12 'til 12
2011 - Day 365. Dec. 31, 2011.
Taken 12 hours before the start of 2012.
This photo marks the end of my third 365 project. As I look back over my photostream from the last three years, I can see that I've grown as a photographer, and just as importantly, developed friendships with very talented people! Tomorrow I'll start my fourth 365 project. Taking photos on a daily basis has simply become part of who I am.
Wishing you and your loved ones health, harmony and happiness in 2012!'til6609222035Decembermacroclockblack and whitemonochromaticNikSilver Efex Pro 2Collingwood
Ice Sculpture Festival
2011 - Day 364. Dec. 30, 2011.
Downtown Collingwood is home this weekend to beautiful frozen works of art, as we celebrate the inaugural Downtown Ice Sculpture Festival. As Collingwood will be hosting the Ontario Winter Games later this winter, it's fitting that each sculpture portrays a winter sports. Almost 10,000 kilograms of ice have been carved into spectacular creations. If you're in the area check it out!IceSculptureFestival66038777133652011CollingwoodDecemberblack and whitedowntownice sculpturemonochromaticwinterNikSilver Efex Pro 2
Winter's Arrived!
2011 - Day 363. Dec. 29, 2011.
After a couple of false starts it looks like winter might actually be here. I see my neighbour has taken a spin in his yard on his snowmobile.Winter'sArrived65967420753652011CollingwoodDecembersnowtreeswinteryardNikCEP4tonal contrast
Dear Careless Driver
2011 - Day 362. Dec. 28, 2011.
Dear Careless Driver
What the hell were you thinking? Did you not know you were driving on a cul-de-sac? Did the house in front of you give you no clue that the road didn't go straight through? Why were you driving that fast on a residential street? Did it occur to you that you'd probably cut off somebody's phone and cable? Wouldn't it have been a nice gesture to at least phone in the damage? It usually stops snowing by April - until then, please stay off the roads!DearCarelessDriver65894216153652011Bell boxCollingwoodDecemberblack and whitecable boxmonochromaticsnowwinterSilver Efex Pro 2
Sheltered
2011 - Day 361. Dec. 27, 2011.
A heavy, wet snowfall started this afternoon. I used my macro lens to catch the snow piling up on the ornamental grasses in my garden. I wish I'd gone for more DOF. I was trying to isolate the blades of grass but in the process lost detail in the snow. Unfortunately it's too wet to go out and try again. I used my new Rotolight which did a much gentler job of lighting the scene than my flash would have.Sheltered65835846433652011CollingwoodDecembermacroornamental grasssnowrotolightSilver Efex Pro 2
Turkey Coma
2011 - Day 360. Dec. 26, 2011.
When I wake up in the morning I usually make the bed right away and spread out Clyde's blanket in case that's where he decides to nap. This morning he was already in bed with us and showed no interest in moving. I told you that second helping of turkey would get you Clyde!
I used my new Rotolight ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6572632453/in/photostream/ ) for this shot with the indirect daylight gel filter (5600K). (Clyde's so dead-to-the-world he didn't care). It gave Clyde's face a nice soft, warm glow but created some hot spots in the white bedding. You'll see a lot more of my experiments with this lighting system I'm sure ;-)TurkeyComa65769607893652011ClydeCollingwoodDecemberbedcatnaprotolight
Let There Be Light
2011 - Day 359. Dec. 25, 2011.
This is the new toy i received for Christmas from my son and daughter-in-law. It's a Rotolight, an HD LED continuous light ringlight, that can be mounted to a stand, tripod, or my camera's hot shoe. It provides naturally warm, 'shadowless' light of various temperatures depending on the filter you place in the ring. It came with a pack of 10 additional Lee gel filters for skin tone enhancement and special colour effects. You know I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with these! Thanks Mark and Krista!LetThereLight6572632453CollingwoodDecemberblack and whitemonochromaticrotolight3652011
Coleslaw's Ready
2011 - Day 358. Dec. 24, 2011.
I've finally resurfaced after spending all morning in the kitchen. I have potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, coleslaw and steamed cranberry pudding pre-prepared for tomorrow's Christmas dinner in our home. Now we're off to 'Grandma's' with our goody basket to make dinner for my husband's family. Can't wait for Boxing Day leftovers ;-).
This is coleslaw made with cabbage, green onions, apple, dried cranberries and chopped walnuts, with a dressing of apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and walnut oil. It makes you feel virtuous enough to dig into dessert!Coleslaw'sReady65655792513652011CollingwoodDecembercoleslawfoodmacrosalad
White Christmas
2011 - Day 357. Dec. 23, 2011.
-Tree and decorations up.
-Gifts bought and wrapped.
-Fridge full of food.
-It's snowing.
Bring on Christmas!
Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, may yours be joyous!WhiteChristmas65598100973652011CollingwoodDecemberabstractsnowblack and whitemonochromaticSilver Efex Pro 2
Handcrafted
2011 - Day 356. Dec. 22, 2011.
We received a handcrafted Christmas card today from a friend. The card is a lot like her, quietly beautiful, thoughtful, creative and skilled. Thanks Mary!Handcrafted65565950533652011CollingwoodDecemberpapersparklesChristmas cardmacro
Angel
2011 - Day 355. Dec. 21, 2011.
I love angels! Every Christmas I try to add one or more to my collection.Angel65515323253652011ChristmasCollingwoodDecembermacroshredded paperwrapping
Feet on the Street
2011 - Day 354. Dec. 20, 2011.
With only four shopping days until Christmas, there were quite a few feet on the main street today. I think it's sinking in that Christmas won't wait for the snow to arrive.feettheStreet65464646373652011CollingwoodDecemberHurontario St.black and whitemonochromaticshopperssidewalkwomenSilver Efex Pro 2
Christmas Scene
2011 - Day 353. Dec. 19, 2011.
One of Collingwood's heritage homes has a beautiful display on the second floor balcony. It really suits the home.ChristmasScene65402390013652011Christmas lightsCollingwoodDecemberblack and whitedecorationshouselightsmonochromaticnightpresentstree
Festive Downtown
2011 - Day 352. Dec. 18, 2011.
Downtown Collingwood looks beautiful in any season, but I especially like the lights this time of year! It's very unusual for us, but these are the only snowflakes we've seen for a while.Festivedowntown65397454133652011Christmas lightsCollingwoodDecemberbell towerblack and whiteclockmonochromaticnightSilver Efex Pro 2
Welcome
2011 - Day 351. Dec. 17, 2011.
I live in a fantastic neighbourhood, a quiet cul-de-sac, tucked away by ourselves, with great neighbours who look out for each other. We got together at the home of one of the neighbours for our annual Christmas hors d'oeuvre party. Their home is beautiful and welcoming and we all had a great time!Welcome6538768607Christmas lightsCollingwoodDecemberblack and whitehousemonochromaticneighbourhoodnight3652011Silver Efex Pro 2
Hey! It's Snowing!
2011- Day 350. Dec. 16, 2011.
Blue Mountain Resorts opened early last December with a natural snow base that measured in metres. They're busy making snow this year to try to open in the next few days. When I went up there this morning to take this shot it started to snow, a good omen for skiers.HeyIt'sSnowing65216718353652011Blue MountainDecemberchairsski hillski liftsnow
Feet on the Street
2011 - Day 348. Dec. 14, 2011.
'Feet on the Street' is a phrase bandied about a fair bit lately in Collingwood. We have a beautiful main street, right in the middle of our heritage district, anchored by a new residential/commercial waterfront development at one end, and a giant hole in the ground at the other. The residential/commercial development proposed for the south end is a hot spot, with those wanting it to conform exactly to the standards of the heritage district, (height/mass/materials/colours/architectural restrictions), pitted against the developer who feels it should complement the heritage district but needs to be commercially viable, and therefore higher than the three stories allowed. The one thing everyone does agree on is that we need to get more 'feet on the street' to keep our downtown viable. Having people live downtown is a great way to accomplish this.feettheStreet65177376033652011CollingwoodDecemberHurontario St.black and whitemonochromaticpeoplesidewalk
Let There Be Light
2011 - Day 349. Dec. 15, 2011.
Insane weather today! Last December we broke all records for snowfall, nine feet in one month! This December we have no snow, and today we reached 15 degrees C with rain! When I saw how turbulent the skies were, I headed to the waterfront. After I passed this man and his dog I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the sunlight breaking through the fast-moving rain clouds. I quickly pulled over to get a shot before the light disappeared. I messed up the exposure. I exposed for the light, wanting to catch the rays without overexposing them. Consequently I underexposed the rest of the scene. The clouds were moving so quickly I didn't get a second chance. I decided to keep the shot anyway as I like the composition and the mood.LetThereLight65177378633652011CollingwoodDecemberHarbourlandsblack and whitecloudsdogmanmonochromaticrain
Baubles
2011 - Day 347. Dec. 13, 2011
I love Christmas trees at night.Baubles65089583873652011Christmas tree ornamentsCollingwoodDecemberNikCEP4tonal contrast
Baubles
2011 - Day 346. Dec. 12, 2011
The Christmas tree seems almost magical at night.Baubles65089575153652011Christmas tree ornamentsCollingwoodDecemberNikCEP4tonal contrast
On Guard
2011 - Day 345. Dec.11, 2011.
A couple of years ago we got a new furnace. It sounds dramatically different from the old one, with a fan that revs up in stages. Whenever it revs into high gear, Clyde runs to the nearest register, hisses and spits, and prepares to do battle. This winter he's decided the best way to deal with the 'monster-in-the-basement' is to throw himself on a heat register and shield us with his own body. What a selfless kitty!
P.S. I almost didn't post this because of the cat hair and dust apparent on the kitchen floor. Alas, that's just the way it is ;-)Guard64936713813652011ClydeCollingwoodDecembercatfloorkitchensunshineNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
Visit With Santa
2011 - Day 344. Dec. 10, 2011.
Santa was downtown this afternoon! I wanted soft and warm, with a touch of vintage here. And yes, Santa, this photographer has been a very good girl ;-).VisitWithSanta64894115093652011ChristmasCollingwoodDecemberblack and whitedowntownfamilykidsmonochromatic
Breakers
2011 - Day 342. Dec. 8, 2011.
We had sunshine today but it didn't warm things up much. The wind blowing in off the bay chilled the temperature considerably. See those clouds? They're picking up moisture which they'll later dump as snow. This time last year we were truly buried, but so far we're just getting a couple of centimeters at a time.Breakers64786853473652011CollingwoodDecemberNottawasaga Bayblack and whitemonochromaticwavesNikSilver Efex Pro 2
Festive Greens
2011 - Day 341. Dec. 7, 2011. It was too cold and dark to hike today, so I opted to visit Greentree Gardens & Emporium to check out their outdoor planter displays. There was a lot of purple tucked into the traditional greenery, which I hadn't thought of, but simply loved!
FestiveGreens64782672213652011ChristmasCollingwoodDecemberdecorationevergreensplanterNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
Fisherman
2011 - Day 338. Dec. 04, 2011.
It doesn't matter how lousy the weather is; you can usually find a fisherman along the waterfront. They're a hardy breed!fisherman64553025813652011CollingwoodDecemberMillennium ParkNottawasaga Baymonochromatic
The Station
2011 - Day 337. Dec. 03, 2011.
This is the Station, a reconstruction of the 1873 Collingwood Railway Station, and now home to the Collingwood Museum. I've photographed this building before and have always been disappointed with the result. I happened to drive by it late this afternoon on my way to the harbour and noticed the way it glowed in the light of the setting sun. For some reason you can appreciate the low, warm light much better in black and white. Once again I used Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2 for the conversion. The control it offers allows the user to make the tonality sing. I'll go back to this building again with a wider angle lens.TheStation64495251973652011CollingwoodDecemberThe Stationbuildingmonochromaticmuseum
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
2011 - Day 336. Dec. 2, 2011.
OK, that should read parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Plucky rosemary is still hanging in.ParsleySageRosemaryandThyme64430840493652011CollingwoodDecembergardenherbsrosemary snow
Winter Light
2011 - Day 335. Dec. 1, 2011.
It may not officially be winter yet, but the long nights are certainly taking over. This is a composite shot of a vessel lamp and an overlay of snowflakes from a piece of wrapping paper.Winterlight64388398253652011CollingwoodDecembercompositelampsnowflakesNikCEP4
Don't Worry Birdies - It'll Melt
2011 - Day 334. Nov. 30, 2011.
Last night's snowfall should be wiped away by tomorrow's rain.Don'tWorryBirdiesIt'llMelt64319671533652011CollingwoodNovemberbird feederbushessnowyardNikCEP4tonal contrast
In a Nutshell
2011 - Day 333. Nov. 29, 2011.
It's teeming rain today so I resorted to looking around the house for photographic subjects. A bowl of nuts provided the starting point for this composition, spherized using the 'polar coordinates' filter in Photoshop.Nutshell64265606353652011CollingwoodNovemberabstractmacronutspolar coordinates
Picnic?
2011 - Day 332. Nov. 28, 2011.
I was surprised to see this picnic table up on a sand dune in the provincial park at Wasaga Beach. The weather's been unseasonably warm here. You could probably have a picnic outdoors. I processed this shot with Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2.Picnic64219918733652011NovemberWasaga Beachgrassesmonochromaticpicnic tablesandsand dune
Window Dancers
2011 - Day 331. Nov. 27, 2011.
Another shot from yesterday's Christmas kick-off in downtown Collingwood. Unlike the shot I posted yesterday ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6414905445/in/photostream ) I tried to minimize the reflections in this one.Windowdancers64150261873652011CollingwoodNovemberdowntownreflectionsstorefrontswindowsNikCEP4
Reflections
2011 - Day 330. Nov. 26, 2011.
Yesterday afternoon was the kick-off to the Christmas season in downtown Collingwood with ballet dancers in store windows, the Santa Claus parade, lighting of the Christmas tree and fireworks! I decided to go with the reflections in this shot to catch a glimpse of the whole scene - inside the clothing store behind the dancers, on the sidewalk, in the street, across the street, and of course the dancers themselves! It's a bit busy but I like all the layers.reflections6414905445ChristmasCollingwoodNovemberdancersdowntownstorefrontswindows3652011NikCEP4
Can You Smell It?
2011 - Day 329. Nov. 25, 2011.
I picked up ropes of mixed evergreen to swag on my front porch. It smells heavenly!CanYouSmell64016462493652011CollingwoodNovemberevergreensgarlandmacroNikCEP4tonal contrast
Under the Bridge
2011 - Day 328. Nov. 24, 2011.
This is the Beaver River in Clarksburg, Grey County. Even though it was beautifully sunny today, I set the white balance on my camera to 'cloudy' to warm up the cold, dark river. (I got a soaker taking this shot, and yes, the water is cold!)Underthebridge63960094773652011Beaver RiverBlue MountainsClarksburgNovemberriverwater
Assimilation
2011 - Day 327. Nov. 23, 2011.
Seen at Wasaga Beach. The way the wind was blowing I'm sure this little leaf was buried in no time.Assimilation63921491573652011NovemberWasaga Beachbeachleafsand
Ready for Winter
2011 - Day 326. Nov. 22, 2011.
While summer just seems to arrive, it takes a lot of preparation to get ready for winter. Our street is looking pretty prepared. Leaves are raked, gardens cut back, yards cleaned up, outdoor furniture stored and driveways staked. Even the fire hydrant is ready!ReadyforWinter63846218313652011CollingwoodNovemberfire hydrantstreet
Welcome Downtown!
2011 - Day 325. Nov. 21, 2011.
It was nippy today, but we had gorgeous sunshine, so I grabbed my camera and walked downtown to run my errands. Our Santa Claus parade is this weekend and the elves are out getting the main street decked out for the holidays. (I'll go back some evening when this little guy is lit up and post another shot.)Welcomedowntown6379957331CollingwoodNovembergardensnowmandecorationNikCEP4tonal contrast
There is a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in. ~Leonard Cohen
2011 - Day 324. Nov. 20, 2011.
Still a month 'til the winter solstice, yet darkness seems to prevail.
This is a composite of two shots, one of wrapping paper used for background texture, and the other of a candle. Processed in Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2. (Best viewed on black. Press 'L'.)Therecrackeverythingthat'showthelight63732155973652011Novembercandlecandle flamecompositeflamemonochromaticNikSilver Efex Pro 2HSS
Who? Me?
2011 - Day 323. Nov. 19, 2011.
If you've been following my photostream you'll know I have an ongoing battle with the squirrels. I actually went out today to save this little guy's hide as he duked it out with a trio of Jays at the suet feeder. He tried to look innocent once he'd made it out of the fray and up the nearest pine.Who63652973033652011CollingwoodNovemberpine treesquirrelyardNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
Defeat
2011 - Day 322. Nov. 18, 2011.
The companion pic to yesterday's photo ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6355342019/in/photostream ) . The snow will melt as the temperature rises this weekend and then I will cut this plant back, to rest until spring.Defeat63585244293652011CollingwoodNovemberdaisyflowergardenmonochromaticsnowNikSilver Efex Pro 2
Defiance
2011 - Day 321. Nov. 17, 2011.
The lone bloom in my garden stands defiantly against today's snow flurries.Defiance63553420193652011CollingwoodNovemberautumndaisygardenmonochromaticsnowflakeswindnikSilver Efex Pro 2
Taking On Mother Nature
2011 - Day 320. Nov. 16, 2011.
I was the lone walker along this stretch of Wasaga Beach this morning, bundled up against the wind and rapidly dropping temperature. (Those clouds are the leading edge of a cold front that's gathering moisture to dump on us as snow tomorrow). Then I spotted a splash of colour over the water - a wind surfer. It's great to be passionate about something, but even with a wetsuit it must have been freezing! I had my 70-200mm lens on the camera but resisted the urge to zoom in on the surfer. I like how small he appears against the forces of nature.TakingMotherNature63521021903652011Nottawasaga BayNovemberWasaga Beachcloudswind surferNikCEP4tonal contrast
My Bokeh Boy
2011 - Day 319. Nov. 15, 2011.
Apparently we're expecting snow flurries later in the week, but today was absolutely glorious! My trusty helper Clyde fended off squirrels while I did some yard work. I took this shot of Clyde in front of the chain link fence at the back of the yard. The sun was behind him, creating beautiful bokeh, but leaving his face in shadow. I used spot metering, taking my reading off the bridge of his nose. I overexposed the background, but as it's just a fence I don't think it matters. I would have liked a second try, but Clyde took off after the squirrel that had caught his attention.bokehBoy6348136533ClydeCollingwoodNovemberautumncatfenceyardNikCEP4
The Texture of November
2011 - Day 318. Nov. 14, 2011.
I grabbed a handful of leaves from the yard for this macro shot. Dried and leathery, they have a beautiful patina.TheTextureNovember63460584203652011CollingwoodautumnleavesmacroNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
Trail Blazer
2011 - Day 317. Nov. 13, 2011.
Like a beacon, this leaf drew my eye along the boardwalk in Harbourview Park. It was lodged in between the boards and glowed in the warm light of the setting sun. I love the strong, black outline along the edges of the leaf! (That's natural; I didn't put it there.)TrailBlazer63413615953652011CollingwoodHarbourview ParkNovemberautumnboardwalkleafNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
Silver Creek in November
2011 - Day 316. Nov. 12, 2011.
I recently discovered this section of the Bruce Trail, (thanks Mark for so generously letting Mom tag along on your hikes). This is Silver Creek, which flows into Nottawasaga Bay near Collingwood. Its watershed forms a provincially significant wetland, currently under development pressure. The land owner would like to develop a golf course and residential project. The Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation is working with the town to limit development and protect the watershed and wetlands. I'll try to snowshoe back in there to capture this lovely creek in winter.SilvercreekNovember6338174590Bruce TrailGrey CountySilver Creek3652011NikCEP4tonal contrast
Fallen
2011 - Day 315. Nov. 11, 2011.
Fallen63346963573652011CollingwoodHarbourview ParkNovemberautumnboardwalkleafmaple leafsplit toningNikColor Efex Pro 2