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 2023-07-31

For this first time I can recall since beginning this blog over a decade ago, I'm presenting images from the same outing in consecutive "Photo of the Week" posts.

 

Of all the images made during a recent visit to Bedford Mill, I selected a few for processing and sharing on my social media streams. Together they make up a nice small series. However I chose to release one per day (missing a day or two) which left me with two remaining as of this writing. For the sake of continuity, I decided to publish both today and conclude this latest series before moving on.

 

' mill & water lilies ''

'

' Bedford Mill - from the other side '

I'm certain I will be back to this picturesque location, perhaps fall might be a good time to drop by and see the colours ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-07-24

 

I first discovered and photographed Bedford Mill in the cold during a blizzard this past winter. The resulting images were successful enough to form a small set of which my favourites were printed and framed for display in the entrance walls of our home. Since that first encounter, I've had it in mind to return during different conditions, for another opportunity to create images of the mill with a different atmosphere. An opportunity came in July and there will be more, perhaps in the spring and fall ...

 

' July at Bedford Mill '

Returning to the spot where you created some of your own favourite images can be a daunting. On one hand there is the knowledge the subject matter has the potential for some solid images. On the other hand, there may be expectations that you equal or better your initial results, either your own or that of those who will ultimately see the work. In this instance, knowing there was the potential for some good images was the encouragement to pay the spot another visit.

The location is 4 hours from home and if not a final destination specifically for photography, is somewhere I have opportunity to pass through when en route to visit family not far away. When stopping by on the way to or from a family visit, time of day can be dictated by travel logistics than photographic concerns, but as luck would have it, my first set of images were made during a blizzard that arrived just in time for the drive home. It was photographic serendipity however, as it made for very interesting conditions and atmosphere. This latest stop was made while making good time on the drive. With 30 minutes or more to spare, I altered my route to pass by the mill, but it would be late morning and I expected much less favourable conditions for photography.

As it turned out, the sunny summer morning was tamed with some exposure blending of captures in post to deal with shadows and highlights. Though not as satisfying as my first results, this latest outing provided some decent results with the additional ones making the grade to be shared on my social media pages following this first from the set.

Enjoy ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2023-01-30

 

I've been working on an image over the past few days, blending layers from several captures. Quite a few hours have been spent trying to get the best out of what I have to work with. It's a winter night image with lights and required different exposures to pull everything into a single composite. I thought I'd have it ready for this weeks post but that didn't happen and I was looking at other options for an image this week.

There is always something in the image catalogue but then I took the scenic way home from Lombardy to drive through Bedford Mills where research had shown an old mill, pond and cascade. There was a weather warning in effect for significant snowfall and it had arrived overnight, still falling when I left for home. I was pleased when I pulled into the area I had scouted out. The atmosphere provided by blizzard conditions was perfect for what I had imagined.

' Blizzard at Bedford Mill '

 

 DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-10-15

With a 'fall colours' outing planned by the local photography group, there was a solid option of staying closer to home over the weekend ...

... but points north were calling, and though unsettled weather dumped rain frequently enough to seemingly catch a photographer whenever they were out of the vehicle, I managed enough images to feed this and a number of future blog posts. 

Such it is that the autumn season has to offer outdoor photography. The greatest challenge proved selecting a single image for this week's post ... and so I decided on one from the first planned stop from the trek north.

Rocky Saugeen - Autumn Mill Pond

I'd been wanting to stop and visit this location again ever since capturing the scene in winter several years ago with an image that long time followers may recall.




I'm glad I finally made plans to stop on this trip, and the sun even worked hard to make an appearance to cast some golden glow while I was stopped shooting. This is one of those locations that begs for a return visit to capture the scene through the seasonal changes, certainly fall and winter to my eye anyway.

I'll be revisiting my library of images to screen for other locations that deserve return visits to capture changes through the seasons or over time. I'm sure there may be a few I've overlooked.

DJE

Rocky Saugeen Mill

Rocky Saugeen Mill

Each of the past three years, photography has taken me on a trip up the Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory. Each year I pass this scene on the way up and the way back ... this year the light was magic.

On the way up this year it was greay and dull, but ...

...On the return trip, just as we were driving across the Saugeen River, sun was pouring through a break in the cloud onto the mill and tree lined river necessitating a quick left off the highway to park and walk back to the highway's edge near the bridge (not much room there to keep out of the way of traffic rushing along Hwy 6).

DJE