This week Sofia of Photographias invited me to play with primary colours. I can pick one color or show examples of all 3, separately or together. What kind of feelings or moods do any of them instill in my photography, do you actively look for them or enjoy being surprised by the possibilities they present?
Red
Red peppers from the local farmer’s market
One of my favorite berries is the strawberry
Members of the Red Hat Society
Red cars grab my attention especially when they are vintage automobiles.
My challenge this week is to share images featuring faces, in a crowd or standing alone, human or animal. Selfies are approved. I look forward to seeing which one of these “Faces in a crowd” speaks to you! Thanks, John from Journeys with Johnbo for providing this forum.
For this challenge, I limited myself to the more formal definition of a portrait.”A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expressions are predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person.” My professor did not accept snapshots or photographs where the person’s eye was not directed at the camera. It took a while before I was comfortable asking a stranger to allow me to take their photograph. I was strolling along the street in Sedona. An artist was working on a sculpture in the front of the shop, and I wanted that image. I passed on the image and talked to my brother. He said, “Let’s get that photograph.” I learned that the worst thing that could happen is to get an answer of “No.”
Sedona artist
Festivals and Parades
It is fun to photograph people dressed up and in a festive mood. The first two images were taken in December 2019 (pre-CoVid) at a Victorian Christmas in Nevada City. The bagpipes were brought out in 2007 for a July 4th parade. I liked the way the little boy was paying attention.
Back when parking was “the” problem attending large gatherings!
Folsom 4th of July Parade
Selfies
One of the problems for photographers is that they are often not included in the picture. This may be the reason some of us pick up a camera. We are more comfortable behind the lens. But then when looking back over time there is no history of our changes. I try and remedy this by looking for reflections.
Environmental Portraits
One type of portrait is Environmental Portraits where the surrounding is essential to the subject. Given this assignment, a friend and I entered a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle store and we asked the employees if they would pose for us. It was easier to do this with a fellow photographer.
The Bird Shop is now located in Roseville. Great employees, experienced staff.
I have been returning to Pacific Grove for over 20 years. We ate at Fishwife and sat near the door. As each customer was leaving, the owner would rush from wherever she was and personally thank the men with a hug. We watched, as some tried to leave quickly, but she was quicker!
My husband and the “Fishwife”
These images were taken in 2005. Sadly, she is no longer there.
Namaste! A local farmer’s market in Carmichael, Ca
I want to thank all the volunteers who help make the experience at the zoo, museum, and visitor center so much more informative. Docents add to the community.
Old Sacramento GuidesRailtown in Jamestown, CaDocent at Sacramento ZooThe Old School House in Old Sac.California Railroad MuseumSutter’s Fort DocentDocent at Hearst CastleModel Art2WearRumsey Post Office WorkerPlein Air artistHwy 1 closed in 2018. Slide ahead! Photo op!
Portraits
Ironwood Winery
ClassmateClassmateClassmateSmugMug MeetupDownieville CaMasked up at Crocker MuseumShe asked me to take her photo!Anne and I visit a farm
Docked in Old Sacramento Trowler and owner pose
2010 Amgen cyclist in Sacramento expresses his feelings.
My husband enjoys a New York hot dog.
And that’s a wrap! Any favorites? Let me know. Come back for more!
This week Amy of The World is a Book, asks me to explore “Framing my Photos”. The purpose of framing a photo is to create a pleasing composition, so we can direct the viewer’s attention to the subject of our photo. I am always on the lookout for different ways to compose my image.
Looking through a fence
Chicken Coop at End of the Road farm
My 7 year old grandson connects with the ball. Go Lucas!
Overlooking the Russian River in Guerneville, Ca.
Peeking through a garden center in Pacific Grove, Ca
Crystal Hermitage Garden overlooking Tahoe National Forest
Red wing black bird eating a berry. Point Reyes, Ca.
Our Sacramento Zoo is protecting birds from Avian Flu so its been a while since they have been available to the public.
Flamingos at the Sacramento Zoo.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, Ca
Sunset over a sunflower field in Yolo County
Architecture
Half Moon Bay Doorway looking in
Sutter’s Fort framed by a window.
New York City 2023
The Oculus in New York City
Hayden PlanetariumView from One World Trade CenterThe MetCentral Park from the American Museum of Natural HistoryViews from New York City March 2023
Always on the lookout for interesting framing
Using a coffee cup to frame my subject
Lahaina
These last images were taken in 2015 on our last trip to Maui. Seeing the images from the devestating fire in Lahaina I returned to look at these images. Some photos fit the theme of framing my photo, and some I just wanted to share. A reminder of all that was lost. As rebuilding takes place I hope that changes will be made to help eliminate another tragedy.
If you think about it, everything is a work in progress, isn’t it? So, this should be a challenge open to endless possibilities –Anne-Christine can’t wait to see what I think when I hear this phrase.
Warning super cute Golden Retriever alert! My In-laws had an antique sign up in their kitchen for the Original Elixir Moxie. This is how we decided on her name.
Moxie is a work in progress, and I am fully devoted to her. Each and every day I think about ways to keep her mind stimulated, and her body strong and relaxed. Moxie, my Golden Retriever is “Golden”.
We met at 5 weeks, and I was ready for puppy time. I had 3 weeks to get ready.
Moxie has outgrown her collar, but the tag now adorns another. My next purchase was her Snuggle Puppy with a heartbeat. Moxie loves this puppy, and to this day carries it from her crate in the morning, and returns to her crate after first locating and carrying Snuggles back every night.
Shark teeth. I wore these when playing with my pup.
Mom Phoebe and Dad Bailey live across the street, so there was no long car ride home. Now Phoebe and Bailey have Alfie, Moxie’s 10 month old brother. She visited them when I went to Pacific Grove a few weeks ago. She may have been surprised to encounter 9 four week old siblings, and 2 cats also. Moxie was gentle with the cats who are very used to Goldens, and accepted her as part of the pack.
Training Days
Up!BedDown. Leave It!Moxie Rings the bells when she needs (or wants) to go out! Good Girl!
Fun Time
At the dog park, Moxie is fully focused on retrieving. She selects the ball of the day, and won’t be deterred. If another dog gets to her ball first, she will bide her time until the dog gets bored. Then back to “her” ball. I catch her watching television, especially if there is dog action. Food is formost in her mind. Not a picky eater, but she does have a sensitive stomach. I carefully watch what she eats. She loves peanuts. A frozen Kong occupies her time.
Loves this ballMoxie watches Puppy BowlThis teddy bear didn’t last long
Moxie’s sleeping positions
After playing and trainiing hard, Moxie needs her rest time.
Moxie and I head out to explore the world
I am still working on Moxie remaining calm when we are out and about. This is a serious work in progress since I want to be able to have her with me when I travel. She is calm in the car, but trucks and motorcycles make her anxious.
First shopping trip. Pet store shoppingFirst long distance trip to So CalMom’s away, and I get to playFirst winter rainsSporting a new rain coatWaiting at Old Towne Animal HospitalMe and my shadowThe shadow follows
Photo Shoots for the holidays and celebrations
Spidery HalloweenGobble GobbleEight Days of CelebratingLove is in the airFirst BirthdayBirthday #2Forth of July. No problem!Summer is here
Moxie’s many facial expressions
Moxie thinks she is a lap dog, but this summer it is too hot to sit in my lap.
Me and My Moxie
I continue to have fun with my Moxie. I am always finding new ways to spend time together. We play “Find it”, a game where she sniffs out treats. Grooming takes place every other day on a grooming table. She learned to settle down in my room while I am on the computer, and she will tell me when it’s dinner time. Five o’clock! And later today I have arranged for Rosie, a Golden friend, to visit Moxie.
One thing you can learn from this post is that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment that gives me lots of pleasure. It does take a lot of effort and is always a “work in progress!”
A Photo's Worth 