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 · 64 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #347: Break the Rules

When I started this hobby, I didn’t know there were rules, and it was a good thing. I probably would have walked away from any type of constraint. I just enjoyed taking pictures, composing and learning about my camera.

Ritva’s challenge this week has us finding images where we successfully broke the rules–or maybe unsuccessfully! How many of us keep the images that didn’t work? I throw them out, keeping only the best or the ones I like. Those are my excuses for not finding total rule breaking images in my archives.

I chose 2020 for my search because it was sort of midway in my photographic journey. Here’s what I found.

These poppies are totally centered. You might say I filled the frame, but only because I cropped in too tight.

It’s never a good idea to photograph wildlife from the rear, but look at the way this hawk has it’s head turned.

And should the horizon line be in the center of the frame? Maybe it’s okay when the sky is as fantastic as the ground.

Never shoot into the sun! Unless….

Is zooming breaking the rules? I don’t know. I just have fun with it.

And what about moving the camera while the shutter is open? You might get a scrambled jumble of color.

And finally, I think this was a cactus. I don’t know what I did to get this picture.

I think photographic rules are meant to be broken. I basically understand the rule of thirds and not to place the horizon line in the center of the composition; the rest is a mystery to me. I just compose the picture the way I like it.

Thanks Ritva for this soul searching topic. It really was a difficult challenge–at least for me! When you share your response, please link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Sofia challenged us to post cinematic pictures which was an equally difficult challenge. I enjoyed seeing all your creativity. Next week Egidio will be leading the challenge, so look for his post on Saturday.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 53 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #346: Cinematic

Confession time again, I rarely go to movies. The last one I went to was “A Complete Unknown,” and before that, “A Star Is Born.” Both were great movies. Worse, I’m not artistic. So, I’m twisting again. Oh, I loved that dance. I don’t have a sense of rhythm and you can twist and get away without one–a sense of rhythm!

So Sofia’s challenge is certainly a challenging one for me! I tried to make images look as cinematic as I could, and came up with a storyline for each picture. Here goes!

While on a wonderful vacation, a young couple are witness to a murder! They are not seen. What do they do? Go to the police and maybe ruin their vacation? Go home–fast? Or continue their vacation as if nothing happened? Or were they seen by the killer???

A storm recently came through this amazing vacation spot. These were left standing. What are they? What were their significance. How severe was the storm. Will the small town recover?

It’s getting late in the day, and time for picnickers to end their fun day of??? This is your story because I can’t come up with a good plot. I’m a non-fiction writer! I do want to read your ideas!

The party’s over. Everyone has gone home, leaving this balloon arrangement all alone. What was cheered at this party? A birthday, promotion, wedding, divorce?? What do you think????

Now this is one smart store owner. They have provided a bench outside their shop for the proverbial husband whose wife is shopping and has a credit card. He trusts her not to spend too much since he’s relaxing and reading a book. Or, was that book provided by the storekeeper so his wife would spend more time in the store? What do you think?

Your special places posted last week were wonderful. John certainly got our travel juices going. When you respond to Sofia’s challenge, please link back to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Ritva will be challenging us next week, so get ready and look for her post.

In the meantime, stay healthy and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 55 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #345: My Go To Places

John wants to know where I go to relax and rejuvenate. At first I didn’t know since I don’t have a designated place that calms me down. I gave it a lot of thought while I was editing photos, and then it came to me. My go to place is anywhere my camera takes me!

Yes, I can be upset, not feeling well, tired, etc.; but when I’m holding my camera, I have energy, I’m happy and not weary. The upsetting world drifts away, and I’m absorbed in a sunflower field, beautiful countryside, rivers, wildlife, buildings or anything that attracts my photographic eye.

Along a Mountain Road
Ironside Winery
Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Parks
McKinley Rose Garden
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Old Sacramento Railroad Depot
Sunflower Field

At least one photo outing gets me through the week. Thank you John for helping me realize how important this photo hobby is to my physical and mental being. It’s definitely good for my soul. When you post your response, please link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

What a week this amazing photo community gave me in your responses to “abandoned.” They were varied, heart felt and amazing. Thank you everyone. Sophia is presenting next week’s challenge, so be sure to look for her post a week from now. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 94 Comments

LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE#344: ABANDONED

Being alone, lost, forgotten feels like abandonment. Can we project our human feelings onto inanimate things? With a little imagination, we can. How many times have you passed an old rundown house and wondered about the people who lived there? Or passed an old barn on the roadside and let your imagination run wild?

For instance, old farm equipment always has me picturing a farmer riding a tractor through a field or a horse drawn plow left by the wayside when a motorized version came along. They were abandoned for the sake of progress.

When things are of no use anymore, they are carelessly left to fall apart like these two old boats that are beached and never to enter the water again.

Homes, once a place of joy and laughter now sit alone in decay. What games did children play in their yards? How many families occupied the dwellings?

Old vehicles left to decay in covered structures and an old theater that had to be vacated because multiplex cinemas took over.

And our animal shelters are full of animals left by their owners. Or feral like these little kittens abandoned at Knight’s Landing, and who were being fed by a caring individual.

And last our current homeless problem. Have we abandoned their needs for a bed to sleep in?

Your challenge is to tell and show us your thoughts on abandonment. I hope I’ve given you some ideas to get you started. I love old rundown things, especially when they are rusty. But when I got to thinking about what they would say if they could talk, it brought me to a solemn place. Where will it bring you?

I’m looking forward to seeing how you feel about being abandoned. I like people too much to enjoy being alone. When you respond, please link back to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag—anything that helps me find your post!

Last week, thanks to Ann-Christine, we shared the fun of our last outings. I enjoyed seeing the varied places you visited. Next week look for John’s post because he will be leading our challenge.

Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 42 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #343: Seen on my Last Outing

I’m twisting again! My last outing has to be this morning’s outing because I’ve already posted on the zoo–my real last outing. Gosh, this is getting confusing.

Anyway, it’s tulip time so I went off to Jensen Botanical Garden, in Fair Oaks, to photograph their small tulip patch. This park is close to my home, and a much easier ride than driving to Grass Valley to photograph the tulips at Ananda Village.

You never know what you’ll come across when you go to a public park–like these girls being photographed. I asked what the occasion was and was told they were just having fun.

Then I came across another group taking pictures. This time I didn’t ask what they were doing. I didn’t want to intrude because the picture taking looked formal. However, I was spotted with my camera aimed and ready, and I received a nice smile. I also stopped to photograph a mother and child. The mother saw what I was doing and gave me a smile of approval.

So that’s what I did this morning. What an amazing morning! Tulips and more!

Thanks Ann-Christine for this fun and easy challenge. Last week Egidio had us running wild. There were many ideas for WILD! I enjoyed them all. Next week, I’ll be leading the challenge, so remember to look for my post. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 53 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #342: It’s a Wild Life

Oh, no doubt about it, it is a wild life in more ways than one! But this week Egidio has us concentrating on nature which constantly surprises me. Egidio encourages us to show our wild side, asking us to post no more than eight images. Paring down was the real challenge, so here goes.

Effie Yeaw. This unspoiled nature center is about 15 minutes from my home and along the American River. The deer, birds, coyotes, rabbits, etc. are left to fend for themselves. We typically see deer and small animals here.

Each year, Laura and I go to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge which is a couple of hours away. It’s a great place to photograph birds. Armed with my 300 mm max lens and a great deal of hope, I usually come home with a few good pictures. Thank goodness for cropping images!

An occasional trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, again with my friend Laura (who is a great nature/wildlife photographer) usually provides a day of fun and photography. There is an elk preserve there.

And elephant seals sleep on the shore.

My go to place for swans is Mather Lake, maybe 30 minutes from my home.

And, this is my eighth and last image. Each year birds nest in trees in Lincoln. It’s not exactly in the wild, but these wild egrets and herons have found a safe nesting place.

This may be my photographic wild side, but right now the wind is gusting, reminding me of nature’s other wild side. This one, I don’t like so much!

Thanks Egidio for encouraging us to walk on the wild side. Please be sure to link your response to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week was another difficult challenge when Tina asked us to pick our favorites. What an array of photos we shared. It was so much fun. Next week Ann-Christine challenges us, so look for her post. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #341: Personal Favorites

Every time I think a challenge is probably the most difficult, there’s another one coming along. This time, Tina is asking us to pick no more than five of our favorite photos. I don’t know about you, but it’s much easier for me to pick favorites from someone else’s images.

I know you expect me to post flowers, but in this photo, the praying mantis was what I was after.

You also know I’m a member of our local zoo. I happened to be talking to a docent when I think we woke up this flamingo. Quick shot!

I happened to be invited to photograph a super moon that was to appear near our State Capitol building. So glad I was there.

I miss our annual Sacramento Music Festival, especially seeing Tom Rigney and Flambeau.

My fifth and final picture is…yes, a flower. A lotus.

Thank you Tina for this wonderful exercise and trip down memory lane. When you post your five favorites, please link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we saw portraits of all kinds. It was beautiful and fun. Next week Egidio will be challenging us, so stay tuned! In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on 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 by Anne Sandler · 61 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #338: Pick A Word

If you know my photographic style, then you know my word would be MACRO. Close up or macro photography was my goal when I first started photography, and it has continued to be. So John, macro is my choice. You’ve made this challenge easy for me because I have so many images to choose from. Or was it easy?

In finding my macro images, I found mostly flowers. Some even had visitors:

But there were also some water drops:

This challenge may have seemed short and sweet, but it was difficult choosing the images! So thank you John for this journey of “One Word!” I’m now reminded that I haven’t taken my macro lens out in a long time! Oh, when you post your reply, please remember to link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week Sophia had us all go on Bold journeys, and I enjoyed seeing and experiencing all of yours. I’m presenting next week’s challenge, so I’d better get busy. In the meantime, stay safe, be resilient and live in gratitude.