Sacramento Sites – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #210 Picking Favorites

This week Sarah (Travel with me) asks me to share three of what I consider to be among my best shots. This exercise really tests my ability to be self-critical. Pick out three (just three!) that stand out as particular favorites. I need to choose three from different genres: macro, wildlife, street, landscape, architecture, or portraiture.

Genre: Still Life

My inspiration for this photograph started in my photography class. I needed to create a photo with the theme of kitchen. Items from my mother-in-law were recently sent to us. I placed these tarnished serving pieces on a piece of glass and watched for shadows. Pleased with the result. I entered this photo in an online contest and was selected as the week’s photo.

Genre: Landscape

I met with a group of local photographers in downtown Sacramento. At first, a scavenger hunt was the goal, but after looking around Old Sac, I went to the Tower Bridge. After watching the dry lightning strikes I listened and began to anticipate the next bolt of lightning. Got it!

Genre: Telling a Story/Street

This carousel or Merry-Go-Round was taken at a local shopping mall. I wanted to capture movement. In doing so, I created the story of the boy and his horse actually escaping from the ride.

Genre: Nature

The feature banner image of the Peeking Flamingo was taken at the Sacramento Zoo. When I showed this image to my college professor she like it so much that she asked if she could use it as a class example. Made me feel good.

Selecting just three is a tough call. I ended up picking some images that I have hanging in my home. I hope that you enjoyed this post. Let me know which one is your favorite.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 203 Local Vistas

What are your local vistas? Where do you photograph when you don’t have a lot of time or are not on vacation? What about your hometown excites you? Is it the countryside, city, gardens, amusement venues? This week, Anne Sandler: Slow Shutter Speed wants me to tell and show local vistas.

Sacramento has been home since 1980. Yet with my local camera group I still find new things to photograph. There is a certain seasonal flow of vistas that show up during the year. For instance, Anne and I visited the Lotus Flower Garden “Peace Pond” this week. When I turned on the television Rob on the Road was interviewing the person responsible for this amazing Sacramento site. Started in 2005 this is now another reason the go to Land Park.

Asked to take a photo of some friends, and we got to talking

Within Land Park there is also the WPA Rock Garden. Always something to photograph.

The Sacramento Zoo is also located in Land Park, currently. There are exciting plans afoot in the coming years to move this zoo to Elk Grove so that it can provide a better habitat for the animals. Just a little further to drive.

The flamingos welcome you at the entrance of the Sacramento Zoo

In the coming weeks the sunflower fields located in Yolo County calls for photo captures. This image was taken last year.

No sunflowers were harmed in the taking of this photograph.

For people watching I head to Old Sacramento. No matter how many times I visit I find something new to focus on. But it is often the people wandering around. And people with dogs are my favs.

Trawler and his owner live on a houseboat that was docked in Old Sacramento.

Musician on a lunch break. His dog has his eyes on the fries!

Located in Old Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum.

I find museum locations good when the temperature rises. This week June 2022 the temperature will be over 100° for multiple days. Also a good time to be home and blog!

Well that is just a touch of what I find locally around Sacramento.

Lens-Artists Challenge #170 Street Art

For this week’s challenge, we’re exploring art–outdoors, in the park, on the street–for all to enjoy. Thank you Patti for acknowledging all the art around us.

The last couple of years Sacramento has been encouraging creativity. Alley walls, sidewalks and dumpsters have provided the canvas. Artists of all ages come out to celebrate.

In 2016 alleyways and building throughout Sacramento became the canvas for Wide Open Walls (WOW). This annual event has brought art to all. This year my fellow photographers ventured out without me because Moxie’s puppy class is priority one.

WOW from 2020. One event that our group could enjoy safely.

Another annual event I usually enjoy is Chalk it Up. This artwork is not permanent, but fun to watch, and photograph. The sidewalks around Freemont Park serve as the location. Each square represents an organization, individual idea, or business venture. Again, I did not photograph it this year. Last year, CoVid protocols spread this event out throughout the city.

I came across the Art of the Dumpster in a vacant lot. Each dumpster had the artist’s statement displayed.

Glad I had my camera handy when I came across this dumpster art show in a vacant lot.

I am always on the lookout for murals that informs visitors about the town.

Stopped in Truckee, Ca. (Calif.) one winter day.

I learned something about the City of Livermore.

CCA Murals for Esparto. Their heritage is on display.

Learn about Carmichael’s roots at the Great Wall of Carmichael

If you have been to Old Fair Oaks you would know why this mural was
painted by 2 Bella Vista High School students Class of 2019.

How many of us have been stuck in an airport? I’m glad to find that these public spaces are now being adorned with art.

I’m not sure in which airport I found this sculpture. It may be from the Indianapolis Airport.

The original Tower Records started in Sacramento and was located in the drug store that shared space with the Tower Theatre.

Murals found around Tower Records establishment on Broadway.

All types of music and musicians are displayed. Tower Records closed its doors in 2006. And the murals are gone.F

Mural at the Art Supply Warehouse in Southern Ca. It grabbed my attention!

Found this on a street in San Francisco with my granddaughter

Paying respect closer to home in Capay at the Road Trip Bar & Grill

“Portal to Big Sur” by Aaron Appel and Abe Toke.

Came across this natural display of public art at Half Moon Bay, Ca.

Making the most of the space that surrounds us with art. It is nice to find such “eye candy” where you least expected! Just be ready to experience beauty.

Lens-Artists Challenge #136 : The Letter S

Patti says, “For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #136, we’re circling back to the alphabet. This time, we’re going to focus on the letter S. What images can you find that feature a subject that begins with the letter S? Here are some ideas to get you started.”

My friends and I visit sunflower fields in Yolo County.

In Sacramento, there is the Museum of Medical History. An interesting place to visit when it reopens after CoVid. So my first letter S is for Skeleton with its funny sign.