Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #379: Favorites of 2025

Three days ago we said good bye to 2025. I said it happily. Yes, sometimes a year isn’t a spectacular one. But, I did find some favorites and I’ll tell you why I chose them. To celebrate, the entire Lens-Artist team is hosting. Have fun!

My longest lens is 300mm. Even with the extra length a crop sensor camera gives, it is still limiting. So when I can catch birds, I’m happy. My first picture is of a sandhill crane. Fortunately, it was in a pool of water closer to the road. Usually they are too far away for me to get a good picture.

Next is a swan trying to sleep if only the photographer would let it.

Finally we have an egret coming down into the nest carrying a twig.

My next picture shows us how creative we can get. I love to people watch when I’m in Old Sacramento.

My first, and maybe only, rodeo shows the punishment on both the humans and animals. Why?

While visiting my Reno family, my son took me to see the wild horses. I saw this mare and colt just after he was born.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers.

I love the zoo animals, especially the giraffes. This is mom looking after her young one.

These are some of my favorites. It was a difficult task to pick out just a few from a whole year. My back injury has prevented me from processing pictures from my cruise through the Panama Canal, and right now it is telling me it’s time to visit the couch!

What wonderful last chance photos you all posted two weeks ago. It’s great to be given a last chance! I look forward to seeing your 2025 favorites. I’ll be leading the challenge next week. How exciting, a new year and a new challenge! Stay tuned. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 43 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #292: People, Here, There & Everywhere

Let’s go back to 2016, 3 years into my adventure with photography, and the people I photographed. Was it easier to take people pictures? Was I more adventurous with approaching people when I wanted to take their picture? No! and No!

I was as shy then as I am now. But, I did manage to get some pictures, candid and with permission, of people. Tina requested that we post pictures of people we’ve captured. So travel back with me to 2016 and see what stories I found.

A girl and her dog. You can feel the love of human and canine.

There are many ways to have fun. Children can enjoy their play, and adults can enjoy their passion.

Music brings people together as in a concert venue or be a solo type of enjoyment. You’ve seen two of these before. I still enjoy seeing the pictures. Our guitar player knew I was taking his picture and gave me his approval.

My next three were just random choices that tell a story. The first gentleman is costumed for a pirate festival and the fun it will bring.

The gentleman in the middle had his attention drawn elsewhere. To what, I don’t know, but he doesn’t look happy.

The store employee is dressing a mannequin in a window. She saw me take her picture and smiled. It’s another workday for her.

Pictures can tell sad stories as in this couple, with all their belongings, walking over the bridge to find a place to stay for the night near the river. Homelessness is a problem most cities deal with.

But my favorite that brings me joy is this image of my cousins walking hand in hand through the Thousand Palms Coachella Valley Preserve. I remember going to their wedding many, many years ago.

Images of people can bring us intense joy and sadness. Isn’t that what photojournalism is about? Telling their stories.

Now when you introduce us to people you’ve met, please remember to link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. What great cityscapes you shared with us last week in response to Patti’s prompt. Each was an adventure. Next week Sofia will be presenting the challenge, so look for her post.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 16 Comments

Lens-Artist Challenge #111: Everyday objects

Thank you Patti! This challenge made me stretch beyond my normal type of photography. What I finally came up with are a few things around my house that bring me joy.

First are my bamboo wind chimes. I love the sound they make even in a slight breeze. As you can see, they are old and cracking, but they still sound beautiful.

Also outside are my red chairs. I saw two red chairs during a visit to Volcano, a very small town in the gold country, and was instantly drawn to them. When I repainted the house I had to get some. They are a perfect accent for my gray and charcoal color choice.

One thing about me that you may not know: I’m a huge Mickey Mouse fan and love almost everything Disney. So Mickey is in my house big time. One Mickey treasure is my toaster given to me by dear friends. It’s really not good to use since the outside gets hot. So, it sits as a decoration on top of my kitchen cabinet. Who could not enjoy that first cup of coffee after looking at Mickey!

My fondest Mickey treasure is a big puzzle my older grandson, Christopher, made for me. Each piece is a scene from a Disney movie. He framed it and it hangs at the end of my hallway. Here’s the puzzle and a close up so you can see the puzzle pieces. It’s amazing.

And finally, my dog Gem. He’s a Schnoodle and is 10 years. We walk every day, so I guess he’s an everyday thing!

Thanks again Patti! It was fun!!