Photo of the Week 2026-02-09

 

' 057774 OS C 11 '

I've been working on my 'rural winter series' for almost 4 years now, working out the process of what types of scenes suit the approach. I've settled on a 1 vertical x 2 horizontal crop for the most part, but have used other aspect ratios when they seemed better suited. I've shot on bright sunny days, foggy cold winter mornings, in snow squalls and dreary overcast days. Since making the first image, I've refined the preparation, processing and presentation of the image considerably thanks to improving my skills and utilizing some of the newer features in LR & PS. My naming convention for titles has morphed from sequential series name and number into an acronym-like format of the rural address for the location that does not blatantly call out the specific residence.  

 

Beginning with that first image, a sizeable series has emerged. As of this writing, comprised of 25 images, 'rural winter' is not complete. It does represent a conscious and significant effort to collect and curate a series of consistent woks, a few of which I've shown on the blog previously.. 
 

rural winter library as of 2026-02-08

My own inspiration for this series, as I've mentioned previously, came from the works of a watercolour artist who paints winter scenes of stone heritage buildings in a minimalist setting.

 

So why then in my self-talk, when I see others pirating my idea, do I feel violated. Perhaps because I feel I've put the effort into creating something different, unique to my work. Should I? Am I justified in my feeling? Or truly, is "imitation the sincerest form of flattery"?

...  

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-12

 

Winter weather provides me with many opportunities for for photography and I don't always take advantage of them. I find my outings to drive the backroads within reach of home have become much less frequent. When I do take a backroad, stops to photograph have become less frequent and I find myself thinking "I should have stopped back there ... " and good photo opportunities are missed.

 

In an attempt to rectify things, on the heels of a chance finding of the scene in last weeks post, I purposefully gathered up the needed kit and headed out looking for additions to the series 'rural winter'  

 

' 6926 W C R 34 '

I've driven by this farm countless times as it's very close to home. I've made photographs at and around it but not composed in favourable winter conditions to create something worthy of including in 'rural winter', until now.

 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2026-01-05

 

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2026 !!!

 

' 1811 N '

I see many interesting farm scenes on my travels through Wellington County, Waterloo Region and on my regular treks through Grey and Bruce Counties on my way up to the cottage. Some time ago, I photographed one rural home and experimented with a processing style inspired by work I had seen from a watercolour artist. From that, I created a high key, heavily vignetted minimalist look and created my 'Rural Winter' series. Over time, as I've added to the series, I've become more aware of the type of scene that has potential and keep my eyes open for just such scenes.. 

 

A few weeks back, on a trip to the St. Jacobs Market, I found one that made me pull over to the shoulder, park and walk back 100m or so working on various compositional options. 

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Sidebar here ... I'm always entertained by the expressions of passing motorists as they try to see or figure out what the hell I see.

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This farm with lane-side trees casting shadow down the snow covered slope leading to the field was just right for the next addition to the series. 

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2025-04-28

 

 

' rural winter - VI '

Adding to my series ' rural winter ' with an image from earlier this year. This scene was revealed as I drove an unfamiliar road, more than enough to remind me to vary routes between regular destinations. Shot near St. Jacobs, I noticed the long entrance drive winding across a fresh blanket of snow, bracketed by s set of trees.

 

I had expected to expand the series with a number of images by now, and found myself pulled in other directions with my photography and this is the lone addition from the last two winters..

 

DJE