Posted on by Anne Sandler

Lens Artists Challenge #392: Framing Your Shots

It’s amazing how structure can be applied from one type of composition to another. I’m thinking about how we teach new Toastmasters to write a speech, using the sandwich illustration. The top slice of bread is your introduction. the middle is the topic. and the bottom is your closing. Isn’t that sort of what Patti is proposing we do in this challenge. At least that’s what I thought of at first read. If any of you are Toastmasters then you know the phrase, Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you’ve told them!

Okay, I got off topic! Confession time again. I usually don’t think of this type of composition when I’m photographing. In fact, I don’t think of composition at all. I just move my camera until I have an image I like. With that in mind, here are my examples:

I’m hoping that you can easily see what my subject is. The foreground is the small patch of dirt before the tree roots. The middle, or subject, are the tree roots (because they caught my eye) and the background is the creek and vegetation on the bank. Now I’m thinking that I should have gotten lower and included more of the foreground. What do you think?

This one is a bit easier–at least for me! The patch of grass is the foreground. The girl is the middle or subject. The pond and other shore is the background. Did I get it right?

Finally.

The broad shadowed lines are the foreground that leads you into the picture. As the lines change direction, they become the middle, accenting the subject (the building) and lead you around to the continuing structure in the background.

Thanks Patti! You’ve got me thinking about how I compose a picture and why. I never thought in terms of creating a composition, but I guess I’ve been doing that. Now it’s your turn. Please link to Patti’s original challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag when you respond.

Speaking of responses, I totally enjoyed seeing all your cell phone photographs as challenged by Tina. Now I’m ready to use my phone more. Next week Sofia will be presenting the challenge, so look for it! In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 35 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #391: Phone Photography

Yet another confession! I don’t use my cell phone for photography!! In fact, I remember telling the salesman when I bought my iPhone 16e that I didn’t need anything fancier because I use my camera for photography. So Tina’s challenge is truly a challenge for me. Luckily, I did use my phone a couple of times during our Panama Canal trip.

First in Acapulco. The bus movement and windows were a bit much for the camera.

The next time I used it was in Costa Rica on a jumpy, and sometimes wet, jungle wagon tour.

And finally during a tour of the Huston Space Center including the actual control center for the Apollo missions. The cell phone was perfect for this.

So that’s it for my phone photography. I’m actually happy with the photos my one-lens phone took. Maybe I’ll use it more often–maybe!

Thanks Tina for the gentle push to explore phone photography. I’ll probably use my cell phone more now. When you respond please remember to link to Tina’s post and use the Len’s Artist tag. Next week Patti will be leading the challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 19 Comments

Sacramento Delta, Courtland, CA: Rivermaid Trading Co

Oh, it’s so good to be attending a Yolo Arts and Ag farm visit. This one found us along the Sacramento River Delta in Courtland. This month we have been invited by Chiles Wilson of Rivermaid Trading Co, California’s largest grower and producer of pears (they grow cherries too!), to visit their Delta property. 

Rivermaid Trading Company is a family farming business and leading innovator in growing, packing and shipping fresh pears and cherries around the world. It was a small property with the most amazing trees. You know how I love trees. There were more artists than photographers when I was there, making it more interesting. I enjoy speaking with the artists and watching them work.

It was a bright and beautiful day. The trees welcomed us.

And now for some of the artists capturing the scene their way.

And finally, a beautiful road around the property.

It was a great, short visit. And perfect for my first photo outing after my back injury. I can’t wait to see where April sends us.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #390: Color in Black and White

Is there color in black and white (B&W)? Absolutely. The color defines the tonality of the B&W image. I typically photograph for color, and usually it’s not until I process photos do I realize the image would be better in B&W. For this challenge, Egidio wants us to explore the form, texture, and light in B&W photography.

I’m just going to jump in with this photo. Because it was an overcast day, the color image lacks a certain punch. I certainly would not have processed it in color. However, in B&W the contrast made the image and created texture. You can now see the mountains’ detail and the movement in the water shows in various tones. To do the conversion I used Silver Efex 2 after basic editing in Lightroom.

Now for a landscape that I think looks better in color because of the richness of the golden grass, the shadows and blue sky. While the B&W has rich tonality, I am so drawn into the grass by the fence. I told you that I’m easily attracted by color!

I’ve done a few flowers in B&W, but this one was originally in color. I like the reflection in the water drop, and (because of this challenge) I wanted to see how it would look in black and white. This was a fun experiment. Actually, it looks better in B&W than I thought it would. I like them both. What do you think?

Now lets move on to a street photography capture of a homeless (I think) person in Old Sacramento. I just liked the way the light was outlining his face. This was processed in color and I created the black and white for this challenge. Once again, I took the B&W from Lightroom into Silver Efex 2. I think I like the color version better. I said I think! Maybe if I were better at editing, I could have made the B&W more dynamic.

Last is an incoming storm I captured while visiting the kids in Reno. Again, originally processed for color, I wondered what the rain would look like in B&W. I’m not sure the B&W adds anything to the story that the color doesn’t tell. What do you think?

I invite constructive criticism since I was using this challenge as a learning tool. Thanks Egidio for this challenge. I had a great deal of fun and learned a few things.

I so totally enjoyed your responses to my challenge last week. Most of us chose nature as a way of finding relief from our hectic lives. Your images were just beautiful, resulting in relaxation for me. When you post your response for Egidio’s challenge, please use the Lens-Artists tag and link back to his original post. Tina will be challenging us next week! In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

We’d like you to join in our fun permanently. Here’s how to do it, excerpted from Egidio’s post:

Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:

Beth of Wandering Dawgs.

Tina of Travels and Trifles.

Patti of P.A. Moed.

Ann-Christine of Leya.

John of Journeys with Johnbo.

Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.

Sofia of Photographias.

Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.

Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 78 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #389: Time to Relax

Looking Back 2018 #3 Time to Relax

I never thought I’d have enough relaxing time and want to break loose–with my camera. Since November 2025, I’ve been forced to relax due to a back injury. If you are a senior, you don’t want to fall and injure yourself because you’ll be put on a fall watch!

It’s been 4 1/2 months that I finally got out with my camera. I chose to visit Jensen Botanical Gardens–a small and beautiful local park. It’s especially pretty now that tulips are filling the front flower bed. On a recent visit, I got there at 10 a.m. and it was quiet, but soon families started to arrive. Fortunately, for the photographers, the tulips weren’t their attraction.

But wait! For the price of no admission you can see, enjoy and relax by just walking up the single path to the top of the park. Couples, families with children and dog walkers meander along the path.

Pets are welcomed to relax. Thirsty? Along with a human water fountain, there is an attached bowl with a spout for our four legged family members to use. Here’s our sweet dog, Poppy, who joined our family while I was healing my back. She was re-homed at 7 years and is now my accountability partner. Somehow she knew I couldn’t do much and supported me emotionally right away. Once I could stand up straight, she has been keeping me moving and walking. We go further each day and I’m getting out of the house at least once a day.

It probably wasn’t a surprise that flowers and nature help me relax. I’ve often said in this blog that when I’m out with my camera, I forget my stressors. But what relaxes you? What gets you away from the stresses of daily life. What’s your passion? I’m looking forward to seeing all your posts. Not to put any stress on you, but please link to my post when you reply and use the Lens-Artists tag. I want to read all your responses. I’m still not getting out much and have lots of time! Next week Egidio will be leading our challenge, so be sure to look for his post.

In the meantime, take care, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 43 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #388: Your Journey in 5 – 10 Images

I didn’t hesitate when Sandy called and asked if I wanted to go on a cruise through the Panama Canal. YES! That trip has been on my bucket list just waiting to be fulfilled. I wasn’t thrilled to be on a ship for 16 days, but if that’s what it took. And, better, Richard, my husband, came with me. Ann-Christine’s challenge was perfect timing for me.

What a fun trip that ended up being. Traveling in October, it was mostly a senior tour. Leaving from San Francisco, California and ending in Galveston, Texas; we were mostly Californians and Texans. We enjoyed each other’s company–no State conflicts!

I was also concerned about the ship being a Carnival ship, but that was great too. The ship’s interior was beautiful, the food great and the entertainment awesome. The most photogenic part were the elevators.

Now for the reason I went on this trip–the Panama Canal! We went through the old locks. The new locks are reserved for larger ships. The last picture shows our ship entering the lake mid-way through the canal.

The Lake

Entering the Atlantic Ocean was a mirror image of exiting the Pacific Ocean. I went to the cabin to rest and watch the rest on the television.

It was an amazing experience. We did visit other ports in other countries, but with a limited number of pictures as directed by Ann-Christine, those will have to wait.

We also took the opportunity to visit the Huston Space Center before we came home. My homecoming is another story to be told next week as I lead the challenge. Stay tuned!

Thanks Ann-Christine for pushing me to process my canal transit images. Be sure to link to her post when you respond and use the lens artist tag. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 27 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #387: Shadowed

It’s shadow play this week! I remember playing with shadows as a kid, and we still do–with our cameras. This week John is encouraging us to show shadows affect our photos. I’m going to dive right in.

I’m always looking for shadows when I photograph flowers and leaves. They add dimension and interest to the subject. It’s almost like seeing a flower within a flower or leaf within a leaf. Shadows also accent the folds and lines in the subjects.

Next are shadows captured during museum visits. Here are two different sculptures. The first was at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento and the second at the, unfortunately, now closed Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, (Not to get political.) I liked how the lighting created two shadows in the first picture. And somehow the shadow of the photographer shadow bombed the second! I remember thinking the lighting on the sculpture was fantastic.

Sometimes shadows make photographing the beautiful Sacramento murals difficult. Or do tree branch shadows add a mysterious dimension?

Sometimes shadows make a ramp more interesting, accenting lines, and an old window look more mysterious.

Finally a shadow can culminate the end of a fun photo outing with a good friend.

Thanks John for encouraging my shadow play. When you respond to his challenge please remember to link to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we had fun with Patti’s juxtaposition challenge. I totally enjoyed seeing your responses. Next week Ann-Christine will be leading our challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #386: Mastering the Power of Juxaposition

Like the “Little Engine That Could” I thought I’ll never find photos for this challenge. But when I re-read Patti’s post, I started thinking, “I Think I Can!”

So, I started searching and found some. Here’s what I found.

A very much alive window washer next to a store window mannequin. Taken at a local shopping center just before the stores opened. There are also a lot of reflections.

The Washington Monument towers above the tree line at the Capital Mall in Washington DC. This was taken just before President Obama’s inauguration and from a car window.

The shadow of a window appearing much larger than the actual window. Taken in downtown Sacramento.

Shadows reflecting on various parts of a wall at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, CA (UC Davis campus). I love the different walls and how the shadow reflects on them.

A sculpture of a small girl standing on a TALLish building, inviting you to be persistent.

Here we have the juxtaposition of color, style and placement of the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, This museum caters to grade-school children. SMUD is our Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District.

Thanks Patti for teaching me that when I “think I can,” I can! It was fun. Please remember to link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag when you respond. We certainly had a “cropping” good time last week when Ritva gave us the encouragement to crop away! John is presenting our next challenge, so look for his post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 39 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #385: Unusual Crop

When I photograph, I typically crop my picture in camera. I’ve come to learn this habit does present problems—you are stuck with no place to go when you edit! So while Ritva’s challenge is a stretch for me, it’s something I’ve been trying to work on. I need to give myself more room so I can edit better. Unfortunately, my back injury has prevented me from practicing. This morning was the first time I held my camera in my hand in 3 1/2 months! When I process the pictures, we’ll see how I did. It’s so hard to break a habit!

In the meantime here are my choices for this week’s challenge.

First is a farm machine out in a field. I cropped it in close and processed it in black and white. I think the B&W shows more texture and weathering of the wood.

While stopping for coffee during a photo outing, I saw this gentleman sewing something. He was so intent on what he was doing. He had a face begging to be photographed, and the crop shows the details of aging.

Now we have the bare metal bones of a hot house found at Soil Born Farms, a non-profit urban agriculture and education project. I liked the metal frames as they curved, looking like they are overlapping on the left of the full picture. The metal in the cropped picture looks more jumbled and maybe artistic?

Last, we have a stately palm. The original was photographed so I could capture most of the leaves while accentuating the bark. The cropped version puts the emphasis on the leaves.

Thanks Ritva for pushing me in the right direction. When you post your own response, please remember to use the Lens-Artists tag and link to Ritva’s original and educational post. Next week, Patti will be challenging us, so look for her post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

If you’d like to join the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #384: What Astonishes You

The answer to Beth’s challenge used to be easy, but we live in a complicated world where things change daily. It’s the speed of communication that astonishes me.

That’s why I love this community. It gives me the chance to stop and reflect on less complicated and more beautiful things. So, here are some of the things that astonish me.

Let’s start with something truly astonishing–a two-bodied donkey!

Because I’m not creative, letting my camera capture the unusual and beautiful for me, I’m astonished at the artist’s ability to draw on a sidewalk as people walk by.

Since we adults have lost that youthful wonderment, I’m astonished at my grandson’s reaction, at a young age, to an exhibit at the Railroad Museum. He now has his driver’s license! Adulthood is right around the corner.

Of course, Nature is truly astonishing. Crashing of the waves on a rocky shoreline and the sun rising on a misty morning are just two of nature’s wonders.

But when you are able to capture a total solar eclipse that will not return in your lifetime, that is truly astonishing. This was taken in 2017 in Idaho–a moment I will never forget.

So, thanks Beth for taking me away from the world’s worries and into times of wonder and excitement. When you respond to her post, please remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week Ritva will be leading the challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

In the meantime stay safe and be resilient!