Photo of the Week 2013-07-29

Who can resist stopping to take in the sight of a field of sunflowers?

On the way home along Hwy 6 recently, I noticed the return of sunflowers to fields surrounding a deteriorating red barn. Having photographed the location a couple of years ago, this time I wanted to get see if I could get something a little different.  Wandering around the edges of the fields working leading lines and patterns of the rows kept me busy for quite a while. But it was while walking back to join up with my companions that I decided to looked closer and noticed these dew drops on the flower petals.

golden dew

 

They're Baaaack !

And still, I couldn't resist grabbing a familiar shot of the field with the red barn in the background.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-07-22

Recently, a discussion with a friend, who is also a member of our photo critique group, led to the subject of sketching and creativity. I mentioned that I really liked the look of sketches, particularly those done with pencil or pen and ink and admire artist who create works using  these media. He suggested some books on the subject and kindly lent me his copy of  "the Creative License" which I began reading immediately.

... fast forward to a warm summer evening, downtown cafe, espresso/lattes, 3 friends and some discussions on things photographic. We talked about many things including post processing images as "photographic art". I was motivated to go back to images in my library to process images in the style of a sketch. I ultimately selected 4 images from a 2012 trip and created a series entitled "Manitoulin Memories". I can see these hanging on the walls very soon. Here is just one from the set.

across the fields ... and far away

DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-07-15

This weekend, my photography outing on Saturday morning took me to Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve, a Hamilton Conservation Authority property.

I was introduced to this place several months ago by Patrick and have since taken advantage of the fact that it is close to home. On this occasion, I arrived about an hour after sunrise and was fortunate that there was still moisture from a light dew hanging around.

Patrick and Alan, two of the other photographers that I get out with regularly, both are able to identify far more of the plant and tree species than I can, a fact that is a regular source of entertainment (at my expense). Nevertheless, I have set a goal for myself of slowly learning to identify more of the plant species in Ontario.

Along the east pathway leading into Fletcher Creek, I stopped to capture Silene Vulgaris, the Bladder Campion. No longer a "weed" to me, this wildflower is abundant to say the least, and proved to be a worthy subject adorned with morning dew droplets.
  

Bladder Campion

In addition, I saw St. John's Wort, Nodding Onion, Chicory, and a few others who's names I have forgotten for the moment ... a few at a time and I'll get there ... enduring the snickering along the way ;-)

DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-07-08

Between a 50th birthday celebration for a friend Friday night, a (non-photography) trip up to Tobermorey Saturday and waking up with a migraine on Sunday, there wasn't much opportunity for photography this weekend ...

... so when I was sitting on the porch Sunday morning (make that mid-morning) having my first coffee of the day, looking at the Yucca in our front garden, I decided it would make a good subject for a photographic study.

For whatever reason, this Yucca only flowers every few years and the combination of sun and rain this year must have been right because it's putting on quite a display. I wanted to capture it while in full bloom and made a number of exposures with different lenses between the rain showers. The exercise challenged me to find ways to capture the essence of what was attracting my attention in the wet, hazy, subdued morning light. Ultimately I decided to create another collage using several of the Yucca images.

(click on the image to enlarge)

DJE

Photo of the Week 2013-07-01

HAPPY CANADA DAY !

Almost every day on my way to or from work, I pass empty fields where industrial buildings will soon stand. Not so long ago these open areas were just bare earth shaped and sculpted by heavy equipment in preparation for construction. Over time they have become naturally populated with field grass and wildflowers. In the morning they are dew laden and glisten in the rising sun. In the evening, it is the setting sun that provides a warm back light on these same grasses and wildflowers.

Every time I pass by I promise to stop and make some images ... finally, this weekend I made good on that promise and made some time to wander around, capturing some of the details bathed in warm evening light.

DJE