Lens-Artists – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #198 Light & Shadow

This week, Patti asks me to explore the interplay of light and shadow–at different times of the day, in different seasons, under natural light, in artificial light. She encouraged me to choose whatever conditions I like. I will look at processing some images in black & white.

My film days started at age nine. I had all my photos printed in black & white. In my twenties I started using Kodachrome. My catalog is filled with silhouettes, shadow designs, and backlit images.

Photographers are often left out of family photos. When I realized this I started taking shadow selfies just to show that I was there.

Fall in the Sierras. The grass is all dried up!

The long shadows indicate that I am shooting a field of sunflowers in the afternoon. The sunflowers are saying goodnight.

Eventually, I started having friends join me.

Long shadows help those who are height challenged.

What’s going on? Looks like I have an unexpected guest.

You can see this in the design subject created by shadows.

A story told in the silhouette I captured in the park

What kind of creature can be found in the woods?

Does the creature appear more ominous here in black & white?

Has the creature followed me to the vineyard?

These photo challenges allow me to take another look at the images I have captured over the years. I hope you enjoyed the journey in Light and Shadows.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #196 Humor

John asked me to dig into my photo archives and find something humorous. (Please, nothing that might be injurious of anyone or anything, of course. WE, the collective Lens-Artists that we are, must retain our civility.)

I’m not one that usually tells jokes. As a matter of fact, when I was the librarian at Rio Americano High School my principal would stop by and ask me to share a joke he might use as an opener for an upcoming meeting. Sadly, I could not provide one, but I did get a book of jokes, and story openers for him to use. But when I am out with my camera I often look for funny signs, or happenings. So here goes.

Giving directions in a positive or negative way

Public restrooms often are a source of amusement

Heed these warnings

Some suggestions to follow.

Some food-related signs

Katz’s Delicatessen encouraged the home front to not forget soldiers fighting during World War II.

Candy Heaven in Old Sacramento allows customers to taste.

This Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant brings in customers with a
life-altering cioppino! We gave it a try.

Catering to a particular customer in Monterey.

The following signs are a mixed bag of honest information that might make you smile.

Are you sometimes overscheduled? Just hang up a sign!

The Truss Bridge in Folsom has quite a history.

I wonder when this plant will figure things out?

Some more suggestions that may keep you from getting into trouble.

And sometimes I come across situations that are just too funny not to grab my camera.

I met Trawler and his owner as he was tied up at the downtown waterfront on the Sacramento River.

30% off a bargain price. Get down to *Bye Bye Baby* for a limited time!

Never be overcharged in Rough and Ready, California

That’s all folks! Now it’s your turn to leave me a comment.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #195 Colorful Expressions

Anne wants me to show how color affects my photography. After studying basic, and intermediate photography I took an eye-opening class in color photography with Patti Felkner at Cosumnes River Community College. After understanding light, composition, and focus points, I learned to focus on color as my subject.

RGB complementary color scheme is Red/Cyan, Green/Magenta, and Blue/Yellow

The farmer’s market is great for finding color

There is something calming in this monochrome image.

I’m still tempted to pick it and blow the seeds, are you?

Some more examples of monochrome photographs

Often I will look for just a splash of color in my photography.

A splash of color makes for interesting photographs. Don’t you agree?

Some more examples of how just a splash of color catches the eye.

Photographing my dog I learned that I needed both an understanding of light, dog behavior, and color.

I still miss my first dog, Liberty Love. Here is her splash of color!

So after looking over my many images, I look for either monochrome images or those with just a splash in the right place.

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.

Tag: Lens-Artists