Garden Art
2011 - Day 137. May 17, 2011
I can hardly wait to go out to my garden each morning to see what the fairy artists have added to their canvasses!
I took a shot of this Bleeding Heart and then layered canvas and spattered paint textures.gardenArt57305996733652011CollingwoodMayabstractbleeding heartsflowersspringtexture
In Memory of My Mother
2011 - Day 136. May 16, 2011.
In memory of my mother, Margery Caughie, who passed away one year ago today.
“Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.”
~Kahlil Gibran
Mom, your memorial garden is blossoming with all the spring flowers you loved. I hope you are in a place which holds such beauty.MemoryMother57275062153652011CollingwoodMayflowersgardenmagnoliasMomshuttersaltw18
Going Up!
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph with a strong line that leads the eye through the image ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/546 ) .
Cranes were busy at work today as members of the Collingwood Yacht Club transferred their boats from winter moorings to the harbour. The backdrop for the boat is the now unused Collingwood Terminals Grain Elevators, (which I have photographed many times, including here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4403976137/ ) , here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4275932026/ ) , and here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4676965094/ ) ).
For another view see today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5724158170/in/photostream ) .Going5724178832CollingwoodCollingwood HarbourMayboatscranedailyshootharbour
Let's Go Boating!
2011 - Day 135. May 15, 2011.
Cranes were busy at work today as members of the Collingwood Yacht Club transferred their boats from winter moorings to the harbour. Let the boating season begin!
For another view see today's Daily Shoot entry ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5724178832/in/photostream/ ) .Let'sBoating57241581703652011CollingwoodCollingwood HarbourMayboatscraneharbour
Taking Shelter
2011 - Day 134. May 14, 2011.
It may look like this magnolia blossom is trying to shelter itself, but there's no escaping the rain. I'm afraid the next few days of expected precipitation will be the end of these delicate blossoms.
Drafty Castle
Daily Shoot - Frame a view using a door or a window today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/544 ) . I took this shot yesterday at Osler Castle up on the mountain. This 15 room summer home was built in 1893 by Toronto Lawyer Britton Bath Osler, ( the crown attorney at the trial of Louis Riel), in the hope that 'fresh air' would improve the health of his ailing wife Caroline. Caroline named the castle "Kionontio", a Petun Indian word for 'top of the hill'. Vegetation, weather, and vandals have reduced the castle to ruins. The property is currently owned by Castle Glen Estates. Note: I posted a shot of this castle ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4524241439/ ) last April. You can't tell from this perspective, but it's really deteriorated a lot in the past year.
DraftyCastle5716142621CollingwoodMayOsler CastleOsler Castle Traildailyshootmonochromaticspringwoods
Tiny Dancers
2011 - Day 133. May 13, 2011.
I love my ferns! Over the last couple of days if you'd sat still for an hour or so, I'm pretty sure you could have watched them grow. Shot with shallow DOF, converted to black and white in Nik's Silver Effex Pro, and then a split toning effect added back in Lightroom. I think the treatment enhances the 'story'.TinyDancers57166894803652011CollingwoodMayfernsgardenmonochromaticsplit toningspring
Painted
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph dominated by the color red today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/543 ) .
The gentle breeze blowing though the tulips made me think of a painter brushing broad strokes of colour on the canvas. I took the shot wide open at f/2.8 to capture a soft blur, punched the image up with the spicify setting in Topaz Adjust, and then added a paint texture.Painted5714035523CollingwoodMaydailyshootflowersgardenspringtulipsyardds543
Magnolias
2011 - Day 132. May 12, 2011.
The magnolias are at their peak now and as they're calling for rain for the next few days, this may well be the end of them. It was quite breezy this morning, so I shot wide open at f/2.8, giving me a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the blossom in the foreground and a shallow DOF to blur the others in the background.magnolias57146100963652011CollingwoodMayflowersgardenspringyard
Time to Shine
2011 - Day 131. May 11, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph using soft light today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/542 ) .
Local forest floors are ready to become carpets of white as trilliums burst into bloom.TimeShine57116167493652011CollingwoodMayOsler Castle Trailspringtrilliumsdailyshootds542
The Grass is Always Greener...
2011 - Day 130. May 10, 2011.
A large clump of my daffodils has escaped to the other side of the fence. This lone flower seems to be longing to join the others. I tried something new today. I rarely use my Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens other than secured to my tripod for closeups. Today I handheld it at a greater distance and stopped down a bit to see what a combination of blurring and sharpness might yield. I like the result - enough focus to tell my 'story' and yet some beautiful bokeh.TheGrassAlwaysGreener57071244983652011CollingwoodMaydaffodilfencegardenspringyardshuttersaltw17
Morning Solitude
Daily Shoot - Illustrate warmth in a photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/541 ) .
I caught the 'golden hour' this morning. The light was incredible and I had the trail to myself - wonderfully peaceful!morningSolitude5706541413CollingwoodHarbourview ParkMayNottawasaga Baybenchdailyshootds541spring
Hikers
2011 - Day 129. May 9, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph with no obvious horizon ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/540 ) .
It was a beautiful day today and I passed several other hikers out on the Bruce Trail this afternoon. The late afternoon sun made for high contrast light and shadows, so I decided to go for a black and white treatment.hikers57050006453652011CollingwoodMayOsler Castle Trailmonchromaticspringds540dailyshootshuttersaltw17
'Springing' Up
2011 - Day 128. May 8, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features vertical lines today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/539 ) .
Finally after a very slow start Spring is popping up all over my yard. This is a motion blur of my back garden. I knew I needed a fast enough shutter speed that the highlights wouldn't all be blown out, but still slow enough to create the motion blur when I panned the camera up the trees. I went with a longer lens which gave me a shorter distance to pan. The faster shutter speed also gave me more detail, emphasizing the vertical lines. Apparently I had pretty steady hands this morning because this was my first shot! In Lightroom I bumped up the vibrance and clarity sliders.'Springing'56995488373652011Collingwoodabstractdailyshootgardenmotion blurspringtreesyardMayshrubsIntentional Camera Movement
Chasing Away the Blues
2011 - Day 127. May 7, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of the sky today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/538 ) .
My cat Clyde was insistent that I get up very early this morning, so I decided to catch the sunrise. This is the view from my Mom's memorial bench in Collingwood's Millennium Park .The Sun has chased those clouds away now and it's a gorgeous day here. I hope yours is too!ChasingAwaytheBlues56956795653652011CollingwoodMayNottawasaga Baydailyshootds538dawnspringsunrise
Painted Garden
2011 - Day 126. May 6, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photo dominated by shadows today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/537 ) .
The last couple of times this challenge has come up I've gone with strong shadow shapes. It was overcast and rainy today, so that wasn't an option this time. I decided to go with the pop of colour of my newly blooming forget-me-nots against the shadowy green foliage.
I took the shot with my macro lens, added a new layer in Photoshop for a spattered paint texture, used luminosity as my blending mode, added a layer mask and 'painted' in the details I wanted to emphasize. I'm not so sure this really fits the intent of the challenge, but I'm pleased with the results.Paintedgarden56949832423652011CollingwoodMayabstractdailyshootflowersforgetmenotsspringtextureyardds537
Randomness - Ripples Over Rocks
2011 - Day 125. May 5, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Illustrate randomness in a photograph today ( ) .
Late afternoon sunshine on the bay illuminated beautiful ripples over the rocks. I used my polarizing filter to cut the glare of the sunshine on the water.RandomnessripplesOverrocks56914448353652011365MayNottawasaga Baydailyshootds536reflectionsspringwater
Layers
2011 - Day 124. May 4, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that is composed of several layers today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/535 ) .
There's quite a geologic variety found along the shoreline of Nottawasaga Bay. In Collingwood you'll find a mix of pebbles and shale. A few miles to the east is sandy beach, the longest freshwater beach in the world, at Wasaga Beach. This photo was taken a few miles to the west of Collingwood in Craigleith, which is all shale.Layers56888662883652011CraigleithMayNottawasaga Baydailyshootrocksshalespringshuttersaltw15
Shopping Finished
2011 - Day 123. May 3, 2011.
After I unload my shopping cart into my car I take it back to the cart area. It's never occurred to me to push it down a bank and into a creek! Seems like a lot more work! Still playing with split toning.ShoppingFinished5684852579Black Ash CreekCollingwoodMayTrashTalkTuesdayshopping cartspring
Wagon Wheel
2011 - Day 122. May 2, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something old or aged today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/533 ) .
We removed the snow tires from our vehicles today, so I was thinking 'wheels'.
I'm still exploring black and white, (this time in Nik's Silver Effex Pro). I'm amazed at the effects that can be achieved by even subtle changes in lighting and tonality.WagonWheel56807975593652011Bygone Days FarmCollingwoodMaydailyshootmonochromaticwagon wheel
Fishing Season's Open
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that illustrates an aspect of local culture today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/532 ) .
Although it hasn't always been so, the current culture of the Georgian Triangle area, (Collingwood/Blue Mountains/Wasaga Beach), revolves around an active lifestyle. Whether it's fishing, boating, hiking, biking, golfing, snowmobiling or skiing, the area offers excellent outdoor activities for people of all ages!fishingSeason'sOpen5676708142Beaver RiverMaydailyshootfishermanspringds532
Farmer's Field
2011 - Day 121, May 1, 2011.
I always love the 'lone' tree you see so often in farm fields! In the Shelburne area, these natural structures are echoed by man-made ones. The debate as to whether or not the fields are now 'growing' green energy in addition to green produce is heated!Farmer'sField56766618023652011MayShelburnefarmer's fieldspringtreeswind turbineassignment52172011
Green
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph dominated by the color green today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/531 ) .
We had heavy frost overnight that burned off pretty quickly as soon as the sun started to appear. I wanted to capture the misty haze just above the grass, but didn't feel like lying on the cold, wet ground. Composition-wise I took the easy way out. I set my camera up at ground level on my gorillapod, used my macro lens wide open at f/2.8, and chose autofocus to see what the lens would latch on to (if anything). I was shooting towards the rising sun so got some great bokeh. In Lightroom I bumped up the vibrance and clarity to add some definition. There's just enough detail to tell that it's grass, but I like the abstract quality.
My alternate for this challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5672897942/in/photostream ) is much more realistic - another shot from my visit to the butterfly conservatory.Green56723341413652011AprilCollingwooddailyshootdewfrostgrassmacrospringabstract
Grabbing Green
2011 - Day 120. Apr. 30, 2011.
Another shot from my visit to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory ( http://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/ ) . I wanted to use this for today's Daily Shoot 'green' theme ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5672334141/in/photostream ) , but decided as it was shot two days ago I'd just make it my alternate.GrabbingGreen56728979423652011AprilCambridgeCambridge butterfly Conservatorybutterflyspring
Butterfly Bokeh
2011 - Day 118. Apr. 28, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a black and white photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/529 ) .
On a whim I went to the Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge today. I loved being in the presence of so many gorgeous creatures! I wasn't prepared though for the atmospheric conditions. It was like walking into a sauna. My glasses immediately fogged up, as did my camera. While my glasses recovered, my camera never really did. All of my shots have a kind of surreal look.butterflyBokeh56676984463652011AprilCambridgeCambridge butterfly Conservatorydailyshootds529Spring
Path Through Purple
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph with a concrete surface in it today ( http://www.dailyshoot.com/assignments/528 ) .
I know...scilia siberica are blue, not purple, but I liked the alliteration ;-)pathThroughPurple5661952707Scilla sibericadailyshootflowerslawnspringwalkwayds528Clarksburg
Artistic Choice
Daily Shoot - Illustrate the word choice in a photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/527 ) .
I was involved in a conversation recently where it was stated that photography isn't really an art form. After all today's digital camera is so good, all you need to do is pick it up, point, and shoot. Of course, you know I had to disagree ;-). Here are but a few of the choices I had to make when I picked up my camera this morning!ArtisticChoice5659557406AprilCanonCollingwooddailyshootlensesmonochromatictextureds527
Curtain of Water
2011 - Day 116. Jan. 26, 2011.
We're looking at rain, rain and more rain this week, so it's fitting that I shoot water. This is a zoomed in shot, through the wall of water flowing over the dam in Thornbury. I was attracted to the patina of the concrete in the dam, so tried to focus on it. The slow shutter speed gave me wonderfully soft flow. I love how this looks like the view through a curtain!Curtainwater56573796733652011AprilBeaver RiverThornburyabstractdamspring
Soap Bubbles
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features a circle today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/526 ) .
Macro shot of dish soap bubbles in the sink. I used the polar coordinates filter in Photoshop to encapsulate the bubbles in their own bubble.soapbubbles5655861960Collingwoodabstractdailyshootds526macropolar coordinates
Beaver River
2011 - Day 115. Apr. 25, 2011.
This is the Beaver River, just down from the dam at Thornbury. It was overcast today, so with low light, my polarizing filter, and exposure compensation, I was able to get a slow enough shutter speed to blur the rapidly-flowing river. I gave the saturation a jolt in Topaz Adjust to boost the dramatic feel of the scene.BeaverRiver56557549223652011AprilBeaver RiverThornburyrocksspringwater
Follow the Light
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that emphasizes converging lines ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/525 ) .
Taken on our recent motorcycle trip, from the back of a moving bike. I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway! You're thrown into noisy darkness, usually going around a curve, praying there's no deer, bear or any other critter in the tunnel with you! Frankly I'm amazed this shot turned out as well as it did.FollowtheLight5652173491AprilSmokey Mountainsdailyshootmotion blurmotorcycletunnelds525
Easter Bunny
2011 - Day 114. Apr. 24, 2011.
Happy Easter everyone!EasterBunny56506565233652011AprilCollingwoodgrassrabbittexture
View from Mom's Bench
2011 - Day 113. Apr. 23, 2011.
I'm a frequent visitor to both of my parents' memorial benches on Collingwood's waterfront. The light this morning was very dramatic as the rain clouds were pushed out across the bay by strong winds from the west. This is my alternate for today's Daily Shoot challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5646759717/in/photostream/ ) .ViewfromMom'sbench56473366803652011365AprilCollingwoodMillennium ParkMom's benchNottawasaga Baycloudsspringwater
Nottawasaga Bay
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features the horizon ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/524 ) .
There was very dramatic light on the waterfront this morning as the rain clouds were blown out across the bay by extremely high winds from the west. You can see the ripples in the water moving out from shore.
My alternate shot is my 365 pic for today ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5647336680/in/photostream/ ) . As you can tell I'm having a lot of fun playing with the intricacies of black and white.NottawasagaBay5646759717AprilCollingwoodNottawasaga Baycloudsdailyshootmonochromaticrockssplit toningspringwater
Underwater Shopper
Daily Shoot - Make a low contrast photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/523 ) .
When I saw the shopping cart in Black Ash Creek, I was initially kicking myself because I didn't have a polarizing filter with me to cut through the glare of the water. As I watched the scene though I realized I liked the effect of the rippled water and reflections on the surface. I used the Topaz Adjust 'spicify' setting to add punch, but then lowered the opacity of that layer so it wasn't totally over the top. The low contrast light gives this the feel of a painting.
I'll take this shot again on a calmer day, with my polarizer, and post it.UnderwaterShopper5643843819AprilBlack Ash CreekCollingwooddailyshootreflectionsshopping cartspringwaterds523
Now That's Driftwood!
2011 - Day 111. Apr. 21, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features water today.
This is a very large tree in Nottawasaga Bay, at the mouth of the Pretty River. On the horizon you can see gathering snow squall streamers. (Yes, I know it's April, but Blue Mountain Ski Resort is still open!)
I had a tough time trying to decide how to expose this shot as the light was all over the map. I converted it to black and white in Silver Effex Pro, bumping up the structure and contrast sliders a bit, and adding the green filter to brighten up the darkest parts of the water. Then back in Lightroom I added a split toning effect, using a blue filter for the shadows and an ever-so-slight yellow for the highlights to warm it up a touch.NowThat'sdriftwood56407887533652011AprilCollingwoodNottawasaga Baydailyshootmonochromaticsplit toningspringtreewater
Happy Cat
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of a smile, either literal or symbolic ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/521 ) .
Rainy morning, room on Dad's lap - life is good!Happycat5639211642AprilClydeCollingwooddailyshootds521lapmonochromatic
In the Moment
Daily Shoot - Illustrate connection in a photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/520 ) . I'm sure all of us have eaten a meal and not really tasted it, arrived at a destination unmindful of how we got there, or completed a task in robot fashion, thinking only of the next 'to-dos' on the list. When our days pass us, minds multitasking, our awareness of the moment becomes dulled. I think we should learn a lesson from our pets. They know how to be 'present' in their lives, connected to the moment. In this shot Clyde's not thinking about what he had for breakfast or where he'll curl up for his next nap. He's focused, connected to now! For today's 365 pic, I used this same shot but processed as a classic b&w portrait. I'm not sure which one I prefer - I like them both, for different reasons.
theMoment5635425064AprilClydeCollingwoodcatdailyshootds520springyard
In the Moment
2011 - Day 109. Apr. 19, 2011. I don't know what Clyde has spotted, but he's very focused. Not thinking about what he had for breakfast or where he'll curl up for his next nap, he's firmly planted in 'the now'! This is my alternate for today's Daily Shoot challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5635425064/in/photostream ) . I used the same shot but processed this one as a classic b&w portrait. I'm not sure which one I prefer - I like them both, for different reasons.
theMoment56348650793652011365AprilClydeCollingwoodcatmonochromaticspringyard
A Watched Pot...
Daily Shoot - Illustrate motion in a photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/519 ) .
A watched pot sometimes does boil.
After spending yesterday afternoon uploading 'umpteen' motion shots, taken from the back of a moving motorcycle on our recent trip ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/sets/72157626517500014/ ) , I had decided to skip the 'motion' challenge today. Making dinner though enticed me to try to capture the rising steam.Watchedpot5633075226AprilCollingwooddailyshootds519monochromaticsteam
Pretty in Pink
2011 - Day 108. Apr. 18, 2011.
Macro shot of a carnation from my birthday bouquet. The flower is bright pink, but I used the 'aged photo' preset in Lightroom. I think it adds to the soft dreamy effect.Prettypink56325175553652011AprilCollingwoodcarnationflowersmacrospring
Springtime Tears
2011 - Day 107. Apr. 17, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a low-key photograph today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/518 ) .
It's been snowing all day, enough to make anybody cry!SpringtimeTears56290993263652011CollingwoodMarchblossomdailyshootds518flowerlow keymacrosplit toning
How Did This Happen?
2011 - Day 106. Apr. 16, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features you in some way ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/517 ) .
I celebrated a milestone birthday while we were away on our motorcycle trip, and came home to a bouquet of flowers from my sister. How did this happen? Isn't sixty supposed to be the age of your parents?HowDidThisHappen56283570233652011AprilCollingwoodbirthdaycarddailyshootflowersmacrods517
Bob and I
Last day on the road!
During the trip, I tried to keep my eye out for shots I could submit for the week's Daily Shoot challenges, (this was feature something technological ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/516 ) .) I didn't necessarily accomplish each challenge on the day it was posted, but I did get all of the shots within the same week. After all, your choices are limited on the back of a moving motorcycle ;-)
I appreciate the technological advances of our gear that keep us as safe and comfortable as possible on the road - from the heat-proof insoles in my boots, to the electrical circuits in my jacket that plug into the bike to keep me toasty warm, to the full-face helmet that allows me to control exactly how much breeze I'm subjected to! A warm rider is a happy rider ;-)
To enjoy the musical version of this set ( http://dibytes.ca/?p=4929 ) , visit my photoblog.Boband5627630383Smokey Mountainsmotorcyclespring3653652011ds516
Spring Comes to the Valley
Every day we travelled through the Smokey Mountains we could see the valleys below us becoming greener and greener.
To enjoy the musical version of this set ( http://dibytes.ca/?p=4929 ) , visit my photoblog.springComestheValley5628213976Smokey Mountainsmotorcycle3653652011
A Fleeting Moment
(Note: I decided that since I was on the back of a moving motorcycle, I'd just go for motion blur, shooting with the smallest aperture, and therefore slowest shutter speed, I could get with my little Canon G9. I hoped to be able to create a set of 'impressions'.)
For a fleeting moment, we shared the road with this cyclist.
During the trip, I tried to keep my eye out for shots I could submit for the week's Daily Shoot challenges, (this was feature time in some way ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/510 ) .) I didn't necessarily accomplish each challenge on the day it was posted, but I did get all of the shots within the same week. After all, your choices are limited on the back of a moving motorcycle ;-)
To enjoy the musical version of this set ( http://dibytes.ca/?p=4929 ) , visit my photoblog.FleetingMoment5627629529Smokey Mountainsmotorcyclespring3653652011motion blurds510
Mountain Texture
(Note: I decided that since I was on the back of a moving motorcycle, I'd just go for motion blur, shooting with the smallest aperture, and therefore slowest shutter speed, I could get with my little Canon G9. I hoped to be able to create a set of 'impressions'.)
Another abstract, this time with lots of texture from the passing trees and rock outcrops.
During the trip, I tried to keep my eye out for shots I could submit for the week's Daily Shoot challenges, (this was feature an interesting texture ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/513 ) .) I didn't necessarily accomplish each challenge on the day it was posted, but I did get all of the shots within the same week. After all, your choices are limited on the back of a moving motorcycle ;-)
To enjoy the musical version of this set ( http://dibytes.ca/?p=4929 ) , visit my photoblog.MountainTexture5628213132Smokey Mountainsmotorcyclespring3653652011motion blurds513
