D J England Photography: sunlight

Showing posts with label sunlight. Show all posts

2026-09-14

Photo of the Week 2026-09-14

Away on an annual golf trip to Grand Falls, New Brunswick I hadn't intended much in the way of photography. Though I had a capable small 'point 'n shoot' camera with me, I mostly used my phone for snaps on the courses we played.

One morning, while the others slept in, I was having coffee on the deck looking out to the river. The humming birds were humming at the feeder near my left shoulder, Blue Jays and Crows were beginning to make themselves known as the sun continued to rise. I looked to the opening in the trees along the Salmon River and made my way off the deck to catch this lovely little scene.

' down by the river '

' down by the river II '

I find it interesting to see the effect of focal length in these images. Both were shot from exactly the same location. I no more than shuffled my feet as I switched from 'normal' to 'wide' view on the phone.

In the first, normal, the branch of early autumn red leaves and the river take on prominent subject roles whereas in the second, wide' I find that it's the sunburst, shadow and light that grab my attention with the red leaves and river relegated to supporting roles.

DJE

2026-09-07

Photo of the Week 2026-09-07

I'm always on the lookout for wildflowers in and around the cottage.

' sunlit fringed trio '

This Blue Gentian, was new to me. At first I thought there was a single plant and as it turned out, there was an abundance of it growing on our rocky shoreline.

Using some of the simulated ICM techniques I've been developing and enhancing the bright sunlight I was able to create this ethereal image.

DJE

2026-06-15

Photo of the Week 2026-06-15

I was looking through my candidates for posting / processing and came across images from a 2023 golf trip to Grand Falls, New Brunswick. Given recent discussions of upcoming golf trips "out east", I was tempted to look deeper.

Grand Falls was flowing heavier in 2023 than I'd seen in previous visits. With the evening sun low in the sky providing back-light for the mist off the falls, I made a stops along the lookouts at the bridge and visitors centre during my walkabout.

' grand mist '

' flowing grand '

DJE

2026-05-18

Photo of the Week 2026-05-18

' serviceberry in sunlight '

Driving local backroads in spring, I had an idea to capture a lone serviceberry in isolation blooming among the barren tree trunks of other wetland dwellers.
While unable to find the scene I had envisioned, there were variations of the theme available to show their brightly delicate spring blossoms.

DJE

2025-10-06

Photo of the Week 2025-10-06

Mornings in the forest are absolutely magical ...

' light to a stump '

' light to a trunk '

... with sunlight penetrating through breaks in the canopy.

DJE

2025-08-18

Photo of the Week 2025-08-18

I feel my increased awareness of scenes, subjects and the surrounding world around is a symptom of having caught "photographer's eye".

' morning light on small spruce '

Just when, during this journey I caught it, I'm not certain. Though I am certain it is not fully advanced and likely never will be. There are assuredly stages of the condition, mine moderately advanced I think.

There is no clinical test to verify the condition. One must just accept the visual joy of distractions such as morning light on a small spruce.

DJE

2021-12-27

Photo of the Week 2021-12-27

From a morning wander at Revolve Farms ...

sun through the barn wall

DJE

2020-03-16

Photo of the Week 2020-03-16

It's the middle of March and I find myself in a time lacking photographic inspiration from the outside world. Gone are the wondrous scenes blanketed in freshly laid layers of snow, the invigorating outings in cold, crisp air. I am resigned to sit patiently and wait for the arrival of spring with it's fresh green new growth, the bright colours of wildflowers and returning birdsong.

I will still venture out, camera in hand, but these next few weeks are likely to be filled with reflection and anticipation rather than collection of fresh, new images. Knowing this would be the case, I've been flagging photos as possible blog post candidates and will begin this week with one (or two) that I "saved" from an outing just a few weeks ago.

On an outing to capture the frosted fresco provided by Mother Nature along the Wilson Flats, I concluded by driving along the road that follows the Grand River valley west of Elora. On the search for a vantage point to photograph the frosted river valley a roadside frost rimmed tree caught my eye and ...

Sunshine Valley Rimmed in Frost

... it made the perfect foreground for a shot out over the landscape into the morning sun. For the main image, I chose to close down the aperture to f/22 to get the sunburst effect. Other images were made without the sunburst but I prefer this one.

As I frequently do, I made compositions of the scene in both 'landscape' and 'portrait' orientation, both of which worked in this case.

Sunshine Valley Rimmed in Frost II

DJE

2019-11-04

Photo of the Week 2019-11-04

Words from a post two weeks ago ...

"Fall is a great time to get out and work on forest scenes here in Ontario, and then it can be almost too easy when fall colours are at their peak. Pointing the camera almost anywhere when you're in or near a forest can result in some striking photos. The colours are always inspiring and it's great getting out to bask in the forest, taking in the sounds, the sights, the smells and it's healing goodness ...
... As I strive to translate what I feel into a finished image, it's taking quite a bit of work, quite a bit of time and ... I just don't have anything ready to share for this week's photo. But soon, I hope."

This week, I think I have something ready.

Recently I had decided to get out more, specifically to work on my woodland photography. A foggy fall morning provided a great opportunity, and, after a good while of being preoccupied by just the glorious combination of sun and mist in a local wood lot, I got down to it. The original goal was to create something more purposeful, more compelling, more than just a pretty snap of the sun and mist. I wanted to work a composition that spoke differently of the woodland, one that told a story.

sign post

Working alone for the most part, I find it very helpful to study the work of other photographers. Sometimes this is simply viewing their images but with all that is available today, I'm finding YouTube to be a great resource. Often as I work through my image catalogue, downloading the latest shoot or editing a particular image, I have a YouTube video playing. It could be music, it could be a comedy skit, often it is something from another photographer.

These guys have been my latest inspiration ...

Simon Baxter Thomas Heaton Adam Gibbs Gavin Hardcastle

Thanks lads !

DJE

2019-09-30

Dawn of a second Decade ...

Committed to continue and looking for the way forward on this journey, a return to the past seemed a good start ...

de' light at dawn

On a morning walk along the Eramosa River, west from Rockwood to the mill ruins and Rockwood Falls, the arrival of light filtering through a thin morning mist provided a wonderful tranquil atmosphere.

My presence startled not one but two Great Blue Herons into flight at separate locations along the way, prompting me to take note for a return in stealth, prepared with gear that might allow me to get a decent GBH image or two.

Continuing along the trail, memories of past visits played through my mind as familiar scenes and presented themselves. Blissfully lost in the moment, I turned around to see this ... simply delightful scene.

DJE

2019-05-20

Photo of the Week 2019-05-20

afternoon trillium patch

Every spring the trillium of Victoria Woods bloom in a magnificent patch extending on either side of the trail. There are Red Trillium sprinkled amongst the mostly white Provincial flower of Ontario.

This is a favoured location to enjoy and celebrate the true arrival of spring.

DJE

2017-07-10

Photo of the Week 2017-07-10

While on vacation last week, we decided to take a sunset cruise. It's closing in in four years since we bought the cottage and there are a few "tourist things" we have yet to do. This cruise was one of them.

We had decided to tack on an extra night, Monday, after the long weekend and that night provided a clear sky, and calm if a little chilly, conditions for the cruise. It was cool to see the shoreline between Tobermory and Cave Point from the water having experienced most of it on land while hiking sections of the Bruce Trail.

cave o' wonder

Though the scenery was gorgeous, it proved difficult to capture images that convey the beauty and scale of the escarpment shoreline. From all the images I made, I selected this from just south of Indian Head Cove and cropped to remove what sky was in the original frame to give a sense of what I felt as we passed along the shore.

I continue to try new post processing software to replace the NIK Collection that Google has abandoned . For this image I performed basic adjustments in LR, Topaz Suite and reverted back to NIK Color Efex for the vignette/border that I have yet to find a alternate app for.

DJE

2016-05-16

Photo of the Week 2016-05-16

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. Robert Louis Stevenson
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/forest_2.html

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit."

- Robert Louis Stevenson -

'a walk through the trees'

... and a spring walk along a favourite trail, with shafts of morning light penetrating the freshening greens, is the perfect place to take in 'that something'

Along the way, I was treated to the songs from birds returning on their trip north for the summer. I'm not able to identify many of the species from their call yet, but I'm working on it. At one point in my walk, I broke into a broad smile as I recognized the calls of a merlin pair. Two years ago I caught sight of a mating pair in the same area. Then, they were caught up in their aerial courtship atop a tall spruce visible from the road as I passed by along the roadway. This time I first heard only their calls back and forth. One was close, very close, so I stopped and scanned the tops of the trees, catching sight of one.

I'm not good enough with my identification to know if this is the male of female, I need to see them together ... perhaps on my next visit to renew my weary spirit.

DJE

2016-03-21

Photo of the Week 2016-03-21

Every once in a while it's good to exercise creative muscles. When it comes to my photography, that means shooting something different from time to time. To help me work more of this into my shooting schedule, I've committed to attending more of the presentations and outings made available through the two photo groups I belong to. One recently provided an opportunity with generous access to a prominent Guelph landmark, the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. The opportunity to revisit some architectural and documentary photography provided some of that much needed excercise and a break from the nature and landscape photography that I have enjoyed over the past months.

In the days leading up to the outing, I pondered what approach I would take, how to capture something different, and what gear, particularly lenses I would use. Photographing the expansive interior of this iconic church proved to be a great opportunity to give my wide angle eye and respective lenses a bit of a workout.

sanctuary

I made this image with an 8mm fish-eye on the 7DII standing literally with my toes bumping up against the step to the sanctuary. In this situation, I felt that the distortion created with the fish-eye conveyed the sense of grandeur in this space.

DJE

2015-10-15

mornin' grove

I love fall and the dramatic, colourful changes it brings to out landscape. It's such a great time to capture images of natures fabric in all it's hues and textures.
In contrast to the brilliant reds and oranges in some areas, I'm also moved to photograph the more subtle yellow and paling greens, particularly in wonderful morning light.

mornin' grove

DJE

2015-07-27

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

2015-04-20

Photo of the Week 2015-04-20

into the light

I've been finding it all too easy to just sit, have coffee and relax in a peaceful setting on those mornings when I'm at the cottage. While this is a welcome change form the usual morning routine of a work day, it doesn't do much to help me get the photographs I want to capture. So I've been trying to find motivation to get out early in the morning for some photography, while the light is still good.

This time of year, sunrise comes around 6:30 am. The weekend was here and after getting out of my weekend morning ritual, it would have been easy to to just say "screw it, there's always next week". Having to catch a flight on Sunday evening for a business trip next week, I had not gone to the cottage and had not committed to a morning photo outing ... until I got up.

It was 5:30 and I could either settle in at the computer or start getting ready to haul my butt out to a location and get back into what has brought me much satisfaction. It was an easy decision, I made some coffee, got dressed, decided on Dundas Valley as a location and packed a waist-pack with some gear.

When I started out from Guelph, the morning was clear and sun had already crested the horizon. My thoughts of catching early morning mist evaporated but I continued on to Dundas. Along the way, traces of mist over farm fields came and went, with one location giving me cause to stop and make this image "daybreak". Back in the vehicle after a the quick stop, I continued on to a parking spot that would provide access to Dundas Valley Conservation Area without having to worry if HRCA had open gates before their stated 8:30 opening time. Obviously they're not photography minded, parking opens at 8:30 - well after sunrise and street parking is not allowed anywhere near the formal entrances to their facilities.

I set out on the trails with the hemlock grove as my destination, still hoping there may be some lingering mist. Along the way, there were many scenes and subjects that greeted my eye, meandering creeks, old apple trees, backlit pines and morning shadows everywhere ... oh how I've missed photography at this time of the morning.

DJE

2014-08-11

Photo of the Week 2014-08-11

As a photographic exercise, I spent a couple of hours or more early Sunday morning along the shoreline immediately in front of our cottage. I was simply looking around, capturing the light from the rising sun as it washed over the landscape.

Sometimes I sat, sometimes I stood, sometimes I knelt, just taking it all in and getting different points of view. At first the air was still and carried only the sounds of gulls and terns. Then the rumble of a large passing sailboat, under power, headed out on Lake Huron off Cape Hurd. Gradually the sounds of neighbouring cottagers rising to begin their day could be heard travelling over the still water of the bay, a door closing here, voices over there. This was the background music as my eyes continued to sweep over the terrain, picking out details like grass glistening with dew in the low angle of sunlight, reflections on still water, shadows on the textured rock.

I lost myself and lost track of time for a while. How wonderful. What a way to start my day. There are images to be found in any scene, just let yourself get lost in the process.

the ground at my feet
morning, in the light of rising sun, near water's edge

DJE

2013-08-05

Photo of the Week 2013-08-05

At it's core, this blog is about photography. It was started it as a result of my enthusiastic return to the creative pursuit of photography after years of using a camera sporadically, only to take "snapshots". My photographic journey has pushed me to open my mind, encouraging me to explore and experience the subjects of my photographs and their environment.

Overall, I now find myself making less images on my photo outings. It is not something that I try to do intentionally. It is something that has developed with my maturation as a photographer. No longer do I suffer the uncontrollable urge to begin shooting away indiscriminately when first presented with a subject. This doesn't mean that I'm not excited at the prospect of a new location or scene, just that I find my approach more refined and contemplative.

This weekend's outing took us to the Cheltenham Badlands. Arriving just after sunrise in the brisk morning air, I began by moving around the location, exploring different vantage points. The sun was moving too, cresting the horizon, selectively waking the landscape as it slowly rose higher in the sky. Contemplating the development of an image, when the time was just right, I made my way to a spot where I could isolate a lone tree against shadowed background as sunlight called on it to start a new day.

daylight cometh to the badlands

Not only has this journey providing opportunity to be creative through photography, it has lead me to explore creativity in other ways. After working this location for a while and making most of the images I would capture on this day, I broke from photography to sit and sketch. Yes SKETCH. Now, carrying a sketchbook and pen will be the norm when I'm out photographing. The act of sketching makes me take notice of the subject in different ways. There is a calming, meditative quality about sitting with sketchbook and pen. I hope this will ultimately improve my photography.

I have Patrick to thank for encouraging me after recent discussions around our photography led to the subject of drawing and sketching. It had always interested me but I lacked the confidence to start, thinking I had no talent for drawing. It may still be that I don't ... but I now know it doesn't matter. It's all part of the journey and at this stage, one to new and vulnerable to share openly yet.

Doug at work - by Patrick Boerlin 2013

Oh, and here's an image of me while I was working the location, taken by Patrick just before I looked up and caught him photographing me :-)

DJE

2012-09-03

Photo of the Week 2012-09-03

I took a couple days of vacation recently to head up to Tobermory with a buddy for some photography. The Grey-Bruce area and particularly the Bruce Peninsula is a favourite location for landscape and nature images but there are countless old farm and rural structures that make excellent subject matter as well.

We left Guelph early in the morning so we could reach our first stop near Chatsworth while the sun would still be low in the sky spilling light on to some farm ruins and a small rustic cabin. My buddy had been wanting to shoot the cabin in the right light for a long time and I found interest in the farm ruins that had deteriorated significantly in the couple of years since I had first photographed them.

I crossed an area of knee high grass to get to the barn structure and found myself getting soaked from the dew. As I rounded the north-west corner of the barn, I saw light streaming through a large garage sized opening onto some goldenrod. I made a few images from this point of view and then continued around the barn. When I stepped into the light from the opening I was struck by the scene captured in this week's photo.

morning on the farm

It took a little bit of post processing to hold back the extreme brightness of the sunlight in the sky and then to bring out some detail in the shadow of the log roof over the opening.

It's encouraging when the first stop on a photo trip yields a great image.

DJE