Photo of the Week 2026-09-21

 

A trial run shooting the moon on the day before official 'International Observe The Moon Night' proved worthwhile ...

 

' moon 'n stars '

... though I had to over come some challenges in post processing. Pulling down the bright light from the moon, boosting the highlights for the stars and removing a cottage light distraction or two were all possible with the basic editing tools of today. 

 

Let me back up a bit.

Last week I attended a presentation on Astro / NightSky Photography by Jonathan Sau. I had done some of this in the past and since drifted away from the dark late night outings required. Jonathan's presentation rekindled my interest and I made a note to learn more about the objects and events occurring in our night skies. As it turned out, plans for our next cottage visit coincided with 'International Observe The Moon Night' making it a good time to get back at it.

 

Using the planning apps available, I determined that the 'First Quarter' moon would be directly across the bay from us during early night time on Friday night. With official 'International Observe The Moon Night' on Saturday, I decided on a trial run Friday to familiarize myself with operating out in the dark. The 'Clear Skies' app, was forecasting near 100% total cloud both nights but "nothing ventured, nothing gained" so I went out anyway.

 

There were in fact clouds, but luckily a short reprieve allowed me to capture the interesting scene above. I had no such luck from my location the following night when 100% cloud did obscure the night sky.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-09-14

 

Away on an annual golf trip to Grand Falls, New Brunswick I hadn't intended much in the way of photography. Though I had a capable small 'point 'n shoot' camera with me, I mostly used my phone for snaps on the courses we played.

 

One morning, while the others slept in, I was having coffee on the deck looking out to the river. The humming birds were humming at the feeder near my left shoulder, Blue Jays and Crows were beginning to make themselves known as the sun continued to rise. I looked to the opening in the trees along the Salmon River and made my way off the deck to catch this lovely little scene.

 

' down by the river '

' down by the river II '

I find it interesting to see the effect of focal length in these images. Both were shot from exactly the same location. I no more than shuffled my feet as I switched from 'normal' to 'wide' view on the phone.

 

In the first, normal, the branch of early autumn red leaves and the river take on prominent subject roles whereas in the second, wide' I find that it's the sunburst, shadow and light that grab my attention with the red leaves and river relegated to supporting roles.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-09-07

 

I'm always on the lookout for wildflowers in and around the cottage.

 

' sunlit fringed trio '

This Blue Gentian, was new to me. At first I thought there was a single plant  and as it turned out, there was an abundance of it growing on our rocky shoreline.

 

Using some of the simulated ICM techniques I've been developing and enhancing the bright sunlight I was able to create this ethereal image.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-31

 

Up at the cottage, I'd hoped to get sky clear enough for a full moon shot over the bay, or a night sky / milky way shot, at least a decent sunset shot for the last weekend in August ... but it was not to be.

 

Clear skies departed leaving grey overcast drizzle in their wake and aside from some quick shots around Little Tub this morning while walking Sully, there hasn't been much to point a camera at since arriving yesterday.

 

So it's back to the image library for this previously unreleased sunset image from Aug 31 2024. 

 

' sunset skies - shoreside pools '

 

DJE 

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