in a few months!

Yes, the animals put me in a better mood, so did one young lady destined for stardom. I took her picture with her mom’s permission.

After the zoo, we went to shoot at the WPA Rock Garden for a few minutes. It was great to get out with my camera and away from the move.

A crested screamer sitting on her nest.

I don’t know what kind of duck this is, but it posed nicely!

Baby flamingo in the large enclosure.

Baby showing off.

Oh my, shedding his beak–normal, but not happy.

Baby blowing bubbles.

Red Panda got up from his nap, but briefly.

The Wallaby.

Eye on the Snow Leopard.

It was a difficult morning for this tiger.

This young girl had it all together!

Now at the WPA Rock Garden.

The sun was high in the sky.

Made shooting a little difficult.

But, you work with what you have.

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Betwixt and between: Yolo Bypass

We’re still not moved yet. I can’t say this is the worst move we ever made because the move to this house was equally traumatic. Moving is about the most emotional change you go through. There’s sadness about leaving a home you loved and happiness about building a life in another. Right now, I do feel betwixt and between. Richard and I talk about “home” and have to qualify which one!

In the meantime, I’m able to go on photo outings. This blog is about Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (also known as the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area). I was there a month ago, but each time is different. On this trip, the hunting area was open so Laura and I drove through it. We saw more wildlife than on the regular driving route. Maybe they knew they were safe at the time!

Right now, photography gets me away from a house that’s missing furniture, a house that’s being painted and floors being put in, and the stress of it all. I did pack my camera cases, but not my cameras and gear. Yes, for me photography is great therapy for the moving blues!

Here’s the latest from the Yolo Bypass. Again, my bird book is packed, so no captions!

Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

When it rains: Emigh’s Hardware

It’s great that stores allow photographers to come in out of the rain to shoot inside. On a recent rainy day, my Tuesday group invaded Emigh’s Hardware store–with permission! While our new house is being painted and floors are being put down, I have time to shoot. Even with the rain, it was good to get away from packing for a few hours.

And, we did shoot for a few hours. Emigh’s, located in Sacramento, is much more than a hardware store. They have a small nursery, an enormous selection of outdoor fun stuff, outdoor furniture and of course hardware. When you walk into the store, you are greeted and asked if you need help finding something. While walking through the store, I was asked several more times.

I totally enjoyed taking pictures in their outdoor decorations area. Really it was more of a separate room. I also ventured out to the nursery while the rain had slowed down to a mist.

It was a much needed fun morning. Moving is like riding a roller coaster. Our buyer fell out of contract, but our fabulous realtor resold the house in one day–for more money! But, that was a tough 24 hours for me.

I’m looking forward to Tuesday when no rain is predicted and I still can refrain from packing. We just have to figure out where we’ll go. That’s next on my list!