Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge 377: Holiday Fun

One good aspect of being housebound this year is there is no holiday stress! Yesterday, I drove for the first time in a month and I’m at my computer right now! I’m headed in the right direction!!

This week Ann-Christine is asking us to share some holiday fun. We are now a blended family, celebrating Chanamas or Christmacha! Here’s a picture from one of our Chanukah celebrations on the eighth night. I’m missing the Christmas celebration in Reno.

Each year, my photo buddies and I go out to capture the beautiful holiday lights. The first indication that it’s Holiday time are the displays in the store windows, including reflections.

Next to find a festive store display and a picture within a picture.

What would the Holiday be without tree displays. First in Old Sacramento and next in front of the Sacramento Capitol building. I had a bit of with that tree.

It’s that time of year to look for snow. Yes, I like to look but not play in it!

No matter what or how you celebrate, the holidays are a time for gathering together–friends, family or neighbors.

Last week, we spread our wings with Beth’s wonderful challenge. Your responses sure brightened my week. Next week, we’ll host our annual Last Chance Challenge, inviting you to share any photos you took in 2025 that haven’t been part of our earlier challenges! Time to take a deep dive into your archives. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 7 Comments

Merry Christmas: Lights

We’re getting closer to the second miracle of this season. First was Chanukah and now it’s Christmas. I love to take images of the decorated lights on houses and in yards. So Jean and I went out for my second round of taking photos of lights.

I thought this house sent the religious message of Christmas along with some fun snow men, plus a snowman zoom.

This next display starts in the front yard with a patriotic theme and ends with a “Frozen” theme on the side yard and around the corner. It was well done. Of course, I’m thinking of power and how much it costs to run the lights. But, this was an enjoyable exhibit.

Last, I’m showing you the first display we saw. It was simple and beautiful. And, yes, I had to zoom!

Have a great Christmas. Let’s hope next year let’s hope for another miracle and we’ll be back with families and friends! Stay safe everyone.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 22 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #128: And Here Comes The Holiday Season

Ann Christine’s challenge propelled me back in time and brought me back to the now. As a kid, I didn’t look forward to this time of the year. Most of my friends celebrated Christmas, and my Jewish friends celebrated Chanukah. Each received wonderful gifts. My family didn’t have money for gifts, but we had a family menorah (or Chanukkiah). I remember we’d light the candles each night, but going to school and hearing the other kids talk about presents was tough.

This is why I started collecting menorahs, and gave each of my children, their spouses and grandchildren their own Chanukkiah. At our Chanukah celebrations, we’d light them all and turn off the lights. I delighted in watching the candles burn. When I see these lights, I’m reminded neither Christmas or Chanukah originated with gifts, but with love and hope.

Now we have a blended family and I get to participate in both Chanukah and Christmas. I love to go and photograph decorated homes.

Most of all, I like to zoom the lights and rotate my camera while the shutter is open.

Although we didn’t get down there this year, my favorite place is California’s Capitol building and tree. The building is beautiful in its own right, and the tree adds a wonderful holiday feeling.

My wish for you is to have a safe and wonderful holiday season! We need patience and resilience in 2021.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Discovery: Christmas at the Capitol Building, Sacramento

I have discovered Color Efex Pro, and I love it. I love it just as much as I do Silver Efex Pro which I use all the time when editing for black and white. I don’t edit my photos that much because I still have not gotten into Photoshop or other programs. So, these presets are a great way for me to give my images a fresh look and a start at creativity. I do work on them after I apply the preset.

I’ve been using Color Efex on my outdoor landscapes. You’ll see some of it when I start posting my Kauai pictures (I still have the last day to edit.). I can see the opportunity. I can compose the image. I can do the basic editing. But, when it comes to giving the image that creative touch, I’m unable to do it on my own. I can’t see the final image in my mind, let alone know how to get it there! In comes the preset or profile. They give me ideas to jump off on. Then, away I go. Maybe with practice, I can do it on my own in Photoshop with layers, filters and more.

Every year, I promise myself that I’ll get into Photoshop, but it never happens. Life takes up the time I’ve set aside. I remember when I ran my home-based business, and I actually blocked off office time. I’ll have to do that for studying processing. It’s not only Photoshop, I’ve got other programs that I haven’t learned.

In the meantime, I’m so happy with the Nik collection. Take a look at a recent outing to the Capitol Building in Sacramento and the beautiful tree on the front lawn.

This was the first shot I took that evening. The clouds were great. Color Efex helped make them greater.
Of course I had to get the reflection on the tree ornaments.
Another shot of our beautiful Capitol Building.
I couldn’t resist shooting other buildings.
The clouds were so perfect.
Inside, shooting up into the rotunda.
Another shot.
Christmas decorations.
Another shot.
A little fun with zooming, handheld.
Up on the second floor.
At dusk on the front lawn.
Getting darker.
A dramatic edit.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Twas a few nights after Christmas: Orangevale, California

Okay, so it took me a while before I got out to shoot Christmas lights. But, when I did, it was great. My photo buddy, Laura Munro, braved the cold and walked a cul-de-sac in Orangevale known for its beautiful and, in some cases, decorative homes. I don’t know what their electric bills are, but I’m glad I’m not paying them!

Now, when I say cold I’m talking about high 30s and low 40s (faharenheit) in the evening. For Sacramento, California, that’s cold! I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a fair-weather photographer. But once I’m out there and start shooting, I forget about the temperature until we head back to the car. That’s when I realized I couldn’t feel my finger tips and my feet were cold!

Enough about the weather. Here are some of my Christmas light images.