“To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” - Elliott Erwitt
there was an incredible moon last night...I didn't have a camera and had to get to class, but it was just coming up, was so big, there were these great clouds, and it had this orange tint to it. I hoped it might do something similar tonight so I would have a second chance....unfortunately it didn't do quite the same thing, but it was still a beautiful clear night. a pretty lady hung out with me for a bit (a doe in the field beside me).
![]()
moon rising through the trees
jumped off the bus at bayshore, turned around and saw this. only had the point and shoot in the purse, but I actually kind of like the noise. handheld.
I've been out on a few night shoots with the photo club at work and it's been really productive for me. I'm not sure why but I just seem to be in my element at night, even though the temperature can drop down and it gets chilly fast! I"m posting the second night's shots since I'm kind of more excited about them. I've been going out lots since sunset almost coincides perfectly with when I get off work...but not for long!
More on the way...
More on the way...
Hallowe'en is hands down my favourite holiday. Who wouldn't love a holiday where you are supposed to defy social conventions and let out your inner *insert entity here* (devil, pussycat, monster, superhero, etc.)? I would have gone to shoot more of the neighbourhood, but wouldn't dare miss any of the trick-or-treaters at my own door. Had 29 this year...not a lot but up from previous years. Three very nice clowns admired my costume (a bumblebee that lost its stripes). I asked two kids if they were crazy-scientist-karate-kids, and they said yes, which leads me to believe that my guessing skills are quite good!
The moon...shot a while ago...but let's set up a mood here ok?
Oliver and Jack waiting for trick-or-treaters
Jack...fractalized. A new toy I've been playing with.
My poor little netbook is vehemently protesting all post-processing (I can't imagine how powerful an "atom" processor is...). Speaking of post-processing, I have an assignment due for my Photoshop class on Tuesday, which I was given 7 weeks ago...gotta get started on that right about now!
Hope everyone had a haunting Hallowe'en!
The moon...shot a while ago...but let's set up a mood here ok?Oliver and Jack waiting for trick-or-treatersJust for fun...the house. That's me in the top window on the left.
Jack...fractalized. A new toy I've been playing with. My poor little netbook is vehemently protesting all post-processing (I can't imagine how powerful an "atom" processor is...). Speaking of post-processing, I have an assignment due for my Photoshop class on Tuesday, which I was given 7 weeks ago...gotta get started on that right about now!
Hope everyone had a haunting Hallowe'en!
Hey guys...is anybody still out there reading this? If there is, I'll consider it a minor miracle (and owe you a huge thanks) since I've totally been neglecting my blog. Here's a composite I put together the other day--one shot from the garden and one shot from just outside my work. Nothing too special, but I've been thinking a lot lately about how I can make my work look different from the next person's. And I've set the bar pretty high for myself so that I won't post anything anymore unless I really like it.
I know I can't promise much....certainly not a photo a day like some people do...but I am going to try to be a little more consistent!
I know I can't promise much....certainly not a photo a day like some people do...but I am going to try to be a little more consistent!
Hmm...Well about a week has elapsed so I guess I am due for an update.
These shots are from immediately after the Prince Edward County trip. We were in Algonquin for 5 days. I saw some pictures of another route that looks just awesome and think I might try to do it for the end of the year...can't even wait for next summer!
I actually was hoping to get more great shots, but it felt like I always had the wrong lens on. It made me think I should have sprung for the 18-200 afterall. Nikon also has some new ones coming out, including a 25-300, that might be worth investigating!
The following morning.
I woke up really early, and fought the urge stay in the sleeping bag for a few more hours. Unzipped the front door of the tent and looked out at this! Guess it's worth getting up early afterall.
I have no idea what kind of growth this is, but it was HUGE. Like the size of, I don't know, 2 hamburgers or something? (Here's a little secret..it's HDR.) I just noticed it seems a little yellow...will fix that...
These shots are from immediately after the Prince Edward County trip. We were in Algonquin for 5 days. I saw some pictures of another route that looks just awesome and think I might try to do it for the end of the year...can't even wait for next summer!
I actually was hoping to get more great shots, but it felt like I always had the wrong lens on. It made me think I should have sprung for the 18-200 afterall. Nikon also has some new ones coming out, including a 25-300, that might be worth investigating!
The following morning. I woke up really early, and fought the urge stay in the sleeping bag for a few more hours. Unzipped the front door of the tent and looked out at this! Guess it's worth getting up early afterall.
I have no idea what kind of growth this is, but it was HUGE. Like the size of, I don't know, 2 hamburgers or something? (Here's a little secret..it's HDR.) I just noticed it seems a little yellow...will fix that...
Here are a few shots from my recent stay in PEC (the pictures don't really go together...). That place is so perfect....any place that combines birds, beach and wine is up there in my books.
winery cat (Hillier Estates)
the only thing better than going to Sandbanks is spending the night there too!
unfortunately the cheese factory was closed. but a few mailboxes were open.
Lightning is one of those things I have been wanting to shoot, but it's kind of hard to arrange, you know?
Last night was a bizarre night; there was lightning and huge clouds but not a drop of rain...perfect. I was a little worried about the camera getting a jolt (stand outside with a metal tripod and camera during lightning? smart?), but it was pretty far away. I would still like to shoot lightning again with some nice big fork lightning, since the one I got was just a teeny tiny little lightning bolt!
Sorry, I know the light trails are getting a little cheesy, but the foregoround was definitely less interesting without it.
Last night was a bizarre night; there was lightning and huge clouds but not a drop of rain...perfect. I was a little worried about the camera getting a jolt (stand outside with a metal tripod and camera during lightning? smart?), but it was pretty far away. I would still like to shoot lightning again with some nice big fork lightning, since the one I got was just a teeny tiny little lightning bolt!
Sorry, I know the light trails are getting a little cheesy, but the foregoround was definitely less interesting without it.
Only 2 classes left of my lighting class. I'm taking a minute to post a shot I took last night for one of my last assignments. Sometimes (most of this time) you have this vision and find yourself scratching your head and fiddling with the camera until you get it just right, and sometimes it just doesn't happen. Other times (almost never), everything comes together almost too easily. I had one of those moments last night shooting this pic. I was anticipating having a hard time with it, but we got set up, I fired a test shot, and BAM! That was it. I was like, huh, I guess we're done! I didn't even bother taking any safety shots. Thanks to Matt for posing for innumerable shots this past week and not complaining (too much).
It's the last few weeks of the course I'm in right now and crunch time so I've been pretty busy shooting, editing and printing.
We've been doing lots of portraits in the studio and I've been loving it. It's a challenge, but it's so rewarding to shoot people because they can give you feedback and they really appreciate it when you make them look good!
This particular shoot was very demanding. At one point there was 5 of them, including 2 kids, and it was a lot to manage, but I think I got a few good shots! 
More from the studio to come!
Thanks Rick for bringing in your beautiful family! It's great to work with you!
More from the studio to come!
I'm currently working on a catalogue and promotional material for a new outdoor furniture company. So far I have done a first round of shooting and will have to go back to shoot some of the newer pieces. 
The artist/craftsman is Ben Laughlin. He's an OCAD graduate and has worked in the construction, and has managed to combine art and building into these incredible outdoor pieces. Each one is totally unique. He does custom work and refinishing too.
He is having an open house on June 26, 2010, on Sand Lake near Godfrey, Ontario. Those who are interested, feel free to message me for details and directions.
Even though winter was short this year, it was still long enough to make me forget how awesome warm weather is. It seems this happens every year...every time spring rolls around I think I should take off to somewhere with a little more...heat. Don't get me wrong; winter is good too. It could just be a little....shorter!
I decided that I need to come up with a new name for this blog, cuz the current one is kinda boring.
I decided that I need to come up with a new name for this blog, cuz the current one is kinda boring. I'll hopefully be posting a few shots from my lighting class night shoot last night. We've had 5 classes so far, and my teacher has generally looked at my pictures with a little bit of a perplexed look on his face and said things such as, "you have a very creative mind," "hmm...that's interesting," and "don't let anybody rain on your parade...I like how you explore things and you should go with it." I'm interpreting this as "you're cuckoo." Hmmm....
a couple of shots I took for the last TC challenge. had some fun with this one!
Every year it's a struggle to get a great, really unique shot at Ottawa's annual tulip festival. At a cetrain point, after thousands and thousands of tulips, they all start to look the same.
here's my effort this year. i'm pretty pleased. the petals of this tulip had already started to fall off, leaving a view of the insides that is a little different from the usual "from the top" angle.
I've been meaning for some time now to try HDR photography. It seemed to be a little more work than it's worth, and I had mixed feelings about it. Well, I tried it out, and it's not difficult at all. And I am convinced that there are some situations where it really is advantageous....as long as you don't get carried away. I tried to keep them realistic looking. I didn't use a tripod for these, but will next time!
Curious to know what your thoughts are....
This third image (taken near the Lincoln Fields bus station) is not an HDR, but I took it today and it makes me happy.
Today I had the pleasure of attending a vernissage in Almonte that one of my fellow TC Photo Clubbers, Bob Boisvert (or as I know him, Captain Bob) participated in. Exhibiting is a significant achievement for any artist and the vernissage is a great way to celebrate all the hard work that goes into it and talk to the artists about their work. The work was all stunning and the venue was also beautiful. I was inspired to shoot afterwards and Almonte was a perfect setting.
Posts
