California Coast – Page 2 – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #202 Minimalism/Maximalism

Sofia’s challenge is called Minimalism/Maximalism. It could also be Simplicity/Complexity or Sparce/Full. It’s up to me to show how I approach this challenge. I’ll have to think about this as I look over my library of photographs.

Life during the pandemic gave me time to think. Since I was home, as many of you were, I had time to look around my house. The idea of ‘Decluttering” and “Reimagining” space in our homes found its way into the media. Television, podcasts, and how to books popped up. I think I vacillate between the two. When I have my cleaning staff come to may house, I put away many things on my counters. The house is cleaned, and when I look around I have some satisfaction. But I still need some eye candy. On my new kitchen counter I place a Nixplay Frame. In the morning I turn it on, and throughout the day I am reminded of times in my life. l love my frame, and I am constantly adding new photographs. I also have some kind of silk flower arrangement, and two plants that require little water. Anything else makes my kitchen feel cluttered.

I ebb and flow between straightening out things, and letting life happen. But then the sentimental side shows up. I enjoy having things around that bring back good memories. Some items came from my parents house from when I was younger. Other items were given to me, and I remember the occasion. And other objects just seem to fit in a particular space.

My photography finds new ways to grow. Looking over my library I discovered that the coast is a great place to create minimalist photographs.

Taken on Florida’s beaches with my Nikon D70, my first dslr

Many of my photographs have a busy quality. One teacher criticized me for this. I just say that it is my artistic preference. Sometimes I like to let my eye wander.

Taken on a photo shoot to Bodie, Ca. with my class. This is an example of “arrested decay”.

More from a town frozen in time, Bodie, Ca.

In the following photographs I like to look for familiar things within. Pareidolia used to be seen as a mental illness, but now is considered normal creative thinking.

Here is an example of maximalism in a window display in Carmel, Ca.

Putting a smile on your face with some minimalism to end this post.

So I guess minimalism and maximalism both have a place in my photography.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – #201 Triple Play

With Three of a Kind, Anne Christine wants me to think about things related to my main photo – maybe a book, a flower, a room, a piece of art… Almost anything will fit in here – I could make my three images tell a story too! Simply put: My post should have three separate images that are somehow related. (Another option is splitting one photo into three parts.)

Walking along the shore

Driving south from Half Moon Bay we drive into Pescadero. We visit Arcangeli Grocery Co. Norms Market. This original cash register reminded me of the one I first used at Food Fair in 1966.

Let’s go surfing now, everybody’s learning how…

What is the message?

Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel – Home of San Mateo County Farm Supply. Found along Main Street this certainly catches everyone’s attention. “The Best Place in Town to Pick Up Chicks”

Dinner at It’s Italia on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. “

Fantastico!” “Generous Spirit”, followed by Pesto & Proschiutto Flatbread, and finished with Key Lime Pie. By the way, I am looking for a good recipe for Key Lime Pie. Cam anyone help?

So this ends my quick trip anniversary trip to Half Moon Bay!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #195 Colorful Expressions

Anne wants me to show how color affects my photography. After studying basic, and intermediate photography I took an eye-opening class in color photography with Patti Felkner at Cosumnes River Community College. After understanding light, composition, and focus points, I learned to focus on color as my subject.

RGB complementary color scheme is Red/Cyan, Green/Magenta, and Blue/Yellow

The farmer’s market is great for finding color

There is something calming in this monochrome image.

I’m still tempted to pick it and blow the seeds, are you?

Some more examples of monochrome photographs

Often I will look for just a splash of color in my photography.

A splash of color makes for interesting photographs. Don’t you agree?

Some more examples of how just a splash of color catches the eye.

Photographing my dog I learned that I needed both an understanding of light, dog behavior, and color.

I still miss my first dog, Liberty Love. Here is her splash of color!

So after looking over my many images, I look for either monochrome images or those with just a splash in the right place.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #192 Earth’s Story

This week, Amy’s photo challenge theme is Earth Story. The natural world has many stories to tell. They are written on the ground, in the mountains and rivers, and on rocks and trees. Let’s share their stories through our lenses.