Photo of the Week 2025-09-01

 

Driving north solo recently, I used the opportunity to visit and photograph at a series of historical mill sites in Grey and Bruce Counties. It was a very productive outing photographically, resulting in more than two dozen images I later processed and have or will publish for my ongoing 'Mills of Ontario' project.. 

 

' Arranvale Dam Remains '

As spirit moves me, I research and map potential photo locations for outings such as this using Google Maps. I create 'lists' for different geographic locations and themes. My spirit is stirred when I'm told about a location, see one through others work, or otherwise hear of one, then I note it down or map it at the time.

 

I find Google Maps particularly useful for this because it's always available on my phone providing there is signal and I can use it as a navigational aide for driving. It's been my 'go to' for trips abroad as well as here at home.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2025-08-25

 

On a solo drive up north with plans to pick up some supplies in Tara, I used the opportunity and took a scenic route, visiting several historical mill sites in Grey and Bruce Counties along the way.

 

I made a number of stops, the last being near Park Head where the remnants of the chopping mill proved difficult to capture in an image. They sit on private property, back from the road with an obstructed view from the bridge over the Sauble River. Across the river the property is also private and an occupied residence, so my selection of viewpoints was very restricted. 

 

' Park Head Chopping Mill Ruins '

Working in mid-day sun, I also had an infrared converted camera along and it provided some of my favourite images form the day. Here, shooting from the bridge approach where a path dropped down to river level (for fishing access I suspect), I was able to compose through an opening in the leaves to show a glimpse of the deteriorating structure. Processing the image in high contrast B&W, sets the wood and masonry out in dark nicely against the white foliage.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2024-10-28

 

The Old Packhorse Bridge

On the third day (second day of driving) in Scotland we made our way through the eastern highlands to Inverness. The day's route was planned to include a stop in Carrbridge with plenty of time for photography. Why, because the Old Packhorse Bridge was there.

 

This bridge instantly became a "must see" when I first learned of it while researching locations for our trip. It was one of the first places added to a map of locations to visit for photography. Labeled "the oldest stone bridge in the highlands", whether true or not, it certainly was something to see and a little challenging to find just the right composition.

I’ve visited historical sites before and been surprised to find them surrounded by elements of modern living. Such was the case here, but with some time to explore compositional options I was able to come up with something a bit different than the typical tourist snapshot.

For this subject, one obvious shot was from a viewing platform located st the bottom of a staircase that brought you down closer to river level. Another would have been from the modern road bridge spanning the river slightly downstream. I worked both of these using different focal lengths and even ND filters to get some water smoothing long exposures. Ultimately, the image I like best was from the viewing platform "ish". I say "ish" because I put down the camera bag and stepped up, over and onto the rock of the river bank to get further left than the platform would allow so that I could include the wonderful leaves of a maple sporting fall colour.

 

 

' Fall Colour at The Old Packhorse Bridge '

 

It was hard to get the composition I wanted with some of those "elements of modern living" encroaching on the upper right but I worked it the best I could and took care of the rest in post ;-)

I made a number of shots to document the bridge in context with it's surroundings and offer them here to provide a bit of background story of getting an acceptable image in such conditions.

' commemorative plaque '

 

 

' branches in the way '

' someone move that other bridge '

' what a spot to put a petrol station '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

' no clear view '

 

 

' at least this shows the upstream rapids '

 

In my ranking, this final one might be a distant second to the featured image.

'  The Old Packhorse Bridge '

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-07-18

 

Jedburgh Abbey

 

 

Day 4 in Scotland, Day 3 of our Trafalgar Tour left Edinburgh and the first stop was Jedburgh Abbey. We made a brief rest stop, with a few minutes to wander over and have a look from behind the fencing in place to restrict access while inspection is taking place on the masonry.

I would love to return when access is more open and permissive of a full photographic study. Who knows when that might be. My previous posts of Rosslyn Chapel were unencumbered by restorative processes that had the exterior covered with scaffolding and canopy from 1997 to 2010. I'd like at least similar unobstructed views should I return to Jedburgh. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has a bold mandate of conservation for many historic properties. Conservators could be busy for some time to come ...

 

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