Photography

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52 Photo Challenge: Week 34-Spot Metering

“When the light turns green, you go. When the light turns red, you stop. But what do you do when the light turns blue with orange and lavender spots?”
—Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to use spot metering. I’ve heard the words before and had a vague understanding of what they mean, but it was time for me to really figure it out.

For those unfamiliar, it’s a setting on your camera that takes a measurement of light from a single spot and then adjusts the exposure. It took me watching a few how-to videos to find the setting on my camera and then I headed to Old Folsom at night.

The results show how inexperienced I am. In retrospect, night photography wasn’t the best idea. However, I did get a picture of the moon that’s not a white blurry blob. Skill unlocked. Be warned—there will be a lot more pictures of the moon now!

Let me know what you think. My son said the clock photo reminded him of Alice in Wonderland as the clock tower has virtually disappeared. Do you like the effect? Do you have another favorite? Thanks as always for your support and have a wonderful week.

Also, if you’ve not read it before, here’s the short story I wrote this time last year:

Week 34: The Blackberry Quest

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  • 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
Week 30: Backlight
Week 31: Big Sky
Week 32: Dominant Color
Week 33: Fill the Frame

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52 Photo Challenge: Week 33-Fill the Frame

“You can frame a moment. But you can’t frame life.”—Armin Houman

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to fill the frame with the subject. As I tend to take a lot of macro shots, I wanted to challenge myself to find something different to fill the frame.

As I started out this morning it began to rain, a wonderful surprise, so I decided to take a drive. The tree above and the first seven photos are all from around the Lincoln area and taken from my car. The rest of the photos are from my yard. Let me know which one you think best fits the challenge and if you have a favorite. Hope your week is wonderful!

Also, you may remember last year I was writing a short story a week. It just occurred to me it might be fun to see what story I was writing this exact time last year and include a link with these Monday photos. So, here you go:

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  • 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
Week 30: Backlight
Week 31: Big Sky
Week 32: Dominant Color

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52 Photo Challenge: Week 32-Dominant Color

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.” —Jennifer Niven

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to focus on a dominant color in the frame. My mom is visiting from Washington and we went together to the local plant nursery in search of color. It was a warm day and the sunlight was harsh, but we had a lovely time.

Most of these ended up being macro shots, which I think still work. Let me know which one you think best fits the challenge and if you have a favorite. Hope your week is wonderful!

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#11—Doesn’t fit the challenge, but I liked it anyway.

#12—Isn’t my mom cute?

  • 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
Week 30: Backlight
Week 31: Big Sky

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52 Photo Challenge: Week 31-Big Sky

“The empty blue sky of space says ‘All this comes back to me, then goes again, and comes back again, then goes again, and I don’t care, it still belongs to me.”
—Jack Kerouac 

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to capture a big sky, not an easy task in the middle of a heat wave. Knowing the sky was devoid of clouds, I took a drive at sunset in search of vibrant color instead. The sky and sun did not disappoint. After dodging fireflies and mosquitoes, I then drove to my local park to get some city shots.

Not all these photos showcase the sky, but I wanted to give you some variety to look at. Let me know what you think and have a wonderful week.

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*The pond at night. I’m quite fond of the distorted reflections in this one.
  • 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
Week 30: Backlight

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Photography: California State Fair

“I lоst my hеаrt аt thе fаirgrоund
Tо thе bоy оn thе swing mасhinе
Hе stоlе my lоvе sо соmplеtеly
If оnly I соuld hаvе sееn.”
—Glenda Collins

Yesterday I shared some photos from the California State Fair which featured backlighting. Today I’m offering up some more photos for you to enjoy. I hope these bring a smile to your face and perhaps spark a memory of young love, riding the slides, or simply the taste of something sweet. Let me know if you have a favorite.

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  • 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
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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!

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#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

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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!

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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

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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.

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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

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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:

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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.

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  • 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