Photo of the Week 2025-11-17

 

Back for a month (already) and I'm just getting through shots from the first day of my 2025 Superior-Wawa photography trip. For this week's photo, I have chosen possibly my favourite and one of the last images from the day, as sun appeared through a gap in the distant clouds on the Lake Superior horizon.

 

' Stone Beach Sunset '

I spent a little over an hour working the right side of this crescent beach after arriving well in advance of official sunset. A first stop, earlier in the day had shown this to have potential with the rocky outcrop reaching out into the lake but it was this pool of water inside the rock that caught my eye with reflections from the sky and a small notch that I could align with the setting sun.

 

I made a number of small adjustments as the sun slid down and right in the sky, working to stay out of frame for my photographer companions, yet still get the alignment I wanted. The "sunburst" from selecting an f/11 aperture is subtle enough not to steal the show and the hint of golden light in the extreme foreground sets the composition off nicely I think.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2025-10-27

 

I don't use my cell phone for any 'serious' photography. They may be a large community of people using their phones as a primary camera but I prefer the form factor, creative control and quality of results from one of my cameras. That is unless all I have with me is my phone and the scene is so fleeting that heading back to the vehicle to unpack my R5 would make me miss the shot ...

 

' Mirrored on the Michipicoten '

After a full day of shooting on our way from Batchawana Bay to Wawa. We had checked into our accommodations, made a dinner reservation at a highly recommended restaurant and arrived to this scene from their outdoor deck looking over the Michipicoten River. Afraid the scene wouldn't last until I went back to the vehicle to grab my camera, I shot this with my phone.

  

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2025-09-22

 

One very calm, peaceful, serene early morning on Hay Bay, Lake Huron ...

 

' sublimmetry '

After spending considerable time working the shoreline rock as foreground, I tuned to look across the bay to see this symmetrical reflection of the clouds on sill water. 

 

I'm often compelled to capture a considerable number of images when I encounter a captivating scene. Then later while editing, have difficulty selecting just one ... and another series is born. Such was the case with this shoot one morning along the shoreline at the cottage. You can see them on my flickr stream beginning with this image.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2023-12-11

 

Not long after last week's post, I completed my processing of a set of images that now comprise the series ' revealed '. The series features the magnificent Superior lake-bed colours and shapes at Coldwater Cove, as seen with the use of a polarizing filter to reduce glare and reflection on the water surface.

 

With these two images, getting close with wide angle zoom allowed me to create interesting abstract interpretations using the natural patterns, shapes and colours in the rock of the Canadian Shield. I was left to imagine rough water and waves crashing along this shoreline because on this day there were but ripples on the water's surface.

 

' revealed IV '

 

' revealed VI '

Calm, sunny conditions such as we had are something not too common for late October on the lake that is Superior. 

 

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2023-11-27

 

During last month's Superior Wild and Scenic Photo Retreat we visited several locations on Lake Superior. Most were known to me from previous travels in the area but one in particular was not and oh what a treat it was.

Calm waters were not expected but they did allow for some unique waveless images on the rocky headland at Coldwater Cove. I ended up with quite a collection showing the interesting and accessible rock formations. Sneak previews when I was downloading after they days shoot had me excited for one or two but with well over a dozen it was difficult to know where to start, so I'll just start.

' wave action worn '

I had switched out lenses to the 17-40 wide angle zoom in order to get more in the frame and include more of the interesting formations in the foreground. I also used a polarizer to tame some of the glare and reflection from the strong mid-day sun, both on the rock and the water.

 

This is certainly a location that I plan to get back to for some more shooting.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-11-06

 

Three different looks from one capture ...

 

When I framed this composition and made the original exposure, I was concentrating on the reflection. I wanted to keep as much symmetry as possible, with a low POV, bending down, camera hand held, not using a tripod, I was really just scouting the location at this point knowing that I would return in a day or so with a group of photographers.

 

What caught my attention later, while reviewing the day's images on the computer, was the difference in luminance between the clouds in the sky and their reflection on the calm water. After a minimal amount of processing on the original, I reworked the file to balance the luminance of the sky to that of the reflection and in addition, the reflection luminance to that of the sky ending up with three different interpretations of the scene, each with their own mood.

 

For reference and clarity, in the above trip-tych, the top image is the original.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-10-30

One week ago I had just returned from the shores of Lake Superior where I joined a handful of other photographers for several days of shooting immersed in the outstanding Algoma District of Ontario. The Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat hosted by Andrew McLachlan and operated out of Rock Island Lodge had long been on my wish list, or rather it's predecessor had. Since travelling to the area for work over a decade ago, then researching the area for solo photo exploits, I found it was home to an organized photo workshop and the seed was sewn.

 

The weeks and days preceding my return to this stunningly beautiful part of Ontario, had me struggling with my photography, feeling uninspired. Though it's happened before, given the time of year when fall colours were vibrant, I was in an odd place creatively and hopeful that the coming experience would see me through it.

 

The drive up Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa, provided opportunity for stops at Chippewa Falls, Sand River and Old Woman Bay to test the waters and whet my appetite (puns intended). Though we would return to two of these locations in the coming days, I was able to get the creative wheel turning again ...

 

... then after arriving at the lodge, meeting our hosts and the other photographers, it was time for a first sunset shoot out on the shore.

 

' magenta moments '

You can find the images from this outing in my flickr album "Algoma" along with photos from my previous visits to the area. Most recent images will be added at the top of the album page and expect a few more over the coming days and maybe week or so. Yes the trip was that successful, I'm still working through the captures.
 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-10-16

 

For me, photographing a sunset is often a process, an opportunity work the scene over a period of time and frequently results in a series of images. Such was the case with last week's ' sun down ' and a number of others from the session. Then I teased that this week's post may provide a look into the process behind it all.

 

In this instance things started early in the day when I checked weather apps for wind predictions. The previous day had been mostly devoid of wind, leaving waters calm. It was predicted to continue through the day and instead of repeating the previous morning's calm water outing, I chose to go search for fall colours fairly certain that I could catch sunset later.

Late in the afternoon, I checked on things down by the shore and began by making a few images of the interesting skies with clouds reflecting on the smooth surface of the bay. It continued as I kept an eye on the changing skies, light and position of the sun, exploring different foreground elements and positions. In all. I shot 45 frames and a screen capture of the RAW files from my Lightroom library will give you an idea of the complete range and how it evolved.

When I shoot sunsets I use daylight white balance to keep things consistent throughout the shoot. With the cloud cover during this shoot, a cloudy white balance would make images too warm for my liking. I always shoot in RAW file format and could change white balance in post if I chose or needed to do so.

 

I mostly shoot in aperture priority mode and use exposure compensation to capture the light levels that I am seeing. As the skies darken, I dial in -1/3, -2/3 and at times -1 EV as the situation dictates. A case can be made for manual exposure and I have on occasion worked in this mode. I just seem to be more comfortable with aperture priority at this point, your mileage may vary.

To explore compositions, I work my way along the shoreline to positions that allow placing the sun centre frame, right third of the frame and also explore with the sun high, middle and low. Options with different foregrounds follow next. I use rocks with sunlight glinting of their wet surface, rocks visible through the clear water and explore leading lines and "s" curves along the shoreline to the extent possible. I've also made a mental note to get in the water and explore vantage points yet untried. Obviously not all options are successful, but the process can have a flow that helps in finding something different. At an unfamiliar location there can be more capture frames and with a familiar location such as out cottage shoreline there can be less.

' calm & composed '

Those interested in seeing all of the images that were selected and processed can check them out on my flickr page beginning with this one and scrolling through the half-dozen or more that I've posted.

Before heading in when I was done, I decided to set up a remote shot with me in the frame and I think it worked out OK but those with a sharp eye will note that I've done some distortion correction from the RAW file seen in the grid above ... such is the case with low POV ultra wide angle shots.

' curtain call '

Let me know if you found this post of interest and I may just work on something similar in the future.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-10-09

 

' sun down '

Some unusually calm weather over a couple of days at the cottage provided both sunrise and sunset opportunities for photography. Taking advantage, I was again out working the scene along our shoreline using the smooth water to capture surreal reflections.

At 9:10, the sun had just dropped below the horizon, the day's performance was coming to an end, so too was my photo session. It had begun almost two hours earlier as I checked conditions trying to predict whether this would be a photo worthy sunset.

A number of captures were candidates for processing over the following days and now, a week later, my favourite of the bunch has been selected for this week's photo.

.

.

.

 

Teasing next week's blog, I may be giving some insight into my process when working a sunset such as this ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-10-02

 

Well ... another 12th of '23 has passed and the final quarter is upon us. Fall colours have arrived, in varying degrees depending on your location. Time is set aside to visit some of my favourite locations for autumn photography, the results of which will be shared in days and weeks to come.

 

My appetite for creating images is returning, slow but sure. Just putting myself in regular positions that have led to success in the past has been a big help in getting things to flow again. I returned to one of those places, and at a time I had been letting slip by ... early morning, near sunrise. What a quiet, still, glorious time it was.

' quiet moments '

An unusually quiet and still morning on Hay Bay, Tobermory.

DJE

 

 

 

 

Photo of the Week 2023-05-15

 

' (Even) In the Quietest Moments '

With the wind down and the bay calm, it was just right to sit, have after dinner coffee and let the serenity envelop us.

 

Taking it all in, I was drawn to the shape of the clouds following the profile of the shoreline trees. For the image,I moved along the shore in search of a composition that would offer a little more than a mirror image reflection. In this case the clear waters provide a hint of what lies below and the exposed rock breaks the reflection of the sky over the calm waters. I placed the horizon mid frame to emphasize the symmetry of the reflection.

 

I regularly make images of sunsets along these shores. The colours are without a doubt awesome and I dare day equal to those anywhere in the world. However the colours are not the only draw when in comes to a Lake Huron Sunset.

Title chosen with a nod to Supertramp, thanks for a great song ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-12-12

 

A corruption to my Lightroom catalogue file had me scratching my head trying to figure out what had happened and during the recovery process I found some unfinished work from early October of this year ...

 

' Tranquility Base is right here ... '

 

A three frame stitched panorama depicting the end to a fall sunset on Hay Bay, Lake Huron, Northern Bruce Peninsula ON, my 'Tranquility Base'

Oh ... the corruption issue, it's fixed. Thankfully I know my way around a computer well enough to fix most things like this. My backup process came in handy again, though now that it's fixed, I think I could likely have got by without one. However, having multiple backups sure helps me to stay level headed and focus on the fix rather than what I've lost.

Again I'm reminded to go back through my catalogue of images to see what I've overlooked or forgotten about as I continue to add more and more and more ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-05-16

 

Every sunset paints a different scene

 

' sunset serenity '

 

As the seasons change and the sun's trek across the sky slides, near the summer solstice it reaches far enough north to set just out of sight, beyond the mouth of our little bay. The next few months will see the sun's orb will drop behind the trees and out of view before sliding under the horizon each night.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2021-06-14

 

Sometimes the noise, the static, the clamour of the world today reaches a point and turning it all off isn't enough. You just have to get away and get up in the morning, make a fresh cup of coffee and go sit by the water before anyone else is around ...

 

 

... and enjoy the quiet.

the quiet

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 2020-05-25

Moving away from images out of the archive, here are some morning shore scenes captured while sitting on our neighbours dock as the day awakened and sun rose ...

morning shore I

morning shore II

 

morning shore III

We had unbelievably good weather several days in a row for our first real warm weather stay at the cottage for 2020. It's not the first time we were up, but the previous visits were just to check and make sure everything was safe and secure.

Our neighbours are not currently up due to travel restrictions and they have always told us to use their dock so I thought it would be the perfect time. Armed with a couple of cameras, a folding camp chair and hot coffee, I took in the waking of the day on more than a single occasion.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2019-08-05

In creating the series 'HORIZONS' I cannot help but explore a connection, an attraction, almost an addiction, that I have with including water in many of my images.

Drawn to water and calmed by my proximity to it, I have been wondering what it is about water that instills a sense of awe ...

singing horizon

... apparently it's my "Blue Mind'. 

And here is "The science behind our connection to water" according to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols. An interesting quick read that has assured me I'm not alone and has me thinking that I should pick up his book 'Blue Mind' and give it a read too ... maybe while I'm on the deck at the cottage ?

DJE

Photo of the Week 2019-06-03

Bonnet Cove Sunset - IR

Exploring the world in IR false colour ... looking for inspiration.

Photo of the Week 2018-12-17

My love of the Bruce Peninsula Landscape began several years ago with a visit for some winter photography. The plan for the first 'Bruce' trek likely sprouted from numerous photo outings to sections of the Niagara Escarpment closer to home. Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Dundas, Burlington, Milton, Limehouse etc. all cultivated my fascination with the limestone cliff that stretches hundreds of kilometres.

The winter 'Bruce' trek became an annual event and perhaps because those memories, winter remains a favourite time to be on 'the Bruce'. Though Mother Nature has yet to lay down this season's winter blanket, encountering some of those earlier images on a journey through the photo library brought back that crisp, quiet fee of winter mornings on 'the Bruce'.

Winter Morning at Little Cove - IV

Avisit to Little Cove back in December 2010 provided the "crisp'. A tripod and slow shutter speed calmed the waters.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2019-11-26

Huron Shores - Huron Skies

While on reconnaissance in advance of visiting MacGregor Point for skating on their woodland trail this winter, there was time for a hike along the shoreline. The overcast day and placid waters contributed to the overall muted feel of this week's image ... so much so that I think the result is quite painterly without any "help" in post processing.


DJE