Month: July 2023

by

52 Photo Challenge: Week 30-Backlight

“I wonder if his hair is darker than usual or if angels have just started following him around with dramatic backlighting.”—R.S. Grey, The Beau & the Belle

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was backlight. From what I understand, this is similar to silhouette, but you can still see a lot of detail in the subject.

As I was taking my daughter and her best friend to the California State Fair, I decided to do this assignment there. It proved to be only mildly successful, but it was interesting walking around a place that holds such fond memories with only my camera for company.

Let me know which photo best fits the assignment and if you have a favorite. Be on the lookout for more fair photos tomorrow. Hope you have a fantastic week!

#1

#2

#3
#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10. This last one probably doesn’t fit the assignment, but I included it anyway. Would have been wonderful for week 21.

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract
Week 24: Reflection
Week 25: Contrast Color
Week 26: Think in Threes
Week 27: Starburst
Week 28: Low Perspective
Week 29: Macro

by

poetry: town

nobody cried when sweet smoke
arrived. we soot danced, our eyes
half-open, bodies ash-drunk
on sugar promises plucked
endlessly on old guitar

strings. winding streets slowly filled
with smoke, siren calling hearts
to believe not our choking
breath, but it. singing praises
like honey symphonies, words

of control. hushing words. lies
laying beneath. it quick burns
papery thin childlike-hope 
into dying embers. we 
believe it all until you 

speak. standing atop stacked rocks
bright hair blowing, tender eyes
locked on us, you say “listen
to the wind.” we do. it bends
flowers, stops dragonflies, sings

towns alive. go—sweep floors, hug 
trees, wipe ash from foreheads,
clean water, move air. listen
to stone, earth, plant. grab my hand
tight. don’t ever let me go.

Note: Is this poem inspired by Barbenheimer? Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps.

by

52 Photo Challenge: Week 29-Macro

“The skies and land are so enormous, and the detail so precise and exquisite that wherever you are you are isolated in a glowing world between the macro and the micro, where everything is sidewise under you and over you, and the clocks stopped long ago.”—Ansel Adams

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was macro photography. The idea is to showcase a subject larger than it is in real life—an extreme close-up. These are my favorite types of photos and I was excited to spend some time looking for things to zoom in on.

I spent the morning at Folsom Lake with the dragonflies and then finished up with a few shots in my backyard. I alternated between my macro lens and my 14-150mm lens. Let me know which shot you like best and have a fantastic week!

#1

#2

#3

#4
#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Bonus lake photo:

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract
Week 24: Reflection
Week 25: Contrast Color
Week 26: Think in Threes
Week 27: Starburst
Week 28: Low Perspective

by

poetry: open up

14/30

like music i float
trumpet blast, spinning pines
swaying butterfly free

like music i press
rhythm bound, broken sticks
unwinding spooled rage

like music i turn
plucked strings, wide hips
dirty feet step

like music i open
staccato heart, lifting notes
double-time truth

Note: The photo was taken while dancing under the pines at WorldFest and the words were inspired by the sounds of a jazz quartet.

More short poems:
1/30: not my cat
2/30: comfort
3/30: ache
4/30: remember
5/30: graduation
6/30: big love
7/30: Heavy and light
8/30: delicate
9/30: leaping
10/30: Dad gave me…
11/30: solstice
12/30: twisted
13/30: starving

by

52 Photo Challenge: Week 28-Low Perspective

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
—Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to explore low perspective. I had intended to find interesting shots at WorldFest this weekend, but they changed their policy and I wasn’t allowed to bring my camera in. This turned out to be a blessing, which I will write about later this week, but it meant my challenge photos had to wait until this morning.

Most of these shots are from my yard a little after sunrise. While these photos are somewhat similar to the ones I took in Week 20 for Unique Perspective, I hope you will find something new to enjoy here. Let me know if you have a favorite and have a fantastic week.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8
#9

#10

After looking down for so long, I had to look up. The darkness on the right makes it look a bit like the view of Earth from space.

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract
Week 24: Reflection
Week 25: Contrast Color
Week 26: Think in Threes
Week 27: Starburst

by

G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento

“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I wish to know better.” —Frida Kahlo

For the last seven years, my daughter has been part of an amazing organization called G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento (Gender Inclusivity through Radical Love and Support). It’s a wonderful nonprofit 501 C-3 organization that does far more than teach girls to play instruments.

Their mission statement is to help those who identify as girls, non-binary, or gender-expansive youth build self-esteem through music education and performance, collaboration, empowerment, a supportive community of peers and mentors, and the development of leadership skills.

They do this by putting together bands and guiding them as they create an original song. Prior music experience isn’t required, and for some, this is the first time they’ve played an instrument. The week they spend together is filled with workshops, mentors, and fun. It’s incredibly important we support programs like this as they can be life-saving, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth who may not feel safe being themselves.

I’ve watched my daughter grow immensely each summer in confidence and skill. Every single person involved is loving, caring and genuinely wants to help these girls thrive. The love here is what the world needs and I’m beyond grateful for this supportive community.

Last night I had the opportunity to watch my daughter’s band Limerence record their song at Rosa Mortem Recording Studio. From the moment we arrived, the owner Ashley gave freely of herself, her space, and her time. I was floored by the way these girls were treated as professional musicians and how much they rose to the occasion.

The girls recorded in the studio for five hours and Ashley and her assistants are doing the same for all five bands. In addition, she’s using her talent and expertise to make the songs sound the very best they can. It’s no small thing, but a generous gift and remarkable to witness. I left feeling tremendous hope for the future and with a full heart.

The recording studio resides in the Sacramento Media Center and Ashley gave the girls a tour of the entire building. Perhaps this exposure will lead one of them to consider a career in the technical side of production. It sure made me wish I could be a part of this magic.

One of the back rooms belongs to Odin Makes, a YouTube channel that has been described as “a cooking show for props”. This was a highlight for the girls and for me. I’m absolutely obsessed now with watching his videos and hopefully can meet him someday.

Myki Angeline, who you can find at Myki on Middays on 98 Rock, has been involved in G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento since the beginning teaching self-defense. She was at the recording studio last night bringing her positive energy, encouragement, and playfulness. Also, maybe, revealing her true superhero persona.

You might consider sponsoring a girl for the camp or donating to help cover costs. For more information visit:

by

52 Photo Challenge: Week 27-Starburst

“I became the fractured shell of a mustard seed to dwell for an eye-blink amid a starburst galaxy of broken dreams.” —David B. Lentz, The Fine Art of Grace

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to capture a starburst. I spent all last week sick with a pretty awful cold, so I didn’t get out to take pictures until this morning. I hiked my favorite neighborhood trail and I’d forgotten how wild it can feel this time of year. The turkeys were up in the roosting tree, a pair of large hawks kept their eyes on me, and the dead leaves and grass made some parts of the trail slippery.

Although I went to find starbursts, I found lots of other things far more interesting. Let me know if you have a favorite photo and please forgive me for being so behind in reading other blogs. I’m finding it hard lately to keep up with everything, but I’m trying. Hopefully this week things will slow down a bit.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract
Week 24: Reflection
Week 25: Contrast Color
Week 26: Think in Threes

by

poetry: starving 

13/30

birds nibble holes in sunflower leaves
makes them ugly
we can’t have pretty things
while starving

coughing dreams chase away crystal bubbles
rips the cord
we can’t see pretty things
while starving

body aches where fingertips should be
craves what neverwas
we can’t be pretty things
while starving

More short poems:
1/30: not my cat
2/30: comfort
3/30: ache
4/30: remember
5/30: graduation
6/30: big love
7/30: Heavy and light
8/30: delicate
9/30: leaping
10/30: Dad gave me…
11/30: solstice
12/30: twisted

by

52 Photo Challenge: Week 26-Think in Threes

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”—Patrick Rothfuss 

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to think in threes. I had technical challenges and ended up getting sick, but I did manage to get a few images. The first shots are from the Vietnam Memorial in the Sacramento State Capitol Park. The second is from my daughter’s G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento show on Saturday at Harlow’s.

I’ve not been sick in years and I’m feeling quite rundown. I’ll be resting while it’s over 100 degrees again today and hoping this cold passes quickly. Let me know if you have a favorite image and have a great week.

#1

#2

#3
#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

Bonus images (not threes):

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract
Week 24: Reflection
Week 25: Contrast Color