Philosophy through photography provided this week’s challenge of simplicity. “The modern world is so stressful and chaotic that we are losing the fundamental clarity and simplicity that allows us to concentrate on what is really important.” So true!
Subject
The subject IS color
Monochromatic Dandelion
Tell a story
Gull finds treasure on Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Quiet Pomponio State Beach near Half Moon Bay
Lone pedestrian crossing the Embarcadero in San Francisco
Walking along the Mendocino coast
Sense of Scale
Sailboat sails under the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset
Kayaking along the American River
I had to look through my archive to find this one because usually, I will fill the frame with the people. But this time I was in awe of the surroundings.
Mirror Lake in Yosemite.
Walking a long way down near a waterfall in Hilo Hawaii
As we got closer to the waterfall we witnessed its power.
Waterfall in Hilo Hawaii
So small on this Southern California beach
My granddaughter @ age 10 at Stinson Beach
The vastness and power of water bring perspective to our view of self. Watching how fast it can transform places. There is little a person can do to hold back the water. The world’s people are learning this the hard way.
Negative Space
Fishing in Monterey Bay
Still Life
Tea Setting
Side Lighting of Chinese Tea Service
Coffee Time
Textures
Bumpy and Orange
Soft focused leaf
Splash of Color
Lady Bug Beetle all alone
Boulder Ridge Park, Rocklin Ca
Patterns
Swim meet pool lanes
I hope that you enjoy the simple life. Which photograph spoke to you? I appreciate all comments.
This week Amy of The World is a Book challenges me to select a few cloudscape photos.
Having had a long period of drought, I value a cloudy sky. I especially like those puffy white clouds that I can imagine all sorts of stories. Usually, the summer skies can be a bit drab. Beating hot sun, and not a cloud in the sky. At that time a nice cloud cover is welcome. Sunsets and clouds are beautiful. A cloudy winter’s day can give me a feeling of moodiness. Clouds with the anticipation of rain can be welcome. Or if it goes on for too many days, it can make me want to stay in bed longer.
I often take a photo of the clouds with the thought that I might want to exchange a boring, bland sky for a cloudy one. It never happens, but I do have a fun library to look at when it can to this challenge.
Puffy clouds to imagine stories
What can you imagine is happening?
Something is up in the clouds
Can you see it?
A Sedona sky at sunset
Clouds at the shore
Maui Hawaii at sunset
Maui Sunset Cruise
Sacramento Wildlife Refuge
Laguna Beach before it rains
McKinley Park
Sunsets and clouds
Sailor Bar off the American River
Wonderful cloud formations in Sedona Arizona
Another from Sedona, Arizona
Clouds take their place in landscapes
Another taken from the car on I5Bodie CaMono LakeTraveling down I5 to Southern Ca.Laguna Beach Ca
Clouds in winter
Sacramento winter
This moody Livermore sky would work for a scary Halloween theme
Airplane View of clouds
That is all folks. When you go outside be sure to look up! Or out, or down!
My photo collection has over 200 cloudy images. It is fun to go back and review my collection. One of the perks of participating in these Lens-Artist challenges. What are your thoughts?
This week Ann-Christine (Leya – To see a world in a grain of sand) hopes I will bring some colorful joy to us all. She would like a story to go with them. I have plenty of flowers in my photo library. I have a garden, but between lack of time, heat, and a puppy I don’t have many flowers. I love to visit and appreciate the efforts put in by others.
This is my unexpected flowering succulent. An ice plant relative.
Following the annual cycle of blooms, I visited Daffodil Hill in the spring. Over the years it’s popularity grew and overwhelmed this rural setting, and the privately owned ranch closed.
Daffodil Hill provided the backdrop for this photo with some visiting guide dogs in training.
Years ago I went with a friend on a cloudy, misty weekday. Few visitors that day.
So many varieties have been planted over the years. I miss this place. A peaceful place., until word got out. Spring and tulips go together. The Hermitage Gardens in Grass Valley never disappoints!
With friends we go out searching, and come across many beautiful flowers as a bonus!
Mustard flowers bloom among the grape vines in Napa ValleySunflowers, zinnias, lotus, irises thistle and cactus flowers found on many outings around Northern CaliforniaA sea of flowers cover this hillLove my California Poppies
Finding pollinators among the flowers is always a fun photograph.
Going to the California coast I love the different flowers I find.
Coastal wild flowersPride of Madeira
Botanical Garden and local nurseries display flowers of the area.
As you can see I love love being out finding flowers. My macro lens often brings a breeze, so not many macro shots. My gear now is Fuji xt4. I used my Nikon D7100 for my earlier shots. Now even my iPhone 13 pro gets some use. i hope these flowers brought some beauty into your day, Any particular flower or image caught your attention?
Oh I forgot to say what flower is my favorite! I don’t have one. I am just not a real fan of cut flowers. I don’t like when they fade.
Johnbo (Journeys with Johnbo) asks me to share images that focus on my journeys. It’s all about the journey for this week’s challenge.
During my high school years, I experienced a lot of travel. At fifteen my family moved from New York to Karachi, Pakistan. That was the first time flying above the clouds. I caught the travel bug, but it did not stick. I have been in California for the past 44 years. New York, Florida, Indiana, Hawaii, and Washington have been my destinations. About six years ago my husband and I got passports but still have now used them. Recently, I reconnected with my Israeli relatives, and we are talking about making it our first destination next year.
Let’s start with planes. Family trips to Florida and Indiana and southern California, travel to New York City and upstate New York, vacations in Seattle, Washington, and many of Hawaii’s Islands. That’s about the extent of my air travel.
Traveling over the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Looking at water transportation. Only one sunset cruise that had my husband bowing to the porcelain god. Not much fun for him. So I don’t think a cruise is in my future.
I liked the quiet, simple feeling this photo gives me. It reminds me of my camp days.
Sunset and whale watching cruise in Maui
Monterey Bay MarinaBerkeley marina kayaks and sailboatsCruise ship nearing MauiOn a ferry going to San Francisco. We pass a cargo ship
Now the automobile is the way we travel. My son recently bought an electric car, and I am seriously thinking that may be in our future.
Took my 10-year-old granddaughter to Disneyland. She now drives her own car 10 years later!
My parent’s first new car was a Gold and white 1957 Plymouth with tail fins. Driving it in Karachi, Pakistan we stood out among all the Chevys.
My current car is Subi Blue – a Subaru Outback 2017
Charlie liked to ride in the back seatMy Moxie usually is on the floorboard while drivingOld Sac traffic jamNew York taxiTaken from a bus in San FranciscoRural school busSan Francisco public transportationTrain from parking lot to Getty MuseumTrain ride with my daughter and grandchildrenMy strong granddaughter!Stage Coach in ColumbiaMighty RVAnne is driving!Hayride at the Bishop Pumpkin Patch
Not a lot of stories, but I hope you enjoyed the photos. It is very hot here and so I will sign off quickly to save electricity. Rolling power outages are possible.
A Photo's Worth 