Spirit of the Woods #2
June 24, 2012
This is one of three wooden carvings at the entrance to Collingwood's Arboretum Park. In processing these shots I wanted to keep some of the texture of the wood, but I also wanted to make the carving appear more human-like, as well as create a mystical mood.
I created a soft texture by photographing flowers in the same park, out of focus, with a shallow depth of field. After layering the texture on the image I applied a mask and 'painted back' face detail. In Nik's Color Efex Pro 4, I refined and combined the 'Midnight', 'Glamour Glow', and 'Soft Contrast' presets. Back in Lightroom 4 I did minor tweaking of saturation and clarity levels.
I'm a member of the Georgian Bay Artisans group and I'm busily getting ready for the summer's outdoor art shows, the first of which is this coming Saturday at the Tremont. I've printed this series on canvas and added floating espresso frames. I'll be interested in hearing feedback from the show's attendees :-).SpirittheWoods74315298883652012Arboretum ParkCollingwoodabstractcompositeprintedtexturewood carvingHSSSliders Sunday
Waterfront Development
June 20, 2012.
When it comes to vacation home development we have lots to choose from in the area, ski hills, golf courses and my favourite - waterfront.
Taken Sunday at Wasaga Beach after the sand castle building contest.WaterfrontDevelopment74078998323652012JuneNottawasaga BayWasaga Beachsandsand castlewater
Damselfly in Lavender
June 19, 2012.
I had intended to set up my camera on my tripod to take macro shots of my neighbour's lavender when I spotted the damselfly. Fearful of losing the moment, I abandoned the tripod, tried to keep as steady as possible and burst shot. I've been disappointed in the past using my macro lens handheld, but I'm pleased with the clarity of this shot.damselflyLavender74050557423652012CollingwoodJuneflowersgardeninsectlavendarmacro
Damselfly in Lavender
June 19, 2012.
I had intended to set up my camera on my tripod to take macro shots of my neighbour's lavender when I spotted the damselfly. Fearful of losing the moment, I abandoned the tripod, tried to keep as steady as possible and burst shot. I've been disappointed in the past using my macro lens handheld, but I'm pleased with the clarity of this shot.damselflyLavender7404936914CollingwoodJuneflowersgardeninsectlavendarmacro3652012
Mae Hammond
Margaret Mae Hammond, Oct. 8, 1916 - June 2, 2012.
My mother-in-law, who lived life fully, on her own terms, right 'til the end.MaeHammond73561893202012CollingwoodJuneMae HammondPhoto Techniquesblack and whitedeceasedfamilygrandmothermonochromaticmothermotherinlaw
Butterfly Magic #4
May 29, 2012.
I took these shots of a swallowtail butterfly late yesterday afternoon. The sun was quickly receding from the garden, the breeze was blowing and the butterfly was swooping and flitting from flower to flower, not the best conditions for photography. The moment felt magical though, with the swallowtail glowing in the deepening shadows, so that was my starting point. I softened the focus and contrast, deepened the shadows with an off-center vignette and then added a wispy texture. A bit of realism, a bit of magic and a lot of enjoyment!butterflyMagic72962454163652012CollingwoodGiant Swallowtail ButterflyMayabstractflowersgardentexture
Butterfly Magic #3
May 29, 2012.
I took these shots of a swallowtail butterfly late yesterday afternoon. The sun was quickly receding from the garden, the breeze was blowing and the butterfly was swooping and flitting from flower to flower, not the best conditions for photography. The moment felt magical though, with the swallowtail glowing in the deepening shadows, so that was my starting point. I softened the focus and contrast, deepened the shadows with an off-center vignette and then added a wispy texture. A bit of realism, a bit of magic and a lot of enjoyment!butterflyMagic72962460163652012CollingwoodGiant Swallowtail ButterflyMayabstractflowersgardentexture
Butterfly Magic #2
May 29, 2012.
I took these shots of a swallowtail butterfly late yesterday afternoon. The sun was quickly receding from the garden, the breeze was blowing and the butterfly was swooping and flitting from flower to flower, not the best conditions for photography. The moment felt magical though, with the swallowtail glowing in the deepening shadows, so that was my starting point.I softened the focus and contrast, deepened the shadows with an off-center vignette and then added a wispy texture. A bit of realism, a bit of magic and a lot of enjoyment!butterflyMagic72962470023652012CollingwoodGiant Swallowtail ButterflyMayabstractflowersgardentexture
Butterfly Magic #1
May 29, 2012.
I took these shots of a swallowtail butterfly late yesterday afternoon. The sun was quickly receding from the garden, the breeze was blowing and the butterfly was swooping and flitting from flower to flower, not the best conditions for photography. The moment felt magical though, with the swallowtail glowing in the deepening shadows, so that was my starting point. I softened the focus and contrast, deepened the shadows with an off-center vignette and then added a wispy texture. A bit of realism, a bit of magic and a lot of enjoyment!butterflyMagic72962474223652012CollingwoodGiant Swallowtail ButterflyMayabstractflowersgardentexture
Frog Catching #12
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72808989703652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #11
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72808998443652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #10
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809007023652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #9
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809018803652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #8
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809027743652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #7
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809035723652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #6
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809044563652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #5
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809052463652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #4
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809061703652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #3
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809073723652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #2
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching72809083643652012Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Frog Catching #1
May 27, 2012.
Thanks to Cathy for tipping me off about the Black-crowned Night Heron she spotted in a local drainage pond. In hindsight I think I could have gotten a bit closer without spooking him off as he was preoccupied with catching frogs. I was prepared with my 300 mm lens though. I'll go back another day and see what I can catch. (Note: If you want to see the frog catching sequence please view the shots in order.)frogCatching7280909116Blackcrowned NightHeronCollingwoodMayswamp
Look Out World!
May 26, 2012.
I'm really enjoying gosling giggles. The babes will lose their cuteness soon enough and turn into annoyances, but right now they're darling!LookOutWorld72739796703652012Canada geeseCollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslings
But Mom, That's Dirt!
May 26, 2012.
I'm really enjoying gosling giggles. The babies are eager to learn all their parents have to teach them!ButMomThat'sDirt72739803363652012Canada geeseCollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslings
"Are You My Mother?"
May 25, 2012.
My little family of Canada geese seems to have grown by one since yesterday. The newest gosling is much smaller than the other three. I think they must have adopted him. The other goslings were quite taken with him as I watched.AreYouMother7269724724365 projects3652012Canada geeseCollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslings
Long Way Down
May 24, 2012.
It's been a wonderfully warm day today! The goslings decided to celebrate with a dip in the harbour, a long way down for these little guys!LongWayDown7263980690365 projects3652012Canada geeseCollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslings
I can't get to sleep with you pointing that thing at me!
May 23, 2012. Another shot from yesterday's encounter with the goslings. As annoying as Canada geese are, the babies are adorable!
can'tgetsleepwithyoupointingthatthing72596702463652012CollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslingsCanada geese
DAD! She's Still Here!
May 23, 2012. Another shot from yesterday's encounter with the goslings. As annoying as Canada geese are, the babies are adorable! This one's been working on its hissing skills!
DADShe'sStillHere72596707903652012Canada GooseCollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygosling
MOM!!! He's Bugging Me!
May 22, 2012.
I spent some time this morning photographing goslings at the harbour. They were real characters!MOMHe'sBugging72528570783652012CollingwoodHarbourlands ParkMaygoslingsCanada geese
Someday...
May 22, 2012.
I spent some time this morning photographing goslings at the harbour. They were real characters!Someday72528576303652012Canada GooseHarbourlands ParkMaygoslingCollingwood
Reflected Beauty
May 20, 2012.
One of the things I like most about photography is the way your perception can change the minute you narrow the scene by looking through the viewfinder! My goal was to photograph the stands of lilacs at Craigleith. As I scanned the scene through my viewfinder I spotted the teasel. Opening up the aperture lent a soft bokeh to the lilacs behind the teasel and allowed it to stand out as the subject. In post processing I wanted to play up the idea of reflected beauty, that the glow and vibrance of the lilacs could lend beauty to the dried up teasel. This is a theme that I'm going to explore further.ReflectedBeauty7236910122CraigleithGeorgian TrailGrey CountyMaySpringteaselHSS3652012NikColor Efex Pro 4
“The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.”
(Source Unknown)
May 19, 2012.
My husband gave me a bouquet of roses yesterday for our anniversary. Since we've been married a looong time I decided to go with an antique look. This started as the Antique Plate setting in Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2 and then was tweaked to taste.Therosespeakslovesilentlylanguageknown7227729172MaymacromonochromaticCollingwoodNikSilver Efex Pro 23652012
Into a Postcard
May 18, 2012.
I walked the Georgian Trail at Craigleith this morning to take photos of the lilac stands that line the trail. I was drawn to the sight of this bike propped on the bench while the owner explored the lilacs. It looked like a postcard, so that was my starting point in processing the photo. After basic adjustments in Lightroom 4, I used the pastel preset in Nik's Color Efex Pro 4 plugin, added a lightened vignette, and finally a subtle border.IntoPostcard72228755143652012CraigleithGeorgian TrailMaySpringbicycleflowerslilacstrailsNikColor Efex Pro 4
Trilliums
May 17, 2012.
I hiked the Bruce Trail this morning through the Petun Conservation Area. The trilliums are at their peak. Alternate view to this one ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/7218622108/in/photostream/ ) .trilliums72187283883652012Bruce TrailGrey CountyMayPetun Conservation Area
Trilliums
May 17, 2012.
I hiked the Bruce Trail this morning through the Petun Conservation Area. The trilliums are at their peak. Alternate view here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/7218728388/in/photostream/ ) .trilliums72186221083652012Bruce TrailGrey CountyMayPetun Conservation Area
Red Admiral #5
May 10, 2012.
It pays to read the signs! The Red Admiral butterflies have no problems finding the best blossoms in Collingwood's Arboretum!RedAdmiral7172852060CollingwoodMaySeasonsSpringarboretumbutterflycrab apple tree
Red Admiral #4
May 10, 2012.
You may be getting tired of butterfly shots in my photostream, but I can't get enough of them ;-)RedAdmiral71728524943652012CollingwoodMaySeasonsSpringarboretumbutterflycrab apple tree
Red Admiral #3
May 10, 2012.
You may be getting tired of butterfly shots in my photostream, but I can't get enough of them ;-)RedAdmiral71728530463652012CollingwoodMaySeasonsSpringarboretumbutterflycrab apple tree
Red Admiral #2
May 9, 2012.
So many blossoms...so little time.RedAdmiral71683806903652012CollingwoodHarbourview ParkMayRed Admiral butterflySpringarboretumbutterflycrab apple tree
Red Admiral #1
May 8, 2012.
Get ready...you're going to see a lot more of these beauties. The flowering trees in Collingwood's Arboretum Park are covered in Red Admiral butterflies.
Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta), one of our more common migrant butterflies, have arrived in unprecedented numbers. I've been seeing them since March, and they seem to have survived the snow and frost since their early arrival.RedAdmiral71617834263652012CollingwoodHarbourview ParkMayRed Admiral butterflySpringarboretumbutterflycrab apple treeflowers
Purple
May 7, 2012.
It was overcast today so I spent most of the day shooting flowers. These irises are in a bed in Collingwood's Arboretum Park. They scream purple!Purple7154123045CollingwoodMaySpringarboretumflowersgardeniris3652012
Little Squirrel, Big Attitude
I took this red squirrel series yesterday to submit on Google+ for the 'Squirrel Saturday" theme page. Tiny, but mighty, this little red squirrel is the terror of my yard. She's all attitude and has absolutely no fear! She chases the bigger black and grey squirrels, birds, and even my cat! I'm keeping my eye out to see when her little ones make an appearance.
LittleSquirrelBigAttitude71251312153652012AprilCollingwoodSpringred squirrelyard
Little Squirrel, Big Attitude
I took this red squirrel series yesterday to submit on Google+ for the 'Squirrel Saturday" theme page. Tiny, but mighty, this little red squirrel is the terror of my yard. She's all attitude and has absolutely no fear! She chases the bigger black and grey squirrels, birds, and even my cat! I'm keeping my eye out to see when her little ones make an appearance.
LittleSquirrelBigAttitude69790437763652012AprilCollingwoodSpringred squirrelyard
Little Squirrel, Big Attitude
I took this red squirrel series yesterday to submit on Google+ for the 'Squirrel Saturday" theme page. Tiny, but mighty, this little red squirrel is the terror of my yard. She's all attitude and has absolutely no fear! She chases the bigger black and grey squirrels, birds, and even my cat! I'm keeping my eye out to see when her little ones make an appearance.
LittleSquirrelBigAttitude69790442263652012AprilSpringred squirrelyard
Chaos
Apr. 28, 2012.
I'm starting to think I need a flight controller at the bird feeder. I have never had so many goldfinches at one time. There's a constant stream in and out as they stock up on the black oil sunflower seeds.Chaos6975847132AprilPhoto TechniquesSeasonsSpringbirdfeedergoldfinchesmotion bluryard
Fallen
Apr. 26, 2012.
Another shot from yesterday's hike on the Bruce Trail in Loree Forest. As you may have noticed, I seem to be on a black and white exploration this week. I was attracted to the scene by the shapes, specifically the contrast between the orderly vertical trees and the chaotic lines of the roots in the fallen tree. In processing the image I tried to remove everything but the lines. In Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2, I boosted contrast and brightness, lowered overall structure, but with a control point added back the structure to the roots.Fallen71167860573652012AprilGrey CountyLoree ForestSpringblack and whitefallen treemonochromaticrootstreesBlue MountainsOntarioCanadaNikSilver Efex Pro 2
Survivor
Apr. 25, 2012.
Every Spring when I photograph the trilliums in the woods, I'm wracking my brain for a fresh approach to capturing these short-lived beauties. Well I certainly found it this year as I hiked the Bruce Trail in Loree Forest this morning! Yesterday's snow has melted in town, but still hangs on in the higher elevations of the escarpment. I have never before seen trilliums in the snow! I processed the photo with Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2, (which is shaping up to be my tool of choice this week), using a control point to selectively add back the green.
Today's hike was the first time I've used Google's 'My Tracks' app on my phone. I recorded my path through the forest as a GPX file, which I then imported into Lightroom 4's new map module. Lightroom then synced my photos with their GPS coordinates, based on the time each photo was taken, and wrote the info to each file's metadata. Very cool!Survivor69682263223652012AprilBruce TrailGrey CountyLoree ForestSilver Efex Pro 2SpringflowersnowtrilliumwoodsNikselective color
Loss
Apr. 24, 2012.
It's bittersweet to walk through my gardens to see what's survived and what has perished in our current wintry weather conditions. While there are many blackened and withered emerging fern fronds, there are still thankfully lots of survivors.
Processed with Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2, using the 'Film Noir' preset as a starting point.Loss71112018393652012AprilCollingwoodSpringblack and whitefernsgarden
