Zebra

The weather on the weekend was not conducive to having my camera out, and none of my indoor projects have inspired me this week.  So, I decide instead to experiment with new software on a photo I have worked on before.

I've edited this photo a few times, but recently purchased Silver Efex and wanted to see the difference in using that compared to Lightroom for a B&W conversion.  I am very happy with the results.
I’ve edited this photo a few times, but recently purchased Silver Efex and wanted to see the difference in using that compared to Lightroom for a B&W conversion. I am very happy with the results.

Frosty Morning Walk

I love the band of peach through the fog, and the touches of pink in the clouds.
I love the band of peach through the fog, and the touches of pink in the clouds.

Frosty Branches

The light this morning was stunning.  I don’t even have words for how beautiful it was, and doubt the photos do it any justice.  It was crisp this morning, with all the trees and grasses covered in thick frost.  There were banks of fog swirling around close to the river; alternating between showing the water and mountains, and obscuring them.  The sky was dotted with fluffy clouds, and the mountains all had a generous coating of snow… the early morning positively glowed and showed off the most subtle colour palate of pastel tones.  And, it was blissfully quiet, without another person around, just the dog with me and the birds singing their wake up songs.

All in all, the perfect start to a Sunday.

I took several photos of the frosty branches, and love the difference in colour between the one facing east (above) and the one facing west.
I took several photos of the frosty branches, and love the difference in colour between the one facing east (above) and the one facing west.

Frosty Morning Walk

The sun was just beginning to come up, had I been an hour later, the frost on the trees would have been long gone.
The sun was just beginning to come up, had I been an hour later, the frost on the trees would have been long gone.
With the sun up, it was time to head for home.
With the sun up, it was time to head for home.

Prisms

I’ve decided to start 2014 off by committing to taking at least one photo per day.  While I also want to commit to more regular blog posting, it certainly won’t be on a daily basis.  Today, I didn’t feel like heading out into the drizzly afternoon, and found myself wondering what photographs of my chandelier would turn out like.  Standard photos, it turn out, are not interesting at all, and only serve to remind me of how much I need to dedicate an afternoon to cleaning it.

The chandelier in my apartment close up… dust and all.
The chandelier in my apartment close up… dust and all.

The thing I like so much about this light fixture is the way it throws tiny rainbows over the walls and within the fixture itself, depending on the vantage point.  When I stopped trying to have sharp focus on the fixture, but instead concentrated on capturing the colours, shapes and textures, I liked the results a lot more.

There is still a hint of what this is, as the individual pieces of glass can be seen top left, but the colours are much more vibrant when the focus is reduced.
There is still a hint of what this is, as the individual pieces of glass can be seen top left, but the colours are much more vibrant when the focus is reduced.

When I removed all focus, I liked the results the best 🙂

Prisms Prisms

I love the tear-drop shape towards the centre of this photo.
I love the tear-drop shape towards the centre of this photo.

Prisms

When the focus is gone, it is all about shaw and colour.  I love how saturated the blues are.
When the focus is gone, it is all about shape and colour. I love how saturated the blues are.

Prisms-6 Prisms

Birds at Finn Slough

Swan

It’s been several weeks since I went on my last photo walk with my class, but life has gotten in the way of putting together a post of my favourite photos.

The purpose of the trip was to concentrate on the altered landscape, but instead I was focused on all the birds.  I rarely see swans in the local area, and on the drive in went past a field filled with them.  There was no where to pull over to take a photo, and I was glad when I arrived at Finn Slough and had another opportunity for a photo.

Mallard Ducks

Tucked up against the rain

Great Blue Heron in a tree

Cooper's Hawk

I was lucky enough to have my camera while out on a walk early yesterday morning along the dikes.  It was quite foggy, and I was hoping to capture a few shots for a project I am working on.  I saw some moment in the tall grasses along the edge of the river, and managed to capture a sequence of a Cooper’s Hawk hunting.  I didn’t manage to see in the end if he or she was success in the hunt, but it was still a great thing to witness.  The thick fog adds a bit of a vintage feel to the pictures.

Cooper's Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk-6 Cooper's Hawk-5 Cooper's Hawk-4 Cooper's Hawk-3 Cooper's Hawk-2

Autumn Days

Each year, the transition into autumn hits me harder and harder.  I find the grey skies and rain day after day a bit much to handle (the colder temperatures don’t impress me that much either).  However, we have recently had some gorgeous weather, and I’m glad I had my camera with me to capture a little bit of it.

Flock of Geese Sunny Afternoon Mountains Fun at the river

I had my “photo assistant” along to enjoy the lovely weather.  While I took photos of the river, he dug in the sand 🙂

Autumn Reflection

This young deer was not far from where I saw several bears a few days earlier.  I'm glad I was prepared this time with the correct lens.
This young deer was not far from where I saw several bears a few days earlier. I’m glad I was prepared this time with the correct lens.

Autumn Sunrise Foggy Tree Autumn Days Foggy Mountains Foggy Tree 2 Foggy Branches

 

Pacific Spirit Park

I spent time with my landscape photography class at Pacific Spirit Park last weekend, taking photographs on the theme of texture and patterns in the forest. It turned out to be a lovely day as the rains had stopped and the occasional sun beam burst through the trees.

I hadn’t planned on posting any photos, but when reviewing my favourites with some classmates in my Photoshop course, I was told that I should be enlarging and printing on canvas my forest photo. It’s not something I’m planning on doing, but I thought it is at least worth a share on my blog.

Pacific Spirit Park - Sun in the trees

Branches forming the shape of a heart
Branches forming the shape of a heart

Whistler

I spent the Labour Day long weekend at Whistler, enjoying wonderful company and witnessing the marriage of two lovely friends 🙂  The weather was perfect, and the beer and wine were free flowing.  I dragged up all my camera gear… and made very little use of it.  I was simply too busy relaxing and socializing to spend too much time staring through my viewfinder.

But I did take a few photos…

You can't get a more postcard perfect day than this!
You can’t get a more postcard perfect day than this!
The ski hills don't look nearly as inviting like this - but I certainly prefer the hot sunny weather to the snow!
The ski hills don’t look nearly as inviting like this – but I certainly prefer the hot sunny weather to the snow!
I'm not sure exactly what this little one is, but it stayed still long enough for a crisp close up.
I’m not sure exactly what this little one is, but it stayed still long enough for a crisp close up.
Green Lake and the mountains
Green Lake and the mountains
A beautiful clear night for a BBQ and some beers (I highly recommend Whistler Brewing Co. Grapefruit Ale).
A beautiful clear night for a BBQ and some beers (I highly recommend Whistler Brewing Co. Grapefruit Ale).
My first attempt at a star trail photo.  I had a few issues with the interval timer (i.e. not knowing properly how to set it) resulting in some gaps... but all in all I am not displeased with my first go.
My first attempt at a star trail photo. I had a few issues with the interval timer (i.e. not knowing properly how to set it) resulting in some gaps… but all in all I am not displeased with my first go.
A panorama of Green Lake, just past upper Whistler Village on the way to Pemberton.
A panorama of Green Lake, just past upper Whistler Village on the way to Pemberton.

Maple Ridge

I’ve been neglecting working on this blog for some time – and even though I don’t have much to say about these photos, I really need to get back in the habit of posting.

I spent some time out in Maple Ridge collecting a few final shots for a photography assignment, here are some of my favourites.

The forest at Cliff Falls, Maple Ridge, BC
The forest at Cliff Falls, Maple Ridge, BC
I love long exposures of moving water.
I love long exposures of moving water.

Cliff Park

Cliff Falls in Maple Ridge, BC with a long exposure
Cliff Falls in Maple Ridge, BC with a long exposure
I was taking interval photos to practice star trails, and while this one was quite boring, I did like this one photo.  I don't know if that is a plane or a shooting star going across the top o the photo.  September 2013
I was taking interval photos to practice star trails, and while the final star trail photo was quite boring, I did like this shot. I don’t know if that is a plane or a shooting star going across the top o the photo. September 2013

Nature – Close to Home

I’m currently taking another digital photography course, so I have been busy the last few weeks snapping photos to meet very specific parameters. I was happy as the assignment this week was for landscape photos, both natural and urban.

Heron Awesome cloud reflections

Moth

I don’t yet have a macro lens, but I do really like the results of the close ups shown below – even though they really make me feel as if fall is on the way.

Dandelion Blade of grass Spent flower

On a larger scale, I captured this lovely sunset near an area where I normally walk Spencer. I often see ducks, geese, heron and the occasional hawk and bald eagle in the area, as well as coyotes if we head out early enough.

River Sunset

Mountain Sunset

Not the sharpest photo, as I was looking towards the shoreline for photos that would highlight texture.  A beautiful sighting though.
Not the sharpest photo, as I was looking towards the shoreline for photos that would highlight texture. A beautiful sighting though.
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