It’s a very rare occasion where you can return to the location where you made a good photo and try to make it better, especially a landscape photo.
A few years ago I made a photo of a horse grazing in this same spot. That photo has been very popular and was featured in the North Hastings “Destinations” guide. A local tourist publication. I even sold a few larger prints of it.
During a recent trip back to the Bancroft/Fort Stewart area, I drove past the same field and the horses were back out grazing. What was different, this time, was the wonderful fall colours in the valley behind them. The previous photo featured muted tones and layers of dark green and gray, whereas this scene shows the green-yellow colours of early fall transition. What I call a ‘fruit salad’ forest. The light this day was glorious and warm and nicely shows off all the layers and structures behind the horse as well as the tree and rock pile at the centre of the composition. It is also a calming scene. The horse is in no hurry, is very relaxed, not even paying attention to me making the photo, and the sky is a soft blue.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 80mm
1/125 sec @ f/5.6 +1.33, ISO 250
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It’s the end of autumn and winter is making its presence known across the country.
This seemed like an appropriate image for the day. On a hike a few weeks ago, I noticed this single maple leaf clinging to a tree. All the other trees in the area had shed their leaves, but this one kept hanging on. I feel that way too. Hanging on to the last moments of fall, knowing the cycle will complete and winter will arrive, at some time.
It has still been mild, but the occasional gust of chilly wind or squall of sleet reminds us that the inevitable is around the corner. But, I’ll hang on to this image, remembering the sweet, extended fall, in all its warmth and splendour.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 160mm
1/2000 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 250
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One of my favourite abstracts from this past autumn. This photo was made while hiking the Secord Conservation Area trails a few weeks ago. As noted on earlier posts, this year produced beautiful gold tones in the beech trees along the trail and the autumn sunlight filtered down to the forest floor, producing a beautiful soft, warm light.
I used my vertical pan technique to produce the abstract blur effect which has become a bit of my brand. Since it’s done handheld, the results are often surprising and a bit variable. I have a pretty good idea how it will look and carefully select a composition which will yield favourable results.
In this particular composition, the golden beech leaves are in the foreground with maples and pines in the background. There are beech leaves mixed with maple on the ground and some low greenery at the base of the maples. The overall result is a somewhat serene image with soft splashes of gold against a darker background. It’s an image I am often drawn to on busy days and reminds me of the quiet times on the hiking trails.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm
1/4 sec @ f/20.0, ISO 250
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The title for this photo did not take long to decide.
In pouring rain and heavy wind, at the end of my unsuccessful deer hunt, I was driving back to the cottage and noticed this fine fellow standing in a field next to the road, on private property, near a group of houses and cottages. I had my camera in the back of the car, not expecting any further opportunities because of the bad weather, and carefully pulled off the road, opened my door gently, closed it, ever so quietly, for fear of spooking him, grabbed my camera and walked back to see if he was still there.
Much to my surprise, my stopping and car doors opening did not seem to bother him. In fact, he probably did not hear me clearly due to the wind and rain. And, he would not have scented me, for the same reason. Thus, his senses were limited to sight alone. I suspect that’s why he’s craning his neck like he is. I could see him over a rise in the field and I expect his view was much the same. The pale white lines across the photo are caused by the two strands of barbed wire running through the frame.
I had spent the day photographing with my 70-200, because of the low light and wish I could have switched to my 70-300 to get a closer view, even though I did not use full zoom on this shot, in order to capture more of the background scene. Anyways, despite the conditions and circumstances, I was happy to see, and photograph, this beautiful animal before he bounded back into the forest, uncertain if I was actually a threat to him. Just another of those moments and memories I often talk about.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 165mm
1/60 sec @ f/4.0-.33, ISO 250
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Wow, I wonder who came up with this brilliant name?
I came across this rather bright fungus during a recent hunting trip. Well, it was more like walking through the woods with a gun, and a camera. It was certainly not an ideal hunting day, but the subdued light and wet conditions (it had rained for 3 days straight) were ideal for photography. I had my 70-200 f/2.8 with me to make up for the dark conditions in the forest. With this lense I can shoot down to 1/8 second handheld because of the excellent VR. That saves carrying a tripod everywhere, like I used to do.
This photo was made on a wood lot just outside Hermon, Ontario, in the Bancroft area. It’s a beautifully diverse forest with wonderful ancient stands of red pine, cedar, and maple, bisected by steep rocky ridges so typical of the Canadian Shield.
It was hard not to stop and photograph this wonderfully colourful fungus which just glistened in the rain. I was tempted to move the branch lying across the stump, but it adds to the composition, I think.
There is something about mushrooms and fungus that is inexplicably appealing to me, as well as several other photographers I know. They (the mushrooms and fungus) are very diverse in their colour and texture and only last for a short period, so that may be it.
Yet again, this is one of those natural compositions I see on a daily basis and like to share. I hope you enjoy it.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 135mm
1/30 sec @ f/2.8-.33, ISO 250
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Sometimes, with the right light, a simple scene along a roadside or a hiking trail can be a thing of tremendous beauty. It’s something I come across all the time. I tell my friends that this is how my eyes work, and I can’t turn it off, nor, would I want to.
Take as an example, the photo above. It’s just two oak leaves which have fallen and come to rest on a stump. My eyes are, for some inexplicable reason, drawn to these scenes. I look at the simplicity of the composition nature has provided and it brings me joy.
My dilemma, frequently, is how do I capture this moment in time effectively, so others can enjoy it too. Most times nature, and my knowledge of light and my camera, suffice. While, at other times, the elements just don’t align, or I get my camera setting wrong, and the scene becomes, simply a memory. If I go back the next day for a reshoot, the light is rarely the same, or some other element has moved or changed slightly and the magic is gone.
I’m learning, on every shot, what settings need to be made, based on failures and experimentation. Many times now, it’s just instinct, and I like that. There are images I could not have made a few years back and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.
In this case, all the elements aligned and my settings were OK, though I would change aperture if I had to re-shoot. I was drawn by the light on the oak leaves and, as I looked at the composition, I really liked the textures of the old log they were laying on. Oddly enough, in some cases I can’t really articulate what it is about composition that I find appealing till I get back to my computer and really look at the image, then it becomes obvious.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 155mm
1/60 sec @ f/5-.33, ISO 250
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Generally, titles for my photos come fairly easily. Not so in this case. I looked at the photo over and over and nothing seemed appropriate. It’s also a fairly tall composition, which I have stayed away from, unless absolutely necessary. After a while of looking at the elements, I thought, “This looks like a carnival, with all the bright colours mixing together.”
This is a hillside along one of the Secord Conservation Area trails. There are a lot of tall maples, beeches, and oaks in the foreground and some younger beeches (orange leaves) in the background mixed with a few maples which, for some reason, had not changed to their fall colours yet. The way the oranges and greens mixed together was interesting to me, and thus, the photo above was made.
It was also one of those days of soft, warm light that lit up the forest floor in patches and brought out some of the finer details of the tree trunks in the foreground. For me, just another glimpse into this serene place that I like to visit frequently.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 80mm
1/125 sec @ f/5.6 -.33, ISO 250
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Did I mention I love the light in the fall?
During one of my hikes this fall, I was covered with a glowing canopy of golden beech leaves, brightly lit by the sun. All the light around me was this beautiful, warm yellow/orange and the entire forest just glowed.
Amid all this warmth, it was difficult to isolate a single image that showed the source of this wonderful light. This image is probably the best representation of what I saw. Multiply this image by thousands and that would give a good idea of just how glorious the light was. The leaves literally looked like they were made of gold. Granted, some had some decay and did not look their best, but that was not noticeable till you got up close.
This particular cluster showed its finery the best, with nice structure and clean lines, against the darker pine forest in the background.
Whenever I look at this photo, it brings me back to the place and time when I made it and fills me with a warmth and longing to return, knowing it was just one of those fleeting moments that we can only return to in memory, but I’ll hold onto it, nonetheless and look forward to the next season with hopes that nature repeats her show once more.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 165mm
1/250 sec @ f/9.0 -.33, ISO 250
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This photo is pretty much a summary of how autumn has played out for me. We have had an extended season, with mild weather, sunny skies, and leaves that seemed to cling to the trees for weeks, despite frosty nights, rain, and wind.
Unlike a typical fall, where I’m looking out the window, anxious to get out and make photos before the conditions fade, this year yielded day after glorious day of great light, incredible colour, and beautiful weather to just ‘be’ in nature.
The photo above was made on one of our abundant local trails at the Secord Conservation area. This trail system is incredibly variable and switches from cedar swamp, to meadow, to hardwood forest in the span of a few kilometers. There are a few patches of large birch trees, which is the case above. Here the bright white of the bark of the birches contrasts nicely against the oranges of the beech and oak trees againsts the dark backdrop of pine forest.
I titled it “Another Bend in the Path” because that is exactly what it is. Every bend, every rise in the path, yields wonderful new view.
There have been some interesting conversations lately about my subject matter. People seem shocked when I tell them these photos are local and not in some far off, remote, location. I hold to the notion that great images are everywhere, but you have to get out and move around to find them and be there when the light is right. Those who spend time in nature frequently will know what I mean. A frequently viewed grove of trees will suddenly glow with light, for a brief moment, the light will hit a patch of forest floor and reveal details you never noticed before, and then, the moment is gone, other than the memory . This awareness of the beauty, variability, and complexity of nature is my sanctuary. It’s a place and time where I can recharge, renew, and just ‘be’. The added bonus is that I can capture some of these moments and be able to share them with others, who may not be able to get out and experience it for themselves.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm
1/125 sec @ f/5.6 -.33, ISO 250
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The final installment of my raindrops in fall series, for this year.
This photo was made a few seconds before my “Unexpected Beauty” image. The difference is really the background. This one is a bit darker and lacking the blue background of the forest.
It does show more of the raindrops, which is what initially drew my attention. I did not want to open close the aperture too much because I wanted to retain some of the soft bokeh in the subsequent layers. This one highlights more of the droplets on the branches, which really look like tiny glowing jewels against the greens and oranges of autumn.
Of the three images, this one is my favourite, because of the layers and how it really captured my viewpoint effectively. It is important for me, creatively, to portray things, as I see them, and I’m learning daily just how to do that, though the lense and through my words.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm
1/13 sec @ f/2.8 -.33, ISO 250
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This photo was made the morning after my prior post. It was also a dull rainy day near Bancroft and the sky brightened ever so slightly. The effect is very visible in the raindrops that clung to the branches surrounding me.
It really shows just how different the light is at different times of day, even when the sky is overcast. While the previous image is quite cool and blue, this one is bright and warm. The location is not the same either, but the effect of the water droplets and branches was the same. Like tiny jewels hanging from the branch.
Walking through the woods that day, despite the rain, was a real pleasure and yielded many nice photos, which I will share over the next few days.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm
1/50 sec @ f/3.5 -.33, ISO 250
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Nature is a glorious thing. Last week I took to the forest for my annual deer hunt, with camera in tow.
It was not an ideal year for hunting. A slow moving low pressure system had set in and I was faced with three solid days of rain, cold, and wind. This should not come as a surprise in November in Canada.
My real purpose to hunting has always been more about simply being out in nature and observing. A bonus, some years, is a freezer full of meat.
You often hear people bemoan bad weather. “It’s too dark, too rainy, too windy, for any good photos. Well, to me, the above photo proves that all wrong. If your eyes are looking for beauty, you see it, even on an overcast, rainy day. In this case, the rain had eased up a bit and some brightness in the sky lit up the drops of rain clinging to the beech trees. It was near dusk, so the background forest had just taken on a blue cast. The farm field in the foreground had hints of green from the grass that had not yet been heavily frosted. I was really trying to capture the bejewelled look of the branch in the foreground and the contrast of the orange beech leaves against the blue background. I think it turned out rather nicely. It put some brightness into a dull day.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm
1/25 sec @ f/2.8 -.33, ISO 250
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This has been a beautiful autumn. Generally, by this time of the year, the leaves are down and it’s hinting at the winter to come. It has made photographing fall colors a real pleasure. Bright reds and oranges are everywhere with a nice mix of yellows and some splashes of green, from plants less susceptible to frost.
The photo above was made along the 28th Sideline, in North Pickering, Ontario. The old maple trees here create a wonderful canopy over the road and there is not much traffic. The road itself is in the heart of expropriated lands destined, at one time, to become the new Pickering Airport. Those plans seem to have been put on the back-burner and some lands have been designated parkland. These lands, still full of fertile farmland, have fallen into disrepair, with a few farmhouses scattered across the vast acreage. Fields are still actively worked, but it has lost the feel of a once vibrant farm community.
The one gain in this situation is that there is a lot of land that has not been absorbed in urban sprawl and large expanses of rural wilderness can still be experienced here. I go to this spot every year, and it remains largely unchanged. A fun fact for me is that the eastern tree line (on the left side of the photo) is the eastern limit of the farm my mother-in-law grew up on. I’m sure she and her brothers played in these trees at some time.
Nikon D300
Tamron 18-50mm f/2.8 @ 36mm
1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100
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I’ll admit to it. I’m often looking for images to use as wallpapers for my desktop. I guess I have a bit of desktop ADD. I don’t like looking at the same images over and over and am always looking for something new and close to me. There are many times where I see a suitable subject and photograph it, with the sole intention of creating a desktop wallpaper for myself.
This past week I went for a walk along my favourite local hiking trail and the poplars were just dropping their leaves after a hard frost. There were a few ‘interesting’ leaves laying on the trail and a few stuck to logs along the way. I stopped to make photos of a many of them.
I liked the composition of this particular image and began to process it, only to be totally surprised at all the colours present in the fallen leaf. Really, there is purple and fuschia in this? I was seeing only the greens and yellows when I made the image. Nature is truly amazing, especially when you take the time to look closer.
I consider myself as an observer, but every now and then, the unexpected shows itself, as in this photo. I challenge all of you to get out there and observe. New perspective are in store and your assumptions of what is considered obvious, may be challenged.
Enjoy.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @185mm
1/50 sec @ f.\3.5 -0.33. ISO 250
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One of the wonders of photography, that I have noted before, is the fact that I can walk past a scene dozens of times and nothing ‘grabs’ me. In this case, there is a nice stand of poplars along one of my favourite hiking trails. I’ve photographed it many times and the results were “average”. I knew it had potential for a great photo, but conditions and lighting were never quite right to capture the photo I envisioned.
That was not the case last Sunday. On this particular hike, all the elements came together; the light, the colour of the leaves, the reflection of the bark, as well as the angle I was photographing from.
I carefully framed the shot to match my vision of the image, checked and double checked my camera setting, and made one single photograph ( a big risk there). I deliberately underexposed it, since I knew the tree bark could blow out some sections (I learned this through previous attempts).
When I got home and downloaded the images from my camera, I knew I had what I’ve been seeking. With only minor adjustments to compensate for the under exposure and a bit of sharpening, the image above emerged. It was all I had dreamt of. I also printed it as a 12×18 print and it now hangs proudly in my home gallery, where I can enjoy it as I work. I hope you enjoy it too!
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm
1/80 sec@ f/4.5 -0.33, ISO 250
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It’s fall. Time for me to get out into the woods and just enjoy being there. It’s been a late fall here and the temperature is still mild, considering the time of year. We’ve been visited by a few flurries and light frosts till last night. The colours are spectacular and trees slow to shed their leaves. Essentially, ideal fall conditions for photography and just enjoying nature, in all its glory.
I took a lunchtime stroll today and was surprised at how much colour was still present, despite our first real hard frost last night. I noticed a lot of leaves coming down and figured this might be my last chance to capture and share this beauty.
One of my go-to places is the local Secord Conservation area, just south of Uxbridge, Ontario. The trail winds its way through variable southern Ontario forest. Through groves of oak, maple, poplar, maple, cedar and spruce. There are meadows and swamps, high ridges and rolling hills. The Oak Ridges Trail Association does an amazing job at maintaining these trails, which I enjoy in all seasons.
I could not resist photographing this stand of birch trees next to the golden leaf-covered trail. The sun was bright with interspersed clouds, which made for great lighting conditions. I hope you enjoy my view of this walk as much as I do. More to come.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 @ 75mm
1/160 sec @ f/6.3 -0.33, ISO 250
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I love the way light plays through glass. In this case, a set of glasses set up for a formal dinner in the Casa Loma library. We did the ‘tourist’ thing a week ago with our cousins from California. It’s been a very long time since I have visited Toronto’s castle. The library is a large room that has been repurposed as a formal dining room and these glasses were set up on one of the many tables.
It seemed like a nice shot, with the light coming in though a distant window. The natural light intensified the gold colour of the damask table-cloth, making the glasses glow with gold flecks. It’s probably not a prize winner but an interesting image for me. I just like the way it looks. If I had to re-compose the image, I would have moved further to the right and centred the front glass a bit better.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm @ 1900mm
1/40 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 250
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Another long exposure from my visit to Toronto’s Casa Loma. This one is from the Conservatory. A bright spacious room, with a stunning stained glass domed roof. The Conservatory once once held beautiful plants in all seasons. Today it is largely empty but beautiful, nonetheless. The Conservatory is surrounded by large, ornate windows, has Italian marble floors in pink and grey and the walls are lined with pink Ontario marble, quarried in the Bancroft area.
I was fascinated by the fountain, located in an alcove, which was running very slowly and I wanted to see what the image would look like as a long exposure. By Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 has incredible vibration reduction, so I took my chances on a narrow aperture, long exposure, to see what the final image might look like.
The image above is the result of a 1/8 sec handheld exposure. It freezes the water drops as they fall from the fountain bowls, yet still captures the details of the fountain itself.
I have not been to Casa Loma for about 40 years. My last memory was going there on a school trip, but I remember how grand the building was. It was definitely worth the re-visit.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm @ 155mm
1/8 sec @ f/29, ISO 250
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On a recent visit to Toronto’s only castle, Casa Loma, I set out to make my photos with existing light only. It would be an interesting experience, since the castle is filled with so many 20th century items, including more telephones than I could count. It seemed every room and hallway had a phone. I suppose I should not be surprised, since there are 98 rooms in the 64,700 square foot building.
The lighting that day was very nice and I was able to make several photos of rooms and architectural details. This photo really appeals to me. Given the light coming in through the window and the dark to gold tones on the old telephone in Sir Henry Pellat’s Study, I was able to capture the image in a style that resembles a Dutch Golden Age or Baroque style. And, as I look at the image, I can only imagine the conversations that took place on this phone, so many years ago.
As I said earlier, this image was made using existing light only. Something the technology of modern photographic lenses makes possible through advanced image stabilization and fast optics. I was able to shoot this at 1/15th of a second, handheld, which is pretty awesome and opens up so many possibilities.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200 mm @ 95mm
1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 250
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This beautiful statue sits outside the Canada Post Office at Sparks Street and Elgin St.
I was standing outside, waiting for the rest of my group to mail something and thought this might make a nice photo. It was mid-morning and the light was softened by a low cloud deck. All the elements seemed to be aligned. The colour version was quite nice, but I really like him in black and white. All the tones and structure seem so much more pronounced. There is something about stone carvings that appeals to me. I can imagine the artist working on it and carving all the fine details. The other nice feature about this statue that I am more aware of now, is that it is not covered with ‘anti-pigeon’ spikes. I see that in a lot of old buildings lately. It was not something obvious, but when I review the photos I can’t help but notice. The netting and spikes keep the stone clean, but they sure a distraction from the fine workmanship. I guess it’s all about compromise.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm
1/400 sec @ f/10, ISO 250
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I find myself going back to my photo abstractions frequently. They bring me great pleasure, in that I never know quite how they will turn out. Don’t get me wrong, these are very deliberate photos, and I have a vision in my mind of the outcome. But, the random elements; light, speed, colours, and focus, all add their own unexpected twist to the final composition.
Case in point with the image above, I can see the scene very clearly and it lends itself well to a vertical pan. What I can’t predict, at least not yet, is what the effect of random branches across tree trunks, background reflections, and ambient light might have on the whole photo. I saw the branch across the tree in the forefront, but had no idea how the soft green leaves might play in the whole image.
This image was the result of a quick lunchtime excursion to a local conservation area. I just needed to walk among the trees. Being in nature is the place where I can really experience ‘living in the moment’. For some time, I was not sure what that expression meant. Apparently, this is a rare gift in our fast paced world. In the woods, the outside world melts away, and I am at peace. There is only me and only this place exists to me, at this moment. This place becomes my world and what is beyond is of no consequence. So, I am grateful for the ability to capture those moments that captivate me, while i’m in the moment, and share them. Hopefully, this image will resonate with others.
I called named the image “Into the Woods, Darkly” because of all the dark spaces I saw below the trees, even thought the sky was bright. The photo technique brings all the dark places into the light, which I found interesting.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 @ 70 mm
1/4 sec @ f/16, ISO 250
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Another image from last evening’s “Reservoir Walk”.
I could do a whole book on this beautiful place, just minutes from my doorstep, and often overlooked, even by me.
Just north of my home is a reservoir designed to control flooding in case of heavy rains. This reservoir is part of an entire conservation system install in the 50’s when hurricane Hazel caused tremendous damage in the area.
The result is a wonderful pond, bounded by woods and a nice trail system. The area was deliberately planted to encourage a natural look and reduce erosion. And, nature has a mind of its own that supersedes out human endeavours. Now the area is a mix of planted shrubs and nature’s own handiwork. It seems like a ‘nice’ place to walk, but I have had many awesome photographic moments in this humble location.
Yesterday, I went out in the evening because the light was so wonderful. The reservoir trails change appearance by the hour, as the light warms and cools, and the sunlight changes direction. Last night the sun was just beginning to set and did a marvellous job at lighting up the sumac leaves, many of which have begun to change colour to their bright oranges and reds. This particular cluster caught me eye and I was able to capture it nicely, without too many obstructions by doing a long zoom to 300 mm. The combination of the golden sun backlight and fall colours really made this ‘pop’. I hope you enjoy it.
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-300mm @300 mm
1/60 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 500
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September, the month where some days convince you that summer will last for weeks, yet others are stern reminders that change is inevitable. This holds true this year. After weeks of above average, sweltering days, the temperature plummets and we layer on hats and sweatshirts, wondering if this summer has passed us by.
The saving grace, for me is the gradual change of colours. The once verdant trees begin to shift to shades of orange and yellow. I do like the change and variety this time of year brings with it. I recall the days of new growth and flawless leaves. As I look around me now, those leaves are showing evidence of the hardships of days in sun and heat bring on. Edges are browned and shrivelled. Black spots of age dot the once pristine surfaces, leading to the inevitable fall.
Such was my walk today. The grove of poplars pictured above was a beautiful range of bright greens and yellows and the wind made them dance with life. Above me, a falcon disturbed the sparrows, who fled his hungry eyes with shrill chirps. The whole forest was alive with activity and bathed in glorious golden light.
I was happy to get out with my camera again to enjoy and capture this unique moment and, hopefully, bring some of that joy to others.
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-300 mm @ 95mm
1/4 sec @ f/25, ISO 250
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As I’ve said earlier, I like fine details and being able to reflect on them at a later date. That stand true for this photo of a sand sculpture at the Canadian National Exhibition. The sculpture take several days to create and are incredibly detailed. How the artists manage to keep them standing fascinates me.
The details and emotion in this face are simply beautiful and with the wonderful light, I could not help but want to capture it. if you look carefully, you can see the fine lines left by the sculpting tools as well as just ‘how’ the eyes were crafted. Keep in mind the scale of this sculpture, It’s about 8 feet tall! By the way, it was the 2015 Grand Prize Winner
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-300 mm @ 70mm
1/13 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 3200
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I love fine details and textures. It’s especially those little details I notice after having walked by something dozens of times and I find myself wondering, “Why did I not notice that earlier?”
One of the joys of photography is being able to capture those moments and reflect on them later. Above is a bronze statue of fish outside the Food Building at the Canadian National Exhibition. I’ve been going to the “EX” since I was a kid, and spent a fair amount of time inside the food building. In that time, I suppose that I have never exited via the west-facing doors? Not sure, but I certainly never noticed this interesting statue by Jean Horne. It has a very Art Deco look and I like how it’s installed over a small reflecting pool. How many other have walked past this statue and never noticed it? It is incredible, in our busy world, how we can miss so much. I’m just happy to be able to slow it down for a moment, to enjoy that moment, and to be able to take it with me, as a photo.
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-2000mm @ 80mm
1/250 sec @ f/8, ISO 250
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A revisit to what started as a beautiful mid August day at Sauble Beach this past August.
We had heard forecasts of rain all day, but the day started out sunny and windy. Since it was too windy for a good game of volleyball, we all headed to town for a bit to shop. Shortly thereafter, the clouds, which had been hanging far out on the lake started to roll in and thicken. From town, I could see the thin gray clouds start to thicken and take on strong structures and definition. So, I headed back to the cottage to retrieve my camera and head across the road to the beach.
This is what greeted me. A solid wall of black cloud with clearly defined shear zones. The wonder of Lake Huron is that it is so big and scenes like this may be taking place at a fairly long distance. As I stood and watched, a secondary dark cloud formed at the frontal boundary and began to roll like a wave against the other cloud at this ‘transition’ line. It was very dramatic and I was happy to be able to capture it while staying dry. This cloud movement went on for a long time over the water before it gradually moved to shore and started to rain. All the while, many people carried on watching the drama unfold in front of them and still swimming in the surf caused by the storm.
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-300mm @ 86mm
1/60 sec @ f/10, ISO 280
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A very pleasant day in Old Montreal.
In my 50 some years growing up in Canada, I missed this marvel of culture. I know it has existed in various iterations and many of my friend s have enjoyed this cultural gem in my absence. I discovered Old Montreal a few years ago, while visiting with cousins and long to return whenever I get the chance, especially on recent business trips.
Montreal has a gorgeous “Old Town” near the port of area Montreal known as “Vieux Port Montreal”. This area is known for its European look and feel (and some rather fine restaurants).
This particular photo was made in late May. The day was unusually hot for the time of year and Betty and I spent some time touring around and enjoying the atmosphere, before sitting down for a wonderful dinner at a local steak house. The nice thing about May is the soft light at the end of the day and how it filters down the narrow streets.
This was a fairly complex photo in that it was significantly underexposed to avoid blowing out all the details in the sky and background buildings. I spent a bit of time dodging and adjusting shadows in Adobe RAW to bring out the details in the foreground to capture the interactions of the people in the street, which was an important part of this composition.
In the end, I was pleased with the details I was able to recover for the shadows to recreate the scene as I saw it that warm, late spring day, a few months back.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm @ 70mm
1/200 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 250
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This is a VERY recent photo I made this past weekend during a family event near Ancaster, Ontario.
As usual, I had my camera along to capture those family moments, but I found my kids had that pretty much covered off. Yes, my children like photography too. I had visited this location many times before and had photographed it many times, and so, was having a hard time figuring out what I might photograph that had not already been done. Photographer’s block?
After dinner, I walked out into the nearby corn field looking for opportunities. Last Sunday was a hot, somewhat humid day, typical of southern Ontario this time of year. The forecast called for a chance of showers, but as the day progressed, the showers never materialized. But, some beautiful clouds formed. As I walked the field I was struck by the appearance of this particular cloud in the distance. It had the making of a potential rain storm. It was big, billowy, and white, with the appearance of cotton balls. What set this cloud apart was the contrast of dark portions in the foreground against and white clouds within the same structure, against a deep blue blue sky. All this floating over fields of corn and a few trees.
I made the photo and when I got to my iMac to process the image I found it required very little work. I boosted the contrast a touch to get the ‘look’ of the cloud as I remembered it. Then, I just desaturated the whole thing and sharpened it a touch. The result is the attached image. For me, it really portrays the scene as I saw it, with a bit of extra drama for the black and white treatment. Overall, I am very pleased with this photo and hope you enjoy it too.
Nikon D300
Nikor 70-300mm @ 70mm
1/400 sec @ f/10, ISO 250
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Another favourite photo and a venture into street photography for me. This photo was made last year at Toronto’s annual Buskerfest.
I was walking the street, knowing there would be some interesting scenes to photograph. The street was extremely busy and it became difficult to get a shot that was not full of distractions. I like to isolate my subject as much as possible. Off the main venue, Toronto’s Yonge Street, which is closed to traffic for Buskerfest, there were several people sitting and chatting, including this woman, who was searching through her purse for something. For her, it was a break from the busy crowds and a chance to sit and have a smoke.
Originally, I had titled this image “Old Lady at Buskerfest”, but on further reflection, I can’t tell if she is really that old. I don’t know her story, but the photo makes me want to know more. For now, it remains a moment in someone’s life, captured in a single image.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 @185 mm
1/60 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200
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This remains one of my favourite photos. Partially because it was just a chance, unplanned, opportunity and secondly due to the sense of serenity it instills in me.
The unplanned aspect of this photo was that I was travelling to the Yosemite Valley proper, with the intention of photographing some of Yosemite’s grand waterfalls. On the trip in, I happened to glance over my shoulder into one of the many steep ravines that the road crosses. I noticed a small cascade and pulled the car over to have a closer look.
As I descended into the gully, I was greeted by this gorgeous scene of Alder Creek flowing over and around the moss-covered boulders. I was especially drawn to the water flowing lightly across the round boulder in the foreground.
I find myself going back to this image time and again when I need to wind down. As a photographer, I’m finding more often, that these chance encounters, with my natural surroundings, provide more satisfying and unique images than some of the grand vistas.
I hope you enjoy it too.
Nikon D300
Tamron 70-200mm @ 70mm
0.4sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200
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Ed Lehming Photography 
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