Anne from Slow Shutter Speed challenges me to think about the weather conditions in which we photographers find ourselves pursuing our hobby or vocation.
My cover photo of leaves forming a heart shape is a nod to Valentine’s Day. It was taken on the lake formed in front of my house one winter day.
Charlie was my Australian Labradoodle’s first and only trip to the snow. He enjoyed it thoroughly. I still have some time left this winter to let Moxie experience snow.
Visiting Lake Tahoe for the snow experience
The occasional icy morning
Less-than-fun snow in New York City
Northern California sometimes has more than enough rain at one time. At that time I grab a camera and document. My last house was the low point of the street. It took a while to get a repair done so that water would drain quickly in front of my house.
My lakefront property
Puddle captures reflectionRaindrops
If there is water and puddles you find a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Doodle having fun
Determined fishermen in the morning winter fog
After a rain look for a rainbow and grab the camera
Summer lightning storm (without rain) captured from the Tower Bridge!
Quick post this time. I hope that whatever weather you are experiencing you can appreciate!
This week, Donna of Wind Kisses is hosting the Lens-Artist Challenge with a focus on, What’s Bugging You? She thinks that the true challenge here is that encounters are rarely purposeful, and bugs are never willing participants. Some will flitter around and finally land on a leaf. Some pollen collectors will ignore the photographer and some will look straight at you.
Plenty of things are buggin’ me, but this post is strictly about the ones found in nature. I captured most of these images in California. The arachnids I discovered on The Big Island and in Kauai. All except the first one were found outside of a dwelling. Unfortunately, last night as I sat down to watch television, my Moxie kept looking at the lampshade. And there I discovered a VERY unwanted intruder. I captured it in a jar and took a photograph.
Who is this uninvited intruder?
Now I get to the real purpose of this particular blog. Insects I come across in nature. They are usually found around flowers, and I do appreciate their reason for being. The only one that I did not capture, and I have found no reason for being is the mosquito. In some seasons I appeal to them more often. Other times, I can go a long time before their nasty bite comes along. I am not a fan of putting on insect repellant either.
Busy Bees
Photography leads to learning about my images. I did not know the difference between honey bees and bumble bees.
This is the first photograph I sold. It was taken at Effie Yeaw.
Anne’s challenge this week is, “What’s my photographic groove? What type of photography do I truly enjoy doing? I will show you wonderful images and tell you about them.
This challenge has me thinking. When I was enrolled and pursuing my Photography Certificate, I was exposed to many photographic experiences. My practical mother continued to ask me what I intended to do with my photography. One idea was to start a Pet Photography business. Another idea I had was to author a picture book. I had just retired from a Library/Teacher career of 25 years. I didn’t know way direction to take. Life happened. My parents and grandchildren needed my attention. By the time I finished 40+ credits I decided I was going to do photography on my own terms – for my own personal enjoyment. I didn’t need another job. So I guess you can say my photographic groove is “Focus”. I use my camera to help me see the world around me. I capture whatever I come across.
Often, my camera helps me connect to my surroundings. Sometimes nature, sometimes people, and sometimes taking a quirky look.
My camera connected me to a good group of friends. This group has taken me to many places and spaces in the area. Visits out of town to Niles, Ca. Trips to the Sacramento Zoo. Visiting a local urban micro Farm at End of the Road in Orangevale, Ca.
My photography helps me focus on the present, and preserve memories to reflect upon in the future. I have been raising my second puppy in the past 2 1/2 years. Glad I have photos of my Charlie.
Puppies grow into dogs and seem to change overnight. Waiting for them to calm down may take just a bit longer. This is where my iPhone comes into play.
My 4 youngest grandchildren have moved back and forth from Sacramento, California to Knoxville, Tennessee (about 2500 miles). They returned last week for the third time in less than three years. Photos and FaceTime helped during these times of separation. I so enjoy my Nixplay digital frame.
But as of last Thursday, I can see my grandchildren in person. We celebrated the first day of TK and First Grade, and the last day of vacation for my 5th grader with some ice cream at Handels.
In-person is better than long distance!Nature Calls for my Fuji xt4 and my iPhone 13 pro
Great challenge. Sorry for the late post. I have been having “words” with my WordPress!
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.
A Photo's Worth 