Travel – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Challenge #277 Empty Spaces

Patti from P.A. Moed Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures challenges me to look through my library of images and discover how empty spaces contributes to my total image.

To define empty spaces Patti turned to the experts at Adobe. “Emptiness in an image can help isolate the subject and also highlight it by drawing the viewer’s attention to it. What else? It can convey a mood–like loneliness, solitude, fear, or sadness. By isolating the subject and surrounding it with empty space, you also create drama, which gives your images a powerful, visual appeal.”

Another leaf alone catches a bit of sunshine

On the sidewalk in San Francisco. Sea Gull enjoys found sour dough bread!

Sea Gull watching family at the beach in Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove

Do you think that my empty space (negative space) adds to the subject matter? When I look at these images I categorize them as minimalism. So whatever the acknowledged term is I do use this point of view when I am out taking photos.

It is December 2nd. I was reminded that today is my “Half Birthday” by Baskin Robbins. I think they want me to celebrate with an ice cream cake. Well, it is raining, and I am not sure that I want to rush this next birthday. My high school class is thinking about having a group celebration for the Big 75. Three quarters of a century. I do think that I am due a BIG memorable celebration of some sort. Not sure how, where or when. I do have a half year to come up with something.

First things first. Moxie has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. So far, she has had 3 seizures in the span of 4 months. So far she has no side affect, but the dosage has been increased. She will be on medication for the rest of her life. This means that I need to figure out who will take care of her if I was to plan a trip. At this time no trips are planned.

Being kind of a home body lately for a number of reasons.

There is an unknown canine illness that prevents me from taking Moxie to the dog park. So we retrieve at home. Moxie is reluctant to walk around my neighborhood. I guess she is happy to have me around. In the summer she didn’t want to sit on my lap much, but now she can be demanding of some sitting time. I don’t mind.
The stores are crowded, and parking lots are no fun.
I have so much to do at home. My blog and photography, my genealogy, and knitting.
My newest hobby is quilting. I went to my first guild meeting and I will join in the 2024. I am finishing up a project: a sampler hanging that I started before CoVid. Getting in my last 3 lessons when I put it all together. Pics to follow.

This month I am on Baby Watch for my great grandson Kingston to be born to my granddaughter Alyssa. Due date January 6. Again, more to come!

Vacation photo adventure

Time to share my photographs from the Island of Kauai. A first with my new Fuji cameras. I recently purchased a Fuji XT-2 with the following lenses. The wonderful 18-55mm proves to be an exceptional kit lens. I added the 10-24mm f4 for landscapes, and the 55-200mm for getting up close and personal with nature. My last purchase was the prime lens 35mm f1.4 for its low light capabilities, and small size. Armed with my Fuji x100F for street photography I was prepared for all occasions.

My goal was not to be hauling equipment that was too heavy to handle. I bought a Kipling bag that I modified with padding to keep my equipment protected. I packed my lightweight Rick Steve’s backpack in my suitcase. I also purchased some inexpensive neoprene lens cases so that I can safely throw individual lenses into the backpack. I brought along my Mac Pro in its Think Tank Bag. I usually only travel with my iPad, but my friends planned to use their computers in the evenings. Anyway the Think Tank bag helped me stay organized during my travels.

The first day was one of travels, and we arrived at the Lihue Airport at about the same time. I travelled from Sacramento via Honolulu, and they left from San Jose via Maui.

My Fuji x100F was handy to grabbing this image of the tropical garden at the Honolulu Airport. It is a large, spread out airport, and I decided that on my return flight I would grab a cart for my carryon luggage.

Boarding plane to take me to Lihue, Kauai

We unload our stuff at the condo, and head out in search of food. Dinner and then a quick trip to Safeway to get provisions for our stay. Tomorrow we plan to get an early start for a full day of exploring!

A Time to Reflect

In the Jewish religion, Yom Kippur is the time of atonement. How can I contribute to the upcoming year? I like to look at this as a time to slow down and reflect on the past year, and think of the coming year. The past year has been one of change. Moving to a new home, watching a new life being brought into my family with the birth of my grandson. My brother certainly made some changes as well. He and Leti moved into a new home, married, and my niece gave birth to her daughter making my brother a first time grandfather. Happy, life affirming changes.

The last part of the year brought one additional unanticipated change. My 16 year old granddaughter is currently living with us. I am back in the parent role, and I find that this is harder to accept. There is a time for everything, and I planned this time for travel. With this delay I am going to continue to plan to travel, eventually. I guess I am trying to act logically, and not be so emotional about this turn of events. Logic pushes me to take positive steps toward my end goal.

Step 1. Develop a way to communicate with fellow travelers. I know that I can only speak English. So I am using my computer to learn some Spanish. Maybe I’ll look at being able to speak some Hebrew. Who knows.

Step 2. Photography will be high on the list when I decide where I want to go. I plan to travel with my mirrorless cameras. I just sold my Olympus OMD E5 gear and purchased a Fuji XT2 camera and the Fuji X100F. I plan to use this time to become very comfortable with my gear. This also helps my emotional health.

0803_20_PhoenixAirport_3135-Edit — When I traveled overseas in 1964 I packed my things in a bright red Samsonite suitcase. It was easy to spot on the luggage carousel.

Step 3. Keep an eye out for places to visit. I plan to start making a list of where and when (best season) to visit my destinations. Facebook is one place to view good photographic places. Another place I check out are the many Flickr sites. And I’ll do some travel reading.

I just received my first passport, as an adult. So as far as travel goes I am quite new to foreign travel. My last time overseas was when I was still in high school over 50 years ago. Kind of funny the way life works out. When I left Karachi in 1966 I was thinking that I would work in the airline industry and be able to travel all over. When I graduated from college my husband and I even made plans to move to Israel. It has been over 40 years since I made the move from New York to California. Vacations out of California didn’t take me very far in the United States either. Traveled back to New York, to Florida to visit In-Laws, Indianapolis to visit family, and to the Hawaiian Islands. I guess I have some catching up to do.

0803_20_PhoenixAirport_3128-Edit — Planning on hopping on the People Mover when the time comes!

Meanwhile I’ll enjoy the year ahead. Photo time, dog time, and time at home with my husband and granddaughter.

Who knows what the year 5779 will bring? May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Any suggestions as to where I should set my sights? I’ve got time to plan!

More People Watching on Pier 39

Embarcadero means a “place to embark”. Looking up this information led me to this 1906 documentary, A Trip Down Market Street. Click on the link and travel down the road. Taken from a cable car weeks before the 1906 earthquake. It is amazing to see what traffic was like then.

My friend and I walked down the Embarcadero to Pier 39. Stop for lunch and do more people watching.

_DSF1225 — So many food choices. Go healthy or not?

_DSF1228 — Careful those knives are sharp!

_DSF1290 — Throwing a kiss. Spray paint sidewalk artist has music, movement, and spirit!

_DSF1296 — Balloon artist not happy to have a photo taken. Oh well.

_DSF1284 — So many cell phones. What is so interesting?

_DSF1299 — Explanation of height restrictions on the Segway

_DSF1305 — Serious driving skills being tested

When you grab some fast food you are warned to watch out for birds. They are known for helping themselves to your delicious seafood and sour dough bread.