Collingwood Murals #6. Early 1900's Streetscape
365-109. April 19, 2009. The sixth in my series of downtown Collingwood’s painted murals. Collingwood in the early 1900’s, painted by artist John Hood.
CollingwoodMuralsEarly1900'sStreetscape345755205336520092009365365365 photosJohn HoodmuralheritageOntario
Collingwood Murals #5. Early 1900's Streetscape
365-108. April 18, 2009. The fifth in my series of downtown Collingwood’s painted murals. Collingwood in the early 1900’s, painted by artist John Hood.
CollingwoodMuralsEarly1900'sStreetscape345829733836520092009365365365 photosOntarioheritageJohn Hood
Collingwood Murals #4. Early 1900's Streetscape
365-107. April 17, 2009. The fourth in my series of downtown Collingwood’s painted murals. Collingwood in the early 1900’s, painted by artist John Hood.
CollingwoodMuralsEarly1900'sStreetscape345743801136520092009365365365 photosOntarioheritagemuralJohn Hood
Collingwood Murals #3. Early 1900's Streetscape
365-106. April 16, 2009. The third in my series of downtown Collingwood’s painted murals. Collingwood in the early 1900's, painted by artist John Hood.
CollingwoodMuralsEarly1900'sStreetscape345817451036520092009365365365 photosJohn HoodOntario
Collingwood Murals #2 - the Petun
365-105. April 15, 2009. The second in my series of Downtown Collingwood's painted murals. This one painted on the wall on the arena pays tribute to the area's early Petun inhabitants.
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Collingwood Murals #1 - Fishing in the Harbour
365 -104. April 14, 2009. Downtown Collingwood's Heritage District is home to beautifully painted murals depicting the town's history. This one, painted on the wall on the arena, celebrates the area's fishing industry.
CollingwoodmuralsFishingtheHarbour345724014836520092009365365365 photosOntario
Going Home - the Dream Ends
365-103. April 13, 2009. On my way home from my dream vacation! Susan ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanvg/ ) picked "skies" as this month's theme, so I'd been holding off until I was in the sky to get my shot. We took off in the fog so it was delightful to see how clear and blue the sky was once we got above the clouds.
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Off the Beaten Track
365-102. April 12, 2009. Driving through the countryside of Luxembourg on our way to Belgium, we saw a tiny sign, Villa Romaine, pointing to a path in the woods. We parked the car, followed the stone path and ended up at the Goeblange Miecher Gallo-Roman farmstead. What a treat! Tucked away in the still, quiet, greening forest were the ruins of a roman farmstead dating back to 30 AD. It was so still we could almost feel the presence of those long-ago inhabitants!
OfftheBeatenTrack345617092336520092009365365365 photosEuropeLuxembourgGoeblange Miecher GalloRoman farmstead
Luxembourg - Fairy Tale City
365-101. April 11, 2009. Walking down toward the Grund in Luxembourg City. I had to keep reminding myself that all of this is real.
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Parisian Style
365-131. May 11, 2009. My photo for today was actually taken on April 9 in Paris. I usually don't take random photos of people; I feel like I'm invading their privacy. While resting my weary body on a bench in Paris I was mesmerized by this little girl. Although very young, she had such a sense of style. She was dressed beautifully, but seemed to be unaware of her stylish outfit. She was totally at ease in her garb, concentrating solely on the pigeons she was feeding and occasionally checking the whereabouts of her family. I really wanted to capture this young girl's attitude and sense of style. There were several obstacles to overcome: 1. my reticence at invading someone's privacy; 2. my desire to take a photo without appearing as though I was "stalking" this young girl; 3. the wind; 4. very bright sunshine; 5. motion - she never stopped moving. The original photo fell way short of my "mind's eye" concept. For today's photo, I spent my time experimenting with some tried and true and some new techniques for editing and processing. Please comment with your suggestions so we can all learn from my experimentation! Here's my workflow, (it's important to note that each step should be carried out on its own layer): Step 1 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523969558/ ) : original. Shot in camera raw, minimal processing to adjust white balance and boost clarity. Step 2 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523168079/ ) : crop. Step 3 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523182001/ ) : new layer and adjust lighting levels. Step 4 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523184827/ ) : select girl and copy to new layer. Step 5 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523992810/ ) : blur background. Step 6 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523188727/ ) : sharpen subject, reduce noise, color dodge subject's face. Step 7 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524002554/ ) : merge layers. Step 8 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523202303/ ) : copy layer. Convert to black and white. Step 9 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523205417/ ) : change layer blend from normal to overlay or soft light to add punch. Step 10 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523207457/ ) : convert to black and white.
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Parisian Style: Step1
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial. This is my original - shot in camera raw, with minimal processing to adjust white balance and boost clarity.
Proceed to Step 2 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523168079/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 9
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 9: change layer blend from normal to overlay or soft light. This adds soft contrast to original colour layer.
Proceed to Step 10 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523207457/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 8
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 8: copy layer. Convert to black and white. I'm reasonably happy with the end result at this point, but I think it still needs a bit more punch.
Proceed to Step 9 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523205417/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 7
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 7: merge layers.
My original intention was to stop here, but although I liked the photo at this point, I felt it didn't really tell the story I was after - Parisian style.
Proceed to Step 8 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523202303/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 6
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 6: Choose the layer with the subject, sharpen, reduce noise, and use the color dodge tool just on her face to lighten the shadows.
Proceed to Step 7 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524002554/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 5
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 5: blur background to draw attention to the subject. Normally I'd use a Gaussian blur, but this time I wanted to draw attention to the fact that there was movement and that I was zeroing in on the girl. Therefore I chose a zoom blur and adjusted the opacity of the layer until it looked right to me.
Proceed to Step 6 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523188727/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 4
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 4: select the girl and copy her to a new layer.
Proceed to Step 5 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523992810/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 3
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 3: Copy layer. Adjust lighting levels.
Proceed to Step 4 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523184827/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 2
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 2: crop the photo, trying to adhere to the rule of thirds. The subject isn't exactly in a third of the photo, but she's close.
Proceed to Step 3 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523182001/ ) .
Parisian Style: Step 10
Please see Parisian Style post ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3524021974/ ) for background on this tutorial.
Step 10: convert to black and white. This version now has more punch.
Compare the original ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523969558/sizes/o/ ) with the final version ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3523207457/sizes/o/ ) . I think I've captured the story from a not-so-great original. What do you think?
Look up...look way up!
365-098. April 8, 2009. I didn't get to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The workers were on strike, so the tower was closed. I wasn't too upset - the view from the bottom was pretty impressive as well.
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Trier, Germany - happy coexistence of the old and the new
365-096. April 6, 2009. Took the train from Luxembourg to Trier, Germany's oldest town. A very charming town, where the old and the new coexist beautifully. A walk through the medieval gate and around the town square brings you to UNESCO world heritage sites and modern shops. Of course there are many places in the medieval market square to stop, relax, people-watch and enjoy a glass of Moselle wine.
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Welcome to Luxembourg City!
365-094. April 4, 2009. Cloudy, misty, around 15 C - my first full day in Luxembourg. We walked down to the Grund, positioned in the valley below the center of the Old City, on the shores of the Alzette River. Home to many cultural events, this area boasts restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.
WelcomeLuxembourgCity344359924236520092009365365365 photosEuropeLuxembourg CityGrundAlzette River
Hungry? Fly KLM!
365-093. April 3, 2009. Cold, rainy, foggy start to my KLM flight to Europe. During the 7+ hour flight to Amsterdam, we were served a snack, dinner, another snack, breakfast and any beveridge, (including alcoholic), that we wanted. We were also encouraged to visit the galley to help ourselves if we needed anything. The food was great!
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Are these yours?
365-092. April 2, 2009. As annoyed as I get with the squirrels digging up all my bulbs in the fall, I forgive them in the spring as I encounter all the little surprises in my yard. I did not plant these crocuses. They are peeking up through my euonymous bush. If you are missing crocuses, these may be yours!
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Pink - The Beauty Within
365-090. March 31, 2009. No time for a walk today, so I took my camera grocery shopping with me. The floral section of Collingwood's Loblaw store is blooming with delicate spring colours! I photographed this bouquet and then used Photoshop's polar coordinate filter to wrap the bouquet around itself, making it appear as though the blossoms are enveloped in a pink globe.
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Solar-powered
365-089. March 30, 2009. My colleagues and I ( http://www.yesican-science.ca/ ) worked this weekend on an energy unit for grade 1, with the "big idea" that the sun is the principal source of energy for the earth. When looking for a photo op for today, my eyes landed on my bouquet of tulips. I used my Photoshop fractalius plugin to "light-paint" the solar energy of the blossom.
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After the Rain
365-088. March 29, 2009. After a full day of spring rain, it was nice to see the clouds opening up to reveal clear sky.
Honey, I'm Home!
365-087. March 28, 2009. It's official - winter's over! My husband brought the motorcycle home from winter storage. Let the riding season begin!
Time to Plant?
365-086. March 27, 2009. A welcome sight in front of the Collingwood Loblaw store. Can it finally be spring?
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Craigleith
365-085. March 26, 2009. A dull, gray, spring day, but these shades of blue and gray had me pulling my car to the side of the road to grab a shot. It's so great to see the bay without ice cover!
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Sign of the Times
365-084. March 25, 2009. (Best viewed full size). Taken in front of a waterfront condo development at Craigleith, near Collingwood on Nottawasaga Bay. Any takers?
SigntheTimes338529805536520092009365365365 photosCraigleithCollingwoodNottawasagaBaycarscondos
Pussy Willows
365-083. March 24, 2009. I love to have a vase full of these in my home. This is my second attempt at "light-painting" the stems in Photoshop with the Fractalius plugin.
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Bursting to Life
365-082. March 23, 2009. Pussy Willows treated to "light-painting" with the Fractalius plugin in Photoshop.
BurstingLife337880854536520092009365365365 photosPussy Willowsspringfractalius
March Break Winds Down
365-081. March 22, 2009. Blue Mountain Ski Resort was pretty quiet this afternoon. The few people trying to get in some last runs before heading home after March Break were treated to zero wait time at the lifts.
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Are You Looking for Me?
365-079. March 20, 2009. R7F6 - this tagged goose was hanging out with the swans in the Collingwood harbour this morning.
AreYouLookingfor337062873636520092009365365365 photosCollingwood harbourwater fowlCanada goosegoosetaggedR7F6
Energized
365-077. March 18, 2009. Do you feel the energy? The sun's rays have warmth, birds are returning, sap is running, buds are peeking up through the ground. Spring's energy envelopes us!
The way the light was shining on a bloom on my potted shamrock caught my attention this morning. I've been looking for an opportunity to play with my new fractalius plugin in Photoshop and this seemed perfect. The plugin extracts the fractal texture of the image and allows you to almost paint with the light. I'm happy with the result.Energized336498689336520092009365365 photos365shamrockblossomfractaliusspring
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
365-076. March 17, 2009.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author UnknownHappyPatrick'sDay336345576436520092009365365365 photosSt. Patrick's Dayshamrockgreen
Tying the Knot?
365-075. March 16, 2009. I watched this young couple performing a majestic dance along the shoreline, out into the open water and back again. They finally stopped at the ice edge, sharing a private moment.
TyingtheKnot336150811036520092009365365365 photosCollingwoodbaylakeharbourwaterCollingwood harbourwater fowlswansmating
Here - This is My Best Side!
365-073. March 14, 2009. One of the best things about telling family and friends that you're taking part in this project is that they start thinking about shots for you. A good friend called me this afternoon to alert me that there were swans in the harbour. What a treat they were!
HereThisBestSide335389801336520092009365365365 photosCollingwoodharbourswanCollingwood harbourwater fowl
View from the Escarpment
365-072. Mar. 13, 2009. Gorgeous sunny, clear day today! This shot overlooking Collingwood, was taken from the top of Blue Mountain near Swiss Meadows. In the distance, you can see that the ice that is breaking up in Nottawasaga Bay has been blown back into the bay.
Viewfromtheescarpment335187227236520092009365365365 photoswinterBlue MountainNottawasaga BayCollingwoodmountainicebay
Wait - It's Not Time Yet!
375-071. March 12, 2009. Although there's not a single tulip peeking its head out of the ground at my place, these little guys live in a sheltered, south-facing garden across town. Today's snowfall provides a convincing argument that it's still too early for garden blooms!
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Slow
365-069. March 10, 2009. This buoy in the Collingwood harbour cautions boaters to go slowly. No danger! Although the ice is breaking up, the harbour's not ready for boaters yet!
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