Photo of the Week 2026-06-29

 

' St. Lawrence Sunrise - L'Islet-sur-Mer '

On the way home from PEI, we stopped overnight in L'Islet-sur-Mer, a quaint Quebec village on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River not far from Quebec City.

Of course I had my phone with me for some photos while I was out on the course, but I also took a "proper" camera to take advantage of any special opportunities that arose. Up early on our day of departure, I grabbed the camera took a walk down to the wharf on the St. Lawrence River ...

 

I stepped off the break-wall to walk along the cocky shoreline. Moving east, just past the concrete wharf face, I saw a lone tree perched higher up on the riverbank and framed a shot with it back-lit by the warm clouded morning sky.

 

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 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 2019-06-10

With the 75th Anniversary of D-Day last week, I found myself reflecting on my recent trip to the Netherlands, the research that I did leading up to the trip, the experience itself and well ...

Morning trail to Camp Vught

... the memories and emotions stirred yet again.

During an initial review of images from the trip, I had flagged this view of the wooded area near Camp Vught with the early spring growth emerging. The sense of calm and peace that morning starkly in contrast to what it must have been like in '43/'44. This was a place for morning runners, for those bicycling to work or school, for those like me seeking the morning's fresh air (I needed to shake off sleep having just arrived on an overnight flight and still 8 hrs from checking into my hotel where I looked forward to a nap before dinner).


DJE

Photo of the Week 2015-09-07

Again, I find an image while browsing through my library looking for something else ...

field of dreams

I made this image about a year ago, during a morning drive along back roads on the  Bruce Peninsula. Two blue chairs in the middle of the field caught my eye as a passed by. I smiled to myself, wondering who would occupy them. I stopped and backed up to get a decent point of view, then used a telephoto zoom to get tight framing and compressed perspective.

Then after downloading to my library catalogue the image just sat on my hard drive waiting to be rediscovered.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2015-07-27

The Peace of The North

I used the phrase "The Peace of The North" recently in an email to a friend when referring to an impending departure to the cottage. Thinking about it more, there really is a different feeling to everything when I am up north. I've been fortunate to experience it regularly in the couple of years since we got the cottage.

Even simple morning walks along the cottage road hold a peace that makes them quite a different experience from my walks at home. Everything just seems ... well, different. The sounds, the air, the light ... particularly morning and evening light. And what a great thing that is for photography, when the golden hours hold just a little more magic.

A morning walk with Murphy is always a great start to the day. His eager, bouncy approach to walks can be contagious, no matter what the weather and the location. When it's up north, with sunlight cresting over the trees, I'm eager too. I know that in the fresh morning air and warmth of the sun there more of "The Peace of The North" ...

Morning's Peace

... and I'll take all I can get, though Murphy my prefer that I stopped a little less to make photographs ;-)

DJE