Street Photography – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 194 Bokeh

Sofia challenges me to primarily think of out-of-focus areas in your photos. Are they an important component of your shot? What is bokeh for you and how do you achieve it? I’ll be looking forward to seeing how your beautifully blurred areas also have a story to tell.

Using a large aperture setting would be how I would describe my style of photography.

While visiting Donner Summit, I borrowed a reflecting ball. The shallow depth of field places the photo in a forest setting and the reflection is in focus.

By using a shallow depth of field here my photo leads the eye in a line.

The story I tell with my flower photographs often is about one particular flower standing apart from the rest.

The bee settles on a flower in the field of flowers

While capturing images with people the depth of field helps to tell the story.

Racing fans gather during the Amgen finale in Sacramento

This last photograph was taken in 2004 while visiting my In-Laws in Florida. This is an example of why I recommend not discarding all your old mistakes. This was my first DSLR the Nikon D70. I was not familiar with white balance and forgot to change from the indoor lighting setting to the outdoor one. My images were quite blue. But today, I saw potential in this image. I changed it to black and white. What do you think?

I hope you enjoyed my look at bokeh and how it helps to set the stage for my images. Please comment and let me know.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #189 Odds & Ends

This week Tina offers me quite a challenge. I need to look into my photographs and display those Odds and Ends that I have collected over the years. My friend Anne likes to say that I shoot unusual things. And I do. But when I import my images I like to place each photo into a category. Sometimes the categories become so large that I then subdivide it even further. And when I am feeling some stress, I will review and make even more changes. Probably fits in with my professonal career as a librarian. I took my catalog quite seriously, and I wanted everyone to be able to find what they needed. So how does this make the challenge more challenging for me? Many of my odd photos have found their way into a larger group, and so they are not so odd after all. But I digress.

In my first digital photography class I was to decide on a subject and take 100 images. Then another 100 images. My subject was Garbage Cans. My professor said that by the time I was finished the subject would always have a special place in my heart. And she was correct. I will always be on the lookout for a new and different garbage can to add to my collection.

This can fulfills a stated purpose. Recycle aluminum cans!

I found design element in some cans.

Some Garbage Cans served a double purpose by providing the user with location information.

After getting off the plane I am welcomed!

Some creative ways to make the garbage cans fit with its surroundings.I found this garbage can near an airplane ride at Bishop’s Farm in Wheatland, Ca.

Village Park in Fair Oaks built by CCC – Civilian Conservation Corp

At Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary I found these garbage cans

A garbage cans found in unusual location.

Really? I wonder what the family thinks of this placement.

My street photography

My granddaughter jumps
in a can full of leaves

For the most part Sacramento and its surrounds had pretty clean cans, but sometimes there is one that is neglected.

I guess the effort was just too much, but I liked the effect for this odd photo.

I took this photo the day after Valentine’s Day in NYC. Guess somebody was making a statement!

If you look around you will notice a plethora of shapes, sizes and colors.

Shapes, sizes, colors and purposeful garbage cans

That is just a small sample of my odd collection of garbage cans. Will you be on the lookout for interesting trash cans?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #145 – Getting to know you

“The artist’s gaze, the photographer’s eye, when cast on a subject begins a relationship. That relationship can grow into a deep affection and a profound wisdom. It is that aspect of relating to your subject that I invite you to explore in this challenge.” Thank you Priscilla of scillagrace.

Photography has always helped me to see the world. It may be the quiet moment when I am out and can appreciate nature. It allows me to take a deep breath and slow down. You must be still as you press the shutter button.

Exploring my backyard with my macro lens I spot this dragonfly.

Sometimes I am occupied looking for the unusual. This may be a funny sign, or an object found out of place.

Other times I see faces or animals in many of my images. This is pareidolia. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pareidolia as, “The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.” Hey, photography has even opened me up to learn new terms.

My photography has helped me get away from my introverted self. I like to people watch, and I use my camera as my lookout point. Some images are candid moments, some environmental portraits, and some tell a story

Photography has been with me since I was nine years old. It helps me connect with people, places, and things around me!

Lens-Artists Challenge #135 A Glimpse into Your World

Over the past year, I followed many photographers as they shared amazing images. I decided that for me to grow I would need to open myself up to this experience. So this week I accepted Sheetal’s challenge to, “Show us the things you love that make your world spin or things about your world that make you delirious with joy.”

Charlie has captured my heart. My Australian Labradoodle just celebrated his first birthday. My life has revolved around this boy, and the bond is strong. The day starts when he says it does. He quietly calls out to me that he is awake. With his collar on, we head to his round bed where we snuggle for a time. Then out for our short walk in our court. Six houses and I take in the changes from day to day. Occasionally, we greet a neighbor or see a jogger. Then home to have breakfast. With no plans for the day, we settle on the couch, catch up on emails and take a morning nap together. I am the person who trains and cares for Charlie’s needs. We take a walk and play fetch. We have one training session a day, one game of “Find It!”, and one grooming session after dinner. Some indoor fetch and he settles while my husband and I watch television. Charlie has found a place in my husband’s heart. When I am away, Charlie keeps him company. Charlie is a people magnet. I just hope that he soon becomes more relaxed being out and about with me and my camera.

Charlie has us wrapped around his paws. Discovering each other, training together, and becoming part of the family.

This litter of 10 adorable Australian Labradoodles is 1 year old (put together by Jo)

Camera in hand, looking out at the world makes me happy. What I capture in the frame just depends on what catches my eye at the time. Small objects, funny signs, colors or shapes, patterns, contradictory images, animal and people expressions, and the people busy doing things. I don’t see myself stuck on one subject. My only limits are what kind of lens I can carry, and I usually only carry two. My camera has an added value in my life by connecting me to wonderful photo friends.

Amusing signs

The pandemic has slowed down life, and I try and appreciate this new pace of life. One day, one goal. Thinking back over the decades I now wonder how I kept up that frenetic pace. I am home with my husband that I have known now for 54 years. We take turns arguing with the television over the news coverage. We share opinions on how to fix the world, if only they would listen. We read the newspaper and find books to read on our iPads. We play Scrabble, and figure out what we want to eat for dinner. It is a serene existence. We talk about what we want to do after “the pandemic”, and when will life return to normal. Actually, we also discuss what that normal will look like. Hopefully, eating out, traveling both near and far, and feeling less restricted to be around people. I look forward to new adventures with my husband and my Charlie.

I am taking the first step in sharing with the Lens-Artists. This is my new challenge, and I hope that I will be able to meet it!

Category: Street Photography