Posted on by Anne Sandler

Photographer error: Benicia, California

I’ve come to believe that Nikon has arranged for everything to be photographer error. Things happen, but it’s never a Nikon problem! For instance, at a recent outing where we learned more about flash photography, my new 18 – 55 mm lens wouldn’t work. An accomplished Nikon photographer helped, but he couldn’t resolve the problem. So, I shot with my 55 – 300 mm lens all evening. The lens and flash (remember, that is new also) were really heavy and got heavier as the night pushed on. I did learn a great deal about using my flash, and I bet I’ve increased muscle mass too!

Oh, how did the lens issue come to be photographer error? Our fearless leader of the Sacramento Photographers looked at my camera during dinner. He asked me if I knew the lens was locked. I had totally forgotten the lens had a lock. Of course I knew when I first tried it out, but……

And, yesterday I didn’t realize that with all the moving of knobs, etc. the camera must have been put on JPG image quality. Yesterday’s shots in Benicia were all shot at JPG, leaving me less ability to edit. Anyway, you’re going to see some images from the Benicia State Recreation area today. This is going to be a three parter since I was there all day and visited three different areas.

I’m hoping to get to Hakone Gardens before I leave San Jose. I’m going to carefully look over the camera before I start shooting. I’ve got to because Nikon won’t help me prevent photographer error!

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Photography can be expensive: Fort Tejon State Historical Park, California

I’m feeling it now–the dollars are just flowing out. First, my lens (18 – 55 mm kit lens) breaks and then my external flash says goodbye. I’m not too upset about the lens, but the flash was only used a couple of times! Of course, I’m trying to see the opportunity in both these items breaking: I have a slightly better lens (didn’t want to opt for the one that was $500.00 more) and a much better flash that I’m determined to use more.

I haven’t had much opportunity to use my flash in the 2 1/2 years I’ve been shooting, doing day or night photography. But, today I’m taking a class in how to effectively use it. This lesson and my paying for a new flash. hopefully, will bring me to seek out more opportunities to use the flash.

One of the bright spots in all this is Action Camera. They managed to fix my old flash from my film camera days, clean the D7100’s sensors and, of course, sell me the new flash. They advised me against using the old flash on the digital camera because the electrical has changed, but I can still use it as an off camera flash.

Meanwhile, on our way home from a Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) trip this past weekend, we stopped at Fort Tejon State Historic Park. This is located near the summit of the Grapevine off Highway 5 in Lebec California. The sun was blaring, and it would have been an advantage to use a fill flash, and I was using my prime 50 mm lens. I enjoyed using the nifty 50, but still have to get used to it. Today, I’m showing you some of the images from this little fort. Most of the buildings are recreated, but you can still get the feeling of how it was in the 1800s.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

What happens when your lens just won’t focus?: Coyote Pond, Lincoln, California

What would you do if your lens wouldn’t focus? Probably go back home and try to figure it out–right. But, what if you had to pick up your grandkids within an hour and your home is 30 minutes away? You keep walking and shooting. At least that’s what I did.

The lens did okay when my depth of field was long. It failed at close up and mid range shots. I just closed down the aperture and hoped for the best. That was yesterday. Today it focused, but it’s having other troubles. It may have sensor or connector problems. I don’t think it’s the camera. When we were back east, the barrel kept getting stuck at about 35 mm. It’s an 18 – 55 mm kit lens. Now it’s working better, but not focusing all the time, and the barrel is lose on the front.

Since it is my main lens, I’ve ordered a replacement. So that’s my current frustration with my photography adventures. Now for the images I was able to get, here’s a little background on Coyote Pond Park. This is a small neighborhood park in Lincoln that has a pond. There is a walk around path and a small playground for the children. However, the find of the morning was a tree that had lost its main trunk, maybe to lightning, and is surviving from branches that have grown out of the bottom of the remaining trunk. Fortunately, those pictures came out clear. It is an amazing tree. I hope you enjoy it.

Hopefully, the new lens will work well, and, of course, focus when I need it to!

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Me and my point and shoot: Return to Gibson Ranch

Now that the weather is cooler, I decided to take my young grandchildren to Gibson Ranch after school. There is so much for them to enjoy there.

First we visited the horses. They saw one getting a bath–actually a shower! They saw the ducks, a peacock, and the playgrounds. There are two. So much fun for a 4 and 6 year old. And we met a horse and rider on the way to the big playground, and they were able to pet the horse. That might have been a first for them.

I’m glad I had my little point and shoot in my pocket because trees were just asking to be photographed. The sun was low on the horizon and made for some nice light. The kids are learning patience and stopped for the few seconds it took me to shoot each tree. I doubt they would have been so agreeable if I had my SLR and actually took time to get the exposure correct.

Anyway here are the trees shot with the little camera that continues to amaze me. I’ll be taking the kids back to Gibson Ranch, maybe each week. They had so much fun.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Macro Photography Learn and Share: A Sacramento Photographers event

I didn’t share much, but I did learn. The Sacramento Photographers Facebook group offers a monthly outing or event. This month it was the learn and share. While I’m pretty good at close up photography, I wanted to know more about macro. And, I wanted to learn how to use my old (and I mean old) manual lens for my film camera.

So off I went with what I needed to bring: something to drop into a tank of water, tripod, and a lens more than 50 mm. Opps, I forgot to bring a towel. Everyone was so helpful. Two photographers tried to help me with my macro lens, but were puzzled by it. It’s very different from today’s macro lenses. Here’s what I learned:

* My old (again very old) macro lens is really not that good. I had a difficult time focusing it. And at 28 mm, how macro is it? I’m getting more comfortable with shooting on manual, but this lens offered a bigger challenge. It was also difficult because of the lighting in the studio.

* I have lousy hand to eye coordination; or, should I say hand to ear coordination. We were to drop an object (my choice was a tennis ball) into the fish tank and when we heard it hit the water, we were to press the remote shutter release. I’m posting my best effort!

* I now understand how to trigger an off camera flash. It’s just another piece of gear to buy.

* I truly enjoy field work more than studio stuff.

Now that you know what I learned, here are some of the images captured that evening.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Oh those zombies! A night of spooky trees and surprise zombies.

This was a first for me–to shoot zombies! Or any model for that matter.

What started out as a meetup to shoot spooky trees ended up as a fun filled evening of zombie antics. Thanks to Mary Gromer, organizer of the Shoot Or Go Home Meetup group, we had the opportunity to shoot models dressed as zombies. And, they acted the part too.

I had fun shooting them and enjoyed post production too. With a zombie shoot, your only limited by your imagination. Aren’t zombies tinged with green? I didn’t pose any of these. I think that was the only thing I feel I missed out on. There was so much going on, I just went from one set up to the other.

Here are some highlights.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

On the road again; journey’s end: bits and pieces; Evan’s wedding

Don’t worry, I’m not going to have you wade through a massive amount of wedding shots. Well, maybe just a few! All the images in this post were shot with my new small, inexpensive point and shoot. It worked well for most shots, but didn’t do as well inside in the low-light room. But, I’m happy because I captured the essence of the day.

Speaking of the day, it was cold, cloudy and windy. This is not the most welcome weather for an outdoor wedding! I felt for the bridal party gals in their strapless gowns. Fortunately, the party was held inside, hence the low light. This small camera is actually fool-proof, taking charge and deciding on its own what settings to use.

And since it shoots JPEG only, it limits editing abilities in Lightroom. But, it went where no SLR could go–in my small purse! And, it didn’t interfere with the professionals and their SLRs. Overall, I’m happy with the small camera and had a terrific time at the rehearsal dinner and wedding.

Here are just a few images!

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Just a little exercise: Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, California

Walking on river bed rock can give you a workout. The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a place you can continually go back to and see different things each time. This time my photo buddy Rita and I walked near the American River which is low due to the drought. I keyed in on trees and mostly used my 55 – 300 mm lens that was mounted on my D3100. They were so expressive. Meanwhile Rita kept her eyes on smaller objects like birds and crawling things.

You see, I was raised in the city and suburbs, and I’m not used to finding the small wonders of nature. I’m learning though. We do want to go back for sunrise so we can catch the sun’s beauty and the deer. Getting there at 7 a.m., Rita saw a lot of deer. However, I didn’t see one, getting there at 8 a.m. The last time we were there, we saw one deer family.

After a two-hour workout, we left. I’ll be going back on Sunday for their Nature Fest. They will have many activities I’m sure my young grandkids will enjoy. We won’t be walking along the river though!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 1 Comment

Pointing and shooting: Baking honey cakes with Haddassah

Yes, I did point and shoot at our Haddassah study group yesterday. It was a perfect time to try out the new camera, and it did a good job. It was fair at low light, but very portable and able to shoot into things without me climbing on a chair.

So, what was the Haddassah study group doing? We were baking honey cakes for the residents of the Einstein Residential Center for seniors in Sacramento. Our goal was to bake, give each resident a cake and visit with them. During Rosh HaShana (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) it is customary to eat honey cake and apples dipped in honey. Honey is a symbol for sweetness in the new year.

The residents were very happy to spend time with us and receive their honey cakes. For us, it was fun to get together, bake and meet new people. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to have five women in the kitchen at once so we took turns. And, we also had a few minutes to continue our study.

And me? I took time out to break in the point and shoot!

Posted on by Anne Sandler

There’s gold in them their hills: Gold panning, Bear River, Colfax, California, part 2

What is your passion? Do you find fulfillment from it? The Dirt Bags, as Jim and Jos are called by their gold panning community, found their passion and work hard at achieving it. They have an elaborate set up for gold panning, and, yes, they get dirty doing it.

In this post you’ll see how they find that sparkling treasure. As for me, I’ll stick with photography. Last night I chased my passion to the Marin Headlands–more to come on that outing. For me, each image is my gold and my passion.