Lens-Artists Challenge #244 Glowing Moments

Siobhan from Bend Branches created this challenge. “What glowing moments have been special in your life?”

I looked up the definition of “Glow” and found that I was looking through my library and paying attention to lighting.

Flowers

Lighting from the back is my way of capturing flower power.

Tulips and daffodils are a sign of spring.

Backlit pink tulips, and a narrow depth of field soft daffodils

Captured this flower in high-key lighting

This little beetle found its way on a California Poppy

Sunrise and Sunset always emit a glow

Sedona, Arizona offers a great opportunity to capture sunrise and sunsets. In August, it is best to get up early for sunrise, take an midday nap, and watch the sun go down. Plan to eat a later dinner.

Water glowing

Slow shutter speed captures a water glow of a fountain

Painting with light

Playing with glow stick and flashlight as I paint with light

Slowing down the shutter speed can make for some interesting effects.

Thank you for taking the time to view my idea of glowing moments. Enjoy your own glowing moments, stay safe, and be kind!

Lens-Artists Challenge #243 It’s Tricky

This week, it’s Donna’s turn to host the Lens-Artists Challenge: It’s Tricky! If you’d like to fool us, this is your week. Otherwise, I hope I can inspire you, or trick you into joining the fun.

Water Reflections

Glass Reflections

Spherical Reflections

Movement

Ghostly Images

My dog Charlie will always be in my heart!

The Great Escape

I am always on the lookout for images that can be seen in a different way. Sometimes I play with my shutter speed control. Sometimes the image unfolds throught a reflection on glass or water. Sometimes, the image is just a happy mistake. It all depends upon how you look at your surroundings.

Lens-Artists Challenge #241 Spring

This week Sophia invited me to show you what Spring means to me. Is it about new beginnings, nature reborn, or a new chance to go and enjoy the outdoors?
When I think of spring in Sacramento, I think of saturated colors. After our years of drought, California has seen generous dowsing of rainfall. Many of our old oak trees have been taken down because their shriveled roots could not hold up the tree. They are calling these rains “atmospheric rivers”. I say, everything in moderation. Nature is not listening to me.

First – Almond blossoms

Daffodils show up next

This usually got us going up to Daffodil Hill. But the crowds overcame the little town of Volcano, and the local farmer closed his farm to visitors. I remember times in the past when there were few visitors during the week. Too bad.

The Crystal Hermitage Gardens bloom with tulips.

Located in Nevada City, and this year tickets need to be purchased before the visit. This will limit visitors, and make the visit more tranquil.

This year the rainy season has created many changes. But soon the wildflowers will be on full display. Among my favorites are the Californian Poppies.

Full disclosure here – none of these photographs were taken this year. Plans to visit Ananda and the Crystal Hermitage Garden will happen in April. I missed the almond blossoms with all the rain we have been blessed with. My own plants are also waiting for things to dry up. Maybe in a couple of weeks.

When I sit outside with my coffee, and Moxie suns herself I hear many birds, That is enjoyable. But not something that my camera captures.

What do you like about the upcoming season?

Lens-Artists Challenge #240 The road (most often) taken

John set up this week’s metaphoric theme “The Road taken” – and not about a physical road. For this week’s challenge, he wants me to think of my favorite type or style of photography as the road I’ve chosen to take most often.

I just returned from a CoVid delayed 8-day trip to New York City. Our last trip occurred in February 2014. We visited in the same season, but CoVid created many changes in the city. Last time I took most of my photographs using my Olympus OMD camera. I have since switched to the Fuji xt4, and I only brought my 18-55 lens. The cold weather dictated many indoor activities, and I found myself using my Apple iPhone 13 pro.

I visited The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) specifically to view Berenice Abbott’s New York Album 1929. Eugène Atget, a French photographer influenced her, and when I looked at all the photographs I saw my “road”. My catalog includes similar images to those taken by Etget and Abbott. Street scenes, people, and animals capture my interest.

When I go anywhere, I document. I focus on a different or unusual way to see what is there.