Lens-Artists – Page 18 – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #202 Minimalism/Maximalism

Sofia’s challenge is called Minimalism/Maximalism. It could also be Simplicity/Complexity or Sparce/Full. It’s up to me to show how I approach this challenge. I’ll have to think about this as I look over my library of photographs.

Life during the pandemic gave me time to think. Since I was home, as many of you were, I had time to look around my house. The idea of ‘Decluttering” and “Reimagining” space in our homes found its way into the media. Television, podcasts, and how to books popped up. I think I vacillate between the two. When I have my cleaning staff come to may house, I put away many things on my counters. The house is cleaned, and when I look around I have some satisfaction. But I still need some eye candy. On my new kitchen counter I place a Nixplay Frame. In the morning I turn it on, and throughout the day I am reminded of times in my life. l love my frame, and I am constantly adding new photographs. I also have some kind of silk flower arrangement, and two plants that require little water. Anything else makes my kitchen feel cluttered.

I ebb and flow between straightening out things, and letting life happen. But then the sentimental side shows up. I enjoy having things around that bring back good memories. Some items came from my parents house from when I was younger. Other items were given to me, and I remember the occasion. And other objects just seem to fit in a particular space.

My photography finds new ways to grow. Looking over my library I discovered that the coast is a great place to create minimalist photographs.

Taken on Florida’s beaches with my Nikon D70, my first dslr

Many of my photographs have a busy quality. One teacher criticized me for this. I just say that it is my artistic preference. Sometimes I like to let my eye wander.

Taken on a photo shoot to Bodie, Ca. with my class. This is an example of “arrested decay”.

More from a town frozen in time, Bodie, Ca.

In the following photographs I like to look for familiar things within. Pareidolia used to be seen as a mental illness, but now is considered normal creative thinking.

Here is an example of maximalism in a window display in Carmel, Ca.

Putting a smile on your face with some minimalism to end this post.

So I guess minimalism and maximalism both have a place in my photography.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – #201 Triple Play

With Three of a Kind, Anne Christine wants me to think about things related to my main photo – maybe a book, a flower, a room, a piece of art… Almost anything will fit in here – I could make my three images tell a story too! Simply put: My post should have three separate images that are somehow related. (Another option is splitting one photo into three parts.)

Walking along the shore

Driving south from Half Moon Bay we drive into Pescadero. We visit Arcangeli Grocery Co. Norms Market. This original cash register reminded me of the one I first used at Food Fair in 1966.

Let’s go surfing now, everybody’s learning how…

What is the message?

Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel – Home of San Mateo County Farm Supply. Found along Main Street this certainly catches everyone’s attention. “The Best Place in Town to Pick Up Chicks”

Dinner at It’s Italia on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. “

Fantastico!” “Generous Spirit”, followed by Pesto & Proschiutto Flatbread, and finished with Key Lime Pie. By the way, I am looking for a good recipe for Key Lime Pie. Cam anyone help?

So this ends my quick trip anniversary trip to Half Moon Bay!

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