Photo of the Week 2026-08-24

 

Maybe 4 or 5 weeks ago, I was listening to a camera podcast where the host mentioned a resurgence of interest in older digital cameras with CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensors. Apparently there are some who think this type sensor renders an image with the look of film when compared to the CMOS sensors more common in cameras today. For those interested here is a video link for more on the renewed interest in CCD sensor cameras.

 

I happen to have two 20+ year old digital cameras with CCD sensors, one has been converted for infrared photography and the other is a bit of a collector classic. Both cameras are considered Point & Shoot models with fixed (non-interchangeable) power zoom lenses with 7 & 8 MP image sensors respectively (low by today's standards). The Canon Powershot G6 was purchased used and sent to Kolari Vision in the US some years ago and converted for 720nm infrared imaging. The other, a Powershot Pro1 is the only Point & Shoot (P&S) camera Canon manufactured with a "pro" series L lens. These details may only be of interest to very few reading the post but there you have it.

 

My original intent was to take both cameras out for some shooting and compare the results with those shot on other CMOS sensor cameras. As with much on this Photographic Journey, I got distracted and wandered off on a bit of a tangent ... shooting some infrared with the G6.  

 

' rural infrared - I '

This home in rural Guelph-Eramosa Township had become a favourite subject from my 'rural winter' series and while driving home from some test shots with the CCD cameras, I decided to stop and capture the scene in IR.

(note: false colour processing in Photoshop)

 

The earlier efforts of my outing were mostly spent familiarizing myself with the cameras again and boy it was soon evident how 'spoiled' I have become having my newer cameras. Shooting with older menus, less features smaller 2" LCD screens (and older eyes) although expected, proved more of a challenge than anticipated ... but a somehow satisfying one.

 

Maybe more to come on the CCD revival in future :-)

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-17

 

 

' Just another Huron  sunset... '

With all of the stunning sunsets I get to experience at and around the area of our cottage on the Bruce Peninsula, it's easy to lose track of one single photo made amongst a series. I rarely make just one image when photographing a sunset. It's my 'M O' to work through different many different exposures and compositions. How many?

 

Well here is a screen capture of the raw files from my Lightroom Catalogue made over a 10-15 minute period during one such outing ...

 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-10

 

Sitting inside relaxing after dinner the other evening, I looked over my shoulder and noticed a prominent magenta hue cast over the water. As you might expect, I grabbed a camera and strolled down to the shoreline where I found clouds in the eastern sky lit up in opposition to the setting sun.

 

' shore sky and sunset ' 

There was an unsettling feel to it as I worked the shoreline, shooting in east, south and west directions. The strong magenta cast in the south and east is not often encountered at sunset. This colour was reflected down onto the water and shoreline rock contributing to the odd feel present at the time. The foreground rock took on an almost sinister look against the warm sunset colour in the distance.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-03

 

Last week, we were invited to dinner at our friend's cottage at the very SW tip of the Bruce Peninsula. I've always known that the view of sunset from there would be amazing. Until this occasion, my timing had not been right. With dinner done, we retired to the deck for some wonderful conversation until someone said ... "hey look at the sunset" ... and I was off to grab the camera bag.

 

As I arrived, the ladies were already at the shore, in conversation down on the rock and I heard "where's Doug?", and "over here", "the view is from here" and the like. 

 

' Flying in a V '

I started working the shoreline with the 14-35 wide angle zoom using some rocks and trees as foreground elements before swapping it out for the 24-105 thinking I wanted a little more reach to bring Russel Island more prominent in the frame. 

 

As it turned out, my preferred compositions were made at 24mm from a spot a little further west along the shore. The 1/50 sec shutter speed left the gull blurry from it's motion and mine as I perched a bit precariously on the rock ledge at water's edge.  

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-07-27

 

In search of a source image to work on for last week's 'POW', I found some previously overlooked shots from my time inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. The structure is incredibly ornate and impressive, even from a non-religious perspective. The architectural lines, arches, domes and details adorned with magnificent works of art are a sight to behold.

 

A trip down memory lane sparked by over 1500 images captured during our 2013 trip has me again considering that book that that I've threatened to publish as a memento of the wonderful time we had. At very least, I should get back to printing and run some of them off and mount them in frames around the house ... 

 

... hmmmmm, well for now, here are the shots from St. Peter's that I referred to at the outset. The interior lighting was low compared to the bright sunshine outside, making for a scene with wide dynamic range. I chose to expose for a darker, dramatic feel while still capturing some of the shadow details.

 

... Oh and I was messing around with white balance in post to cool down what was a very warm scene. Looking to match colour tomes with the darker chosen exposure level. Just to mess about, I created a third version of each file by overlaying the warm/cold version and used a diagonal mask to reveal part of each.

' Arches & Domes '

 

' Domes & Arches '

 

 

Comments, thoughts, questions welcomed. 
 

DJE