Lens-Artists Challenge #281 Favorites of 2023

The first week of 2024 is over. I look at this year with goals in mind, and wonder how to fit everything in everything. Starting with a positive attitude, I will continue to meet each week’s photo challenges. Capturing new images with my photo friends. When the computer screen gets too tiring for my eyes, I switch to my new endeavor – quilting. Back at the computer, my genealogy quest has surprised me. I connected with relatives living near Tel Aviv, Israel, London, England, and New Hampshire, U.S.A.

New York City

I have passed this Banksy many times, but just now I discovered the background history.

Yolo County

A short drive down I 80 brings my photo friends to Yolo County and plenty of picture-taking opportunities. We visited various farms on Yolo Arts & Ag Days. A real treasure we waited for was our visit to Glashoff Sculpture Ranch. Amazing! Certainly will try and revisit it!

Sacramento Zoo and Local Critters

Family Outings

Ogden Alpaca Farm in Orangevale with my four grandsons

Roseville Big Trucks with my youngest grandson

Out and about with my photo friends

Traveling east to Placerville

Store Front reminds me of my librarian days

Some portraits of shopkeepers in Placerville

Just having fun being out with friends in Old Sacramento, Bushnell Nursery, Crocker Art Museum, Folsom Farmer’s Market, and a nighttime

Me and my Moxie Love

Moxie is waiting to see what the new year holds for us.

Lens-Artists Challenge #262 Framing my photos

This week Amy of The World is a Book, asks me to explore “Framing my Photos”. The purpose of framing a photo is to create a pleasing composition, so we can direct the viewer’s attention to the subject of our photo. I am always on the lookout for different ways to compose my image.

Looking through a fence

My 7 year old grandson connects with the ball. Go Lucas!

Overlooking the Russian River in Guerneville, Ca.

Peeking through a garden center in Pacific Grove, Ca

Porthole

S.S. Red Oak Victory Ship at Richmond Ca.

Between foliage

Crystal Hermitage Garden overlooking Tahoe National Forest

Red wing black bird eating a berry. Point Reyes, Ca.

Our Sacramento Zoo is protecting birds from Avian Flu so its been a while since they have been available to the public.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, Ca

Sunset over a sunflower field in Yolo County

Architecture

New York City 2023

Always on the lookout for interesting framing

Lahaina

These last images were taken in 2015 on our last trip to Maui. Seeing the images from the devestating fire in Lahaina I returned to look at these images. Some photos fit the theme of framing my photo, and some I just wanted to share. A reminder of all that was lost. As rebuilding takes place I hope that changes will be made to help eliminate another tragedy.

I hope that you can now look for interesting ways to frame your photographs. If you have any favorites, let me know!

Lens-Artists Challenge #247 Back Lit Photos

Anne-Christine tells me that “backlighting is a great way to create stunning, eye-catching effects. Here are a handful of specific images you can make with backlighting: Street and portrait silhouettes, bird-in-flight silhouettes, portraits, and macros with beautiful background bokeh, landscape silhouettes, and sunset/sunrise landscapes.”

Glass

I always enjoy looking at glass objects. I found some of these images in stores, in windows, and in displays.

I first saw an example of Chihuly glass at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The first and third photographs are examples displayed at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.

The next two stain glass signs are located on my sister-in-law’s property in Indianapolis, Indianna. They are created from images of the property.

Animals

A spider has cast its web at the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve

Great White Egret found at UC Davis Arboretum

The Oakland Zoo features some interesting exhibits like fruit bats and primates.

Flora

Pets

Here my grandson is holding his pet Love Bird Peaches.

I can’t believe my grandson will be 26 years old this week.

Canine Companions starts training early.

Fun watching dock diving at Petapalooza years ago

Black puppies are particularly hard to photograph. Lighting is key. Libby was an English Black Labrador Retriever and my very first dog. I waited 40 years for her! It has been 4 years ago this month that we parted.

Lots of images benefit from backlit lighting. I hope that you may be inspired to look at the world from a new perspective. Positive, beautiful and peaceful.