Tag: Amgen

Lens-Artists Challenge #255: Telling a Story

This week, Patti of P.A. Moed asks me to focus on telling a story with my photos. “Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we can convey a story in one image; other times we need several. For this challenge, we’ll set a limit of 5 photos per story.” People-watching is a favorite pastime for me. I do not eavesdrop; instead, I try to imagine what is happening and capture the emotions.

Festivals and Events

Renaissance Fayre
Father and son act at the Renaissance Fayre
Amgen Cyclist – thoughts?
Amgen Tour of California. How would you caption this?

Summer is heating up here in Sacramento. We are alerted that a heat wave is approaching. Years ago, my grandchildren joined a swim team. That meant all-day swim meets on Saturday. I had my camera ready for action.

What is this swimmer thinking?
Such enthusiasm
Pep Talk
Cheering
Congratulations
Summer = Watermelon

Helping hand

Getting directions at the
American Museum of Natural History
Lost visitor
Father and son. What’s the story?

Teaching

Many docents can be found at the zoo or museums. They provide valuable teachings to the community. Thank you.

Explaining tools at a Big Truck event in Roseville
Spining explained

Creative Energy

Berkeley Kite Festival
Chanukah Celebration
Folsom 4th of July Parade
Spray paint art on the Embarcadero. This artist was less than friendly.
Chalk it Up is held once a year in John C Fremont Park

Caught in the Act

Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fransisco provides plenty of photo opportunities for people-watching. I captured this local character as he counted his earnings.

San Francisco Bush Man
Geyserville, Ca
Nothing like a hot dog on the New York City streets
Capturing a fun moment at
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Keeps traffic flowing on N.Y.C. streets
Serious moment with Daisy Duck in Disneyland

Animal Stories

Ducks at the Sacramento Zoo.
Can you think of a story for these images? Something was going on.
We know what this photo is all about.

And that’s all folks. For now! Check back soon for more of my photographs.

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.

A line of pigs
Colorful crayons

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
Paws, please!
When my Moxie was a young pup!

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.