I’m offering this photo for Terri’s Sunday Stills Pastels Photo Challenge on a Tuesday and it’s not a pastel. It’s more earthy–a mushroom. I like its colors and shape as it clings to a tree.
I’ll try to do better next Sunday!
All Laura had to do was ask if I wanted to go to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and I jumped at the chance. I haven’t been anywhere since my August 2023 auto accident for more than 2 – 3 hours. Since Laura was driving, the 3 hours both ways, I knew if I needed rest, I could sleep. It was a wonderful day out. I had never been to the arboretum, and anything floral has me feeling great. Laura wanted to photograph the humming birds and I just wanted to leave.
The humming birds were confined to one bush that was blossoming. I got my one hummer picture and walked around. Laura has patience, where I don’t, and a longer lens. She stood by the bush for about 1/2 an hour, taking pictures. Of course, she was more successful in the number of hummers.
Here’s my one picture! Of course, the colorful hummers sort of blended into the bush.
We walked around through the various zones. It was relaxing and fun. Here’s a sample:
Our day didn’t end at the arboretum. We took the long way home through Half Moon Bay, stopping at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Those pictures will be in my next regular post.
And, I didn’t need to sleep!
I had a lot of fun with this challenge. Thank you Ritva! The fun came when I experimented with Photoshop filters and saw how I could change images. I also realized how I just compose photos for abstracts. Most of the images below are ones I put my lens close in or used a macro lens. So, let’s get started with my show and tell!
First, I have so much fun with intentional camera (lens) movement. Here are two taken at two different carnivals.
Now for some Photoshop filter fun. Can you see the two flowers in the first (left) photo? How about the bridge going over the stream in the center photo? The one on the right is easier–reflection of trees in the water.
Now for the images I took naturally with close ups.
As I said, I enjoyed experimenting and discovering more about how I take photos. Once again, thanks Ritva. When you reply to her post with your abstracts, please remember to link to Ritva’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
We did some rock climbing, walking and just admiring last week in response to Donna’s challenge. I enjoyed your responses. Next week Egidio is challenging us, so be sure to look for his post.
Until then stay safe!
The night would be perfect: some clouds and sun. This was a rarity for us in Sacramento lately. Taking the opportunity, Laura and I went to photograph the sunset at Gibson Ranch Regional Park.
This is a Sacramento County park and equestrian center that has picnic areas. a dog park, small lake, and other activities. It’s a perfect place that is local to catch a sunset. We were not disappointed.
Before sunset: The equestrian area was gated off, but these facilities were available to photograph.
As the sun was getting low in the sky, fishermen were still trying to catch their limit.
And I became taller! Okay, with the help of my shadow!!
Finally a great sunset and lake reflection!
After all those weeks of overcast and rain, I was a happy camper! The damp, overcast and rain did come back, so I was glad we went that evening.
When I’m out with my camera, I see and notice things differently. I mentally compose the picture even before I pick up my camera. So, I really don’t pay much attention to the rules and tools of composition. I do believe I needed John’s challenge today. He has me thinking of how and why I do things regarding composing a picture.
Mostly I look for shape and texture. I do love texture. Anything wood is texture whether it’s a tree, a fallen tree or a barn made from a tree.
Actually, everywhere you look you’ll find shape, form and texture. We can build stores, machines and buildings that show off shape, form and texture.
Rectangles and circles
Squares, triangles and rectangles
Triangle and half circle
Nature’s perfect circles
And my favorite, nature’s freeform.
The next time I take my camera out, I will be more aware thanks to John’s challenge. Thanks John! When you respond, please link to John’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I totally enjoyed window shopping with you and Ritva last week. Next week Ann-Christine will be presenting our challenge so look for her post.
We are having blizzard conditions in the Northern California foothills. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are a beautiful white. My children live in Reno and are getting a lot of snow also. We are okay with just a lot of rain and wind here in Sacramento. Take care everyone.
I think my problem with shopping is that I go with an intent and usually don’t find what I want or need. I come home frustrated. I’ve learned to go out with nothing in mind and usually come home with something that I needed or not.
So window shopping is even more difficult for me. But a challenge is a challenge and Marlene and I went out to the fountains, a small outdoor shopping center, to walk and photograph.
Here’s what I found. I enjoyed playing with and capturing reflections.
Fashion in windows. I laughed when I realized that I would never wear some of these clothes, especially those boots. That’s what happens when you’re 80!
Now for some odds and ends.
I am a dog mom and love that little Schnoodle. Windows must be washed for us to do window shopping. This last one is a reflection of across the street with the ghost like image of a male mannequin in the store window. You can see him in the window being washed.
Now it’s time to stop spending money! I just liked this palm tree. Saving buttons instead of pennies.
I do love red umbrellas and shadows!
We followed our non-shopping experience with lunch. Thank you Ritva for getting me out. When you respond to Ritva’s post, please remember to link to her challenge and use the Lens-Artist tag.
Last week, I totally enjoyed seeing how you all portrayed sound in your images. Some were very creative. Next week John will be presenting the challenge, so be sure to look for his post! Take care!
It’s been raining in California since late December. At first it was welcomed in this normally dry state, but now in February, with two atmospheric rivers passing through, we need a break. We photographers need some sunshine or at least a cloudy day!
Here’s a photo taken this week of the little creek in my neighborhood. It just about crested after one of the storms. Don’t worry it flows into the American River. But this happened overnight! The next day it was at normal flow.
Needing to take our cameras for a walk, we visited our indoor favorite, the Antique Trove in Roseville. There’s always something new to photograph. This time I decided to give myself a macro lens challenge. I photographed everything up close. I did have fun.
Here’s a sample.
We had a respite yesterday with just clouds. That was great. Sun would be even better!
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento is a photographers challenge. They have beautiful autos, but they are behind ropes which makes it difficult to photograph. Whenever I go there, I tend to pick out a part of the car to photograph. We haven’t been there in years and the cars in the museum have changed. There’s always something new to see. This time my friend Ray and I checked it out.
I was concentrating at photographing the hood ornaments. We don’t have them any more!
I like the pieces of the old, old, old cars; (Okay I don’t know the years, probably 1920 on.) much older than me. I liked where they put the headlights, steering wheels and foot pedals.
They also had a few old race cars.
These two are from the 1950s. I remember the Chevy but not the Ford convertible. Do you?
It’s amazing how car design has changed. Take time to go down memory lane at an auto museum near you.
I enjoy doing things differently, especially when it comes to my camera and lens. Last week a small carnival occupied some of the Sunrise Mall parking lot in Citrus Heights. Perfect! I had to go and two photo buddies met me there.
When I say small, I mean not too many rides that are great for slow shutter speed photography. That coupled with my injuries from the August auto accident (They tell me it will be a long time recovery for my neck and shoulders.), helped me decide to leave my tripod in the car. You’ll see that in some cases I needed it.
Here are the pictures–handheld.
Some of these may not be perfect, but I had an hour’s worth of fun. Next year the tripod!
Timing is everything. Amy’s challenge this morning is on contrasts: shadows and light, colors, hard and soft, etc. It just happens that this is the morning of the annular (partial) solar eclipse. We didn’t see much of it in California, but NASA put on a good show for us. Amy, I hope you were able to see the totality in Texas.
NASA gives this explanation of a solar eclipse: A solar eclipse happens when, at just the right moment, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. Sometimes the Moon only blocks part of the Sun’s light. This is called a partial solar eclipse. Other times, the Moon blocks all of the Sun’s light. This is called a total solar eclipse. As the Moon blocks the Sun’s light, it casts a shadow on part of the Earth.The Moon’s shadow creates a trail as Earth rotates. This trail is called the path of totality. If you want to experience total darkness during an eclipse, you have to be in the path of totality. In that path, the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light for a few minutes. It gets so dark that it looks like night time during a full Moon!
So why am I mentioning this? Watching the eclipse unfold on my computer screen, I thought there is no better contrast between the sun and moon during this rare occasion. This took me back to the total solar eclipse Richard and I viewed in Idaho in 2017. That was an amazing experience. We were camping in our trailer, but crowds came in that morning. During the eclipse the crowd went quiet until totality. Then the clapping and yelling started. Wow!
I took pictures with my Nikon D3100, armed with a solar filter, handheld. Here are my results of nature’s contrast of the sun and moon from beginning to totality and the end.
I hope you enjoyed my cosmic contrast scenes. Thank you Amy for encouraging me to look back. When you post your contrasts, please remember to link to Amy’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing all your varied displays last week as encouraged by Ann-Christine. I always enjoy your unique posts and interpretations to our challenges. Next week John is presenting the challenge so be sure to look for his post.
Slow Shutter Speed 