Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #322: There’s a crack in everything

Those of us who strive for perfection will see the cracks in everything. Those of us who accept life as imperfect will not see all the cracks, but see the beauty beyond those fractures. I’m one who looks for beauty to counter the world’s tension, especially here in the U.S.

I chose images for this challenge that offer “hope and redemption and spiritual insight,” as requested by Ritva in her challenge.

Let’s start with spiritual insight. Experiencing a total solar eclipse is a most spiritual encounter. I remember the awe as the day became dark and the only thing to remind us that we were not alone was the ring of light around the moon. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Next is fog which darkens the sky and, when thick, creates a blanket of gray mist. The following image was taken during a sunrise walk with my dog while camping. How amazing as the sun shows its dominance. How small are we humans!

Catching first light with your camera is a rewarding experience. This was true for waiting in the dark at Yosemite Falls in the extreme cold. The next image was much easier to catch as I woke up to a beautiful snowy sunrise while at my son’s home. Both brought me exhilaration and awe. For me, both were spiritual in nature.

The sun also accents its own beauty no matter what time of day. You just have to catch it right. As photographers, we know not to miss an opportunity! I’m wondering if this eagle will get a tan on it’s face? I love when flowers are backlit by the sun, creating shadows as softness.

Last come sunsets. The crack in the light diminishes and our view of the world changes. Whether it’s a sunburst showing through an open barn or a beautiful soft glow on a lighthouse, we know another day has come to an end. We anxiously wait to see what tomorrow will be.

Thank you Ritva for this insightful and soul searching challenge. When you reply, please link to her challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag.

And thank you for all your responses to last week’s challenge on ICM. All of your ICMs were amazing and some are still coming in. I did pick up a few tips like shaking the camera. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Next week Egidio leads our challenge, so be sure to look for his post. Until then, stay safe and healthy.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #312: Sense of Scale

We live in a three dimensional world. Photography shows the world as two dimensions unless we give the image a sense of scale. In this week’s challenge, Sofia encourages us to use many ways to show our photos in three dimensions using a sense of scale.

Using people to show magnificence.

Living in California, I can’t escape visiting BIG trees. This one is in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. My friend is standing in front of a tall redwood tree. No, I didn’t shrink her!

My next two show mountain height. Climbers practice here. There are much higher mountains in California. But this one makes for great practice and good photo opportunities. You have to look hard to find the person in the photo on the left.

Here we are in the California dessert. That’s my husband walking through a canyon.

Using a tall tree in the foreground.

This next image is of the Yosemite Water Fall during the drought. Photographers use this shot to capture the “Fire Fall.” I got the fire, but not the fall. The foreground gives the mountain a sense of scale.

Now I’m twisting the theme a bit. As I was going through my images, I came across this picture of the now inactive Empire Mine in Grass Valley. It shows a scale of depth as the tracks go down into the mine.

Finally, this last image definitely has me plunging in a downward spiral showing the depth of the three stories. What kid wouldn’t like to ride down that staircase?

Thank you Sofia for showing us the importance of scale in helping to give our photos a three dimensional look and feel. When you reply with your post, please remember to link to Sofia’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I truly enjoyed seeing all of your gardens last week. Next week John is hosting our challenge so please look for his post. Until then have a wonderful week!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #284: Day and Night

Do you look forward to night photography? It is more challenging, but there are rewards. But daytime gives us more variations of light with which to work. I’ll photograph whenever I can. This week Sofia asks us to show off our day and night photography. So here goes.

We start at the beginning with frozen toes in Yosemite Valley capturing the first light at Yosemite Falls. This was 9 years ago and I was very new at photography. It was a good thing my friend Laura got me out there in the bitter cold. It was worth it!

Pretty soon the sun becomes more intense and we run for shade. It’s nice how the direct sun highlights form and colors. Of course that intense sun can also warm our backs and cast our shadows.

When the sun is low in the sky, it backlights objects, like this giraffe, with a warm glow.

We all love to capture sunsets with their beautiful colors.

During a full moon, like the sun, the moon casts its own light as seen on this lake.

In total darkness we can capture ambient light and also have some creative fun.

As I said, although I prefer the golden and blue hours, I’ll take my camera out any time and have fun. Thank you Sofia for this wonderful challenge. When you respond, please remember to link to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

I enjoyed reading your poems and seeing your related images last week prompted by Ann-Christine. Some of you had creative and enjoyable responses. Next week Egidio leads his first challenge so be sure to look for his blog.

Take care everyone and stay safe!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 38 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #213: Here comes the sun

The sun, it rises and sets every day. We take that for granted, especially photographers. We get up early for the sunrise and go to bed late because we’ve been out capturing the sun set. This week Amy wants us to post our sun images no matter what time of day.

I’ve chosen to begin with a sunrise I captured in Yosemite from first light to almost full sun. I was with my photo buddy Laura and was 6 years younger. We were standing on Swinging Bridge and photographing Yosemite Falls. I don’t know if I’d face that cold again!

During the day, we can use the sun to our advantage. Sunflowers always face the sun to the sun.

This next flower has the sun at its side.

This duck has the sun at its back.

Now for sunset. Years ago I was out with Karen and Marlene and when the sun started setting we looked for a good place to capture the moment. Before we found the pond, we came across this piece of motorized machinery as the sun began its dissent. Do you know what it is?

It was in the same area that we found this beautiful pond we photographed from the road. You can see the sun setting and after it set.

Yes, we can’t live without it, but sometimes the sun makes life difficult. It’s been a hot summer here in Sacramento. I try to do whatever I need to do outdoors before 10 a.m. and the sun is out full force.

Thank you Amy for this enjoyable post. When you reply, please remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We enjoyed your images of motion in response to Patti’s Motion challenge last week. Next week Ann-Christine is hosting our challenge, so look for her post. Have a great week and enjoy the sun!

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

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 14 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #162: It’s all about the light

While I would like to take photos when the light is just right, sometimes I can’t. Then I go with what I’ve got! Yes, photography is all about the light or maybe the absence of it. This week, Tina has given us the challenge to share images that show the power of light.

I’ll start this post with a shot from Yosemite at first light in the Valley.

As the sun rises throughout the day, we get shadows depending on how high the sun is. Of course, when it’s directly overhead, that’s not the best time to take photos. The next two were taken in Locke California in the partial morning sun.

  • The morning sun shines on this old barn.
  • You can see the shadows cast on this toilet bowl planter.

We can see how colors become dramatic when the sun hits them. Sedona, Arizona.

I think when the sun shines on even a mushroom it adds dimension and helps the picture pop. Here are two examples of sun and shade.

I love to take photos of flowers. This tulip almost looks as if it has a candle glowing inside because of the way the sun is hitting it. Taken at Ananda Village.

    As the sun sets objects seem to have a glow. Taken at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert.

    And finally the sun goes below the horizon and we have darkness–no light except man made. The Tower Bridge in Old Sacramento.

    Controlling the light is another challenge for me. I bought diffusers, but haven’t used them yet. I guess I need to get started! Thanks Tina for this insightful challenge!

    Posted on by Anne Sandler · 10 Comments

    A fun and learning experience: Yosemite, part 3

    Two days is barely enough to take in the beauty of Yosemite, but that’s all we had. So we packed as much in as we could.

    My last lesson here, was that I needed to get a neutral density filter to capture smooth water. I waited until we got to our final destination within the park–Happy Isles to try to get the water as smooth as I could. It was shady there, and there was enough water to work with.

    We also went to the Lower Bridalveil Falls and the church. Tired, we left the park before sunset and ate dinner in Manteca. The Thai food was delicious especially since I was tired of eating meatloaf (for lunches and dinner)! Laura dropped me off at about 9:30 p.m., and I went directly to bed. I know she began editing her photos when she got home.

    Here are the last images of Yosemite.

    Posted on by Anne Sandler

    A fun and learning experience: Yosemite, part 2

    Live and learn–you’ve heard that before. So far during my excursion to Yosemite I’ve learned to get those heat pads for shoes and pockets when shooting during the dawn patrol.

    My second lesson was that I chose the right person to travel and shoot with. Laura kept me moving–even after I called myself a wimp and she agreed. We had a lot of fun together, and she pushed me forward in my photography. There will be more on that subject in part three. I have been fortunate in my photography journey to receive help from fellow photographers, amateur and professional alike. Moreover, Laura knows this park and the right places from which to shoot.

    In today’s post you’ll see Foresta. It was part of the area burned a few years ago, but the two barns remained and we were able to go into one. We also went to Stoneman Bridge and then the “fire fall” area. Remember, there was no water falling, but we did get to see how the “fire” effect was done. So we had fire but no fall!

    Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

    A fun and learning experience: Yosemite National Park

    California is a true wonderland when it comes to visiting National Parks. So many are within a 5-hour drive. Yosemite is one of them. I’m so glad that I saw Yosemite before the drought.

    Photo buddy Laura and I went there for a couple of days to catch the “fire fall effect.” Once a year when the sun is in the right place and water is in abundance you can get the “fire fall” effect just like the old days when they used to drop fire over the falls. Even though it rained the week before, there was not a drop of water coming down the mountain. The drought was evident elsewhere too with the meadows dry and brown. I remember green meadows.

    Our journey began with our first night outside the park. We light painted a gazebo across from the lodge. Then at 4 a.m. the next morning we went into Yosemite to catch the sunrise from the Swinging Bridge. This will be a three part post. Today’s post will take you though first evening and morning at Yosemite. We waited on Swinging Bridge for the sunrise. It was an experience!