Lens-Artists Challenge #273 Symmetry

This week’s challenge by Soffia of Photographias, “may look at first a hard one but, in reality, symmetry is everywhere. It’s also not as static a concept as it may seem. Why is symmetry important as a composition tool in photography? It creates strong and balanced images, affecting the way we feel the subject. Our eyes find symmetry harmonious and pleasing.”

After I retired from teaching/librarianship I focused on my photography, and enrolled in many community college classes. There, the role of symmetry was not encouraged. During photo critiques, if a subject was “dead” center, it was pretty much dismissed. I know that there are exceptions to every rule, but I must have taken this one to heart. I had to take a hard look at my collection of photographs to come up with these.

Architecture

Looking Up @ the California Capital in Sacramento

Landscape

Animals

Turtles along the edge at UC Davis Arboretum

Reflections

Taken at Black Miner Bar on the American River

Abstracts & Decorations

I hope you like my photo selections that may have received some critique in my photography classes. I’ll await your decision.

Maybe, it’s good to look at some symmetry as the world spins in its chaos! Stay safe, and take time to breathe!

Lens-Artists Challenge #250 SKyscapes or Cloudscapes

This week Amy of The World is a Book challenges me to select a few cloudscape photos.

Having had a long period of drought, I value a cloudy sky. I especially like those puffy white clouds that I can imagine all sorts of stories. Usually, the summer skies can be a bit drab. Beating hot sun, and not a cloud in the sky. At that time a nice cloud cover is welcome. Sunsets and clouds are beautiful. A cloudy winter’s day can give me a feeling of moodiness. Clouds with the anticipation of rain can be welcome. Or if it goes on for too many days, it can make me want to stay in bed longer.

I often take a photo of the clouds with the thought that I might want to exchange a boring, bland sky for a cloudy one. It never happens, but I do have a fun library to look at when it can to this challenge.

Puffy clouds to imagine stories

Clouds at the shore

Sunsets and clouds

Wonderful cloud formations in Sedona Arizona

Clouds take their place in landscapes

Clouds in winter

This moody Livermore sky would work for a scary Halloween theme

Airplane View of clouds

That is all folks. When you go outside be sure to look up! Or out, or down!

My photo collection has over 200 cloudy images. It is fun to go back and review my collection. One of the perks of participating in these Lens-Artist challenges. What are your thoughts?

Lens-Artists Challenge #244 Glowing Moments

Siobhan from Bend Branches created this challenge. “What glowing moments have been special in your life?”

I looked up the definition of “Glow” and found that I was looking through my library and paying attention to lighting.

Flowers

Lighting from the back is my way of capturing flower power.

Tulips and daffodils are a sign of spring.

Backlit pink tulips, and a narrow depth of field soft daffodils

Captured this flower in high-key lighting

This little beetle found its way on a California Poppy

Sunrise and Sunset always emit a glow

Sedona, Arizona offers a great opportunity to capture sunrise and sunsets. In August, it is best to get up early for sunrise, take an midday nap, and watch the sun go down. Plan to eat a later dinner.

Water glowing

Slow shutter speed captures a water glow of a fountain

Painting with light

Playing with glow stick and flashlight as I paint with light

Slowing down the shutter speed can make for some interesting effects.

Thank you for taking the time to view my idea of glowing moments. Enjoy your own glowing moments, stay safe, and be kind!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 Perfect Patterns

This week Ann-Christine challenges me to find perfect patterns and tell us why I think they are perfect.

Animals

An answer to an often-asked question, “Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?” The answer is, “Black with white stripes!” Shave one and you will find black skin beneath. When exploring this fun fact I learned that scientists still have not discovered the reason for their stripes. Not an easy question to solve so it seems. No matter, I still find them perfect.

Giraffe spots are unique. And by the way, their tongues are long so that they can forage on trees that others can’t eat.

Plants

This cactus flower will bloom once at night. In the morning it will be done. I learned this from my neighbors, Bob and Bea. I received an urgent call one night and was told to come over quickly. Worried, we rushed over. The cactus was blooming, and they didn’t want us to miss it. I was relieved since these neighbors were elderly. They gave us a cactus we named, Bob and Bea, and it bloomed after many years. That is until a neighborhood squirrel thought this cactus was tasty.