landscape photography – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #365: Longing

After reading Egidio’s post and his challenge this week, I thought heavily on what I’m longing for. Health, wealth, increased life expectancy. Yes, really deep subjects. Then I got real. What am I truly longing for. I had the ride in the small 2-seater airplane, but I didn’t take to the sky in a balloon. That’s it. I want to ride in a hot air balloon!

It almost happened at a balloon festival back in 2012. I had just bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D3100 and was anxious to use it. We went to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Windsor, California. This was a great introduction for me since it was relatively small.

We pulled in with our trailer the night before. I was woken at 4 a.m. the next morning to grab my camera and take pictures of the dawn patrol. In the dark, the only setting I could see on my camera was a green “A.” I knew that would put me on “auto.” That’s the way the following images were captured.

Later that morning, with my camera set to “manual,” I photographed these:

I was signed up for a balloon ride the next morning, but they cancelled all rides because of wind. I’ve not had a second chance yet. However, maybe next year I’ll have another opportunity for a ride with two neighbors who also have the same longing.

Meanwhile, In 2017, my friend and I attended the balloon festival in Reno, Nevada. This was a much bigger festival and the availability for taking pictures was less. But once the balloons got in the air, it was a magnificent sight.

I’m still longing for that ride and hope that 2026 will be the year it happens!

Thanks Egidio, for helping me isolate another activity from my bucket list. When you reply to his post, please link to it and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we saw a great deal of quiet — the places you go to for solitude and relaxation. They put me in a very mellow mood. Next week Tina will return and challenge us. Stay tuned!

Posted on July 27, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 55 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #358: Live and Learn

Living is learning! I started learning to be something else other than a mom when pouring a glass of water for a friend during dinner. By rote, I poured him a half glass. He then asked if he promised not to spill, could he have a full glass! That’s when I decided I needed to do something just for me.

I enrolled in a non-fiction writing class at Pierce College, Woodland Hills. This led to writing for the L. A. Daily News as a community columnist and taking my own photos for the articles. When retirement hit, I decided I was done with writing and got my first SLR.

Then the learning began. I learn by doing. I went out on photo outings and asked a lot of questions of other photographers. Later, I joined a photo club where my photos would be critiqued. Then I found LAPC, and here we are!

That was a long way to introduce my response to Tina’s challenge. Through my photographic progression I’ve learned many things like:

Have the eyes in focus!

Use the sun correctly.

Have your picture tell a story.

Be ready. Sometimes you just have to take the shot.

More lessons learned are in the captions.

Oh, there are many more lessons I’ve learned. The biggest lesson is just have fun! I’m still in the photo club and enjoy having my photos critiqued. My photo/friend group has aged, but we still go out once a week. Photography keeps your mind sharp and body exercised.

Thanks Tina for this mental exercise, showing us why we are photographing as we do, and why we should keep doing it.

Last week we went into the woods prompted by Egidio’s fantastic challenge. I enjoyed all your responses. When you respond to Tina’s post remember to link to her original challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week John will be leading the challenge, so look for his post. Until then stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 48 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #352: Mellow

We all mellow out in different ways. Many of you have posted music lyrics. Music also relaxes me. One song does come to mind–“Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison of the Beatles. However my favorite rendition is by Richie Havens. Google it. You’ll soon be dancing around, forgetting your cares and mellowing out.

But this is a photo blog, and this week Sofia asks us to mellow out. Here are just a few places I take my camera to relax.

A High Sierra Lake. The still water is calming and I do love the forest.

Trees with their graceful branches are beautiful and welcoming. They are also beautiful when snuggled in fog and looking mysterious.

Driving on a mountain road is relaxing for me. Since I live in a valley, driving these roads, away from suburban traffic, mellows me out. The car was off the road when I took this photo!

And, how about the gracefulness of birds in flight. I sit and wonder what it must be like to soar in the air like that on your own power.

You know how much I love to photograph flowers. Just being able to capture their beauty mellows me out.

And finally, we can’t forget the relaxation brought by an amazing sunset. We have to watch carefully so we don’t miss its natural beauty because the moment is fleeting.

Thanks Sofia, you reminded us of the need to just get away and mellow out however we do. It’s a great practice for our physical and spiritual beings. When you post your response, please remember to link to Sofia’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Ritva opened the wonder of books–another way to relax. Next week Beth is leading her first challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

In the meantime stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 50 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #351: Books

For so many years, books were my window to the world. They took me away from the Bronx tenement where I grew up to many lands and different ways of life. They were my childhood escape. As I grew up and became an adult, my tastes in books changed. Married and with children, I found amazing children’s authors. But I still relied on books to take me to foreign lands. That remained my treasured hobby–until photography and the Lens Artists community.

Now you take me away and teach me about the world. And with photography, I can express myself and show my travels outside of and within the United States.

This week Ritva challenges us with the task of showing what significance books hold for us. Here’s one for this week’s show and tell.

Last December was a choose your own book month in my book club. I chose to re-read “Travels With Charlie” by John Steinbeck. This was a journal of his cross-country trip with his dog Charlie. This re-read showed me what an impact books and certain authors can have on your life. Now I know why I wanted to travel across America in our 5th wheel trailer in 2013. By the way, this was when I began photography and got my first DSLR.

**Our 5th wheel and truck. AKA Rocky (the truck) and Bullwinkle** (the trailer)

Steinbeck’s words resonated with me even more after re-experiencing his journey. We may not have gone to the same towns or met the same people, but he found the differences in culture and ways of life as we did.

Here is a small sample of the places we stopped.

We didn’t have Charlie, but we had Gem who was 3 years at the time. What an education that trip was. I still hold those memories in my mind and heart. Just see how you can attract people in a Maine campground with California plates on your truck!

Our trip came to an end after 3 months and 16,000 miles. I could have continued for another 3 months. There was so much of the U.S. we didn’t see. But, Richard needed to have a torn meniscus repaired. And Gem was missing his big house. He wasn’t a good traveler!

Thank you Ritva for driving home how one book made a difference in my life. When you post about your favorite book(s), remember to link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Wow, what a week we had. I truly enjoyed your zooms and creativity. Some of you tackled zooming for the first time and others were pros at it. All your posts were great and fun to see. Thanks for participating.

Next is Sofia’s turn to challenge us. So look for her blog post. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 69 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #339: Life’s Changes

Retirement is a big change. At least for me it was since my life revolved around the grandkids, husband and mom. My small parttime business, which I was closing, was my outlet. What would I do? Enter– photography.

Photography changed my life! It rescued me, gave me purpose and became a passion.

My business was something I did for me. It kept my brain active, and I enjoyed being a part of my client’s successes. I was truly afraid of giving that part of me up. But once I stepped on that photography path, I knew I had found the right outlet.

This new venture was a steep learning curve, especially since I didn’t want to take classes. (I didn’t want homework!). Photography became my brain gym. I joined photo meetup groups, and met other photographers, some of whom became friends. I found photographers are willing to share knowledge.

I soon became a photo addict, reading tutorials, and went out on as many outings as I could. I didn’t realize what the greater Sacramento Area had to offer as far as beauty. I did my best to go out to various places like the Foothills, the Sierras, the coast, the city and the countryside.

I was definitely on the photography path. Now 13 years later, I’m still traveling the photography road and loving it. I have Chronic Fatigue, but when my camera is in my hand, I’m never tired. I see opportunities like my camera would. Compositions just pop out to me saying, “Here I am! Take the shot!”

Now what to do with all the photos I’ve taken? I started a blog which led to the Lens-Artists Challenge. I’ve so enjoyed sharing photos with all of you and learning about where you live and travel. Photography has brought me all this. It has enriched and changed my life.

What has enriched and/or changed yours? That is your challenge this week. Share with us your joys and passion of a hobby or life experience that helped direct your life’s passion. It might even be a person who made a difference along the way. Express your thoughts in words and pictures.

Oh, use as many words as you need! I really enjoyed your posts in response to John’s Pick A Word challenge last week. What a variety! Next week Ritva will present the challenge, so look for her post.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on January 25, 2025January 25, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 45 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #333: Complementary Colors

Color, that’s what it’s all about. It’s used to entice us to purchase items. We dress in colors that complement our complexion. And as photographers we always use color even if we process in black and white. This week, Egidio encourages to show us how we use complementary colors in our photography.

Nature gives us color every time we go out, especially complementary colors. First is green. What doesn’t complement green. On the color wheel colors shades of orange, red and purple complement green when you cast a wide net.

But we humans know how to use complementary colors also. From a seat cushion, to fireworks against a golden bridge, to an abstract and to a ship’s interior.

When you see ads, interior spaces or store fronts, think about how they use color. Thanks Egidio for this wonderful and colorful challenge. When you post your response, please link to Egidio’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I enjoyed seeing your responses to Ritva’s post that had us looking down last week. You gave me lots of ideas! Next week Tina is presenting the challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

A Christmas Day Ritual: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

I’ve gotten behind again, so it’s catch up time. Laura and I have a tradition of going to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas Day. You would be surprised at how many cars are visiting the refuge on Christmas Day!

The weather was perfect. The fog burned off and the sun sort of came out. At least there was enough contrast for my camera and lens (Which only extends to 300 mm.) to get birds in focus. Here’s a sampling.

I’m not a true bird photographer, but I do like my yearly jaunt with Laura. Take care everyone!

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 53 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #325: Gratitude

Each year I set an intention, not a resolution. This year it was gratitude. So, thank you Tina for rolling in this challenge towards the end of 2024. For me, gratitude is a choice you make every day. Living in gratitude makes your personal space better no matter what is going on around you.

I am so grateful for my family who were there for me in 2009 when I had heart surgery. They continue to be there for us, helping in many ways and sharing life cycle joys. I have pictures of my two granddaughters to share. The first is of my younger granddaughter, Olivia, waiting for her birthday party guests to arrive. This was taken in October 2018. She’s grown a lot since then. But the memory of her excitement will always stay with me.

Meanwhile, more recently, my older granddaughter, Madison, was getting ready for her wedding. Of course grandma had to take the pictures. The morning was just bursting with love.

I’m also grateful for my two grandsons Christopher, a teacher, and Ryan, a high-school student.

When you have pets, they are family. I’m grateful for all the loyal and loving dogs we’ve had. Here are Molly (now deceased) and Gem (who is 14 years now but a puppy in this picture).

Memories are something I cherish. I guess that comes with age. Richard and I took wonderful trips in our trailer. It’s my favorite way to travel. I’m so grateful we chose to travel this way while we could.

I can’t end this post without mentioning how grateful for my passion for photography. It’s helped me find many friends and has shown me the wonderful area I live in.

Remember, when the going gets tough, find something you’re grateful for. And, yes, there’s a take away for you in every circumstance. The world is a lot better when you concentrate on gratitude. Today, I’m grateful for the LAPC community.

Thanks Tina! I think we all needed to shift our mindset to gratitude. When you post your blog, please remember to link to Tina’s challenge and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week Patti had us concentrate on details, and we saw wonderful images in your posts. Ann-Christine is up next, so look for her challenge. In the meantime, live in gratitude each day.

Posted on August 5, 2024August 5, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #310: Zig Zag

Have you ever zigged when you should have zagged? Or better said, gave Lightroom a challenge! I will warn you–don’t change a file name—ever! I know after you’ve imported into Lightroom to change a file name first in Lightroom and then on your computer. But my Zig occurred when I changed file names before importing into Lightroom. The Zag was a disaster.

I’ve managed to salvage some images of zigging and zagging, so here they are. Warning, they are out of the order I was trying to put them in, but I don’t want to tempt fate again! So here are my offerings for Patti’s fun challenge. I actually had fun finding these.

My zig zag problems aside, this was a fun challenge. As you post your ZZ’s please remember to link to Patti’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag. A big thank you to our July guest hosts: Leanne, Elizabeth and PR. They presented creative and wonderful challenges.

Next week, Ann-Christine will lead our challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

Interested in joining the Lens-Artists challenges? Click here for more information…..

Posted on June 23, 2024June 24, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #305: Two Rectangles

Once again I’m finding I’m following a compositional rule without knowing it! Hopefully, that’s a good sign 😎. This week Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyes, challenges us to show how we use rectangles in our photographs and how they help our composition.

I’ve chosen to look through my 2018 archives to discover rectangles in my images and how they enhanced my composition. I found some and I’ve also found that one rectangle can lead to more–another rabbit hole! Not my challenge this time.

A stand out for me is architecture. I love photographing buildings because of the leading lines. Little did I know that would mean rectangles. The empty barn is built from rectangles more or less in formation. The modern building is showing rectangles in its windows and concrete supports going across the glass structures that are, indeed, rectangles within a larger rectangle. The old bank building is a rectangle structure with rectangle windows and doors. It even has a rectangular truck parked in front!

Now let’s go to nature. Landscapes are best for seeing rectangles. The horizon line separates land from sky, creating two rectangles. Sometimes shore and water create the rectangles and a reflection makes it a definite unit. Eye catching sunsets, especially over water, help create two symmetrical rectangles.

Now for my last three images. Square boxes stacked upon each other become rectangular towers. A fence made from individual rectangular skis become an attractive rectangular unit. Fabric sewn together can yield many rectangles.

I had fun finding rectangles and it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. How about you? When you create your post, please remember to use the Lens-Artists tag and link to Egidio’s post. He does request that you also put your link in the comments section of his post.

I also enjoyed seeing how backgrounds affected your compositions as asked by Ritva last week. Tina is up next with an exciting challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

As those who follow her know, Lens-Artists team member Donna of Wind Kisses is taking a break from blogging for personal reasons. She will be very much missed but, hopefully be with us again before too long. We wish Donna and her family only the best, as our thoughts are with all of them.