Photo of the Week 2026-01-26

 

Photo outings to a variety of locations used to be an every week occurrence for me. I was part of an informal but close knit group of like minded photographers who embraced getting out with other to see through our lenses.

 

As with all things, change happens, people move away, schedules shift, priorities change, pandemics hit, you know the normal sh*t. All of the aforementioned came into play over the last handful (ish) of years and these outings became less frequent and less varied in destination. While still remaining active photographically active, I was missing the diversity that regular outing provided.

 

Some time ago I began making time for the regular event organized by the club I belong to, their meetings, outings and social gatherings. In addition, I've reconnected with a couple of the former group who are still local and also finding more time to reconnect. We have different approaches and interests with photography, but photography and seeing is common to us all.

 

Here's a shot from a recent forest snowshoe outing, when we reached the forest edge alongside a farm field, when the sun blazed out from behind heavy winter clouds.

 

' light on winter field '

A couple of outings a month have been added to my calendar with the possibility of more as time goes on and schedules mesh. The conversations picked up as if there had been no gap, easy going, ranging across all subject mater not just photography, but they include much talk about photography and creativity and gear.

 

Speaking of gear, for this outing and this week's photo, looking to find some inspiration, I simplified my kit using a manual focus Canon FDn 50mm f/1.,2 adapted to an R5 body.

 

It's good to be enjoying this camaraderie again .. 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-19

 

A recent meet-up with a 'photo phriend' provided a change of subject matter and caused me to work a little at making images. It had been a while since I'd been in an industrial setting, and interesting as it was, the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel threw down the gauntlet. I'd long had an interest in the historical structures on the Canadian side of Niagara, but these locations were more than I would tackle back in my Urbex / Rurex days.

 

Since it opened in 2021, this now tourist attraction has been on my radar more out of historical interest in the construction and technology than photography. Still I was interested to see what I could capture through the lens. The images can be found on my flickr page starting here and ending with the 'Photo of the Week' image.

 

' Below Horseshoe Falls ' 

My first time below the falls and a wonderful wet vantage point (3 image stitched pano).

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-12

 

Winter weather provides me with many opportunities for for photography and I don't always take advantage of them. I find my outings to drive the backroads within reach of home have become much less frequent. When I do take a backroad, stops to photograph have become less frequent and I find myself thinking "I should have stopped back there ... " and good photo opportunities are missed.

 

In an attempt to rectify things, on the heels of a chance finding of the scene in last weeks post, I purposefully gathered up the needed kit and headed out looking for additions to the series 'rural winter'  

 

' 6926 W C R 34 '

I've driven by this farm countless times as it's very close to home. I've made photographs at and around it but not composed in favourable winter conditions to create something worthy of including in 'rural winter', until now.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-05

 

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2026 !!!

 

' 1811 N '

I see many interesting farm scenes on my travels through Wellington County, Waterloo Region and on my regular treks through Grey and Bruce Counties on my way up to the cottage. Some time ago, I photographed one rural home and experimented with a processing style inspired by work I had seen from a watercolour artist. From that, I created a high key, heavily vignetted minimalist look and created my 'Rural Winter' series. Over time, as I've added to the series, I've become more aware of the type of scene that has potential and keep my eyes open for just such scenes.. 

 

A few weeks back, on a trip to the St. Jacobs Market, I found one that made me pull over to the shoulder, park and walk back 100m or so working on various compositional options. 

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Sidebar here ... I'm always entertained by the expressions of passing motorists as they try to see or figure out what the hell I see.

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This farm with lane-side trees casting shadow down the snow covered slope leading to the field was just right for the next addition to the series. 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2025-12-29

 

 

' sun worship '

After a second full day of shooting between Superior Provincial Park and Wawa, we arrived at Government Dock Beach to set up for a sunset session. 

 

Another group of visitors showed up shortly after us and photobombed my composition and I waited to see what I could make of it. I had already selected my set up position to have the rugged rock and water pools dominate the foreground with the sun positioned central R to L. Moving to another spot to compose without people in frame was an option, but the others were roaming about and I did not want to miss the sun dip below the horizon.

 

Ultimately I turned to the tools available in post processing to 'remove' one or two people who were distracting, but chose to leave one expressive character for both scale and additional interest.

 

DJE