Street Photography – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #211 What’s your photographic groove?

Anne’s challenge this week is, “What’s my photographic groove? What type of photography do I truly enjoy doing? I will show you wonderful images and tell you about them.

This challenge has me thinking. When I was enrolled and pursuing my Photography Certificate, I was exposed to many photographic experiences. My practical mother continued to ask me what I intended to do with my photography. One idea was to start a Pet Photography business. Another idea I had was to author a picture book. I had just retired from a Library/Teacher career of 25 years. I didn’t know way direction to take. Life happened. My parents and grandchildren needed my attention. By the time I finished 40+ credits I decided I was going to do photography on my own terms – for my own personal enjoyment. I didn’t need another job. So I guess you can say my photographic groove is “Focus”. I use my camera to help me see the world around me. I capture whatever I come across.

Often, my camera helps me connect to my surroundings. Sometimes nature, sometimes people, and sometimes taking a quirky look.

My camera connected me to a good group of friends. This group has taken me to many places and spaces in the area. Visits out of town to Niles, Ca. Trips to the Sacramento Zoo. Visiting a local urban micro Farm at End of the Road in Orangevale, Ca.

My photography helps me focus on the present, and preserve memories to reflect upon in the future.
I have been raising my second puppy in the past 2 1/2 years. Glad I have photos of my Charlie.

Puppies grow into dogs and seem to change overnight. Waiting for them to calm down may take just a bit longer. This is where my iPhone comes into play.

My 4 youngest grandchildren have moved back and forth from Sacramento, California to Knoxville, Tennessee (about 2500 miles). They returned last week for the third time in less than three years. Photos and FaceTime helped during these times of separation. I so enjoy my Nixplay digital frame.

But as of last Thursday, I can see my grandchildren in person. We celebrated the first day of TK and First Grade, and the last day of vacation for my 5th grader with some ice cream at Handels.

Nature Calls for my Fuji xt4 and my iPhone 13 pro

Great challenge. Sorry for the late post. I have been having “words” with my WordPress!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #189 Odds & Ends

This week Tina offers me quite a challenge. I need to look into my photographs and display those Odds and Ends that I have collected over the years. My friend Anne likes to say that I shoot unusual things. And I do. But when I import my images I like to place each photo into a category. Sometimes the categories become so large that I then subdivide it even further. And when I am feeling some stress, I will review and make even more changes. Probably fits in with my professonal career as a librarian. I took my catalog quite seriously, and I wanted everyone to be able to find what they needed. So how does this make the challenge more challenging for me? Many of my odd photos have found their way into a larger group, and so they are not so odd after all. But I digress.

In my first digital photography class I was to decide on a subject and take 100 images. Then another 100 images. My subject was Garbage Cans. My professor said that by the time I was finished the subject would always have a special place in my heart. And she was correct. I will always be on the lookout for a new and different garbage can to add to my collection.

This can fulfills a stated purpose. Recycle aluminum cans!

I found design element in some cans.

Some Garbage Cans served a double purpose by providing the user with location information.

After getting off the plane I am welcomed!

Some creative ways to make the garbage cans fit with its surroundings.I found this garbage can near an airplane ride at Bishop’s Farm in Wheatland, Ca.

Village Park in Fair Oaks built by CCC – Civilian Conservation Corp

At Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary I found these garbage cans

A garbage cans found in unusual location.

Really? I wonder what the family thinks of this placement.

My street photography

My granddaughter jumps
in a can full of leaves

For the most part Sacramento and its surrounds had pretty clean cans, but sometimes there is one that is neglected.

I guess the effort was just too much, but I liked the effect for this odd photo.

I took this photo the day after Valentine’s Day in NYC. Guess somebody was making a statement!

If you look around you will notice a plethora of shapes, sizes and colors.

Shapes, sizes, colors and purposeful garbage cans

That is just a small sample of my odd collection of garbage cans. Will you be on the lookout for interesting trash cans?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #145 – Getting to know you

“The artist’s gaze, the photographer’s eye, when cast on a subject begins a relationship. That relationship can grow into a deep affection and a profound wisdom. It is that aspect of relating to your subject that I invite you to explore in this challenge.” Thank you Priscilla of scillagrace.

Photography has always helped me to see the world. It may be the quiet moment when I am out and can appreciate nature. It allows me to take a deep breath and slow down. You must be still as you press the shutter button.

Exploring my backyard with my macro lens I spot this dragonfly.

Sometimes I am occupied looking for the unusual. This may be a funny sign, or an object found out of place.

Other times I see faces or animals in many of my images. This is pareidolia. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pareidolia as, “The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.” Hey, photography has even opened me up to learn new terms.

My photography has helped me get away from my introverted self. I like to people watch, and I use my camera as my lookout point. Some images are candid moments, some environmental portraits, and some tell a story

Photography has been with me since I was nine years old. It helps me connect with people, places, and things around me!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #139 – Special Moments

This week Tina reminds us that we should appreciate our days. She wants us to look beyond the life-changing events and share some everyday special moments and what they mean to us. This is not an easy task, but I will try and be selective of the special moments.

Looking back over my photographs always brings back all those special moments for me. This box camera started my desire to capture a lifetime of moments. I soon learned how to use my father’s 1940’s German 35mm fully manual camera. I don’t know where that camera went, but my uncle had the same one. I used a separate light meter, needed to screw in the shutter release, set the manual focus, and f stop. I never got into film development, and I mostly used a natural light source. My tiny black & white images are in my photo album. When my father moved up to a Canon 35mm I got his Yashica Lynx. I used this one through my college years. With each camera, the taking of photos became more automatic. Around 2002, I purchased my first Nikon N80. In 2001 I entered the digital age with a Sony Mavica. In 2004 the Nikon D70 became my camera of choice. Upgrades followed with Nikon D200 and D7100. After many satisfying years with Nikon, I made my move to my current mirrorless setup with Fuji xt4 and Fuji x100f.

A gift from my parents for my 9th birthday

I now look at the 45,000 images and the ones that really stand out have either people or animals as the subject. I am not a portrait photographer, but my memories are sparked by the images of people. So I will introduce you to some of my memories.

This is Liberty Love my first dog. Black dogs are harder to photograph, but she was such a good subject.

These images were taken in Old Sacramento along the Sacramento River. Some subjects posed for me, others I captured in the moment.

California Railroad Museam
Meet Trawler. His home is on a boat.
Ballerina captures girls imagination
This dog is loved
Christopher’s Musical Marionettes entertains crowds
Young entertainer and his dog take a break
Trawler and his proud owner
Red Hat Society Lady
Tie Straightening
Writing intensely
Figuring it out
Take a bite.
I’ve been working on the railroad
Helping Others
Checking out Engine 21
Eyes for you!

I attended The Scottish Highland Games held in Woodland, Ca. with my photo friends.

Often I meet up with fellow photographers at Effie Yeaw Nature Center along the American River, or UC Davis Arboretum, or at the monthly Yolo Art & Ag Days.

Early morning fishermen along the American River.

These days are special to me because I learn more about places close by that I may overlook if I didn’t take the time to explore.

With my camera in tow I get to spend time with friends, discover new things about life around me, and I get time to stop and smell the roses or lotus flower!

Tag: Street Photography