Monarch Butterfly
2011 - Day 220. Aug. 8, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph dominated by the color orange today.
There seem to be quite a few monarchs enjoying the gardens these days.MonarchButterfly60230097543652011AugustCollingwoodMonarch butterflydailyshootgardensummer
Wakeboarder
2011 - Day 219. Aug. 7, 2011.
The Wakestock Festival wraps up today, returning both the harbour and Millennium Park back to their tranquil norms.
As I mentioned in the description of yesterday's pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6014502491/in/photostream/ ) , I'm pleased with the way my 300 mm lens handled itself, capturing crisp action shots from the opposite side of the harbour.
In processing this pic I really wanted to concentrate on the action, and the look of concentration on the boarder's face, so I knew I had to remove the colour information, and minimize the cluttered background. After basic adjustments in Lightroom, I made two B&W conversions in Nik's Silver Efex Pro. In the first one I used the basic neutral setting. In the second, I used the orange filter to lighten the boarder's features, and cranked up the contrast 20%. I then layered the two conversions in Photoshop, with the more contrasty one on the bottom. I added a layer mask and 'painted' in just the boarder and the water spray. Back in Lightroom I bumped up the highlights to the point where they barely started to blow out. As my last step I cropped the photo on an angle. I think I accomplished my goal - the 'story' is all about the boarder.
Using the sliders to tell my story - Happy Sliders Sunday!Wakeboarder6017950013AugustCollingwoodCollingwood HarbourWakestockharboursummerwake boarderswaterHSS
Flying Through the Harbour
2011 - Day 218. Aug. 6, 2011.
The Wakestock Wakeboarding Festival is on in Collingwood's Millennium Park. While I didn't attend the festival, I was able to catch some wakeboarders in action from the other side of the harbour. This is the first time I've used my Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM for action shots. It behaved quite well!FlyingThroughtheharbour60145024913652011AugustCollingwoodCollingwood HarbourWakestocksummerwake boarderswater
A Sailor's Work is Never Done
2011 - Day 217. Aug. 5, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Create a photograph that illustrations connection.
The tall ships of the Toronto Brigantine Team are still moored in the harbour at The Shipyards. The young sailors are very busy doing maintenance work on the ships, and taking on supplies, in readiness for the new trainees who will be boarding tomorrow.Sailor'sWorkNeverDone60128874093652011AugustCollingwoodCollingwood HarbourToronto Brigantine Teamboatdailyshootsailboatsailorsummertall ship
Tall Ships
2011 - Day 216. Aug. 4, 2011.
This is a follow-up to yesterday's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6007081902/in/photostream ) . Owned by the Toronto Brigantine Team, these tall ships provide sail training for youths aged 14-18 throughout the summer months. Commanded by Transport Canada-licensed Captains, the Crew members are seasoned teenagers who have two to five-years experience sailing with TBI. Trainees join the ships for 5 – 12 day training courses on the Great Lakes. Looks like an incredible experience for these young people!Tallships60093724863652011AugustCollingwoodNottawasaga BayThe Shipyardssailboatssummertall shipsTorontoBrigantineTeam
Ship at The Shipyards
2011 - Day 215. Aug. 3, 2011.
It's been a long time since we've seen a ship at the north end of Collingwood's main street. This is one of two tall ships that have moored at The Shipyards condo development, on the site of the former Collingwood Shipyards.
It was grey and drizzling when I took the shot, rendering pretty crappy light, so I used one of my favourite Silver Efex Pro settings, Tin Plate.shipTheShipyards60070819023652011AugustCollingwoodThe Shipyardssailboatsummertall ship
Standoff
2011 - Day 214. Aug. 2, 2011.
Mr. Frog takes a breather on the edge of the solar blanket, from a particularly strenuous marathon around the pool. You see, he simply doesn't want to be 'rescued'. He's learned about the reach of my skimmer pole and has taken to sitting on the bottom at the deep end. He can hold his breath a very long time. I can see why he prefers my pool to the pond in behind us. There are no predators here, (yet), and the water is beautiful. (We use a UV light system for purification instead of either chlorine or salt.) However enough is enough! Once I catch this little guy he's being relocated to the next county ;-)Standoff60029822603652011AugustCollingwoodfrogpoolsolar blanketsummer
I Hope He Can Swim
2011 - Day 213. Aug. 1, 2011.
One of the great things about letting everybody know you're involved in a 365 project, is that people will scout out shots for you. Thanks to Paul, for calling me about this scene! Somebody has built a little Inuksuk close to shore at Sunset Point. The bay's just a little choppy today, which is good for this little guy. I doubt he'll stand up to the big ones when they roll in.HopeCanSwim59982923673652011AugustCollingwoodInuksukNottawasaga BaySunset Pointrockssummerwaterfrontwaves
Afternoon Shadows
2011 - Day 212. July 31, 2011.
It's started! Not quite August and the long tendrils of afternoon shadows are already weaving new patterns throughout my gardens. I used the the polar coordinates filter in Photoshop to 'encapsulate' the interplay of light and shadow.AfternoonShadows59967577623652011CollingwoodJulyabstractflowersglobehydrangeapolar coordinatessummer
Immersed in Art
2011 - Day 211. July 30, 2011.
Today was the second show in the Georgian Bay Artisan Market series. Hot and sunny, it was a beautiful day to spend outdoors, listening to the musicians playing on the patio of the Tremont, and discussing art with the people attending the show. I was totally exhausted by the end of the day, but enjoyed myself immensely. I received very positive feedback on the pieces I exhibited, and best of all, was offered a show in the fall in a marvelous venue!ImmersedArt59944317073652011CollingwoodDianeGeorgian Bay Artisan MarketJulyHSS
Fire in the Sky
2011 - Day 210. July 29, 2011.
Daily Shoot - We all have some sort of hobby or favorite activity. Make a photo that shows something you enjoy doing.
I'm a weather watcher! (After all I'm Canadian, eh? We're always talking about the weather). Weather systems never 'sneak up' on you where I live. We usually watch them coming at us from over the mountain, or across the bay. I took this shot last night from my front porch, right at sunset, as the storm clouds chased away the the last of the sunshine.Firethesky59882480833652011CollingwoodJulycloudsdailyshootduskeveningstormsummersunset
The Shipyards
2011 - Day 209. July 28, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Go meta and make a photo of a photo today. Don't just be a copy machine, however. Get creative with composition.
Where do I begin to talk about the Shipyards? My father worked there. Once Collingwood’s main industry, until closure in the mid 1980′s, the ‘Yard’ constituted part of the fabric of our lives as I was growing up. The Shipyards today is a huge condo development on the waterfront. This building, at the entrance to the old Yard is the Sales Office. On the wall is a mural painted by Beverley Smith that depicts shift change. I remember meeting my Dad on this corner, either to drop off his lunch box like the woman leaning down is doing, or to get a ride home with him.The inset is a photo that I took of part of that mural. I've had it printed on brushed aluminum and am thrilled with the result. You can see all the texture of the brick, but the metal shows through in the highlights. I'll have this print, (along with others), on display this Saturday at the Georgian Bay Artisan Market.TheShipyards59860883783652011CollingwoodJulyThe Shipyardscollagedailyshootmetallic print
Hydrangeas
2011 - Day 208. July 27, 2011.
Hydrangeas are among my favourite flowers. Mine are in full shade in my garden, so take a while to bloom. They're out in full bloom now :-)Hydrangeas59820790353652011CollingwoodJulyflowershydrangeamacromonochromaticsummer
Waiting for Harvest Time
2011 - Day 207. July 26, 2011.
Part of the identity of the Southern Georgian Bay area centers on the apple. The first seedlings were brought to the area in 1837. They thrived due to the fact that the Beaver Valley, to the west of Collingwood, has a unique microclimate particularly suited to growing apples. In fact Grey County grows more apples than any other county in Ontario.
In this shot, apple crates wait in readiness for harvest, still a month or more away. I'm really taken with the 'Antique Plate' setting in Nik's Silver Efex Pro. I layered that conversion over the original with a mask, so I could ever so gently paint back just a hint of the original colour. I think I've achieved the timeless look I was after.WaitingforHarvestTime59797864943652011Grey CountyJulyapple cratesmonochromaticorchardsummer
Neighbour
2011 - Day 206. July 25, 2011
Our cat Clyde has a friend. His name is Romeo and he lives on our cul-de-sac. Romeo is a beautiful senior, long-haired tabby, whose owner has him shaved each spring so she doesn't have to deal with his matted fur. I think Clyde feels sorry for him, greeting him each day with a sympathetic face rub. In this shot you can see that Romeo's finally starting to look like a cat again. He's sitting on the walkway in front of our house, waiting for Clyde, but intent on his water dish on the front porch. Clyde was inside but my husband and I assured Romeo that it was ok to drink from his dish. It's the neighbourly thing to do.
Taking Time to Smell the Flowers!
2011 - Day 205. July 24, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Find something beautiful and make a photo ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/616 ) .
Clyde looked so pretty as he stopped on his way through the garden to sniff the flowers, that I decided to go for a 'painterly' feel. I created a wide, soft sketch texture, adding a layer mask so I could 'paint back' detail in the cat to make him appear 'real' in contrast to the background. The resulting scene was so richly saturated though that I felt like I'd lost Clyde's character. Going monochromatic solved that problem.TakingTimeSmelltheFlowers59709802983652011ClydeCollingwoodJulyabstractcatdailyshootgardenmonochromaticsummertextureHSS
Do I Look Like I Want to Be Rescued?
2011 - Day 204. July 23, 2011.
This 'game' could go on all day. I scoop the toads and frogs out of the pool and minutes later they hop back in. This little toad had been 'rescued' several times before I finally gave up. Unfortunately he did end up with some of his buddies in the skimmer basket.LookLikeWantRescued59704342823652011CollingwoodJulysummertexturetoadyard
Solitary Daisy
2011 - Day 203. July 22, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Lose the rectangle today. Make a photograph with a square (1:1) aspect ratio ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/614 ) .
After all the winter damage we sustained, I decided to completely redo my front garden. Next year it will look stunning; this year it's a bit sparse. This lone daisy blossom looked like it needed to be framed. One thing led to another, and here's where I ended up.Solitarydaisy59647000833652011CollingwoodJulydailyshootgardensummertexture
Standing Up to Mother Nature
2011 - Day 202. July 21, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph featuring nature in some fashion ( http://www.dailyshoot.com/assignments/613 ) .
With humidex values hitting between 45 and 50 degrees C across the province today, heat records are being broken right, left and centre. This little chickory plant, growing in the middle of a bone dry, gravel path seems undaunted by the heat wave. It's just blowing in the breeze, soaking up the sun.StandingMotherNature5961479933CollingwoodJulyMillennium Parkchickorygravelpathsummerweed3652011
Clear and Cold
2011 - Day 197. July 16, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photo of something that sparkles in some way ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/608 ) .
Clear and cold, the water in the bay beckons to those who wish to escape from the heatwave that's settled upon us.ClearandCold59442892623652011CollingwoodJulySunset Point ParkdailyshootrockssummerwaterwaterfrontNottawasaga Bay
Pop Art Garden
2011 - Day 196. July 15, 2011.
Don't ask me why I even started down this path, let alone arrived at this destination. I went out to the garden to take a shot of something I cherish for today's Daily Shoot challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5940477704/in/photostream/ ) . Something in the light made me see this. Maybe I need to get out of the sun ;-)PopArtgarden59399420693652011CollingwoodJulyabstractflowersmonochromaticpop artsplit toningsummer
Nottawasaga Bay
Daily Shoot - Make a photo of something you cherish today in beautiful light ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/607 ) .
I love where I live! In this shot Blue Mountain is to my back and Nottawasaga Bay, (part of Georgian Bay, which is part of Lake Huron), appears in the distance. It's a beautiful part of Ontario!
For a very different shot of something else I cherish, my garden, see today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5939942069/in/photostream/ ) .NottawasagaBay5940477704CollingwoodJulyNottawasaga Baycloudsdailyshootfieldsruralsummer
Last Train to Collingwood
2011 - Day 195. July 14, 2011.
The last locomotive to run on the Barrie-Collingwood Railway line chugged along to its final stop this morning at the Canadian Mist plant. This is the end of an era that began with the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron, (later called The Northern), railway coming to Collingwood in 1855, three years before the town was incorporated. Last month, Collingwood council decided to discontinue freight service at its end of the Barrie-Collingwood Railway line, as it was financially unsustainable, costing taxpayers in excess of $300,000.00 per year in operating costs.
To emphasize the 'end of an era' mood, I processed the photo with the Antique Plate preset in Nik's Silver Efex Pro.LasttrainCollingwood59373855593652011Julymonochromaticrailwaysummer
Haying Time
2011- Day 194. July 13, 2011.
Hay bales dot the fields in the area.HayingTime59356182413652011CollingwoodJulyfieldhay balesruralsummer
Public Service Announcement - BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS!
2011 - Day 193. July 12, 2011.
If you do nothing else this week, back up your photos! I won't bore you with the details, but yesterday I lost every photo I've taken in the last three years! Fortunately the catastrophe occurred less than an hour after I'd done a backup! What could have been a disaster ended up being no more than an inconvenience. Back up your files right now! Are you still here? Leave...right now...back up your files!
P.S. I'm submitting this reminder for today's Daily Shoot challenge, make a photo of something you walk by every day without noticing, because it kind of fits. We don't notice our files, but just assume they'll be there.PublicServiceAnnouncementBACKYOURPHOTOS59354279933652011restore filesscreen capture
♫♩ Summertime and the livin' is easy...
2011 - Day 192. July 11, 2011
Daily Shoot - Change your angle today. Make a photo from ground level ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/603 ) .
I tried to portray hot and hazy here through split toning.Summertimeandthelivin'easy59265322313652011ClydeCollingwoodJulydailyshootsplit toningsummeryard
Sprinkler
2011 - Day 191. July 10, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photo that features stripes of some sort today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/602 ) .
I spent the day moving the sprinkler around the yard. My concern is more with the parched gardens than the lawn, but since the sprinkler was out, I watered the whole thing - first time this summer.sprinkler59242359243652011CollingwoodJulydailyshootsummerwateryard
Splash of Colour
2011 - Day 190. July 9, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Create a photograph that makes you happy today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/601 ) .
There's so much here that makes me happy!
Colour! I love colour - Canadian winter sharpens our appreciation of hue, saturation and luminosity.
My garden - I'm always thrilled when plants come back to life every Spring. And then there are the surprises. I didn't plant these violas, but there are beautiful masses of them in one of my flower beds.
Creating - I'm never happier than when I'm putting ideas together to see how they gel. In this case, I added a sketch layer to my shot. Next I added a watercolour texture and lastly blended the layers with 'multiply' to really punch up the saturation.SplashColour59195451553652011CollingwoodJulyabstractdailyshootflowersgardensummertexturesviolasHSS
Sculpture in the Garden
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph today dominated by dark values ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/599 ) .
Sometimes I think blossoms look even more beautiful when they're spent.
(Not sure if I misinterpreted the challenge or not, but the greens are very dark).Sculpturethegarden5912645933CollingwoodJulyMillennium Parkdailyshootsummerflowers
Ready for Takeoff
2011 - Day 188. July 7, 2011.
This small Cessna takes off almost daily from Collingwood's harbour.ReadyforTakeoff59126295733652011CollingwoodJulyairplaneharbourplanesummerwaterfront
Summer Breeze
2011 - Day 187. July 6, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something very green ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/598 ) .
I have three Arctic willow bushes in my border garden. They're simply delightful with a summer breeze blowing through them. I tried to capture at least a hint of their softly shimmering movement. I used my polarizing filter and managed to get a 1/4 second shutter speed at f/16 to get a balance of motion blur and detail.summerbreeze59100495283652011CollingwoodJulydailyshootmotion blurwillow
Hen and Chickens Trail
2011 - Day 186. July 5, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Pattern is built on repetition, like a rhythm. Make a photo of a regular or irregular pattern ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/597 ) .
We are very fortunate in the Collingwood area to have an extensive trail system. This segment, known as Hen and Chickens Boardwalk takes hikers through wetlands along the shoreline to the western border of Collingwood's Harbour. It's a trail I don't often take, but I'll be rectifying that situation. The views are gorgeous!HenandChickensTrail59070671313652011CollingwoodHen and Chickens TrailJulyboardwalkdailyshootsplit toningsummer
Sailing School is in Session
2011 - Day 185. July 4, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photo with a strong linear composition today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/596 ) .
What a gorgeous day for these young sailors to take to the water!SailingSchoolSession59019175253652011CollingwoodJulyNottawasaga Baydailyshootharboursailboatswaterfront
The Promise of Tomorrow
2011 - Day 184. July 3, 2011.
The dying light fell on daisies that did not bloom today. There's always tomorrow.ThePromiseTomorrow58989302473652011CollingwoodJulydaisieseveningsplit toning
Georgian Bay Artisan Market
2011 - Day 183. June 2, 2011
Saturday was the first show for the Georgian Bay Artisan Market. What a great day! The setting was perfect - we were nestled between Collingwood's new Library and the newly renovated Tremont hotel. Attendance was great, with people enjoying brunch on the Tremont's outdoor patio, relaxing to the live music, and soaking in the glorious sunshine. I met great people, got lots of good feedback on my photos and even made some sales :-). Congratulations to Silann Kaduc and her committee for organizing such a fun event! I can't wait 'til the Civic holiday in August for the next one!GeorgianBayArtisanMarket5896856583CollingwoodGeorgian Bay Artisan MarketJulyexhibits
Happy Canada Day!
2011 - Day 182. July 1, 2011
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph today that features the sky ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/593 ) .
Blue skies, warm temps, great start to the Canada Day weekend!HappyCanadaDay58907701053652011Canada DayCollingwoodJulydailyshootflags
You've Been Warned
2011 - Day 181. June 30, 2011.
This is a no longer used railway car, parked at The Station, Collingwood's former train station and now museum. I used the Topaz Adjust spicify setting to give it a grunge look.You'veBeenWarned58885266013652011CollingwoodJuneThe Stationrailway car
Door Permanently Sealed
Daily Shoot - What's the first thing you think about when you see the word "Deadline". Make a photograph of illustrating that thought ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/592 ) . I have actually enjoyed some deadlines, thinking of them as needed organizers, but when they come fast and furious, all lumped together, I feel trapped, even imprisoned. This is a no longer used railway car, parked at The Station, Collingwood's former train station and now museum. I used the Topaz Adjust spicify setting to give it a grunge look.
DoorPermanentlySealed5889074732CollingwoodJuneThe Stationdailyshootrailway car
It's a Question of How You Look at It
Daily Shoot - Illustrate choice in a photograph today. Be obvious or subtle. Your, ahem, choice ( ) .
Partially cloudy skies yielded patches of bright light and deep shadows across this oilseed rape field. It occurred to me that I had the choice to see this as a cheerful or gloomy scene. To emphasize that choice I layered a black and white version of the shot on top of the colour version, added a layer mask, and then used a black to white gradient to 'paint' back some of the colour.It'sQuestionHowYouLook5885190469CanolaJuneOilseed Rapedailyshootfieldselective colouringsummertrees
My First Metallic Print
2011 - Day 180. June 29, 2011.
You've seen this shot before ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5569875494/ ) . In preparation for the Georgian Bay Artisan Market this weekend, I had it printed at Poster Jack ( http://www.posterjack.ca/metalprints.php ) on brushed aluminum. I was nervous about this process, but the result is stunning! My photo doesn't do the print justice. It has a beautiful sheen that changes dramatically as the light quality changes throughout the day. The process doesn't use white ink, so you can see flashes of the brushed metal in the bird's feathers and the ripples on the water. I'll definitely be ordering more prints on this medium!
BTW, if you happen to be in Collingwood this Saturday, pop by the show at the new Tremont!FirstMetallicPrint58857543443652011metallic printposter jackswan
Please Use Other Door
2011 - Day 179. June 28, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features white in a dominant manner. ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/590 ) . I was thinking of a soft white-on-white for this assignment but that's not where I ended up ;-). I've photographed this downtown building several times in the last two years, but never ended up with anything I liked. This is definitely outside my 'norm', but I like its edginess.PleaseUseOtherdoor58824188723652011CollingwoodJuneblack and whitebuildingdailyshootdowntown
Morning Visitor
2011 - Day 178. June 27, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph with around the number three today. Three objects. Three colors. The number three ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/589 ) .
On my morning tour of my gardens this morning, I was delighted to come across a White Admiral butterfly, (Limenitis arthemis arthemis). This is a compilation of three of his poses layered in Photoshop.MorningVisitor58795415713652011JuneWhite Admiralbutterflydailyshootsummer
You've Got Mail
... or at least you should have soon. The Conservative government's legislation to end the labour dispute at Canada Post has finally cleared the House of Commons, and is headed to the Senate today for approval.
2011 - Day 177. June 26, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a monochrome photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/588 ) .
Ever since I saw Mike's mail pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/5835606867/ ) I've been on the lookout for interesting mail boxes. This one prompted a quick step-on-the-brakes-and-pull-over.You'veGotMail58727929633652011Grey CountyJunedailyshootfarmmail boxruralsummertractor
Deep in the Garden
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph today that illustrates attraction. Pick whatever definition of the word you'd like ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/587 ) . Surface tension is a powerful attraction! (My alternate shot is my 365 pic for today ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5870802739/in/photostream/ ) .)
Deepthegarden5871366498CollingwoodJunedailyshootdropsliliesmacrorainsummerwater
Morning Rain
2011 - Day 176. June 25, 2011.
I was able to grab a few shots in the garden this morning in between showers. It was so wet, I decided to take the easy way out. I set my camera up on the tripod and rotated the camera until I saw something in focus. This is it :-). It could be my alternate shot for today's Daily Shoot submission ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5871366498/in/photostream/ ) .Morningrain58708027393652011CollingwoodJunedropsgardenleavesliliesmacrosummerwater
