Uncategorized – Page 14 – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Now a yearly trek: Lotus blossoms

They are so beautiful, but only bloom once a year. But, that’s also what makes the Lotus flowers so special. The flowers in this post are from the Vedanta Society of Sacramento in Fair Oaks (Where last year’s images were shot.) and my chiropractor’s farm in Auburn. Who would have thought that a small Lotus pond would be on a farm!

At the Vedanta Society, the mature Lotus were more inside the pond and the buds surrounded them on the outside. That made shooting them a little tricky, but with the lens extended all the way out to 140 mm and creative cropping, I managed.

At the farm, it was just the opposite. The featured image is a black and white from the farm. No matter, they are beautiful no matter where they are. And, pictures are a way of enjoying them all year round.

Except for the last two, these were taken at the Vedanta Society.

Not a Lotus.

Pretty rose.

This Magnolia blossom ends the images taken at the Vedanta Society

Two from Dr. Heather Rosenberg’s farm.

This is the same as the featured black and white.

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 3 Comments

Getting a little country: A farm visit, Auburn, California

I suggested it and she said, “Yes!” Heather, my chiropractor has a farm in the Auburn Hills. After doing her newsletter for at least 10 years, which is sent out electronically, I asked if she’d like to invite patients to visit her farm. I received a positive response and the date was set. To be honest, I was anxious to see her farm after all these years.

Since this was a “Family Fun Day at the Farm,” I brought my two young grandkids and my friend Linda came also. It was worth the trip up the winding road to Rosenberg’s Green Acres farm in Auburn, Placer County. The property is just beautiful, complete with a small lake. We were introduced to chickens and goats by name.

The chickens provide eggs, and the goats provide milk, cheese and ice cream. We also met some recently born kids (baby goats). The males had their horns taken off, which is necessary to have them compete or sell them. Ryan and Olivia enjoyed interacting with the goats, feeding them grass.

Heather and her daughter Gabby took us on a tour around the property. When you live on a farm, there is work to be done. Milking the goats and gathering eggs is a daily chore. No sleeping in here!

After the tour, the kids were treated to a paddle boat ride on the lake. While the adults waited, Heather offered us two kinds of goat cheese–one creamy and one more solid. They were both delicious. When the kids got back, we were treated to goat milk chocolate ice cream. This was beyond delicious.

Of course, Linda and I were taking pictures all this time. Linda disappeared for a short time. She went back down the road to take pictures of the farm entrance. The photo credit on the featured image belongs to Linda Distler.

Do you think I could suggest that Heather share her amazing farm again next year?

Our welcoming goat as we entered the barn.

Just one of the many chickens.

Olivia pets one of the new-borns.

Ryan feeds a goat through the fence.

It was hot. Siesta time.

Hand feeding a goat.

The farm dog.

I don’t know what’s kept in this small building.

You know I like to get up close.

Meet Heather.

Gabby is pulling down a branch for the goats to chew on.

A welcome hug.

Everyone gets to pet the goat.

Heather calls this old machine farm art.

The lake.

The barn.

Paddle boating on the lake.

Gabby is great with the young children.

Ice Cream time.

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 10 Comments

Brightening up the valley: Barn Quilts, Rio Linda, California

What’s a barn quilt? A quilt sewn to hang in a barn? No. They are boards painted to look like quilts and hung outside of barns and houses. When I heard about this from a fellow Camera Totin’ Tuesday member, I was curious. I found that the practice is done across the U.S., and our local quilters have established the Rio Linda, Elverta Quilt Trail Project.

The women gather every Tuesday afternoon in a member’s garage and paint. They paint on special wood boards and paints meant to handle whatever mother nature throws at the quilts, especially rain and wind. The women work from a thick pattern book. And, when there’s a special request, they do their best to work the theme into a pattern. Here’s where they work.

The only charge for a barn quilt is the cost of the materials, the labor of design and painting is free. Our hostess told us about a quilt they painted for a church, and when the pastor retired, they stitched him an actual quilt of the same design.

Their quilts can be found on barns, homes and businesses.

Two quilts are on a home.

This was on the Rio Pub.

This was on the library lawn.

This was sitting on a farm. The first picture in this blog was hung on the barn.

And, of course, we found other things to photograph. Also the featured image in this post, features one of our CTT members!

Posted on June 17, 2018June 17, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Normal? Indian Festival and Fair Oaks

e’re pretty much settled in, and hanging pictures. How many pictures can one small house hold? There’s still more stuff to find places for, and the sunroom to fix up, but that will just have to take time. It’s good to be back to normal–my going on photo outings and Richard running up to the observatory. Each day, we take time to hang two pictures or curtains, etc.

And, summer has arrived, so we try to plan our outings for early morning, local venue or inside. I have two outings to show you today. Linda and I went to the Indian Festival, hoping to get pictures of traditional dress and dance of our Native Americans. However when the dances were to begin, we were told we couldn’t take pictures, and the few dances that we were allowed to take pictures of, we couldn’t post anywhere. Oh, what a letdown for a couple of photographers. So, I’ll show you some shots I took of the festival and vendors before the dance started. This was held outside the State Indian Museum.

I finally got to shoot some poppies.

Nice lighting on this fountain.

I liked the natural framing on this window.

A shopper and vendor.

A smudging kit that I wish I had bought.

Vendor with colorful jackets to sell.

Opening ceremonies. This woman was singing a traditional song.

The announcement of rules and the type of dancing, etc.

Now we move on to the small town of Fair Oaks and its chickens. Yes,

Mural on the outside of the Fair Oaks outdoor playhouse.

Didn’t I say there were chickens.

Some with attitudes!

I’m still shooting doors.

The American River from the Fair Oaks bridge.

Getting some exercise on an unusual bike.

A Metro Fire training on the bridge.

The bridge

Another view of the bridge

A store in town.

it’s known for being inhabited by wild chickens. They are protected, so no roasted chicken for us!

Now, which pictures should I pick to hang today?

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Found and seek: Sutter Creek,California

Very early into our visit to Sutter Creek, I found a wallet on a bench. My first instinct was to just leave it, but I thought maybe the owners ID would be in it. So, I looked inside. I found a driver’s license with a PO box for an address, no other identification and a wad of $20s. With that much cash, I couldn’t leave it. So, began the adventure to find her or the Police Station!

And, yes, it was an adventure. Our photographing stopped, we asked in several stores to see if they knew this person and to ask where the Police Station was. After walking past the end of town, we finally were told that the Police were located in a small white house! Sutter Creek is a small town in Amador County. But it wasn’t open. We had to press a button and wait for the dispatcher to come and take the call. Then we waited for the officer to come and take the wallet.

I don’t know which was more fun, shooting or finding the Police Station! Having been to Sutter Creek before, I concentrated on shooting doors. Of course there were other things that I couldn’t pass up.

We bumped into the wallet’s owner coming out of a coffee shop–literally bumped into. She was rushing over to the bench to retrieve her wallet. We calmed her down and told her we found it and it was at the Police Station. Being grateful, she told us to go into her sister’s coffee shop and order what we wanted and she would pay for it. The coffee shop, Choc-O-Latte, ended up being a photographer’s wonderland. See, do good deeds and you’ll be rewarded. If you find a wallet or purse, try to find the owner. You’ll have fun!

One of the many colorful doors.

Simple.

Accented in red.

Welcoming.

Daring to do black.

Another busy but welcoming entrance.

Inside the coffee shop.

Decorated well.

Great lamp.

Taking a break from reading.

An old-fashioned look.

Fence line.

You never know what will turn up in a yard.

Old building.

Proud owner of a cute pup.

I couldn’t resist this window.

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 7 Comments

Camera settings, check or not! Green Acres Nursery, Folsom

There are those days when…… You fill in the blank. It’s usually something you’ve forgotten to do like not buy everything you needed at the grocery, missed an appointment or forgot to change the ISO on your camera that was set for a prior outing. I did the last. Worse, I didn’t notice it until the shoot was just about over.

Fortunately it was at a nursery, flowers are forgiving and Lightroom helps to take out noise. But, I don’t think I’ll do that again. I’ll make other mistakes, but not that one!

We went to Green Acres Nursery in Folsom to practice macro work. You know you’ll find flowers and plants at a nursery. The plus was that we also found an abundance of water drops. They must have watered before we got there. I enjoyed the outing. Take a look, and let me know how I did during post processing. Was it really one of those days?

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!