Photo of the Week 2012-08-27

With the lack or precipitation this year I've watched the level in Guelph Lake continually drop to where it is lower than I can recall in the 25 years since I moved to Guelph. Normally when the lake level drops it's usual amount over the summer, stumps and features along a band close to the shoreline are revealed. I thought this may be a good time to check out the area and make some surreal shots of these normally submerged features.

I made a reconnaissance of the location with Lynn on Friday evening since the pre-dawn hours Saturday were not the time to find the right parking spot and trail to take. To my pleasant surprise, we were treated to a beautiful sunset and reflection on what remained of the calm water surface. I also got my first look at just how much the water level was down. At some points, the man made lake was more like a large puddle. We walked the shoreline (as it is) with Murphy for quite a while until light was lost beyond the horizon and I was able to make a good number of images that will add to my sunset library. Reconnaissance completed, home we went and I prepared my gear for the normal Saturday morning outing crossing my fingers for some fog.

Heading out with a photo cohort at 6am, it was soon apparent that the fog had not materialized to the extent that I would have liked. There was a haze close to the ground, just enough to create a mist on the horizon. We arrived at the location and walked along the muddy grey-brown exposed lake bed finding different elements and scenes to shoot. Then we turned a corner and I saw some algae at the edge of the receding water glowing in a patch of morning's light.

morning glow

Although a Blue Heron and a number of Sandpipers were in this area at various times, I chose to make this image when they had moved on. The lack of something to give scale to the image adds to it's abstract quality. I also shot this from a distance using a long focal length to compress the scene and use the thin layer of clearing haze to soften the details add add to the mood.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2012-08-20

Where do all the photos go?

Thanks to attending a 50th Anniversary Celebration where there were boards filled with photos of family moments, family snapshots if you will, that have resided in albums, shoe boxes, photo lab envelopes and lord knows what else for ... well decades, I have been stirred to make a committment to print one such snapshot from my digital libraries each week as a 4x6. Although I print my more "artistic" work often and even frame and hang a lot for personal display, I have not printed the more family related images with any regularity.
Today I started with an image of my youngest son, Jordan, taken while we were visiting my mother on her birthday recently. He was just sitting there listening to the conversation and I said " ... just sit there like that, now look at me ...  ".

"J" 2012-08-06

Click! And there you have it. A little more than a snapshot, but family moment for the archives, printed and now I need to find a shoebox ...


DJE

Photo of the Week 2012-08-13

tanglewood

DJE

Emma

I'm not sure if it's the hot dry weather we've been having around Southern Ontario lately but there seems to be an abundance of Queen Anne's Lace around. Everywhere I look it's growing in small roadside patches, empty lots or whole fields. Seeing so much if it planted an idea in my mind for a photograph, but I would need a willing model and a young girl at that. Fortunately a friend on Lynn's has a lovely daughter and was gracious enough to agree to let me photograph her.

Not only did I want to follow thorough and create images based on a concept, I also wanted to set out with a location, model and specific purpose in mind to get the experience. Here are some results.

 I'm very grateful to Marcy and Matt for their permission to post a few images from the session ... and my special thanks to Miss Emma for helping me out.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2012-08-06

No commentary necessary, just a peaceful scene from my early morning walk that speaks for itself.

morning light beckons

 DJE