Lens-Artist Challenge #268 Tell us why

“ This week, we challenge you to choose up to a MAXIMUM OF TEN images that are your all-time favorites. No matter the subject or how long ago they were taken, you must TELL US WHY you chose them. If you select images for their sentimental value they should still be strong from a technical perspective.” Tina, from Travels and Trifles certainly made me work for this post. Just 10 from all my photographs. It got me looking carefully over my images from the past 17 digital years.

While Sacramento experienced dry lightning strikes, I listened and readied my camera. Caught it! I liked the position of the lightning and the reflection on the water of Old Sacramento lights.

Lightning strikes Old Sacramento from the Tower Bridge

2. This photograph hangs in my house. I created this final image from 5 files while taking a Photoshop class many years ago. The arts help us communicate ideas.

3. I exhibited this image, and it was the first photograph I sold. I found this beehive at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. I liked the vertical lines and the monochromatic colors.

4. Before life happened I planned to be a Pet Photographer. While visiting a local dog park, this beagle was my first paying customer. The owners were pleased!

5. This image of my Liberty Love also hangs in my home. When I was looking for my first dog we decided on a Labrador Retriever. My husband wanted a black one, and I said that a yellow one would be easier to photograph. I was lucky that Libby was such a good girl. I learned how to position her so that I captured all the nuances of black. Her warm brown eyes stand out.

6. This is my Franny Love, a Maine Coon cat. I like how I focused on her face and captured the eyes just right!

7. The Sacramento Zoo is keeping all birds safe from avian influenza. I miss these Black Crowned Cranes. Looking over my images I liked the story this image told.

8. This is the Oculus in New York City. The architecture is dramatic. I saw the story of all the people going in all directions. The dark against the white. One person on the bottom left stands out.

9. Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City I captured this random story. Fun photograph, and a bit of street photography.

10. This last image was taken at a local shopping mall. I wanted to capture the merry-go-round in motion. I slowed down my shutter setting, and the image I created made it look like the horses were taking off.

My cover image was taken at the World Trade Center Memorial.

I hope you enjoyed my selections. I did not place them in any particular order. Do any of the photographs pop out as your favorite?

Lens-Artists Challenge #267 Recharge

What is your go-to activity (or activities) that allows you to recharge your batteries? Is it in nature or in the city, alone or with friends and family, reading a book? This week Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyes created this challenge for me.

Taking photographs is my go-to for recharging.

Rewatching some of my favorite films helps get me out of the mood.

Being near the ocean

Reading a book

Eating ice cream

Well after my last post, I needed to recharge. Or maybe reboot. What did I do? I spent a lot of time with my Golden Retriever, Moxie. We went to the dog park and met up with some dog friends. Moxie spent the entire time retrieving “the” ball she had selected. At home, Moxie and I spent time grooming and massaging her.

Then, I realized that I needed more than a reboot. I needed to rest and fight a cough and cold. So I will select one of my ways to recharge.

There is nothing like some sweet, creamy cold ice cream to make you feel better! Don’t you agree? What’s your favorite flavor?

Well that is all for my short and sweet post!

Lens-Artists Challenge #266 Time

Donna of Wind Kisses says, “Time: It can be wasted, saved, and can slip through our fingers. Some of us have too much, others not enough. Is it high time? The last time? Time for Fall? Taco time? And whatever you decide, I am sure you will agree there is no greater gift than time. Have fun with the endless possibilities this week.” And I hope to have the time to share.

Songs

The first thing I thought of when I heard the challenge was how many songs have “Time” in the lyrics or subject. Just driving around town listening to Sirius XM I heard the Kinks – All Day and All of the Night.

Then I thought of The Rolling Stones – Time is On My Side.

The Vogues – Five O’Clock World

You can probably guess when I was listening to “my” songs!

Clocks and their Places

Unusual Clocks

Clock created on a book for sale at a local craft fair

Clocks used in advertising

Time from many places

The modern way to check the time

And places where time slows down a bit.

And time flys

And I finally can breathe. The past few weeks have not been boring. My Moxie has epilepsy. It is being treated with medication, but watching a 2-year-old Golden have a seizure is scary. A few days later 9/5 my husband of 53 years had a cat scan and we discovered he had a giant aneurysm. VERY scary. We had to wait until today (8 long days) to find out that he has lived with this for over a decade, and that all was good. The aneurysm clotted on its own a long time ago. This was an excessive wait for all of us.

All that certainly brought time into focus for us. And now I must pick up my 3 grandsons from school while their mother, my daughter, recovers from non-life-threatening surgery.

Len-Artists Photo Challenge #265 Black & White or Monochrome

I want to address a question I was recently asked. After I retired from teaching I enrolled in Photography classes at the local community colleges. Then, I found a fun group of retirees to put my learning into practice. Are these class assignments? No. Lens-Artist Photographers create these challenges weekly. This small group of talented photographers from around the world creates interesting assignments to share. These challenges allow me to revisit and share my images. If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Back to this week’s challenge.

Anne asks the question, “Is monochrome black and white? Is black and white monochrome?”