Photo of the Week 2013-04-29

The story behind this weeks photo is not so much about how or when it was taken but rather about balance and how getting away from an activity one enjoys can ultimately enhance the enjoyment of it's pursuit.

Photography has been a part of my life for many years and there was a period when my children were growing up that photography was placed on the back burner. Unfortunately this means that I did not make any "serious" portraits or "quality" images of them as they were growing up. Oh there are plenty of snapshots taken by Lynn, myself or others when the boys were young but nothing from me that I would consider a serious attempt to craft well lit and composed images.

Fast forward to the last several years when my passion for photography was rekindled and I dove headfirst into converting from film to the digital process. I began with a point 'n shoot, then acquired an entry level DSLR back in the early 2000's. I first played around with jpegs and then switched to the RAW format that allowed me to work on learning post processing in the digital darkroom (i.e. on the computer). I then tried printing on an entry level home photo printer without satisfaction and as of the last few years I print my own images on a professional quality EPSON printer using high quality, archival, ink-jet and Fine Art papers.

Along the way, I became so focused on photography that I lost touch with something else that had brought much enjoyment over the years. This past weekend, I decided to reconnect with golf and that passion was quickly rekindled. The skills are understanably a bit "rusty" and I will need to work to get back close to where my game was when photography lured me away. It was good to be on the course again.

As you might have guessed, there was no photo outing for me to create new images over the weekend ... so here is one from not long ago. 

woodland morning

... oh, the part about getting away from something helping me to enjoy it even more ? I'm not giving up photography, although I may get away from it here and there when there isn't time in life for both it and golf. My break from either has made me realize that I need to find the balance that will allow me to make time for both and enjoy ... boy how I've missed playing golf seriously over the past few years ... just like I missed photography for those years too.

I'm looking forward to finding the balance between two activities that I enjoy so much.

DJE   

Photo of the Week 2013-04-22

This weekend past, a few of us from the the Guelph Photographers Guild decided to make the trek to the AGO. I have never formally studied art or seriously tried to paint, sculpt or sketch, though I do marvel at the skill and talent it requires. Photography is my medium of choice.

I'm not really sure what I was expected from the outing photographically other than some time with others who enjoy shooting in different locations, views of an interesting building and some inspiration from the artwork of others. The Patti Smith, Camera Solo photography exhibit was on display so it was on my list of things to see. I've also seen many photos of the AGO building, including the unique curving staircases so I wanted to see if I could make some images illustrating it's shape and form.

I also took some time to study and make some images of Rodin's sculptures, The Thinker and Adam as well as paintings by the likes of Rubens. Others may know the background on how the AGO came into possession of Massacre of the Innocents but for me, this trip was educational. Sitting in a room, virtually dedicated to one piece of art, albeit a very valuable piece of art, was a different experience, one that I think will have me returning to help open up my creative side.

      "Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."  Auguste Rodin

I found that photographing the work on display was not working for me so I went on to make images of the inside and exhibition spaces of the AGO building itself. Looking back through everything I had captured for an image to post as this week's photo has been a challenge. I was distinctly underwhelmed by the images I had created during the outing. Eventually I settled on this ... a bit abstract, a bit impressionistic and surrealistic ... I dunno, but it caught my eye.

Gateway

 DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-04-15

There would be no need for rushing to get to my destination before the magic morning light disappeared on Saturday. Daylight was filtering through heavy cloud cover and would provide strong, soft, glowing light for my entire morning hike on the Dundas Valley Conservation Area trails.

My previous outings to the area around Dundas / Ancaster had been mostly in search of waterfalls and related creeks or streams to photograph. Although both Sulphur Creek and Ancaster Creek flow through this conservation area, this outing became more about the undulating trail network and remote feel the valley provides.

The Main Loop trial climbs up a section of the escarpment where the fallen rock (talus) was covered in green moss glowing in the strong soft light. 

Tranquil Trail

Now that I have experienced some of the very picturesque location, I will be making a point to return ... though it won't be regularly unless I can find another access location with convenient parking. I'm all in favour of supporting locations like this through user fees but they charge $9 for parking ... too bad. That's OK for a visit now and then but a little steep for a weekly or even monthly outing. The annual pass at $100 doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

While I'm on a bit of a rant, the fee only applies to vehicle parking. Hikers and bike riders do not need to pay the fee (as per the sign at the entrance). WTF? Hamilton Conservation Authority clearly likes to keep it's treasures to itself since the only ones hiking or biking in would be locals, anyone travelling a distance is likely to have a vehicle and pay for parking. From my experiences visiting and photographing waterfalls in the Hamilton-Dundas area, City streets are well signed for "no parking" so you're forced to use their lots ... and most lots are closed until 8:30 am which gets another WTF from me because that's far too late to arrive and capture the good light when the days are longer ... rant off. 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-04-08

Last week I was digging through the 2009 archives looking for an image that a friend from work had given me to work on. The search provided an opportunity to relive some memories of locations, events and subjects that I had captured back then. During the process, I made note of number of images and outings that I need to revisit and work on or assemble into sets. I opened several images in Photoshop as I went along so I could look at them later.

I left the images open in Photoshop for quite a while and kept coming back to one from a trip to the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. There I had the opportunity to enter an enclosure and photograph a pair of wolves with nothing between us other than their domain. It was a close up shot that had my attention, head on as one wolf stared me down. I was close enough that the nose was mostly out of the shot and what was in the frame was out of focus. Still, there was something about the image that kept drawing me back to it. It may be that I wish I had been able to get the full face in frame and in sharp focus, but I think in the end it was the eyes, those wild eyes.

Wild Eyes

D

Photo of the Week 2013-04-01

On the Good Friday holiday, with a warm, sunny, spring day at hand, Lynn and I were looking for somewhere new to go for a hike. I recalled a friend mentioning the annual hawk watch held at Beamer Conservation Area and suspected there would be a number of trails there to suit our purpose. So off we went to Grimsby with Murphy and a little bit of camera gear. 

There were many people out enjoying the trails in the conservation area which lead along 40 Mile Creek Valley, the edge of the Niagara escarpment and connect to the main Bruce Trail. Although we did not see many raptors soaring north along the Niagara Escarpment during our visit, we enjoyed the hike and the views from the numerous lookouts along the way.

TO Skyline

I had not expected such a clear view of the Toronto skyline across the western end of Lake Ontario and used my telephoto zoom lens to capture this scene at 300 mm on my 7D. I like the blue hues and softness created by the haze and clear skies.

DJE