Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #295: Rock Your World

It’s no wonder rocks rock our world. They are everywhere. So Donna’s challenge this week should be easy, but there are so much to choose from. I limited myself to two years and began searching. Here’s what I found in 2015 and 2016.

I found that rocks and water make wonderful effects like waterfalls and water sprays.

Locally, we have a town named Rocklin. Can you guess why? If you thought it was the sight of quarries you’re right. The site of Griffith Quarry is now a park.

Rocks are also abundant along rivers. The following pictures were taken along the South Fork of the Yuba River.

South of Sacramento in Gold Country is Sonora. We visited our friends who live there during the wildflower season.

I do have a much larger rock to show you. This was taken near the town of Bridgeport on the way to the ghost town Bodie.

I’ll close with an image taken on the shore of local Folsom Lake.

There are many more opportunities for finding rocks and mountains in Northern California.

When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link it to Donna’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we all learned more about ways to edit our photos in John’s “Before and After” challenge. I totally enjoyed reading all of your editing methods. Next week Ritva is challenging us so be sure to look for her post.

Until then, be happy and stay safe!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #294: Before and After

It seems like I’m always confessing in these LAPC blog challenges. Well, here’s another one. John has challenged us to show how we edit images. I don’t edit that much and use Lightroom most of the time. I’ll go into NIK, Topaz and Photoshop for minor help, but that’s about it. It’s not that I’m against other editing programs, I’ve just never taken the time to learn them.

With that said, here’s my first image before and after. This was taken recently at Dry Creek in Roseville. The sun was bright and the trees provided shade, but not all the way. This resulted in roots that were bright and dark. The editing was done in Lightroom with the adjustment brush to burn in some of the roots. Then I toned down the shadows and brightened the image a bit. Then I intensified the color with the orange color slider. Original is on the left and Edited one is on the right.

Next is Rush Ranch taken in January. It was a foggy day which didn’t bother me. I love the mood fog gives an image. But it can leave it dull. In this one, I brightened it with the tone curve, added more contrast, did a sky select and used the blue slider to accent the fog. In Photoshop, I removed the insect trap on the right. I use Photoshop when I want to remove something from a picture.

This flower was photographed last month at Jensen Botanical Garden. I cropped the photo to make the flower larger. I also lightened the background a bit and used the Lightroom sharpener for good measure.

I believe composition is most important. Sometimes I photograph a tight composition and sometimes I give enough room for me to finish composing in editing. My first two examples were framed tight in the camera and this one wasn’t.

Thanks John for having us think about how we edit (or not), and how we can learn from how others edit. When you respond, please link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we had fun with Sofia’s Water in Motion challenge. I enjoyed seeing all your various responses. Dawn is presenting next week’s challenge so look for her post.

Have a great week and take care!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #293: Water in Motion

Oh boy, water is everywhere this winter. Rain storms have added water to our area’s rivers, lakes and creeks here in Sacramento. It’s also added mega snow levels in our mountain areas. Sofia’s challenge this week is to show moving water. Let’s get started.

Lakes. While some of our large lakes are in constant motion, they don’t photograph that way. You can tell by the gentle ripples and swirls in the water.

Donner Lake, Truckee, CA; Two-Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, MT; Folsom Lake, Folsom CA

River. While we have two major rivers flowing through Sacramento County, I’m featuring the American River. It’s known for river rafting, boating, fishing and swimming. The image on the left features the iconic Rainbow Bridge in Folsom. The ripples are delicate enough to reflect the rocks and bridge. This beach is near another well-known bridge, the Fair Oaks Bridge. The American river has many swim areas.

Ocean. I don’t get to the Pacific Ocean often. It’s about a 2 1/2-hour drive, but when I do, I enjoy it. These pictures are from Pacific Grove with waves gently breaking on the shore; Pacifica which is further north and the waves break more violently, causing a major splash on this young man. Back south, we come to the Monterey shoreline, catching the ocean at sunset. The sun’s glow is beautifully reflected in the water.

Fountains. I enjoy catching water in stop-action. Fountains are great for this and so are water spouts. Here are three.

I’ll close with some miscellaneous water fun, waterfalls and drops.

Today the sun is shining and will continue for a couple of days. Then, we are getting more rain! I’d better get out and enjoy the sunshine while I can. If you haven’t posted yet, be sure to link to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag.

Pictures of people from all over the world appeared in my mail box last week, and I totally enjoyed seeing them all. Next week John will be presenting the challenge so be sure to look for his post. Until then, take care.

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 · 41 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #291: Cityscapes

Cityscapes? Patti wants to see our citiscapes either from our home town or travels. My town is more like suburban-scapes! I’m probably not giving Sacramento its due. It has grown a great deal since I moved here in 2001. We don’t live in Sacramento proper, but in one of the small surrounding cities in Sacramento County, Citrus Heights. You can drive about 5 miles and still see country homesteads.

But when we talk about the city, we talk about the City of Sacramento about 20 minutes from Citrus Heights. I don’t go there often because of the one-way streets. It would help if the grid was consistent, but it’s not. Yes, one time I did turn the wrong way. I heard loud yells and was able to turn around quickly!

We don’t have skyscrapers, but our newer buildings are glass that reflect other buildings. So I’m going to show you those today. I do love reflections.

I also love murals. These two show murals. The Johnny Cash mural takes up the entire building side. I liked the way the artist incorporated the window in the train design.

To entice people to live downtown, residential apartments are being built above stores. Window terraces help bring in the outside.

I just liked this stairwell.

And here are some reflective buildings.

Give Sacramento another 10 years and it will be more cosmopolitan and grown up. It is the capital city of California. If you haven’t posted your cityscape yet, please remember to link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I truly enjoyed seeing your amazing replies to Ann-Christine’s Circular Wonders challenge last week. Some were truly creative. Next week, Tina will be challenging us, so be sure to look for her post. Take care everyone!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 60 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #289: Tools of Composition

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.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #288: Window Shopping

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!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 50 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #287: Sound

All of our senses are connected. When you see a plate of well-presented food, can’t you taste it before you take a bite? When I’m walking my dog, I can hear a car long before I can see it, giving me plenty of time to navigate to the side of the road. I once interviewed deaf students through an interpreter. I watched their faces and body language to understand their excitement and other feelings.

This week Donna opens the world of sound for us. This challenge helped me understand how we show sound to our viewers through our two-dimensional presentations. Let’s get into my selections.

This Civil War Reenactment image shows the canon being fired. Can’t you just hear the loud boom as smoke fills the air?

And more booms and pops during this fireworks display.

If you’re really into music and you’re in a setting with a wood floor, you can actually feel the music’s beat with your feet. But in a picture we can imagine the sound of musicians and their music.

Waves crash rocks, making a serene sound as we watch a beautiful sunset. Here two senses are working together.

Remember those cars I mentioned. Just stand next to a freeway and close your eyes. You can hear the passing whish and feel the rumble of the cars. But don’t close them now, see the light trails!

I’ve saved the worst image, but most meaningful to me for last–my grandson’s elementary school class’s performance during the holidays years ago. They were singing holiday songs. These performances show that music reaches our hearts beyond what we hear. Ryan is in the second row, right side in back of the girl wearing a red dress that has a white heart on it. Ryan is now 15 years.

When I started looking for sounds, I thought I wouldn’t have much. But I have even more. Sound is all around us and in our images.

When you respond, please link to Donna’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We would all like to see your sounds.

Thank you for your responses to my Weather Challenge. I’m so glad you all weathered the week and found amazing images. I also enjoyed that some of you played along with the homophone. One of you even got in wether, admitting they didn’t have a picture of a young castrated ram!

Next week, Ritva will be presenting her first challenge as a team member. So be sure to look for her post.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 147 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #286: Weather

You check the weather forecast to find out whether the weather is good for a photo outing! Yes, it’s rabbit hole time again! 

According to Grammarly.com weather can be a noun as in when we make a weather forecast, or a verb as If the team can weather the injuries it has faced this year.

When used as a conjunction, whether is the correct spelling. And did you know that a Wether is a ram or goat that is castrated at a young age. Honestly, I didn’t dig this rabbit hole! It just happened. And these words are homophones–words that have the same sound but different meanings.

This challenge is about the various types of weather conditions in which we photographers find ourselves pursuing our hobby or vocation.

We all look for nice weather. Sunny, nice puffy clouds, or sometimes even a cloudless sky will do. The direction from which the sun hits an object can intensify its color or cast a shadow.

Sometimes those big puffy clouds turn dark and gray. That’s a sign that a storm is coming. Better hurry and take those pictures!

Did you hurry and duck inside or under a shelter. Or, maybe, you just like to photograph in the rain. Just make sure your camera is covered.

After the rain, we are left with puddle reflections that entice children to jump into. Right now, we have a one-day break in rainstorms here in sunny California. That’s okay, it’s better than being in drought.

If its very cold, rain turns to snow that covers the ground with a beautiful white blanket. Just try to keep your children away!

My favorite weather is fog. I love to photograph in the fog. There’s something mysterious and calming about fog.

So, we’ve talked about the weather and now it’s your turn. Do you enjoy taking your camera out in all types of weather? Whether or not you do, I’m sure you have some enjoyable images taken on outings or vacations. And if you have some pictures of Wethers, let’s see those cute little animals too. Okay, I’m done! I promise!! Well, one more thing. When you respond to this challenge, please link to it and use the Lens-Artists tag. That way I can see whether you responded with weather images and stories. I guess I wasn’t quite done!

This week Egidio asked us to show how warm colors can affect our images and the feelings they leave behind. I enjoyed seeing all your amazing responses. Take care everyone and enjoy your weather!

Next week Donna will be challenging us, so be sure to look for her post.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #285: Warm Colors

Welcome Egidio! I absolutely love your choice of Warm Colors as your first challenge because I enjoy the warm tones over the cool tones. So, let’s get started with my examples.

Up first are zoo animals. the giraffe and orangutan are my favorites. They are so expressive. The orangutans are playful, and the giraffes make such funny faces.

My next image is of a squawking cormorant with his yellow beak wide open. I wonder what he’s saying!

I enjoy photographing covered bridges. This one was recently redone. Its shingles are warm colored, blending in with the natural surroundings.

Cool in temperature, but warm in color are the Luray Caverns in Virginia.

You never know what you’ll find when you’re driving down a country road! But you know in October you’ll find pumpkins.

Finally, who says warm colors can’t be photographed at night. This image taken in Old Sacramento has warm written all over it.

Thank you Egidio for challenging us with warm colors during Sacramento’s damp, overcast and rainy weather. When you post your response to this challenge, please remember to link your post to Egidio’s and use the Lens-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing your days and nights last week, especially the comparisons. Next week I will be challenging you, so stay tuned.