Photography is not always about creativity, sunrises and sunsets, sculptural forms or light. Sometimes, it is about observing and documenting day to day stuff. In today’s blog post, I explore photos from a typical small town in the Sacramento Delta.
The outing
Back in the spring, Cameras and Coffee, a local photography group, organized a meetup in Isleton, an old small town in the Sacramento Delta. It’s about one hour from my home and I thought a chance in scenery would do good.
It was a sunny day without a single cloud and the light was harsh.
Initially, I thought that no photography was going to result from the outing, but little by little I began to see a few things to point the camera at.
A little about Isleton
Tucked along the Sacramento River, Isleton is a small but storied town in California’s Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. With a population of just a few hundred, it’s easy to drive past without realizing you’ve missed a slice of California history.
Founded in 1874, Isleton blossomed during the heyday of the Delta’s asparagus industry. Immigrants, particularly Chinese and Japanese, shaped the town’s identity, and their influence is still visible in its historic Main Street, lined with weathered wooden buildings and faded storefronts. The district is now on the National Register of Historic Places, offering a glimpse into the early 20th century.
Isleton used to host a famous Crawdad Festival (held off and on since the 1980s), drawing visitors with music, food, and Delta charm. The town also attracts anglers, boaters, and photographers seeking the beauty of the river and its levees.
In Isleton, time seems to slow down. Whether you’re wandering the old Chinatown and Japantown, watching the sunset over the water, or just stopping for a bite at a local café, you’ll find a place that holds tight to its roots while embracing the ebb and flow of the Delta.
I was drawn to the colors and mixture of countries on this brewery.
Ruins and textures
The town is a paradise for ruins of decaying buildings, and wall textures.
Conclusion
Although Isleton is not a Meca of Photography, wondering in the streets of that small town, and with a little patience, a few frames will emerge. Walking around with the camera is a good way to learn to observe and seize the moment when something interesting crosses the field of vision.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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