Lens-Artists Challenge #257 Simplicity

Philosophy through photography provided this week’s challenge of simplicity.  “The modern world is so stressful and chaotic that we are losing the fundamental clarity and simplicity that allows us to concentrate on what is really important.” So true!

Subject

The subject IS color
Monochromatic Dandelion

Tell a story

Gull finds treasure on Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Quiet Pomponio State Beach near Half Moon Bay
Lone pedestrian crossing the Embarcadero in San Francisco
Walking along the Mendocino coast

Sense of Scale

Sailboat sails under the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset
Kayaking along the American River

I had to look through my archive to find this one because usually, I will fill the frame with the people. But this time I was in awe of the surroundings.

Mirror Lake in Yosemite.
Walking a long way down near a waterfall in Hilo Hawaii

As we got closer to the waterfall we witnessed its power.

Waterfall in Hilo Hawaii
So small on this Southern California beach
My granddaughter @ age 10 at Stinson Beach

The vastness and power of water bring perspective to our view of self. Watching how fast it can transform places. There is little a person can do to hold back the water. The world’s people are learning this the hard way.

Negative Space

Fishing in Monterey Bay

Still Life

Tea Setting
Side Lighting of Chinese Tea Service

Textures

Bumpy and Orange
Soft focused leaf

Splash of Color

Lady Bug Beetle all alone
Boulder Ridge Park, Rocklin Ca

Patterns

Swim meet pool lanes

I hope that you enjoy the simple life. Which photograph spoke to you? I appreciate all comments.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #213 Here Comes the Sun

Amy provides my new challenge this week. This week, our theme is “Here Comes the Sun”. I will explore the sunlight and things under the sun, whether it’s in the morning, middle of the day, and/or before the sun goes down.

Any reason to shop!

I’m not a super early riser, but if I want to capture exceptional images in Sedona, Arizona I made it a reason to set my alarm. I arranged a family reunion in Sedona. The family met in Sun City West where my parents lived and carpooled up to Sedona, It was August 2005, and it was my mother’s 80th birthday. My brother and I shared a room, and with my new dslr Nikon D70 camera, we headed out each morning at 4:30 a.m. It’s true, “The early bird catches the views”. Peaceful, quiet, and no crowds!

It is going to be a hot day (4:54:16) 8/21
Just starting to peek through (4:57 am) 8/22
A sleepy little town below (4:57:37) 8/21
The effects of the sun are starting to wash over the mountains (5:00.58) 8/21
Heading out, and looking for more views (5:00 am) 8/21
Ready to head back to the hotel and catch some zzzzs (5:30) /21

When the sun is out I am always on the lookout for backlit images.

Swim practice

Sunsets are amazing.

Late afternoon sun on a farm on Mt. Diablo
Mt. Diablo sunset
Yosemite’s El Capitan
El Capitan after the sun went down.
Golden Gate Bridge
Long Beach, Ca
Sunset reflection

Again, thanks for letting me share my take on, “Here comes the sun!” Does any special image catch your attention?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #138 Natural Light: the source of all things photographic.

“Natural light photography uses the sun as a light source. The available light from the sun varies with the time of day. A sunny day provides full illumination, while an overcast day may afford texture and nuance to a photographer.” — Annie Leibovitz

For this theme, Amy would like to share photos of changing light throughout the day in different parts of the world.

Different parts of the day are something I can relate to. Different parts of the world are harder for me. My days of travel occurs when I was in high school. My father, a civil engineer, was working in Karachi, Pakistan. After a few months, the whole family joined him there. I attended Karachi American School (KAS) for two years. I visited London, England; Delhi, India; Katmandu, Nepal; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong; Israel; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; and The Netherlands. I returned home to New York for my senior year and my travels stopped. I did visit Niagra Falls, Canada for my first anniversary. About 3 years ago my husband and I got passports, and then life happened. So no travel photos from me.

I thought this challenge would be an easy one. My photographs are carefully cataloged in Lightroom. I can find my sunrise and sunset images. But looking over my catalog I am reminded of all the beauty I have captured, and all the times I spent with my friends and family. I am grateful for this.

Sunrise

I am not usually an early morning person. Though once I am up I appreciate the stillness I feel as the sun fills the sky.

Sunset

My sunsets demonstrate variety. I like being near the ocean. Originally, from New York and now living in California most of my sunsets are reflected on water.

Dramatic End of the day

Lightning strikes along the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento, Ca.

Light makes such a difference in creating an image. Do you have a favorite time of day to take in the world?