Lens-Artists Challenge #255: Telling a Story

This week, Patti of P.A. Moed asks me to focus on telling a story with my photos. “Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we can convey a story in one image; other times we need several. For this challenge, we’ll set a limit of 5 photos per story.” People-watching is a favorite pastime for me. I do not eavesdrop; instead, I try to imagine what is happening and capture the emotions.

Festivals and Events

Renaissance Fayre
Father and son act at the Renaissance Fayre
Amgen Cyclist – thoughts?
Amgen Tour of California. How would you caption this?

Summer is heating up here in Sacramento. We are alerted that a heat wave is approaching. Years ago, my grandchildren joined a swim team. That meant all-day swim meets on Saturday. I had my camera ready for action.

What is this swimmer thinking?
Such enthusiasm
Summer = Watermelon

Helping hand

Getting directions at the
American Museum of Natural History
Lost visitor
Father and son. What’s the story?

Teaching

Many docents can be found at the zoo or museums. They provide valuable teachings to the community. Thank you.

Explaining tools at a Big Truck event in Roseville
Spining explained

Creative Energy

Caught in the Act

Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fransisco provides plenty of photo opportunities for people-watching. I captured this local character as he counted his earnings.

San Francisco Bush Man
Nothing like a hot dog on the New York City streets
Capturing a fun moment at
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Keeps traffic flowing on N.Y.C. streets
Serious moment with Daisy Duck in Disneyland

Animal Stories

Ducks at the Sacramento Zoo.
We know what this photo is all about.

And that’s all folks. For now! Check back soon for more of my photographs.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #214 Favorite Finds

Anne-Christine is the host this week. She challenges me to find something surprising in my archive of photographs. She is sure I have something hidden in my archives that once surprised me or filled me with awe… I hope you enjoy my finds this week! And, perhaps the story that goes with it.

This is not an easy challenge, and with all that is going on around me, I need to make some quick decisions. Shall I go with the natural world? Shall I look to look to my collection that tells a story (ie: street photography and candids)? Shall I look at my many photos of household items? Public art? Hmmm?

Decision made. I will combine my collection that tells a story with public art. The 32nd Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival this Labor Day Weekend!  I have attended this event and these images of the people and their art were taken then. I’m hoping to get down to Fremont Park this very hot weekend.

Then there are the artists creating art for sale. I found these artists in Old Sac, the Las Vegas strip, and on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.

Art sculptures found at airports

Mural created during “Wide Open Walls”
Found this creation at Half Moon Bay, Ca.
Art found in hotel

Around Sacramento

Street Musician
Clever street art

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.

Definitely upscale design
Looking closer!

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.

Cute and informative.
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

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

Just a little too full!
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.

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