Lens-Artists Challenge #277 Empty Spaces

Patti from P.A. Moed Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures challenges me to look through my library of images and discover how empty spaces contributes to my total image.

To define empty spaces Patti turned to the experts at Adobe. “Emptiness in an image can help isolate the subject and also highlight it by drawing the viewer’s attention to it. What else? It can convey a mood–like loneliness, solitude, fear, or sadness. By isolating the subject and surrounding it with empty space, you also create drama, which gives your images a powerful, visual appeal.”

Another leaf alone catches a bit of sunshine

On the sidewalk in San Francisco. Sea Gull enjoys found sour dough bread!

Sea Gull watching family at the beach in Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove

Do you think that my empty space (negative space) adds to the subject matter? When I look at these images I categorize them as minimalism. So whatever the acknowledged term is I do use this point of view when I am out taking photos.

It is December 2nd. I was reminded that today is my “Half Birthday” by Baskin Robbins. I think they want me to celebrate with an ice cream cake. Well, it is raining, and I am not sure that I want to rush this next birthday. My high school class is thinking about having a group celebration for the Big 75. Three quarters of a century. I do think that I am due a BIG memorable celebration of some sort. Not sure how, where or when. I do have a half year to come up with something.

First things first. Moxie has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. So far, she has had 3 seizures in the span of 4 months. So far she has no side affect, but the dosage has been increased. She will be on medication for the rest of her life. This means that I need to figure out who will take care of her if I was to plan a trip. At this time no trips are planned.

Being kind of a home body lately for a number of reasons.

There is an unknown canine illness that prevents me from taking Moxie to the dog park. So we retrieve at home. Moxie is reluctant to walk around my neighborhood. I guess she is happy to have me around. In the summer she didn’t want to sit on my lap much, but now she can be demanding of some sitting time. I don’t mind.
The stores are crowded, and parking lots are no fun.
I have so much to do at home. My blog and photography, my genealogy, and knitting.
My newest hobby is quilting. I went to my first guild meeting and I will join in the 2024. I am finishing up a project: a sampler hanging that I started before CoVid. Getting in my last 3 lessons when I put it all together. Pics to follow.

This month I am on Baby Watch for my great grandson Kingston to be born to my granddaughter Alyssa. Due date January 6. Again, more to come!

Lens-Artists Challenge #276 Filling the Frame

Anne from Slow Shutter Speed challenge me this week. “When you want your subject to stand out, fill the frame! When you fill the frame with your subject, you eliminate various background distractions. The viewer’s eyes have nowhere to wander. Their attention is where you want it.”

Looking at my library, I decided to concentrate on my food images. I noticed that I have many, many images taken at local farmer’s markets over the years. And the produce does not change all that much. I have enough images of gourds, pumpkins, and peppers. I think I may need to move on to other venues.

The following photographs were not cropped in. I saw my subject and took the photograph.

Lettuce from the Berkeley Farmer’s Market

In one of my early photoshop classes, I was told to replicate an art piece. I needed the head of a fish, a lipstick and a fence. The last two were easy to obtain, but where was I going to get a fish head. Well, I called up a local supermarket, and spoke to to fish department. And he obliged me with this perfect looking fish. Thank you “Bel Air”. The photograph was so strange that after getting all the items assembled I decided to drop the class and focus on things that were more appealing to me. I just couldn’t see having this fellow stare down from my wall.

What do you think this fish was about to say?

Pickles of all varieties served at Katz’s Deli in New York City.

A long time ago, my son read a magazine that always had a group of photographs that filled the frame so well that it asked us to try and figure out what the image was?

I hope that I fufilled the challenge and fill the frame.

Now to get busy with the upcoming holiday preparations for Thanksgiving. Being mindful of what I have to be thankful for, and how I can share this feeling.

Lens-Artists Challenge #273 Symmetry

This week’s challenge by Soffia of Photographias, “may look at first a hard one but, in reality, symmetry is everywhere. It’s also not as static a concept as it may seem. Why is symmetry important as a composition tool in photography? It creates strong and balanced images, affecting the way we feel the subject. Our eyes find symmetry harmonious and pleasing.”

After I retired from teaching/librarianship I focused on my photography, and enrolled in many community college classes. There, the role of symmetry was not encouraged. During photo critiques, if a subject was “dead” center, it was pretty much dismissed. I know that there are exceptions to every rule, but I must have taken this one to heart. I had to take a hard look at my collection of photographs to come up with these.

Architecture

Looking Up @ the California Capital in Sacramento

Landscape

Animals

Turtles along the edge at UC Davis Arboretum

Reflections

Taken at Black Miner Bar on the American River

Abstracts & Decorations

I hope you like my photo selections that may have received some critique in my photography classes. I’ll await your decision.

Maybe, it’s good to look at some symmetry as the world spins in its chaos! Stay safe, and take time to breathe!

Lens-Artists Challenge #272 Billboards & Signs

John of Journeys with Johnbo gives me a change to show off my many photographs of signs I have captured over the years. I am always on the lookout for signage. Warnings, information, irony, historic signs, hysterical signs and political signs.

Funny Signs

I see the sign, but where is the fire hydrant?

Stopped at a vista point off the freeway, and saw this sign.

Warnings

A caution to all photographers. A very sad story of a local photographer who was killed while photographing trains. I looked up the story, and to my surprise I saw that tragedy has struck numerous times. BE CAREFUL!