Photo of the Week 2026-09-28

 

I've always enjoyed taking a drive to see and photograph the fall colours as the leaf canvas changes here in Southern Ontario. Timing is not difficult even with the rapid change that happens some years. It's also not difficult to find a location since the change is literally all around here where I live. The challenge for me is making the choice, getting it into the schedule and getting out because it seems there is always the next day ... until there is not and colour is gone for another season. This fall, I decided to get an early start and with a plan for a few other outings before colour withers to winter.

 

This first outing may have been too early, at least for the distance that I ranged from home. The destination was Beaver Valley near Kimberly and I knew peak colour would not yet have arrived but there would be something to photograph.

 

' September Shades I '

' September Shades II '

' September Shades III '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I enjoyed the drive north from Guelph, beginning along sideroads east of Guelph, then Fergus and west of Luther Marsh. I hit Grey Rd. 4 and headed east through Flesherton to Beaver Valley Rd. and turned north. Though the beginnings of fall were evident, there wasn't much in the way of orange and red colour yet so I settled in to capture some of the lovely late morning light spilling thorough trees over the field grass and vegetation. 

 

The images above were made where a small branch of the Beaver River runs under Grey Rd. 7 near 'Old Baldy' just off Beaver Valley Rd. That's as far as I went before turning around and taking some dirt tracks back towards Flesherton.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-09-21

 

A trial run shooting the moon on the day before official 'International Observe The Moon Night' proved worthwhile ...

 

' moon 'n stars '

... though I had to overcome some challenges in post processing. Pulling down the bright light from the moon, boosting the highlights for the stars and removing a cottage light distraction or two were all possible with the basic editing tools of today. 

 

Let me back up a bit.

Last week I attended a presentation on Astro / NightSky Photography by Jonathan Sau. I had done some of this in the past and since drifted away from the dark late night outings required. Jonathan's presentation rekindled my interest and I made a note to learn more about the objects and events occurring in our night skies. As it turned out, plans for our next cottage visit coincided with 'International Observe The Moon Night' making it a good time to get back at it.

 

Using the planning apps available, I determined that the 'First Quarter' moon would be directly across the bay from us during early night time on Friday night. With official 'International Observe The Moon Night' on Saturday, I decided on a trial run Friday to familiarize myself with operating out in the dark. The 'Clear Skies' app, was forecasting near 100% total cloud both nights but "nothing ventured, nothing gained" so I went out anyway.

 

There were in fact clouds, but luckily a short reprieve allowed me to capture the interesting scene above. I had no such luck from my location the following night when 100% cloud did obscure the night sky.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-09-14

 

Away on an annual golf trip to Grand Falls, New Brunswick I hadn't intended much in the way of photography. Though I had a capable small 'point 'n shoot' camera with me, I mostly used my phone for snaps on the courses we played.

 

One morning, while the others slept in, I was having coffee on the deck looking out to the river. The humming birds were humming at the feeder near my left shoulder, Blue Jays and Crows were beginning to make themselves known as the sun continued to rise. I looked to the opening in the trees along the Salmon River and made my way off the deck to catch this lovely little scene.

 

' down by the river '

' down by the river II '

I find it interesting to see the effect of focal length in these images. Both were shot from exactly the same location. I no more than shuffled my feet as I switched from 'normal' to 'wide' view on the phone.

 

In the first, normal, the branch of early autumn red leaves and the river take on prominent subject roles whereas in the second, wide' I find that it's the sunburst, shadow and light that grab my attention with the red leaves and river relegated to supporting roles.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-09-07

 

I'm always on the lookout for wildflowers in and around the cottage.

 

' sunlit fringed trio '

This Blue Gentian, was new to me. At first I thought there was a single plant  and as it turned out, there was an abundance of it growing on our rocky shoreline.

 

Using some of the simulated ICM techniques I've been developing and enhancing the bright sunlight I was able to create this ethereal image.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-31

 

Up at the cottage, I'd hoped to get sky clear enough for a full moon shot over the bay, or a night sky / milky way shot, at least a decent sunset shot for the last weekend in August ... but it was not to be.

 

Clear skies departed leaving grey overcast drizzle in their wake and aside from some quick shots around Little Tub this morning while walking Sully, there hasn't been much to point a camera at since arriving yesterday.

 

So it's back to the image library for this previously unreleased sunset image from Aug 31 2024. 

 

' sunset skies - shoreside pools '

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-24

 

Maybe 4 or 5 weeks ago, I was listening to a camera podcast where the host mentioned a resurgence of interest in older digital cameras with CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensors. Apparently there are some who think this type sensor renders an image with the look of film when compared to the CMOS sensors more common in cameras today. For those interested here is a video link for more on the renewed interest in CCD sensor cameras.

 

I happen to have two 20+ year old digital cameras with CCD sensors, one has been converted for infrared photography and the other is a bit of a collector classic. Both cameras are considered Point & Shoot models with fixed (non-interchangeable) power zoom lenses with 7 & 8 MP image sensors respectively (low by today's standards). The Canon Powershot G6 was purchased used and sent to Kolari Vision in the US some years ago and converted for 720nm infrared imaging. The other, a Powershot Pro1 is the only Point & Shoot (P&S) camera Canon manufactured with a "pro" series L lens. These details may only be of interest to very few reading the post but there you have it.

 

My original intent was to take both cameras out for some shooting and compare the results with those shot on other CMOS sensor cameras. As with much on this Photographic Journey, I got distracted and wandered off on a bit of a tangent ... shooting some infrared with the G6.  

 

' rural infrared - I '

This home in rural Guelph-Eramosa Township had become a favourite subject from my 'rural winter' series and while driving home from some test shots with the CCD cameras, I decided to stop and capture the scene in IR.

(note: false colour processing in Photoshop)

 

The earlier efforts of my outing were mostly spent familiarizing myself with the cameras again and boy it was soon evident how 'spoiled' I have become having my newer cameras. Shooting with older menus, less features smaller 2" LCD screens (and older eyes) although expected, proved more of a challenge than anticipated ... but a somehow satisfying one.

 

Maybe more to come on the CCD revival in future :-)

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-17

 

 

' Just another Huron  sunset... '

With all of the stunning sunsets I get to experience at and around the area of our cottage on the Bruce Peninsula, it's easy to lose track of one single photo made amongst a series. I rarely make just one image when photographing a sunset. It's my 'M O' to work through different many different exposures and compositions. How many?

 

Well here is a screen capture of the raw files from my Lightroom Catalogue made over a 10-15 minute period during one such outing ...

 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-10

 

Sitting inside relaxing after dinner the other evening, I looked over my shoulder and noticed a prominent magenta hue cast over the water. As you might expect, I grabbed a camera and strolled down to the shoreline where I found clouds in the eastern sky lit up in opposition to the setting sun.

 

' shore sky and sunset ' 

There was an unsettling feel to it as I worked the shoreline, shooting in east, south and west directions. The strong magenta cast in the south and east is not often encountered at sunset. This colour was reflected down onto the water and shoreline rock contributing to the odd feel present at the time. The foreground rock took on an almost sinister look against the warm sunset colour in the distance.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-08-03

 

Last week, we were invited to dinner at our friend's cottage at the very SW tip of the Bruce Peninsula. I've always known that the view of sunset from there would be amazing. Until this occasion, my timing had not been right. With dinner done, we retired to the deck for some wonderful conversation until someone said ... "hey look at the sunset" ... and I was off to grab the camera bag.

 

As I arrived, the ladies were already at the shore, in conversation down on the rock and I heard "where's Doug?", and "over here", "the view is from here" and the like. 

 

' Flying in a V '

I started working the shoreline with the 14-35 wide angle zoom using some rocks and trees as foreground elements before swapping it out for the 24-105 thinking I wanted a little more reach to bring Russel Island more prominent in the frame. 

 

As it turned out, my preferred compositions were made at 24mm from a spot a little further west along the shore. The 1/50 sec shutter speed left the gull blurry from it's motion and mine as I perched a bit precariously on the rock ledge at water's edge.  

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-07-27

 

In search of a source image to work on for last week's 'POW', I found some previously overlooked shots from my time inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. The structure is incredibly ornate and impressive, even from a non-religious perspective. The architectural lines, arches, domes and details adorned with magnificent works of art are a sight to behold.

 

A trip down memory lane sparked by over 1500 images captured during our 2013 trip has me again considering that book that that I've threatened to publish as a memento of the wonderful time we had. At very least, I should get back to printing and run some of them off and mount them in frames around the house ... 

 

... hmmmmm, well for now, here are the shots from St. Peter's that I referred to at the outset. The interior lighting was low compared to the bright sunshine outside, making for a scene with wide dynamic range. I chose to expose for a darker, dramatic feel while still capturing some of the shadow details.

 

... Oh and I was messing around with white balance in post to cool down what was a very warm scene. Looking to match colour tomes with the darker chosen exposure level. Just to mess about, I created a third version of each file by overlaying the warm/cold version and used a diagonal mask to reveal part of each.

' Arches & Domes '

 

' Domes & Arches '

 

 

Comments, thoughts, questions welcomed. 
 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-07-20

 

I've been intrigued by some impressionistic images created by combining Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and multiple-exposure techniques, either 'in camera' or simulated in post processing. In particular I wanted to experiment using scenes that include people as a focal point.

 

' Couple in the Colonnade '

So I turned to the archive and found a source image of this couple holding hands for a stoll along the Colonnade from a 2013 visit to The Vatican. The effects were simulated in post, quite successfully I feel.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-07-13

 

Down with a summer 'crud' cold, photographic activities have been limited this past week. Catalogue organization and processing some images from the archive along with listening to some online programming has been the limit for me. I did dig out a vintage (nearly 20 year old) digicam after being inspired by some discussion in a podcast I listened to. There seems to be a fledgling resurgence of their popularity and I have 2 in particular that I want to get out and shoot with out of curiosity of what I may be able to create with them. More on that in coming weeks.

 

For now, here's an image from almost 10 years ago that again caught my eye while digging through the library ...

 

' mimicry '

So often, I find the sky mimicking the land and waters below ... 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-07-06

 

Yet another calm, quiet evening on Hay Bay, sun set at the northern edge of the bay mouth on the last days of summer '25. On this occasion I noticed an interesting cloud formation just above the sun as it touched the horizon, almost as if the sun was being doused in the water.

 

I made a series of compositions using different features and reflections along the shoreline.

 

' sunset swirl - I '

' sunset swirl - pano '

' sunset swirl - II '

' sunset swirl - III '

' sunset swirl - IV '

These images sat in my catalogue, marked as candidates for processing and posting until, well, until now ...

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-06-29

 

' St. Lawrence Sunrise - L'Islet-sur-Mer '

On the way home from PEI, we stopped overnight in L'Islet-sur-Mer, a quaint Quebec village on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River not far from Quebec City.

Of course I had my phone with me for some photos while I was out on the course, but I also took a "proper" camera to take advantage of any special opportunities that arose. Up early on our day of departure, I grabbed the camera took a walk down to the wharf on the St. Lawrence River ...

 

I stepped off the break-wall to walk along the cocky shoreline. Moving east, just past the concrete wharf face, I saw a lone tree perched higher up on the riverbank and framed a shot with it back-lit by the warm clouded morning sky.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-06-22

In addition to photography, golf is a passion of mine (though you wouldn't know it from my recent play) and it can be difficult combining both simultaneously, but when at such a picturesque location ...

 

' Crowbush Cove PEI '

 

' Crowbush Clubhouse '

' What, why do you get to hit from up there?!? ' 

' somebody must have hit a bomb '

' all carry '

          ' making the turn back to the clubhouse '

... you use the camera you have, which in my case was my phone.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2026-06-15

 

I was looking through my candidates for posting / processing and came across images from a 2023 golf trip to Grand Falls, New Brunswick. Given recent discussions of upcoming golf trips "out east", I was tempted to look deeper.

 

Grand Falls was flowing heavier in 2023 than I'd seen in previous visits. With the evening sun low in the sky providing back-light for the mist off the falls, I made a stops along the lookouts at the bridge and visitors centre during my walkabout.

' grand mist '

 

' flowing grand '

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-06-08

 

A little over a month ago, I met up with a couple of friends and visited a couple of locations on the Hamilton 'Doors Open' weekend back in May. Auchmar (photos available in this flickr Album) and The Cotton Factory (the subject of this post) were our chosen sites.

 

The Cotton Factory, former site of the Imperial Cotton Co. has been transformed into a creative industries complex, with space for workshops, studios for artists and office space for creative professionals. I found the 1900's brick facade full of personality and character to capture in the strong mid day sun. For my exterior shots I used the Canon R5 with a Sigma 35mm f/1/4 Art lens mounted via an EF to RF Kolari drop-in filter adapter (w/clear filter) and I thought it may be of interest to show the complete set to give an idea of what catches my eye at a location like this.

 

' green doors and shattered window '

' light and shadow '

' verte 'n valves '

' verte to go ' 

' blocked door '

' chimney stacked ' 

' traces of whitewash '

' getting from here to there '

' car in the courtyard '

So there you have it, The Cotton Factory exterior, at least some of it, through the eyes of DJE 

  

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-06-01

 

I'm enjoying the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro I picked up a while back from a FB Marketplace listing. I'm not sure if the seller didn't realize what they had or if they just wanted to get rid of it ...  no matter, a win for me.

 

' a touch of pink '

The 105mm focal length, wide f/2.8 aperture and OS (Sigma's Optical Stabilization) make it easy to use, hand held and I've been taking advantage of the spring flowers blooming at the cottage, both in the garden and wild on the property.

 

Shallow Depth of Field, DoF, selective focus, bokeh, background blur are all photography terms that have returned to my vocabulary in recent days ...

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-05-25

 

' waking from winter '

From a walk in the Arboretum to see what was springing back after a long winter ... 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-05-18

 

' serviceberry in sunlight ' 

Driving local backroads in spring, I had an idea to capture a lone serviceberry in isolation blooming among the barren tree trunks of other wetland dwellers.
While unable to find the scene I had envisioned, there were variations of the theme available to show their brightly delicate spring blossoms.

 

DJE