Category: Landscape Images

Lens-Artists Challenge #235 Shadows and Reflections in Monochrome

Patti challenges me to explore monochrome images that feature shadows and reflections. This is a photo challenge, indeed. When out with my camera, reflections on glass, water, and shiny objects cause me to look for composition ideas. Shadows have the same effect. Adding monochromatic images is a new aspect for me. In the late 1960’s I started to use color film. With my first Imperial Debonair box camera, a 1940’s Voigtlander very manual 35mm rangefinder, and a Yashica 35mm camera I used black & white film exclusively. So I became aware of what images would work in b&w (and shades of gray). Contrasting shades, strong shapes, interesting lines, and of course shadows. It was not until the 1970’s that I switched to Kodachrome. Looking at many of my images it seems that I prefer them in color, but I did find some that worked as monochromatic images.

When I lived in New York I always made time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This image was taken on my last trip in 2014. The first image I processed in b&w Adobe monochrome

Taken at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
No processing going on here. It was a cold, dreary, snowy day perfect for visiting a museum.
This was taken at the same time, but this time I used standard Adobe color processing. It still is a monochromatic image.
Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
This image was taken in Truckee Ca. in the fall.

My first dog was Liberty Love, a black Labrador Retriever. I knew that photographing a black dog requires careful lighting unless you want to end up with a big black blob. Side lighting is needed to see the texture of her fur. I processed most of these in Adobe b&w. In some photos, I just desaturated the color.

Though I still like to see her with her warm brown thoughtful eyes. I miss you love!
Shadow of cliffs at Half Moon Bay. What do you see?

Black and white photographs are monochromatic since they are all shades of gray. The following photographs are monochromatic because they are all shades of one color. Mono means one, and chroma means color. This can be achieved during processing or not.

Marysville, Ca.
Nevada City, Ca. antique shop
American River on an early January morning with the fog just rising
The town of Bodie, Ca
Shadow friend’s picture in Kauai

I have been challenged, and I hope that you enjoyed my exprerience.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228 Diagonals

Patti invites me to join her this week as I explore diagonals as a way to add visual interest and depth to my photos, and a sense of action. What diagonals can you find? A line of trees or stones, a series of lights or signs, tree branches or a row of hedges, or cupcakes in a bakery window?

Looking at my library of photographs, I see that “Leading Lines” pretty much tops my composition style. So with over 400 images classified as diagonals and leading lines, I decided to first process photographs I took recently in Indianapolis where we visited family.

Trip to Indianapolis

With no direct flight from Sacramento, I had time to photographically explore the Phoenix Airport

Waiting to take off on the second leg of our trip
Looking Up

We stayed in Plainfield, Indiana at the Courtyard by Marriott. This large building crane next door helped us locate our hotel.

Building another hotel next door
Firepit outside our hotel

For me, Newfields is the best of both worlds. “A Place for Nature & the Arts.” Walking through the museum the display of colors caught my attention.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

This is a wonderful little museum that engages both the young and old to really see and understand concepts of art. With the use of fun activities (puzzles to recreate paintings, beading activities) it engages the viewer.

View from a window of Eiteljorg Museum

We stopped at this diner for breakfast.

Oasis in Plainfield, Indiana

This is an authentic diner, but there was no room for a jukebox on the table. But the atmosphere was right. And there were cakes on the counter.

Almost a perfect reminder.
Indiana is the Hoosier State

Short trip and we wait at the Indianapolis Airport.

Lines and Curves

Finally got a window seat, and here we are leaving Phoenix, Arizona at a diagonal!

Phoenix at night

The rest of these images were taken in Northern California

Landscapes

Lake Berryessa, Ca
Michigan Bar, Ca
Capay Valley, Ca
Napa, Ca
Out and about with my photo friends

Street Photography – Tell a story

Winter Wonderland at Cal Expo many years ago

Architecture

Point Reyes, Ca
North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley
Old Sacramento
Richmond, Ca
Richmond, Ca
Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, Ca.

My first image is from a day trip to Lake Berryessa, Ca. This is the largest man-made lake in California. The “Glory Hole” attracts many photographers. I wonder if it will make its appearance this year. We have been experiencing some rain lately. California certainly needs it!

I hope this post gives you a new slant on viewing the world around you.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 222 The Mountains are Calling!

This week Amy (The World is a Book) has challenged me to go to the mountains, and so I shall. 
Traveling has been limited to Sacramento lately. Not exactly sure why. But these photo challenges gives me a good reason to check out my library. The highest mountain I ever visited was the Himalayas when I visited Nepal in 1965. At the time Kathmandu had traveler restrictions, and two small hotels. The Royal Nepal Airline had 3 planes, not a modern jet plane. We traveled between the peaks. A pretty scary ride. But alas I don’t have any photographs.
Sacramento is located two hours from the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Heading east Donner Lake is a beautiful, quiet stop.

Donner Lake in the fall
Donner Lake in the winter
Yosemite in the Sierras
Yosemite
A weather change as I leave Yosemite
Flying over the Sierras
Outside Bodie located in the eastern Sierras. Do you see what I see?
Bodie California – the Sierras in the distance

Heading east the Sutter Buttes make for a rural landscape.

Cow posing.
Mount Diablo

Northern California’s Coast range provides many photo opportunities just as long as there is a place to pull over. Otherwise commuter traffic makes this prohibitive.

Stopping on this winding road between Livermore and San Jose.
Anne will always remember this drive!
Coastal Range taken near Big Basin Redwoods State Park

My first trip with my dslr Nikon D70 was to Seattle, Washington.

Mount Rainier National Park
On a clear day I see Mt Rainier from my Seattle hotel room

So this ends my tour of my Western United States mountains that call to me. Any image catch your attention?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #221 Flower Favorites – and Why?

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 Valley
Sunflowers, zinnias, lotus, irises thistle and cactus flowers found on many outings around Northern California
A sea of flowers cover this hill
Love 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 flowers
Pride 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.