Posted on by Anne Sandler · 47 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #409: Best Images Ever

Why do you take your camera out, hold it to your eye and press the shutter? I perform this ritual because I enjoy getting out, composing the picture and editing it on the computer. If you journey out once a week, how many thousands of pictures do you think you’ve taken? YIKES, Steve wants us to pick just five favorites. Steve, this is a real challenge! The selected pictures are all from the Sacramento Area except for the first. I’m sure I’ve shown these at one time or another. I hope they are worth a second look.

I’ve gotten it down to five–with difficulty. Here’s the first.

I was at a Toastmasters conference in Redding, California. My goal was to get there one day ahead of time to capture the Sundial Bridge at night. The Sundial Bridge is a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge for bicycles and pedestrians that spans the Sacramento River in Redding, California, forming a large sundial. The sundial at the end of the bridge is operational. At night it is lit up and is a photographers dream of lines, light and beauty!

Now let’s roam around Yolo County, just north of Sacramento County. This is our access to the countryside. We enjoy getting lost, finding interesting photo opportunities. I don’t remember where we (my small photo group) were when one of us yelled, “STOP.” Could that have been me? I liked the open fence accenting the road and the golden hillside. The sky was accommodating also. Was this worth turning around for? Could nature be more accommodating?

You know how I love to photograph flowers with my macro lens. This was probably taken at one of our local gardens–maybe the McKinley Rose Garden in Sacramento. I liked the water drops on the budding rose and its red-orange color. For me, it symbolizes an emerging beauty. Unfortunately, nature gives us beauty for just a short time. Whenever I see a volunteer in the garden, I always thank them for the gorgeous opportunity they give us.

Now for a little controversy. I come from a journalistic background, and when I see a photojournalism opportunity, I take it. The controversy is does it belong in a photo blog. One of my followers said “It does not.” I think it does given that it is an image of life and all is not rosy (like the above image.) We were walking from Discovery Park to Old Sacramento when I saw this man asleep on the ground. It’s sad but it is a sign of our time. What do I like about it? It tells a real story. What do you think?

I want to end on a happier note with this sunset image. This was taken at one of our night trips to Old Sacramento. Taken from the Sacramento side, it shows the Tower Bridge and a little of West Sacramento, Yolo County in silhouette. The setting sun was very cooperative with glowing reds, purples and oranges that night. The Sacramento River also cooperated with its glassy reflection.

So these are my five picks. Thanks Steve for sending us through our archives, helping us review wonderful memories. When you respond, please link to this post and Steve’s post. Remember to use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, Egidio sent us “Over the Top.” What fun, reading all your posts. Ritva will be challenging us next week, so look for her post. In the meantime, stay healthy and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #402: Looking Back at Wonder

My camera! No, it’s not a wonder, but it brings me to amazing wonders. This week Sofia has us looking at the moments, places, people that we treasure and cause us to wonder.

I live in a place that brings me and my camera to many wonderous places–rivers, lakes, mountains and parks. Let’s take a look.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers, especially macros and close ups. Whether in a nursery, garden or sunflower field, I love the challenge macro photography brings. It gives me something else to concentrate on, shoving the world out. I become relaxed and happy.

Landscapes are nature’s way of humbling us. Just look at the beauty waiting for us to capture with our cameras–especially sunsets.

Wildlife especially birds are amazing to watch. They are free to go anywhere and mostly travel with friends. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Animals are also wonderous, and zoos invite us to visit many that we normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to see–like this beautiful or handsome Okapi. It’s wondering why I’m pointing that black thing at its rear. Who could resist that beautiful pattern!

And then there’s the funky or maybe artistic photographs that we take for fun and later wonder why to took them!

These are my moments of wonder. Thanks Sofia for this fun challenge. When you post your response please link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week, Patti had us concentrating on our compositional abilities. I enjoyed seeing your many wonderous compositions. Next week John will be leading the challenge. Until then enjoy good health and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

Macro Mania: Green Acres

It’s been a long time since I put my macro lens on my camera and took it out for a walk. Last week my photo buddies and I visited Green Acres Nursery in Citrus Heights, Calif. Richard had a cell phone, Ray had a bridge camera and I had my XT3.

Here’s some of what I captured.

I am so grateful to Green Acres for allowing us to come and photograph their beautiful flowers. We do sometimes purchase flowers and other items. It just relaxes me to wander through the rows of florals with my camera, and, of course, lunch always follows!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 35 Comments

Flower therapy: McKinley Rose Garden

Who could resist the beautiful rose blooms at the McKinley Rose Garden in Midtown Sacramento. It was peak time and just perfect for photography. A couple of weeks ago two of my photo buddies and I went down and this is just some of what I captured through my lens.

Of course, there were more. But I pick my roses carefully. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who help make mornings like this possible. We photographers appreciate you!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #390: Color in Black and White

Is there color in black and white (B&W)? Absolutely. The color defines the tonality of the B&W image. I typically photograph for color, and usually it’s not until I process photos do I realize the image would be better in B&W. For this challenge, Egidio wants us to explore the form, texture, and light in B&W photography.

I’m just going to jump in with this photo. Because it was an overcast day, the color image lacks a certain punch. I certainly would not have processed it in color. However, in B&W the contrast made the image and created texture. You can now see the mountains’ detail and the movement in the water shows in various tones. To do the conversion I used Silver Efex 2 after basic editing in Lightroom.

Now for a landscape that I think looks better in color because of the richness of the golden grass, the shadows and blue sky. While the B&W has rich tonality, I am so drawn into the grass by the fence. I told you that I’m easily attracted by color!

I’ve done a few flowers in B&W, but this one was originally in color. I like the reflection in the water drop, and (because of this challenge) I wanted to see how it would look in black and white. This was a fun experiment. Actually, it looks better in B&W than I thought it would. I like them both. What do you think?

Now lets move on to a street photography capture of a homeless (I think) person in Old Sacramento. I just liked the way the light was outlining his face. This was processed in color and I created the black and white for this challenge. Once again, I took the B&W from Lightroom into Silver Efex 2. I think I like the color version better. I said I think! Maybe if I were better at editing, I could have made the B&W more dynamic.

Last is an incoming storm I captured while visiting the kids in Reno. Again, originally processed for color, I wondered what the rain would look like in B&W. I’m not sure the B&W adds anything to the story that the color doesn’t tell. What do you think?

I invite constructive criticism since I was using this challenge as a learning tool. Thanks Egidio for this challenge. I had a great deal of fun and learned a few things.

I so totally enjoyed your responses to my challenge last week. Most of us chose nature as a way of finding relief from our hectic lives. Your images were just beautiful, resulting in relaxation for me. When you post your response for Egidio’s challenge, please use the Lens-Artists tag and link back to his original post. Tina will be challenging us next week! In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

We’d like you to join in our fun permanently. Here’s how to do it, excerpted from Egidio’s post:

Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:

Beth of Wandering Dawgs.

Tina of Travels and Trifles.

Patti of P.A. Moed.

Ann-Christine of Leya.

John of Journeys with Johnbo.

Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.

Sofia of Photographias.

Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.

Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 56 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #348: Serenity

Serenity can be found in a crowd with yelling people, horses and riders. Yes, this weekend we went to a rodeo while visiting friends. I had fun experiencing a rodeo for the first time and trying to capture the events with my camera. With my attention captured, I was calm and serene. But, that’s not the only way to capture serenity. This week Egidio suggests that we show where we go to be serene.

I like landscapes with beautiful skies; and, I like to see people enjoying the same scene I do. The next two images show people enjoying flowers, one at the ocean and the other in the forest. Both are calming and wonderful.

Skies can help a landscape become serene. Whether at the ocean or in the country, a good sky can create a calming atmosphere. Water is always calming. Whether I’m at a lake or ocean I’m entranced by water. Our country outings always have a calming effect especially when the scene is simple and beautiful.

We can also find serenity viewing public art. Our yearly Chalk It Up and many murals about downtown Sacramento leave me in awe and serene. A mural of a mother and child embracing sends me to a calm quiet place–not that raising kids is always calm! A mural of a swan and heart reminds me of how graceful swans are as they glide through the water.

Last, there’s nothing more serene than a beautiful sunset. I sometimes sit and wonder how nature can paint these beautiful pictures.

After seeing these images, you’re probably wondering how I can find serenity at a rodeo. I just got immersed in the activity. Mind and body relaxed. Isn’t that what serenity is all about? Thanks Egidio for sending us to serene places this week. I’ll catch up with all your posts and look for more. When you do post, please link to Egidio’s original post and tag Lens-Artists. Next week Tina is challenging us.

If you’re wondering about my Rodeo pictures, they are still in the camera. You’ll see them someday. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Behind Again #1

What happens when you go on weekly photo outings and then get busy with other things? You forget to post your pictures! Yes, I have a few from the later part of 2024 to show you. These were taken at Chalk It Up, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Rollins Lake, The American River and the Yolo Countryside.

There’s more to come. I’ll post those next week–I hope!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 45 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #337: Bold

This week, Sofia is asking us to think BOLD. COLOR! That’s what I think of when I hear bold. I am attracted to bright, deep and bold colors. I’m also attracted to angles when I see them, especially when they are straight, angular and bold. This rooftop fits that bill.

Now let’s get to my favorite subject of color. Here are two samples of what I like.

Next are bold designs.

When it comes to flowers, sometimes less color can bring out the bold, especially in a single floral photograph. This flower just fills the frame with its bold burst.

I love signs, especially when they are meaningful, funny or just eye catching.

I’ll end with colorful wall and window designs at our local Crocker Art Museum.

Thank you Sofia, for brightening my morning. I love this challenge. When you respond to Sofia’s challenge, please link your to her original post and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week Ann-Christine challenged us to post just one meaningful image. I enjoyed seeing and reading your responses. Next up is John to challenge us, so be sure to look for his post.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

If you want to know more about participating in the Lens-Artists, please click here.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 60 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #313: Cool Colors

Who doesn’t like something cool in the summertime? A cool drink with plenty of ice. A day at the coast enjoying the ocean. Cool and inviting colors. This week, John wants us to delve into the world of cool–whatever our interpretation. I chose nature.

Let’s look at flowers first. You know I love to photograph flowers, especially tulips (deep purple) and orchids (pink).

And who doesn’t feel the coolness of fog. Its mist lingers in the air as it darkens the scene.

Machinery and tools are another subject for cool. Patina can turn a discarded piece of a machine blue while steel has a totally cooling effect to our senses.

A lush rainforest is so cooling on a hot day. The color green just envelopes you as you walk along the path.

On a recent vineyard outing this artist was painting, and to my surprise all the people were wearing cool colors and she was surrounded by green foliage.

My last picture was taken at a community park where greens and blues abound. So totally relaxing!

And so ends my cool adventure. Thank you John for helping me see how nature can be so relaxing and sweet. When you post your response, please remember to link to John’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week, I’ll be back with another relaxing challenge, so look for my post.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 44 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #311: What’s in a Garden

When I started photography, the first thing I wanted to learn was how to get that soft background behind a flower. I didn’t know the term for that was macro photography and that soft background was bokeh. This led me to truly appreciate floral beauty and the gardeners who create that beauty. Ann-Christine’s challenge this week is on gardens.

I do appreciate the wonderful volunteers who work hours to keep our public gardens looking gorgeous for us to enjoy. One of those gardens is the WPA Rock Garden in Land Park, Sacramento. It’s a small one acre hillside garden comprised of a series of rock-lined beds and meandering paths. The garden was established in 1940 through the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. 

Aside from one paid employee, the garden is taken care of by volunteers who do a fantastic job. Whenever I see a volunteer, I always thank them for making this possible for me to photograph.

Here are some photos I took on a recent visit this month.

Situated in Land Park and near the pond, the garden gets a lot of park visitors who are curious and just enjoy both the park, pond and garden. It’s a wonderful place to relax.

There are many gardens in Sacramento for us to photograph and I appreciate this opportunity to show you The Rock Garden. Thank you Ann-Christine. When you post your response , please be sure to place a link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we zigged and zagged. What a fun challenge from Patti. Next week Sofia will present her challenge so be sure to look for her post.