Photo of the Week 2021-05-31

 

There is a little patch of forest, where the morning sun breaks through the predominantly cedar canopy to dapple the ground. In spring, it is magically transformed when several large patches of Fringed polygala or Gaywings (Polygaloides paucifolia) emerge. Pushing up through the forest floor, their bright green leaves and pink flowers are like paint spattered from natures brush. A closer look reveals an amazingly complex little wildflower, with a pair of pink wing-like petals bracketing a 3rd forward facing petal tipped with with fringe (my description).

 

Gaywings

The location is one I look forward to visiting every spring now, and this year I had plans to spend a bit more time photographing these unique spring wildflowers. With my creative spirit seeming to have fled in these COVID times, the first effort did not go well. Oh, I could blame it on my allergies, raging with pollen filling the air at this time, that had my eyes watering and itchy making it difficult to focus (literally and figuratively), but more likely, I've just gotten lazy with my photography. Firing off exposures, not really paying attention to the basics of composition, shutter speed, aperture, going through the motions is no recipe for a good image. It showed in the initial results when I reviewed them back at the cottage.

 

With a better plan, more aware, more focused, more determined to create an image I could be satisfied with, I settled in to enjoy the process and let it flow. The result above may not be to everyone's liking. Some may critique it's lack of focus on all parts of the plant, but I find it hearkens back to my earlier shallow depth of field (DoF) imagery.

Following are some additional, more conventional images from the outing.

I've seen these flowers at various locations along another trail, but not in the large patches I see in this favourite little patch of forest in my northern backyard.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2021-05-24

' be calmed '

Sunsets over still waters are always a thing to behold and when the world is busy and buzzing such as it is, they have an amazing becalming effect. I don't think I will ever tire of seeing the sun set across the Lake Huron horizon, at least I hope I never will.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2021-05-17

 

Continuing with images from Casa Loma back in 2009 ...

It's been quite some time since I've visited locations like this to spend time exercising a creative eye.
Working with an ultra-wide-angle lens inside allows for some interesting perspectives and points of view.

up and to the left

Here, I've used leading lines, convergence and brightness level to draw the viewer up and into the image.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2021-05-10

 

Continuing with images from the archive ...

 

Still from Casa Loma back in 2009, this ultra wide angle view of the steps to the top level of the tower plays with the mind a bit in the vein of M. C. Escher ...

 

Escherstairs

 

... well this perspective looks rather Escheresque to me with it hard to tell which way is up, which is down, what and where are the steps, what are railings, banisters?
 

#mcescher

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2021-05-03

Back when I first connected with the photography community in Guelph, over 10 years ago, it was a thing for a small group of us to head out on Saturday mornings to different locations and just wander around with our cameras. There were so many places we went, I tend to forget until I dive into the image catalogue and see something that stirs the memory.

Back in 2009, a small group of us decided that Casa Loma would be a good location for just such an outing. I can't remember how many of us make the trek into TO but I remember some of who were there and the fun we had, that day and many others. As with all things, change comes, life happens, friends move, priorities change and so do weekend activities. Almost all of my outings now are either solo or with Lynn, still good time, great memories but different.

Some time after I selected the photo below, processed it, marked it as a potential candidate for posting. Now with my outings restricted with pandemic concerns, the archive comes to life.

High Rent District

Are all horse stables this nice ... well they were at Casa Loma.

Using a low POV (point of view), with my camera actually on the brick floor, I emphasized the herring-bone pattern and lines to add interest to the scene. With scenes or subjects exhibiting strong symmetry, it can be difficult to get an exact balance. Usually if the balance is off, even a fraction, my OCD kicks in and I discard the image. In this case I missed centring the image on a pattern line but it doesn't bother me as much, perhaps because the horse stalls themselves are not the same right and left in the frame.

 

DJE