Photo of the Week 2026-03-16

 

I recently picked up the photo kit of a retired photojournalist to add to my growing collection of Canon classic film SLR's and lenses. Surprisingly, the lenses were in quite good shape and showed little abuse, the camera an F-1 3rd and last generation, showed signs of serious use with a couple of dings and some brass showing through worn paint. All were in good working condition so after a detailed cleaning, I replaced the light seals and mirror bump pad in the camera, loaded it with film and took it out for a spin in Downtown Guelph. I've yet to finish the film but will shortly I'm sure. Until I have those images ready to share, here are some from the same outing using my digital camera with a vintage Canon FD 35mm f/3.5 manual lens from another purchase ... 

 

Now an added bonus ... or maybe not depending on your take ;-)

 

It was time to update my profile pic here on Google / Blogger so I mounted up a vintage portrait lens on the R5 and set up for some portrait selfies using the Canon Camera Connect App on my phone as remote trigger. I thought it's been a while since some of those following me have seen this mug and wanted to let you know what Iook like in case we run into each other.

 

 Damn it's hard to get your subject to smile ;-)

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2025-09-29

 

For a walkabout in 'The Ward' area of Guelph with members of the Guelph Photographers Guild, I decided to limit myself to the 50mm focal length, shooting at as wide an aperture as camera shutter speed would allow. I had envisioned some images with sharp foregrounds and focus falling off quickly to providing a suggestion of what lay further away.

 

The gear I chose was my Canon R5 with Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art mounted via the Kolari drop-in filter adapter and clear filter, though I could have used a variable ND, I chose not to. I also had a Canon New F-1 film body with Canon FDn 50mm f/1.2 lens, loaded with a trial roll of Harman Phoenix II colour film ISO 200. The ISO 200 rating and top shutter speed of 1/2000s did not allow me to shoot wide open for the majority of the exposures I made and the roll is still in camera with exposures remaining so those image will likely show up in the weeks ahead.

 

" Guilders at Allan's Mill '

' Grasses at Metalworks '

' vines on fence '

I made a number of other shots where shallow DoF was not possible or suit the scene. These will likely make an appearance on my social media streams in the coming days so keep an eye out there if you are interested.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2023-04-24

 

' pietà '

 

The local photo group I belong to made arrangements for access to the interior of the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. With some restrictions, we were generously allowed to roam about and photograph at our leisure for a couple of hours during one of the quieter times. 

 

When we arrived, I dropped my gear off in a corner that would not interfere with the others, set up for a pre-planned shot of the main ceiling and then wandered around. As I explored, I noticed sunlight through the stained glass windows was creating coloured pools at various points around the interior. I watched these points and waited until the late afternoon sun reached a position where light from one window spilled onto this sculpture.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2020-09-07

Tanglewood (in colour)

Reviewing the image catalogue, looking for images from Guelph, I came across this version of an image originally processed and published in B&W.

Over time preferences may change. With new processing software development and skills, alternate or improved renditions of old images may be possible. It's not often that I go back and re-envision an image but it's an interesting exercise, one I should perhaps explore more often.

This image, made shortly after I'd upgraded one of my camera bodies to the full-frame 5D MkIII, caught my eye again a while back. At that time I reprocessed a colour version and saved it off to the hard drive ... and kinda forgot about it until I stumbled on it recently.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2020-05-11

' Snowbirds over Guelph '

Knowing that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Air Demonstration Squadron was scheduled to fly over Guelph during 'Operation Inspiration', I monitored their schedule updates and plotted out a location I expected would provide a good vantage point.

I wanted to get a shot of the formation passing by the iconic Church (now Basilica) of our Lady. With that in mind I selected the upper deck of the Quebec St. Mall parkade, central to Guelph, as my shooting location. Hoping they would be approaching from the SW to fly over the centre of the city and Guelph General Hospital. I arrived at the location an hour before their anticipated arrival, which was then delayed 45 minutes due to weather.

As the Snowbirds approached, they appeared to be heading straight for me and would pass overhead ... but ... they banked away to begin an "S" shaped path over the city and even with my high vantage point I lost track of them behind some rooftops.

When they banked back again and emerged they were quite a way behind the Basilica and I had to zoom out to get it frame.

 

Snowbirds over Guelph

The light was far from optimal given the time of day and an overcast sky with rain threatening. I'm not really happy with the result ... but hey, I was out of the house and shooting.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2017-11-13

Late Fall Forest Study

Passing by a local forest with shafts of sunlight penetrating the late fall canopy, it called out with compelling voice ...

Late Fall Colour IX

Something about this section of Preservation Park just pulls you in. As you pass by, you are drawn to glance over, stop and stare or enter to investigate. It's a wonderfully soothing place to take a wander, though the swish of traffic is always nearby, it fades the further you immerse yourself following wide, well trodden trails.

Chance encounters with others come to enjoy, a nod or 'hello' and the occasional conversation serve to mark the shared experience. Some may let you into their personal relationship with this forest in the city.

 

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2017-04-24

Doors Open 2017 kicked off with the Guelph event and this year the Petrie Building, now under redevelopment was on the list so I decided to go early, get in line and hope they would allow photography while inside.

I enjoy photographing the grit and patina of old, abandoned buildings but Petrie was inaccessible for years and now that renovations are underway, much of what I would have like to see has been cleaned up, removed or altered already. Fortunately, there is an "official photographer",  Hans Zegerius, who has been documenting the transformation. Prints of his work adorned the various walls of the space as it stands.

I wanted to look at his work, but I didn't want to be influenced by his vision until I had executed images using my own ... difficult, I made only a few exposures on the "tour" as it was woefully short and provided access to just a small portion of the space.

One of the other attendees unknowingly mirrored the pose of the mysterious figure in the wall ...

the mimic

... one of the others from the tour

DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-11-07

It was a great week for photography. Twice during the work week, I grabbed some time to make a few images while the light was inviting. 
First thing Tuesday morning I had dental surgery and booked the day off work planning to rest and enjoy the painkillers ... but on my way home the light in a local forest grabbed my attention so I stopped and wandered about with my camera, at least until the freezing started to come out ;-)
I've already shared a couple of the images from this outing on my flickr page here and here. Then there was another medical appointment first thing Thursday morning and on the way there crossing the Gordon Street bridge over the Speed River the scene was just too good to pass so I stopped and grabbed this and this before making it the the doctor's office on time.
By the time the weekend arrived you might think that my photo quota had been filled, but I was off to Tobermory to check on some mouse traps set the previous week (an excuse for a solo weekend in paradise). Before heading out for a photo outing on Saturday morning I grabbed this with my iPhone. When I got to my intended location for photography, I strapped on both DSLR's bandoleer style and went about capturing the fall colour on the fen at Singing Sands BPNP which shots like this.
So it's been a tough one trying to pick the Photo of the Week this week and I'm quite pleased that this is the case. There are sometimes when everything seems just right for photography and I'll take that whenever I can get it ! From the first outing on Tuesday (so I don't get too far ahead and forget about it)  ...

fall leaves in morning light

DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-03-21

Every once in a while it's good to exercise creative muscles. When it comes to my photography, that means shooting something different from time to time. To help me work more of this into my shooting schedule, I've committed to attending more of the presentations and outings made available through the two photo groups I belong to. One recently provided an opportunity with generous access to a prominent Guelph landmark, the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. The opportunity to revisit some architectural and documentary photography provided some of that much needed excercise and a break from the nature and landscape photography that I have enjoyed over the past months.

In the days leading up to the outing, I pondered what approach I would take, how to capture something different, and what gear, particularly lenses I would use. Photographing the expansive interior of this iconic church proved to be a great opportunity to give my wide angle eye and respective lenses a bit of a workout.

sanctuary

I made this image with an 8mm fish-eye on the 7DII standing literally with my toes bumping up against the step to the sanctuary. In this situation, I felt that the distortion created with the fish-eye conveyed the sense of grandeur in this space.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2015-06-08

... time for a sorely needed WWC (wander with camera) and some friendly company this past Saturday. After a couple of trying weeks, I was really looking forward to some time looking through the lens.

Alan and I decided to meet up Saturday and follow an old routine of wandering around downtown Guelph in the early morning daylight before dropping in to the Guelph Farmer's Market and finally to OX Cafe for a latte and catching up.

Our wander started n the Baker St. parking lot, texting each other, "I'm here, I''m here too, Where?, Here, Where? , Here!, Oh, there you are...." and then out to Quebec St, to St. George's Square (why do the call it a square?), by the family fountain sculpture, across Wyndham over to Douglas and a couple of shots around Red Brick Cafe. Then behind the courthouse back up Douglas and down Wyndham in the direction of the train station. Then  ...

All at a leisurely stroll, spotted with conversation, laughter and friendship. Something I needed as part of the process of moving on, getting back to normal, whatever that is ...

Petrie Patina

The upper facade of the Petrie Building in Guelph ... I've often though that given the money, I would loved to have restored this building and converted it for gallery and studio space.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2015-03-16

... time for another walk in the woods, this time the local woods in Preservation Park, Guelph near home.

late winter beech

Saturday came and I found myself in Guelph instead of Tobermory. My regular photo buddies had both decided to pass on a photo outing for one reason or another and I decided at the last minute to switch up a scheduled visit with my mother for a misty morning outing in Preservation Park.

I love this place on mornings, particularly when there is a mist or fog moving through the bare trees in late winter / early spring. Saturday was just such a day so I geared up for the conditions, taking my waterproof 3in1 jacket, ice cleats, waterproof gloves and hat along with my photo equipment in a small backpack.

I didn't wander far, but I did wander quite a while. Sometimes alone, sometimes stopping to chat with others enjoying a walk their dogs. I made images with 3 different cameras. I used an ultra-wide angle 14mm on the 5DIII, a 70-300 tele-zoom on the 7DII, but it was the little EOS M with the 18-55 kit lens that I captured the above image with, one of my favourites form the outing.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2014-03-17

OK, ok ...OK Already !

A number of my blog followers have let me know that they are tired of winter and my persistent rambling about how I love it ...  LOL

Here's an image from this past weekend as the (almost spring) sun warmed the air and began to melt away winter on a local trail. The subject cedar, a veteran of many cycles through the seasons, provided a nice opportunity to create a star-burst as it partially blocked the rising morning sun.

;-)  
DJE

First Light 2013

For the 5th year, I took part in a photo challenge to capture "First Light" of the new year. "First Light" being at or as close to official sunrise as possible regardless of whether the sun is actually visible. The idea was floated by a good friend not long after we had met through the on line photo community. He had been going solo in past years and invited me along. I'm glad he did.

The first year was a little rough because I had been out celebrating with friends in the neighbourhood and got home late (or early depending on how you look at it). I managed to rise for the occasion and realized that I was in no shape to drive anywhere so I just walked down the street in a blizzard until something representing "First Light" caught my eye. In subsequent years I have planned better and refrained from over celebrating.

This year, we decided to meet on the UofG Campus and see what we could capture.

Johnston Rising to First Light

Another year, another tradition. Capturing First Light at the invitation of a friend. This year, UofG Johnston Hall Clock Tower at Sunrise, 7:54 am. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !
I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2013. 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2012-11-11

I decided to post a day early this week in recognition of Remembrance Day.

Another dawn they shall never see ...

This weekend I had my shooting planned around Remembrance Day activities in Guelph. It started with a 9:00 am ceremony at John McCrae house where I had the pleasure of meeting Derek, a British Veteran of Malaysia and we spoke briefly of some of his memories.

The image that stands out for me from the day's shooting was one I took earlier at the cenotaph as dawn broke, before the day's events had begun. The memorial, a Canadian flag and single cluster of red poppies were striking in the early morning light.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2012-05-28

... time to break out the infrared camera.

backyard stairs - IR

I haven't been satisfied with much of my photography in recent weeks. At times I've really just been going through the motions hoping I'd end up with some respectable images. 

When I get into a creative slump like this, it's time to change things up a bit. The change can be going to a new location, switching up subject matter or any number of other things that force me to see differently. In this case, I broke out the camera that I had converted to infrared (IR) and headed out with some friends to add to my portfolio of Guelph images. Working in IR removes the influence and familiarity of colour in my images putting the emphasis on form, line, tone and texture even more so than regular black and white.

Our destination was St. Patrick's Ward and some of the grand old properties of the neighbourhood. Aside from the relaxing morning walk, I actually made a few images that show some promise and I may have broken out of the slump ... we'll see
DJE

First Light 2012

... again, the challenge, "First Light" of the New year.

First Light 2012


Shot for our annual "First Light Challenge". This year 3 of us went out in Guelph to capture the first light of 2012. It was tough sluggin' since sunrise at 7:54 am was masked by a thick blanket of cloud throwing only cold blue diffused light over everything. After walking away from this bridge to shoot nearby, I noticed a small break in the cloud on the horizon and returned to scurry back down the riverbank to compose this shot with the light under the bridge ... shot at 8:09 am, just after official sunrise.

Thanks to Allan England (no relation that I know of) and his images on flickr for reminding me that Ultra-Wide rocks. I grabbed my EF-S 10-22 to take with me on this mornings outing and used it for this image.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 !!

DJE