February 14, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Hold The Camera Steady, Fill The Frame, Keep The Sun Behind You:

While some might swear by sudoku or word puzzles, there’s evidence that something much more near and dear to our hearts could help prevent cognitive decline: photography. In a study published in Psychological Science, a group of senior citizens who took a three-month photography course saw a significant increase across a number of mental tasks.

Okay – I am not quite a senior citizen yet, but I am interested in making sure I don’t lose my brain power. So I called a friend of mine, photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz, to give me a short lesson on photography.    

He explained to me that street photography, walking around the streets of Santa Monica for an hour or so is a great way to capture Santa Monica’s beauty while getting exercise and learning photography skills. All that, and preventing cognitive decline at the same time. Let’s go!

We agreed to meet at Palisades Park. I did not have a camera, so he brought an extra one for me to use. The top three things he said I had to remember was hold the camera steady, fill the frame, and keep the sun behind you. Okay, sounds relatively simple.  

I started off just holding the camera, looking through the lens, pressing the button to take a picture and learning to use a zoom lens. I never really thought I liked taking photos because I hated learning how to use a professional-type camera. But Fabian was patient with me, and I quickly got comfortable with using it.  

We started taking photos of the beautiful Birds of Paradise grouped together in the park.  Fabian reminded me, “Hold the camera steady, fill the frame, and keep the sun behind you!” Sun behind me – check. Fill the frame – check. Hold the camera steady – check. I was ready to take the shot. I clicked the camera.  

Somehow, the clicking sound of the camera motivated me to take more photos. I eagerly moved on to other flowers close by. Click, click, click! Oops, I held the clicker for too long. I only wanted one photo. Okay, Barb, focus. Fabian suggested we move on to something other than flowers. We walked over to a cannon.  

What could I do with this? Fabian requested that I take a picture of a portion of the cannon that seemed interesting to me. I love those kinds of photos, so I honed in on a portion of the cannon and clicked away.

An hour went by so quickly! Walking for physical exercise, taking photos for mental exercise. Loved it.

Fabian has a photography class – “The Santa Monica Close-up Photo Walk,” – to register, go to his website SantaMonicaCloseup.com. It’s a two hour guided tour led by Fabian, a freelance press photographer for several local newspapers and publishes SantaMonicaCloseup.com, a photo journal of everyday life in Santa Monica.

The photo walk tour is conducted in a small group setting and is for beginners to advanced photographers. Photos can be captured from camera phones, to point and shoot cameras, to advanced single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras – the one I used.

After our session, Fabian sent some of the photos I took to my e-mail. They were pretty good!

Hot Flash Universe is the go-to source for women over 40 seeking insight into the hottest, most current trends, products, and issues. Topics are approached with candor, intellect, and a healthy dose of humor.

Barbara Bishop is President of Santa Monica-based BBPR, Inc. For comments or suggestions, email Barbara.bishop@bbprinc.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Country Club Donates $1M for Palisades Recovery

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

The club has encouraged members and partners to contribute to an established fund The Riviera Country Club has pledged $1...

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Black History Greens Festival to Celebrate Community Legacy of Virginia Avenue Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

The free community event is part of Santa Monica’s Black History Month celebrations, with the 2025 theme, “Roots and Reflections:...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Film Review: Love Hurts

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

FILM/ REVIEWLOVE HURTSRated R83 MinutesReleased February 7th Valentine’s Day is written all over this movie. Love Hurts seems to be...

New Map Tracks Palisades Cleanup Progress, Identifies Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

New interactive map helps residents track debris removal progress as officials emphasize unprecedented cleanup speed A newly released interactive map...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Santa Monica Arson Suspect Arrested After String of Fires Across City

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Authorities used aerial drone technology to assist in the investigation A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a string...

Tai Chain to Donate Santa Monica Grand Opening Proceeds to Wildfire-Affected Restaurants

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The restaurant’s U.S. presence began in Arcadia, Calif., in 2000, and has since expanded to 17 locations  Din Tai Fung,...

SMMUSD Makes Rain-Related Announcement About Malibu Schools This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Road Closures and Flood Warnings Force the School District’s Hand All four public schools in Malibu will be closed on...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

Man Sues Famous Marina del Rey Bar for Alleged Assault

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages By Zach Armstrong A patron has sued Brennan’s Pub in Marina del...

Phase 2 Debris Removal Underway in Palisades, Officials Tout Historic Recovery Speed

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Residents Urged to Submit ROE Forms as Crews Accelerate Debris Removal Efforts Crews have begun Phase 2 of debris removal...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

One of Palisades’ First Black Homeowners Seeks Support After Fire Destroys Home

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Now displaced, she faces uncertainty in finding stable housing Nearly $42,000 has been raised for Louvenia Jenkins, a 97-year-old woman...