Photo of the Week 2025-04-07

 

As I work through the trove of images from recent months, memories surface and in the case of these images, a special smile forms and pride swells in my chest.   

 

' Chef Matt '

' Intimate Dining '

 

Matt & Claire are living their dream, creating and living the Revolve Farms life. What they have built together is wonderful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's photo(s), capture Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef Matt doing his thing as he prepares dinner for an intimate family gathering, and the table atmosphere so perfectly crafted by Claire.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-08-21

 

' Murphy '

 

It is with the heaviest hearts that we said goodbye to our "sweet boy" Murphy just a few short days ago. Such a profound part of our lives and our family for nearly 15 years, his loss has left an unimaginable hole in life. We know he is gone yet we feel him everywhere, expect to see him everywhere ...

I have not felt the urge to create or prepare any new images in the last few days. Actually, feeling a bit lost, I considered letting this Monday pass without publishing a photo of the week. I had nothing that I felt I wanted to share though Lynn and I had begun to think about a collage of Murphy photos for framing. So I sat this morning to go through my images. There is not one photo of him that does not move me, all tug at my heartstrings.

Scrolling along through the library, so many memories were stirred, so many good times, so many tears. It got to the point where I could no longer see clearly so I stopped, for now ... and this image is were I stopped.

:_(

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2020-06-01

Walking in Wellington

Wellington fields

It had been since before the start of the COVID pandemic that I had spent some time with my oldest son Matt. At his suggestion, Lynn and I met he and Claire in Wellington, ON, approximately half-way between Guelph and Ottawa, for a socially distanced walk on their Millennium Trail followed by a nice picnic.

We hiked the trail along a former rail line heading east from the centre of town, stopping here and there for one of us to make a photo or to spot some of the numerous birds and sights. I decided to break out the infrared camera which had the Kolari IR Chrome filter attached. The bright sunshine, blue sky and fluffy white clouds would make for some surreal images. Almost 2 hours later, we turned around and headed back to the vehicles and the delicious foods we had brought for our picnic.

We found a spot in a nearby municipal park, laid out a couple of blankets, enjoyed chatting and the company until temperatures dropped and the breeze got up. Rain was approaching and it signalled a good time to pack up to say our goodbyes with our distanced hugs and farewells.

Millennium Trail

caterpillars on a stick

farm under blue skies

Walking in Wellington

A Wellington Barn

laneway to barn

DJE

Photo of the Week 2019-02-25

While in Ottawa this past weekend, Lynn wanted to visit The Canadian Firefighters Memorial where her father and other Fallen Firefighters are recognized ...

remembered

Thomas Clark, recognized and remembered, Line Of Duty Death (LODD) 1992-08-14.

I've previously made tribute images from the Toronto Memorial at Toronto Waterfront and the Ontario Memorial at Queen's Park. This time it was the National Memorial still shrouded in winter.



DJE

Photo of the Week 2017-12-11

Clark Family Christmas 2017

the silly version

It's been several years now that I've been photographing the Clark Family Christmas gathering, held this year at Bill & Cathy's in Scarborough. This year with 'ugly" Christmas sweaters and Christmas hats and head-wear, everyone eagerly anticipated photo time :-)

Usually they won't cooperate or stop chatting and fidgeting long enough to look at the camera all at the same time. This year was a fair bit better and I pulled off another Masterpiece ... well almost ;-)

Here's the serious version ...

You can see the timelapse assembled from some of the individual images I captured just to get a couple of good ones here ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dje-pix/38081463495

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ! 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-12-12

Clark Christmas Gathering 2016

At each annual Christmas Gathering, there is now a family photo session. Oh they mumble and they grumble and they laugh and ask how long this is going to take and someone tells me to hurry up. They won't cooperate easily, or stop chatting and fidgeting to look at the camera all at the same time. But I always pull off a Masterpiece !

;-)

one serious ...

and one having a little fun ...

I hope everyone has an opportunity to share some time with family over the coming holidays.

DJE
 

Photo of the Week 2016-04-11

Making new images has taken a back seat for the past couple of weeks. Oh the camera has been out and there have been a number of clicks, but there was nothing very purposeful in terms of making new images. I've been busy with some of the every day life stuff like, the day job, getting the car serviced and putting the finishing touches to a home kitchen reno that has come together nicely.

But that doesn't mean I've been completely inactive photographically ... after going to see one of my images licensed by Parks Canada at last week's BPNP Visitors Center Open House, I dropped in to the Upper Deck Gallery and while there, decided to take a different wall space with a bit more room and a corner layout. This means I'll have space for a few more prints on the wall and to set up a table and rack to display cards and unframed prints.

I've also been busy going through the family photo collection looking for pics of my aunt for an upcoming family event. Plus, every April 8th for the past several years, I've posted  something to my personal facebook page in honour of my Grandfather, Ernest James England who was killed on that day 1945 while fighting in Holland. These last two activities came together when searching for photos, I found a clipping of the original newspaper notice of his death and the photos from my father's one and only trip to Holland in 1995 for the 50th Anniversary of the end of WWII. It was during that trip that family members were fortunate enough to connect with historians who knew of my grandfather and the details relating his death.

During the later stages of the war in Northern Holland, my grandfathers reconnaissance regiment (8th Recce. 14th Hussars) was leading the advance of Canadian forces as they approached Holten. He was out on a mission clearing the area of German troops when his bren gun carrier was erroneously targeted by a tank from the Fort Garry Horse Regiment and he was killed instantly by a direct hit. Bits of this had murmured through the family over the years and not only was it confirmed during the trip to Holland, but the family were taken to the spot on a farm lane where it happened.

farm lane - note tree on far left

As I understand, the tree on the far left, with the large scar of missing bark close to the ground, is the exact spot, the tree where what remained of the bren gun carrier remained for some time. This information was obtained from the man who owned the farm back in 1945. In 1995 he still owned the farm and came out to speak with family members through the historians who acted as interpreters.

farm owner (I must get his name)

I hold what remains of my family photos. Passed down to me by my mother, there are mostly ones my father took, some date back to the early 1900's, maybe a bit more. They are treasures. Through them I am reminded to print the everyday stuff from my own photo exploits. Through them I have an extremely powerful piece of family history ...

DJE

Photo of the Week 2011-12-19

Clark Clan - Christmas 2011

This past weekend it was time for the 2011 Clark Clan Christmas get together at my sister-in-laws. As with most family functions these days, it is difficult to get everyone in the family in the same spot at the same time. Nonetheless, a number of my wife's family gathered to share some seasonal cheer.

An idea to take the opportunity and get a group shot of everyone with Audrey, the matriarch, grew into setting up a backdrop for a "silly or serious" portrait session for anyone who wanted to get in front of my lens. I thought there might be a little more silliness but a few faced the strobes for impromptu portraits and I was able to get a great shot of everyone who was still around after dinner.

One of those who wanted a serious portrait was by brother-in-law Bill. He'll be retiring from the Toronto Fire Department next year and wanted a formal portrait of him in his uniform. I was glad to oblige and he was quite willing to cooperate as I tried out different lighting setups in the rather tight quarters of the basement where I had set up a temporary studio.

Portrait of the Chief


Wendy dropped by, as she usually does to say hi and wish everyone well. Lynn told her she had to come downstairs to have a portrait made to show off her festive hair style.

Wendy


... and Jessica was there again this year. Who can resist the little ones this time of year. Once she warmed up to me she played to the camera.

Jessica's Eyes


DJE