Sundial Bridge – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on June 15, 2024June 15, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #304: Behind

Composition can make or break a photograph’s impact for the viewer. I always take the time to compose an image in the camera, but never really concentrated on why. In this week’s challenge Ritva explains why the background is an important component of composition. She explains that the background sets the mood and context of the image.

If you follow my posts, you know I love to create macros. In doing a macro, I’m setting the background to be soft and blurred, helping my subject (usually a flower) stand out. Sometimes the foreground can also be softened like in the tulip below. There’s no doubt as to the images’ subjects.

But sometimes a simple soft focus will be enough to spotlight a subject. In the images below, there is just a slight bokeh on the background–just enough to have the viewer’s eye go to the ladybugs on the leaf and the mushrooms attached to the tree. In these instances, I thought it was important that you understand the environment as well as having the subjects stand out.

Ritva also suggested that a black background and complimentary colors can help the subject stand out. The neutral colors of the lizard against the black along with the blurred flower help it be noticeable. The cat’s patchy orange face and coat are a stand out against the dark background and white midrange fence. And his yellow eyes are sure sending a message! I’m not going near that garbage can.

Negative space also sets the stage for viewer interpretation. These cormorants, one posed on a branch and the other in flight, attract attention on even a dull day because they make up most of the image with no background to interfere.

My next example needs the fore, mid and background in focus to tell its story of beauty, nature and serenity. What do you think?

Light is my last example. This is of the Sun Dial Bridge in Redding, CA. When it’s lit up at night it is spectacular. At the end, it is an actual sundial. During the day, it’s not as beautiful. If you are ever visiting northern California, near Redding, you have to visit it. It’s a walking bridge made of glass.

Now, thanks to Ritva, I’m aware of why I compose the way I do. And I’ll be more inclined to think of backgrounds as I am composing. When you respond to this challenge be sure to link to Ritva’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week Donna had us concentrating on connections. It was a great exercise and I enjoyed seeing all your contributions. We connect on so many different levels. Next week, Egidio challenges us. I wonder what he has in store for us. Be sure to look for his post.

Have a wonderful photo week and stay safe!

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 40 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #278: Unique

What is unique to some, may not be unique to others. It all depends on your life experiences. This week, Amy is asking us to post pictures of places and things unique to us. Since I began photography as a hobby 10 years ago, I have been to places that were surprisingly different/amazing to me.

Let’s start with the Coachella Valley Preserve in Thousand Palms, California. I had never seen an oasis before, and here was one in the California desert. You can see a large cluster of palm trees in the middle of a desert. As we walked through the preserve, we saw pools of water that fed the thirsty trees.

Have you ever tried light painting? Yes, painting with light and captured with your camera. You can’t do it alone because someone needs to hold the light source. And, of course, it has to be dark. One of my camera groups hosted this unique experience.

I remember seeing a giant sequoia for the first time. That definitely was a WOW experience. The sequoias occur naturally only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. They can grow up to 279 tall and have a diameter of 20 to 26 feet. This is one tree you just can’t hug!

Redding California is home to the Sun Dial Bridge. It’s a steel, glass, and granite bridge that crosses the Sacramento River and is simply beautiful, especially at night. This bridge is one of the largest sundials in the world. Its shadow traces an arc that is so big it can record time for only four hours a day, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. When visible, the shadow moves about one foot per minute.

The Folsom Powerhouse is “an example of the tremendous advance in the commercial application of electricity. H.P. Livermore realized that the water of the American River could turn generators for electricity in Sacramento, 22 miles downstream. With his partners, Livermore built the powerhouse, which still looks much as it did in 1895.” During a docent led tour, of the small facility we learned how amazing this was. And it was certainly unique in that time.

Yes, my camera has shown me many unique places. I’m sure there will be more to come.

Please remember to link to Amy’s post when you respond to this challenge and use the Lens-Artist tag in the reader. Last week, thanks to Patti, we enjoyed seeing many empty spaces and variations on the theme. I appreciated your imagination and photography. Next week Ann-Christine will be leading the challenge so be sure to look for her post. Until then, stay safe this holiday season.

Posted on June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 by Anne Sandler

We’re having a heat wave: Sundial Bridge at night, Redding, California

This week we are enduring triple digits every day. Relief may come on Saturday, and it’s only Tuesday. So here I sit, editing photos in my air conditioned office, trying to catch up. I’ve almost finished the San Francisco trip, I took with Linda, at the beginning of the month.

In the meantime, I’m hoping to opt in on some online courses. Yes, I’ve decided the next path on my photographic journey will be education–at least more than the free tutorials offer. When I realized that I knew most of what those tutorials offer, I felt accomplished. So now I’m moving on.

Triple digits are more normal in the Redding area than here in Sacramento. These photos were taken in May when the temperatures were lower and the weather beautiful. I’m posting some afternoon images of the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. This is a relatively new addition to this park which also is home to the Sundial Bridge.

When we came back to shoot the bridge at sundown, we were slightly disappointed. I called it a wimpy sunset. Furthermore, they didn’t have the bridge lit up. I was told by a staff member that it would be. Oh well, I did practice some slow shutter , smoothing out the water. I don’t think captions are necessary here.

Posted on June 15, 2017June 15, 2017 by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

There’s always a new day, RIP Jim VanWinkle: Sundial Bridge, Redding

No matter what happens, a new day always dawns. That’s what friends and relatives of Jim VanWinkle are living through right now. Jim and Shellie have been friends of ours for about 37 years. Even though we moved away from Los Angeles, we kept in touch.

In retrospect, we should have kept in touch more frequently, but life always interferes. We went down for every life cycle event; they came up for ours. When our family’s needs brought us to L.A., they always made time to see us. In fact, some times they invited us to stay with them. And they were always welcome to stay with us.

They visited us last September with Ron and Lois. But, we didn’t expect to be going to L.A. for Jim’s funeral this past weekend. He died suddenly from a blood clot. I have so many memories of when we lived in the San Fernando Valley. Two stand outs:

When personal computers came on the scene, Jim decided that the ladies should learn how to program and use them. So he taught or tried to teach us Basic Language. We were fairly successful and Jim managed to keep his sanity.

We also went on many camping trips with the VanWinkles when our kids were young. We introduced the pie iron to Jim who immediately saw beyond its use for apple or cherry pie, in the campfire, and started making s’more pies. We enjoyed several before the handle came out and the pie maker stayed in the fire.

There’s so much I could tell you about Jim, but the fact that people were standing in the back of the chapel, no seats available, at his funeral is a testament as to how well he was liked and loved. He will especially be missed by his four children and nine grandchildren.

Yes, there’s always a new day and a sunrise. This post and images of the Sundial Bridge in Redding, California at sunrise is dedicated in Jim’s memory.