Posted on by Anne Sandler · 45 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #395: Looking Back #155, On the Water

Find LAPC post #155! I’ll be honest, it took a while for me to find this particular post as requested by Beth; but, it was fun. I took you all around the San Francisco Bay Area and into the Gold Country–from ocean to river. This time, as we look back, I found some fountains. So let’s take the plunge!

We have a Roseville shopping center called The Fountains, but there is only one fountain. But, it does put on a spectacular show. Here, I caught the water in slow shutter speed, regular and through a crystal ball.

We jump from a fountain to water features. Look at the captions for a brief explanation of each.

Water shoots up in a small fountain.
A beautiful fountain found in a nursery.
Slow shutter at the Citrus Heights Civic Center, Christmas.
Park in Rancho Cordova

Water also shows up in drops. They can be dropping from a faucet or riding on a pond leaf.

There’s also danger at a zoo pond.

Summers can get hot in the Sacramento Valley. Many cities have fun water parks for the kids. This young man is cooling off in a Roseville water feature.

As I’m writing this, we are expecting water to fall from the sky. Yes, rain and more rain. Even with all the rain we’ve received this year, they say our snow pack is below the “breathe easy” level. We shouldn’t have to be careful with water usage here in Northern California, but I’m not sure about Southern California.

That does it for this week. Be sure to link to Beth’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag when you respond. Did you enjoy the many history lessons from last weeks challenge given by John? I enjoyed them all. Next week Ann-Christine will be leading the challenge. Be sure to look for her post.

Until then, be safe and resilient!

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.