Photo of the Week 2026-02-16

 

It's time for some "behind the scenes activity" related to my photography. After nearly 10 years, time has come to replace the computer(s) I use for storing and processing my images. While it may not sound like a big deal, it actually is, well at least for the approach I'm taking.

 

Moving to Windows11 from the now unsupported Windows10 is one of the main reasons to take on the project at this time. Another is to get in front of the escalating price of memory chips. I utilize 2 PC's and with some little annoyances cropping up, one sound channel not working and short life on the replacement battery on the laptop, it's time had come. The desktop had started having an issue on start-up now and then that had me beginning troubleshooting actions. With this in mind I decided to update both to remain consistent with Windows 11 for both machines and avoid what could be significant price increases to new stock when current inventories are depleted.

 

The desktop lives in the home "studio" (i.e. basement) and I use the laptop at the cottage or when I'm otherwise mobile. The laptop also does double duty for the personal stuff of everyday life. So in addition to the additional expense in acquiring 2 PC's, there was a fair bit of prep work researching suitable machines before the heavy lifting started. Not wanting to carry over any unwanted baggage from the previous machines, I'm now waist deep in 2 fresh installs of Windows OS and the significant number of applications I use. I'm not rushing the project because the older machines are still working and I have backups of critical files should they be needed.

 

It may sound daunting, but I enjoy learning through the process and it gives me a great opportunity to start fresh. Plus, I like to know the PC's I use and how they work in some detail which is unavoidable the way I approach this.

 

' winter sunscape '

... and this week's photo. 

 

It had been a while since I'd captured sunset across the frozen water of Lake Huron ... supper was timed so that I could spend some time out on the shore with camera and catch some of the colour. There was a heavy band of cloud low on the horizon and whispy high level clouds all reflecting the orange glow of the last sunlight of the day.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-02-09

 

' 057774 OS C 11 '

I've been working on my 'rural winter series' for almost 4 years now, working out the process of what types of scenes suit the approach. I've settled on a 1 vertical x 2 horizontal crop for the most part, but have used other aspect ratios when they seemed better suited. I've shot on bright sunny days, foggy cold winter mornings, in snow squalls and dreary overcast days. Since making the first image, I've refined the preparation, processing and presentation of the image considerably thanks to improving my skills and utilizing some of the newer features in LR & PS. My naming convention for titles has morphed from sequential series name and number into an acronym-like format of the rural address for the location that does not blatantly call out the specific residence.  

 

Beginning with that first image, a sizeable series has emerged. As of this writing, comprised of 25 images, 'rural winter' is not complete. It does represent a conscious and significant effort to collect and curate a series of consistent woks, a few of which I've shown on the blog previously.. 
 

rural winter library as of 2026-02-08

My own inspiration for this series, as I've mentioned previously, came from the works of a watercolour artist who paints winter scenes of stone heritage buildings in a minimalist setting.

 

So why then in my self-talk, when I see others pirating my idea, do I feel violated. Perhaps because I feel I've put the effort into creating something different, unique to my work. Should I? Am I justified in my feeling? Or truly, is "imitation the sincerest form of flattery"?

...  

 

DJE 

Photo of the Wek 2026-02-02

  

' Singing Horizon I '

' Singing Horizon IV '

Digging into the archive this week for a couple of images made at Singing Sands, BPNP, Northern Bruce Peninsula, back in February 2020 ...

 

I've been reviewing the image catalogue lately, particularly shots that I've processed and marked ready for posting. Some go back over a decade and it's interesting to revisit these waypoints from my journey. Images selected for this week suggest what I might find when I get to the cottage in a few days. Ice stretched far out from shore over the shallow water of Dorcas Bay at Singing Sands, the textures, patters and tones mirroring those in the sky.

 

While locating the image files and seeing the collection of shots I made that day, I encountered of some personal favourites that are now printed, framed and displayed on walls at the cottage. Actually, some of my all-time favourite work. 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-26

 

Photo outings to a variety of locations used to be an every week occurrence for me. I was part of an informal but close knit group of like minded photographers who embraced getting out with other to see through our lenses.

 

As with all things, change happens, people move away, schedules shift, priorities change, pandemics hit, you know the normal sh*t. All of the aforementioned came into play over the last handful (ish) of years and these outings became less frequent and less varied in destination. While still remaining active photographically active, I was missing the diversity that regular outing provided.

 

Some time ago I began making time for the regular event organized by the club I belong to, their meetings, outings and social gatherings. In addition, I've reconnected with a couple of the former group who are still local and also finding more time to reconnect. We have different approaches and interests with photography, but photography and seeing is common to us all.

 

Here's a shot from a recent forest snowshoe outing, when we reached the forest edge alongside a farm field, when the sun blazed out from behind heavy winter clouds.

 

' light on winter field '

A couple of outings a month have been added to my calendar with the possibility of more as time goes on and schedules mesh. The conversations picked up as if there had been no gap, easy going, ranging across all subject mater not just photography, but they include much talk about photography and creativity and gear.

 

Speaking of gear, for this outing and this week's photo, looking to find some inspiration, I simplified my kit using a manual focus Canon FDn 50mm f/1.,2 adapted to an R5 body.

 

It's good to be enjoying this camaraderie again .. 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-19

 

A recent meet-up with a 'photo phriend' provided a change of subject matter and caused me to work a little at making images. It had been a while since I'd been in an industrial setting, and interesting as it was, the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel threw down the gauntlet. I'd long had an interest in the historical structures on the Canadian side of Niagara, but these locations were more than I would tackle back in my Urbex / Rurex days.

 

Since it opened in 2021, this now tourist attraction has been on my radar more out of historical interest in the construction and technology than photography. Still I was interested to see what I could capture through the lens. The images can be found on my flickr page starting here and ending with the 'Photo of the Week' image.

 

' Below Horseshoe Falls ' 

My first time below the falls and a wonderful wet vantage point (3 image stitched pano).

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-12

 

Winter weather provides me with many opportunities for for photography and I don't always take advantage of them. I find my outings to drive the backroads within reach of home have become much less frequent. When I do take a backroad, stops to photograph have become less frequent and I find myself thinking "I should have stopped back there ... " and good photo opportunities are missed.

 

In an attempt to rectify things, on the heels of a chance finding of the scene in last weeks post, I purposefully gathered up the needed kit and headed out looking for additions to the series 'rural winter'  

 

' 6926 W C R 34 '

I've driven by this farm countless times as it's very close to home. I've made photographs at and around it but not composed in favourable winter conditions to create something worthy of including in 'rural winter', until now.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-05

 

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2026 !!!

 

' 1811 N '

I see many interesting farm scenes on my travels through Wellington County, Waterloo Region and on my regular treks through Grey and Bruce Counties on my way up to the cottage. Some time ago, I photographed one rural home and experimented with a processing style inspired by work I had seen from a watercolour artist. From that, I created a high key, heavily vignetted minimalist look and created my 'Rural Winter' series. Over time, as I've added to the series, I've become more aware of the type of scene that has potential and keep my eyes open for just such scenes.. 

 

A few weeks back, on a trip to the St. Jacobs Market, I found one that made me pull over to the shoulder, park and walk back 100m or so working on various compositional options. 

--

Sidebar here ... I'm always entertained by the expressions of passing motorists as they try to see or figure out what the hell I see.

 --

This farm with lane-side trees casting shadow down the snow covered slope leading to the field was just right for the next addition to the series. 

DJE