Disney World – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 31 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #262: Framing Your Photos

It’s a busy day today. Tomorrow we head up to Lassen National Park where we will have no wifi, no internet or cell reception. So, I need to get this post done NOW! Nothing like a little motivation.

But Amy’s challenge of framing a photograph sent me way back (10 years ago) when I started photography. Actually, I wanted to see whether I was framing at that point. My trip back showed me that I was framing, but wasn’t shooting or editing that well. I don’t think I had Lightroom at that time. So, I ran my selections through a quick edit process.

Anyway, here they are. I saw that I used trees as a natural frame.

My next example is using a background as a frame. This is my younger grandson at Disney World. He’s now entering High School.

When does a stairwell become a frame that is leading lines? This was taken in Old Sacramento.

This colorful door is framed by neon and color. Could you resist taking a picture? This is Peggy Sue’s diner in Mesquite Nevada. The inside is just as amazing as the outside. And, oh, the food is good too.

My last picture is of the Tower Bridge in Sacramento. The bridge entrance is framed by street lights. The car light trails make this frame seem like an open box.

Thank you Amy for getting me to see just how far my photo abilities have come. I enjoyed looking back! When you post, please link back to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, we all agreed that life is a work in progress, and I enjoyed your responses to Ann-Christine’s challenge. Next week John is presenting our challenge, so look for his post.

Now back to loading the trailer.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Posted on September 4, 2022 by Anne Sandler · 32 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #215: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Memories, looking back at past trips and the fun they were. John is encouraging us to do just that, including how we got there.

When the kids were young we camped. We started with a small truck and camper, then graduated to a larger camper, then an 18′ trailer and then this 31′ 5th wheel.

This 5th wheel morphed us from camping to RVing. My most pleasant memories are of our travels in a small camper, cot set up for the baby over the dinette, the older kids out in tents, and totally enjoying a shower when one was available. RVing came when we were empty nesters. I will admit having the ability to shower whenever, having a full kitchen and not having to climb up into bed had it’s advantages. This trailer took us across the U.S. and many other places. I enjoyed the freedom RVing offered. Now we have an 18′ trailer that Richard uses for his astronomy trips.

Planes. In 1959 my mom and I traveled from NYC to LA, non-stop, on a prop ( Not sure if it was a prop jet?) plane in just 5 1/2 hours! (We were seated on the wing and as a teen, I watched the propellers.) But remember, we’ve made progress with our jet aircraft. It now takes maybe 12 hours to get across the U.S.! Sorry, just had to gripe!!

The most memorable plane trip was in 2014. It was the first plane trip for my younger set of grandkids. We were on our way to Disney World in Orlando with them and my son and daughter-in-law. It was great to experience the trip through the wonderment of their young eyes.

It was also their first trip to a Disney park. We had them by ourselves for a day. They are now 14 and 12 years old.

One type of transportation John left out of his title are ships. When I got my first camera, we took a cruise to Mexico with our friends, Sandy and Ken, on the Carnival line. Talk about a photo wonderland. That ship was so glitzy and I had so much fun.

A bonus to this cruise was spotting the Queen Mary, now a tourist attraction and hotel, docked nearby. What a great ship with an amazing history.

In less than 2 weeks, I’ll be joining my friends again for a New England Cruise. Richard has chosen to stay home, so I’ll be bunking with Sandy’s sister Peg. I can’t wait. I haven’t been away since 2014.

Thanks John for this trip down memory lane. Sometimes I think those are the best trips because we can keep reliving them over and over. When you respond to John’s post remember to link to his and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Also thanks for sharing all your favorite finds with us. It’s always fun to see other’s treasures. Next week Sofia will be presenting the challenge, so look for her post.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #188: A Special Place

Oh my, how do you choose your special place and why is it special? Karina of Murtagh’s Meadows is asking just that.

After thinking and thinking I realized a place that is so special to me that I want to return. Disneyland! Yes, Disneyland!! I just love that retreat into a world of fantasy and wonder. I even did a speech at my Toastmasters club on it. Let’s go back to the beginning of my fascination with Disneyland.

My introduction to this fantasy world was at age 15 1/2 in 1959. Mom and I had just moved to Los Angeles from the Bronx, NY. My aunt took me and my cousins to see this magical place. Now, just imagine my world had just been a few square blocks in the Bronx. I had no idea of what was beyond. We did get to the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens but that was about it. If Los Angeles gave me culture shock, just imagine what Disneyland did!

At that time, it was still new and much smaller, but I was on overwhelm and was hooked. As a mother, I took my boys out of school once a year to have fun at Disneyland. We got there when the park opened and left when they closed the gates.

My love for the park never changed. One sweet memory was when Richard and I went on our own in 2006–no kids. I had to see Mickey Mouse. My collection of Mickeys is a story for another blog. We stood on line outside Mickey’s house in Toon Town with all the other parents and kids. After what seemed forever, we got to Mickey. “Where’s the kid?” His helper called out. “Here I am,” I yelled. This is the result.

Later that year, I went to the park again with my oldest daughter-in-law and grandkids. This time we stayed at one of the Disney hotels. No waiting on line to have my picture taken with Mickey.

In 2010 my friends Sandy, Gloria and I went to Disneyland. It was a 2-day stay which was long enough for us. My interest in photography hadn’t taken hold yet but I did get one reflection with my point and shoot.

**From left, me, Gloria and Sandy. I still have that T-shirt!**

Now for the trip of a lifetime for a Disney fan–six days at Disney World in Orlando. In 2014, our kids were attending a trade show in Orlando for the family company. With Richard retired, he and I entertained the grandkids once the trade show started. I was armed with my D3100 and enjoyed taking pictures of the grands. It was a long time since I saw a Disney park through a child’s eyes.

While Disney World was unforgettable, Disneyland is still my favorite. I keep talking about going back, but I also keep getting older. The park is also getting more expensive! But, whether I get back there or not, Disneyland will always be my special place.

Thank you Karina for bringing me back at least in spirit. When you tell us about your special place, remember to link to Karina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you. Next week Tina takes the lead with her Odds and Ends challenge.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, we have easy to follow instructions. Just click this link and join us: https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/about-lens-artists/

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Anne Sandler

The best of the rest of Disney World

You’re probably getting tired of Disney World. So this post won’t be long. I just wanted to show you some images from Disney Studios and the Animal Kingdom which is my favorite of the four parks.

The Animal Kingdom is truly a paradise for both kids and adults. We went in two days and I enjoyed both. The second time in we discovered Rafiki’s Planet Watch which consisted of a large petting zoo, a veterinarian hospital, animal museum and the backside look at the Safari ride.

So here are some images and the last of Disney World!

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Anne Sandler

Edited Epcot images

Oh my tired index finger! I’ve been doing editing to my images and finally got them all done–at least the ones worth editing. Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with them all.

Today’s post is on Epcot and our character breakfast at one of the Disney resort hotels. The adults enjoyed the food and the kids enjoyed meeting Goofy, Donald and Minnie. They were so excited, they couldn’t eat. I quietly asked the waitress if we could take out what was on their plates. She obliged us with some cups, and, of course, they snacked on the food during the morning. I’ll try to just post images you haven’t seen before, but I know there will be at least one repeat.

At least having them all edited, the going will be easier from here on. Remember, I don’t do much editing since I still don’t know how!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Anne Sandler

California, here I am! Edited photos from Disney World, Florida

I have to admit it–I love California! It’s always great to come home even though it’s overcast. Hopefully we will get some needed rain. We had a great time in Orlando and Disney World, but I brought the cold home with me. So today, I’m resting and working on photographs. I need to get rid of this cold because I have a photo outing tomorrow–weather permitting.

Today I’ll show you some images from our first few days at the resort and in the Magic Kingdom. I kept comparing this park to Disneyland, my favorite park, and I guess I shouldn’t do that any more. The Magic Kingdom has changed since we last visited more than 20 years ago–for the better. However, you do have to go chase down some of the Disneyland attractions in the other three parks. However, the Magic Kingdom is not my favorite of the four parks.

I may have posted some of these images unedited so I hope you don’t mind seeing them again. I also need to get the photos of Olivia playing the Beast in the little Beauty and the Beast play play. Ryan was the cupboard. (Remember, I had left my spare battery at the hotel in my backpack.) Bummer, but it was wicked good to observe it.

Posted on February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 by Anne Sandler

Colds and Disney World unedited

What can ruin a vacation? Maybe lost luggage, rainy days, getting sick? Well, we didn’t lose our luggage, but the other two are something we’ve experienced. Even though three of us are down with a cold, we went into the parks anyway. Right now Richard and I are in the timeshare resting while the rest of the family went into Disney Hollywood Studios. When Greg called, he said that they were freezing. Greg also has the cold.

My post today is about Epcot. It was great. I wasn’t that impressed about the various “land exhibits,” but the rest of the rides and shows were wicked wonderful. One nice ride was about how they are growing vegetables in different ways like rice in dirt and tomatoes in trees. There was a lot for the children to enjoy, which they did. Here are some unedited images.

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Some lessons are hard to learn: Disney World unedited

Yes, I did it again. I forgot to check the battery in my camera before we left for the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, and didn’t bring my spare. I got in a few shots before we got too far into the park and then stowed the camera back into the car. Fortunately, my daughter-in-law had her camera along and was the picture taker for the day.

I brought along both my cameras, but decided to use the D3100 since I would be taking mostly snapshots and didn’t want anything to happen to the D7100. We came to Orlando with our son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Jessica, and young grandkids, because our company is involved in a trade show here and thought it would be a great vacation. So, right now it’s day 5 and three of us out of six have colds. Jess is down at the pool with the little ones. This is a good time to do a blog, I thought. But, I have no editing program or computer with me! It’s a good thing Richard brought his laptop.

Our first two days in Disney were at the Magic Kingdom. It was crowded and they have a different system for using fast passes. It took us a while to catch on, but we did. Here are some memorable moments: Olivia was chosen to play the part of the beast in Belle’s castle play and danced with her (I have to get the pictures from Jess). Ryan wants to be a pirate after going through the Pirates Of The Caribbean ride. We found some characters and took pictures with them. And, I got my highest score ever on the Buzz Lightyear ride!

Here are some images of our experience so far–unedited! I hope to get some study time in on the D7100 today, and tomorrow I will remember my extra battery and SD card!