Winter Stream
Dec. 31, 2012.
~T. S. Eliot, Little Gidding
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.
May your soul be atuned to the gentle voices around you and influence your creative voice in 2013! Happy New Year everyone!winterStream8329557243Bruce TrailDecemberGrey Countyblack and whitemonochromaticsnowsnowshoe trailcreekwaterSilver Creekice
Silver Creek
Dec. 30, 2012.
It was a gorgeous day for my first snowshoe trek this winter - not too cold and just enough snow! This is a shot of Silver Creek taken from the Bruce Trail in Grey County.
Normally when I'm hiking I record the track on my cell phone, export the gpx file, and import it into Lightroom, which then matches it up with my photos. No more! My new Canon 6D comes with built-in GPS!SilverCreek8326683055Bruce TrailDecemberGrey CountySilver Creeksnowsnowshoe trailwinterBlue MountainsOntarioCanada
Bobby
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival, part of the celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee year.
bobby8322508143CollingwoodDecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whitedowntownice sculpturesmonochromaticwinterOntarioCanada
Bully for Us!
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival, part of the celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee year.
Bullyfor8322504819CollingwoodDecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whitebull dogdowntownice sculpturesmonochromaticwinterOntarioCanada
Fit for a Queen
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival, part of the celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee year.
FitforQueen8322505633CollingwoodDecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whitecrowndowntownice sculpturesmonochromaticwinterOntarioCanada
Welcome to Historic Downtown Collingwood
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival, part of the celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee year.
WelcomeHistoricdowntownCollingwood8322506991DecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whiteheraldice sculpturesmonochromaticwinterOntarioCanada
Cuppa?
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival, part of the celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee year.
Cuppa8322507615CollingwoodDecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whitedowntownice sculpturesmonochromaticwaiterwinterOntarioCanada
Ice Sculptor
Downtown Collingwood is adorned with 'Ice Sculptures Fit for a Queen!' That's the theme of this year's ice festival. This sculptor was hard at work this afternoon.
IceSculptor8322506241CollingwoodDecemberPhoto Techniquesblack and whitecarverdowntownice sculpturesmonochromaticwinterOntarioCanada
Local Heroes
I'm not sure what we'd do without these guys! The local Public Works department does a great job of keeping our streets navigable!
(Playing with my new Canon 6D.)LocalHeroes8318336534BWCanon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecembermonchromaticsnowsnow ploughwinterOntarioCanada
Gentle Snow
This is the way I like to receive my snow - in a gentle fall! It's looking very pretty around here!
Playing with my new Canon 6D; still trying out the auto settings. I love the way this camera handles low light!Gentlesnow8318350128Canon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecemberpine treestreeswinteryardOntarioCanada
The Way the Wind Blows
One of the first shots taken with my new Canon 6D.
I received Canon's newly released 6D for Christmas. Featuring a 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5+ image processor, this compact, lightweight camera delivers enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed. Bells and whistles include full HD video, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi transmitters.
There's a bit more of a learning curve than I expected so I'm taking things slowly to try out the auto features before I impose my own preferences. That said, this shot was taken:
-in RAW format
-in Aperture priority
-with evaluative metering, auto ISO and auto white balance.
My go-to place for inspiration is always Collingwood's waterfront. The high winds we experienced at the end of last week have covered all the gardens, rocks and structures in thick sheets of ice. These are some shrubs in my mother's memorial garden. In post processing I converted the image to black and white and added a bit of blue to the shadows. I'm very pleased with the tonal contrast captured in fairly low light conditions.theWayWindBlows8315411500BWCanon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecemberMillennium Parkicemonochromaticsplit toningwinterOntarioCanada
The Way the Wind Blows
One of the first shots taken with my new Canon 6D.
I received Canon's newly released 6D for Christmas. Featuring a 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5+ image processor, this compact, lightweight camera delivers enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed. Bells and whistles include full HD video, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi transmitters.
There's a bit more of a learning curve than I expected so I'm taking things slowly to try out the auto features before I impose my own preferences. That said, this shot was taken:
-in RAW format
-in Aperture priority
-with evaluative metering, auto ISO and auto white balance.
My go-to place for inspiration is always Collingwood's waterfront. The high winds we experienced at the end of last week have covered all the gardens, rocks and structures in thick sheets of ice. These are some flower stalks in my mother's memorial garden. I'm very pleased with the clarity and tonal contrast captured in fairly low light conditions.theWayWindBlows8315401612Canon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecemberMillennium Parkicewinter
The Way the Wind Blows
One of the first shots taken with my new Canon 6D.
I received Canon's newly released 6D for Christmas. Featuring a 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5+ image processor, this compact, lightweight camera delivers enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed. Bells and whistles include full HD video, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi transmitters.
There's a bit more of a learning curve than I expected so I'm taking things slowly to try out the auto features before I impose my own preferences. That said, this shot was taken:
-in RAW format
-in Aperture priority
-with evaluative metering, auto ISO and auto white balance.
My go-to place for inspiration is always Collingwood's waterfront. The high winds we experienced at the end of last week have covered all the gardens, rocks and structures in thick sheets of ice. This fishing post won't be holding poles anytime soon. I'm very pleased with the tonal contrast captured in fairly low light conditions.theWayWindBlows8315402938Canon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecemberMillennium ParkicewinterOntarioCanada
The Way the Wind Blows
One of the first shots taken with my new Canon 6D.
I received Canon's newly released 6D for Christmas. Featuring a 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5+ image processor, this compact, lightweight camera delivers enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed. Bells and whistles include full HD video, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi transmitters.
There's a bit more of a learning curve than I expected so I'm taking things slowly to try out the auto features before I impose my own preferences. That said, this shot was taken:
-in RAW format
-in Aperture priority
-with evaluative metering, auto ISO and auto white balance.
My go-to place for inspiration is always Collingwood's waterfront. The high winds we experienced at the end of last week have covered everything in thick sheets of ice. This fishing post won't be holding rods anytime soon. In post processing I converted the image to black and white. I'm very pleased with the tonal contrast captured in fairly low light conditions.theWayWindBlows8314351391Canon 6D test shotsCollingwoodDecemberMillennium ParkicewinterOntarioCanada
Ready for Christmas
Dec. 23, 2012.
Decorations up.
Shopping done.
Presents wrapped.
Dinner planned.
Ribbons tamed.
Time now to relax and enjoy! Wishing everyone a joyous holiday with loved ones!ReadyforChristmas8301297260ClydeCollingwoodDecemberblack and whitechairmonochromaticribbontexture blendHSS
Twinkle, Twinkle
Dec. 14. 2012.
I decided to give this little star a Christmas card look by layering a texture and then adding a gold/blue split toning technique. I resisted the urge to give it some punch, opting instead for a more muted, vintage feel.Twinkle8272244395Christmas ornamentCollingwoodDecemberabstractsplit toningtexture blend
Christmas Magic #3
Dec. 13, 2012.
I do think I'll quit playing now. Here's my original ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/8270913204/in/photostream ) . I've now decided that's the one I like least. I'm torn between this split-toned version and the monochromatic one ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/8269922871/in/photostream ) .ChristmasMagic8270990342Christmas ornamentChristmas treeCollingwoodDecemberabstractfractalstexture blendsplit toning
Christmas Magic #2
Dec. 13, 2012.
I decided I wasn't finished playing after all. Here's a monochromatic version of my original ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/8270913204/in/photostream ) . I do think I like it better. Hmm...what about split toning?ChristmasMagic8269922871Christmas ornamentChristmas treeCollingwoodDecemberabstractfractalstexture blend
Christmas Magic
Dec. 13, 2012.
Out of bed today...finally! I've been sidelined by the worst respiratory infection I've had in years! I can tell I'm on the mend for sure now because I felt like playing ;-).
This started out as a star on my Christmas tree, but then the PP gremlins took over. Not knowing where I wanted to go, I added a texture, used 'exclusion' as my blending mode, and then conjured up a little fractal magic. I guess if you don't know where you want to go, this is where you end up!ChristmasMagic8270913204Christmas ornamentChristmas treeCollingwoodDecemberabstractfractalstexture blend
Winter Garland
Nov. 26, 2012.
As the snow melts from the fence it reminds me of swagged garland.WinterGarland8220548771CollingwoodNovemberblack and whitefencemonochromaticsnow
Enjoying the Snow
Nov. 25, 2012.
At least somebody's enjoying the snow!
Magical Moon Rise
Nov. 23, 2012.
As moon rise occurred before sunset yesterday I took the liberty of trying to combine the two! This is the same texture I used in the photo I posted the other day ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/8203607460/in/photostream ) . I like the surreal quality it adds.MagicalmoonRise8210475715Novemberabstractcompositemoon riseskytexture
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180591692BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticOntarioCanada
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180556787BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticOntarioCanada
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180592384BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticOntarioCanada
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180557485BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticMountainview HotelOntarioCanada
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180593040BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticMountainview HotelOntarioCanada
Demolition
Nov. 12, 2012.
The Mountainview Hotel at the foot of Collingwood's main street is being demolished to make way for a much needed turn lane on Huron St. Built in1865 as the Globe Hotel, this was the first brick commercial building in Collingwood. While there was considerable interest in preserving this historic building, council felt that asbestos, mould and structural issues made rehabilitation impractical.demolition8180558033BWCollingwoodNovemberblack and whitebuildingdowntownhotelmonochromaticMountainview HotelOntarioCanada
Cola
Nov. 5, 2012.
A splash of colour for a grey November Monday! I wanted to add a bit of vignetting to this vintage sign and decided to add a grunge texture with darkened edges. I used 'hard mix' for my blending mode. I generally dislike its garish, comic book-like properties, but I think it adds just the right amount of punch here.
The Dance
“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”
~Germaine de Staël
Nov. 4, 2012.
After a week of rain and gusting winds these little milkweed seeds have all been released, winging their way to start new colonies. In this shot the seeds looked so much like dancers I knew I had to make them look more 'painterly'. I layered two different textures in Photoshop, painted back detail in a layer mask, added a slight line structure with the Fractalius plugin, and finally back in Lightroom gave the highlights a bit of glow. I think it's time to stop ;-) HSS!TheDance8154091901Bruce TrailGrey CountyHSSLoree ForestautumncompositemilkweedtextureBlue MountainsOntarioCanada
Morning Reflections
Nov. 1, 2012.
I've been wrestling with the best way to handle colour in this image. My original has deep pinks and yellows in the sky, and purples and greens in the hull of the boat. I felt they detracted from the 'story' I saw here, which is the reflections of the harbour on the hull of the sailboat, (now stored for the winter). I tried a black and white conversion, but felt it was a little cold. In the end I went with a split toning, gold and blue technique. I think the emphasis on the reflection is there, but there's still some warm glow from the rising sun.morningreflections8146245756CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classboatdawnsplittoning
Blurred by the Mind
Sometimes in our confusion, we see the world not as it is, but through eyes blurred by the mind. ~Unknown
Oct. 30, 2012.
During the Master Class with photographer Richard Martin we were encouraged to try different types of intentional camera movement. While I've had good success with panning quickly up trees, I haven't tried any quick up/down pans in the same shot. Shooting conditions were bright here so I set my ISO to 100 and chose f/29 for my aperture setting. Even so, I only got a 1/10 sec. exposure, not that long. I did manage a quick camera jiggle in that time. I like the result - strong vertical lines suggesting trees, (that were in fact the subject), wispy lines of light lending an ethereal mood, and stronger bands of colour creating energy and movement. I'm surprised at the straightness of the vertical lines and the apparent stacking of the 'trees'. I don't remember their positions but I think they were random. This is a technique I'll play with again!BlurredtheMind8139419828CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classautumnicmmotion blurtreesintentional camera movementabstract
Home
Oct. 29, 2012.
Hoping everyone is warm, dry and safe from Sandy's fury!Home8136447842CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classbird houseblack and whitemonochromatic
Crossing Over
Oct. 28, 2012.
This is a shot I took last weekend as part of photographer Richard Martin's Master Class. I was attracted to the reflection of the tied up boat on the fallen leaves submerged in the pond. I love that you can see leaves through the 'structure' of the boat! My original image has too much sharp detail and DOF, (I know, when is that ever a problem?), so I flattened the image, gave it a soft landscape treatment in Nik's Color Effex Pro 4, and then added a soft, filmy texture. Back in Lightroom I added back some soft contrast. I like the mood, a touch of whimsy with a healthy dose of melancholy. I hope it invites the viewer to stay a while, if only to figure out what he/she is seeing ;-).CrossingOver8130995411CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master ClassleavespondreflectionswaterHSStexture
Autumn Fire
Oct. 27, 2012.
Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
Another shot from last weekend's Master Class with photographer Richard Martin. It seems fitting to post it on a cold, wet and windy day. Keep dry and warm!Autumnfire8128766315CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classsmokewood
Going Down in a Blaze of Glory
(My apologies to Bon Jovi)
Oct. 26, 2012.
This leaf in Loree Forest practically screamed at me as I rounded the bend on the trail. One of the few remaining on the tree, it looked like it was fighting hard to retain its brilliance. I added a texture to give a grungier look to the soft bokeh I'd captured in the background, adding a bit of an edge to 'the story'.GoingDownBlazeGlory8125868453Bruce TrailGrey CountyLoree ForestOctoberabstractautumncompositeleaftexture
Lunch Interrupted
Oct. 25, 2012.
I met this chubby chipmunk this morning on my hike through Loree Forest. He was a brave little thing, standing his ground close to the apple he'd found.LunchInterrupted8123310659Bruce TrailGrey CountyLoree ForestOctoberautumnchipmunkBlue MountainsOntarioCanada
Adrift
Oct. 24, 2012.
Another shot from Sunday's Master Class with photographer Richard Martin. The golden trees illuminated by the long tendrils of the afternoon sun cast exquisite reflections on the pond.Adrift8119587167CollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classautumnleafpondreflections
Rust
Oct. 23, 2012.
At the foot of the parking lot behind my husband's office is a very large steel shed. I've admired the contrast between the fresh young saplings that sprout up along the perimeter and the aging structure. Today the scene was more harmonious as the saplings themselves are turning to rust.
To lend a painterly feel to the scene I flattened the image, added a rust texture layer using luminosity as my blending mode, brought back some structure with a faint line drawing, added a border and finally brought back a bit of contrast. I certainly could have gone the grungy route, but I think a softer touch is more suitable here.rust8118079723CollingwoodOctoberPhoto Techniquesabstractautumncompositesteeltexturetreewall
Reflection
Oct. 22, 2012.
Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What an incredible learning experience I had this weekend!!! Saturday I attended an all day seminar sponsored by the Blue Mountain Foundation of the Arts. The Intuitive Eye, a photography seminar by Richard Martin, challenged us to get out of our heads and into our hearts when we pick up our cameras. After the seminar I had the good fortune to be able to join a small group of photographers to spend the rest of the weekend in an intensive, immersive master class with Richard. I'm physically exhausted but my head and heart have both been stimulated and nourished!Reflection8114333141Blue Mountain Foundation for the ArtsCollingwoodOctoberRichard Martin Master Classautumnchairdockpondreflectionswater
Sporting Some Bling
Oct. 18, 2012.
This little woolly caterpillar looks like he's sporting some serious bling :-).SportingSomeBling8100109030CollingwoodOctoberautumncaterpillarflowersmumswoolly caterpillar
Take Flight #2
Oct. 16, 2012.
I'd forgotten how much I like Lightroom's 'Creamtone' black and white preset.TakeFlight8094978218Bruce TrailGrey CountyOctoberPetun Loopautumnwoodsmonochromaticblack and whitemilkweed
Take Flight #1
Oct. 16, 2012.
I'd forgotten how much I like Lightroom's 'Creamtone' black and white preset.TakeFlight8094973031Bruce TrailGrey CountyOctoberPetun LoopautumnwoodsOntarioCanadamonochromaticblack and whitemilkweed
Weathered
Oct. 15, 2012.
The rain and wind are fading our brilliant reds to rust and leaves are falling fast.
I took a different approach to this texture blend. Usually I use a soft blending mode so that the texture adds subtle interest to the photo. This time I wanted the weathered wall texture to have equal weight in my 'story'. I used 'luminosity' as my blending mode and kept the opacity of the texture layer at 100%. I then added a layer mask and painted back detail from the original photo. The resulting composite had the detail I wanted but was desaturated and very flat. Next I moved over to Nik's Color Effex Pro 4 plugin, added a fair bit of tonal contrast, some saturation, a lightened vignette and border. Back in Lightroom I adjusted overall contrast and clarity. It's a different look for me, but no one will ever accuse me of being stuck in a rut ;-)!Weathered8090762409CollingwoodautumnleavesabstractcompositetextureOctoberNik Color Effex Pro 4
Autumn Jewels
Oct. 14, 2012.
A macro shot of Indian Corn with its jewel-like kernels. After making minor exposure edits in Lightroom, I used Nik's Color Effex Pro 4 plugin to adjust the tonal contrast and add a slight off centre vignette.
HSS!autumnJewels8087843480CollingwoodIndian CornOctobermacroNik Color Efex Pro 4HSS
Influence of the Earth
Oct. 13, 2011.
Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
~Henry David Thoreau, Walden, or Life in the Woods
In homage to the influence of nature on Art and Literature I've layered an old manuscript texture on the leaves. I used 'Overlay' as my blending mode and added a layer mask to paint out some of the texture on the principle leaf. Back in Lightroom I adjusted tonality, contrast and clarity. I think the texture adds to the overall 'story' of the photo, although in this case it may be a bit too literal.InfluencetheEarth8083368963Bruce TrailOctoberPetun LoopautumncompositetexturewoodsBlue MountainsOntarioCanada
Into the Woods
Oct. 12, 2012.
The light is getting dimmer..
I think I see a glimmer--
Into the woods--you have to grope,
But that's the way you learn to cope.
Into the woods to find there's hope
Of getting through the journey.
~Stephen Sondheim
I'm still playing with textures. I photographed the morning light coming through my sheer window curtains, added a red/orange/yellow colour gradient, and then layered the resulting texture on a photo I took this week on the Bruce Trail. Back in Lightroom I tweaked tonality and contrast. I like the moodiness.Intothewoods8079882321Bruce TrailGrey CountyOctoberautumntextureNottawaOntarioCanada
Mother Nature - Mixed Media Artist
Oct. 11, 2012.
Warning: Some of you may find this image to be greatly over-processed :-). Once I decided to go abstract I kind of went 'slider-crazy'! I took a photo of branches in the woods, added a paint spray texture, blended the two layers with a linear light blend, and then back in Lightroom adjusted tonality, clarity and vibrance. It's a nice jolt of colour for a cold, wet, windy day!MotherNatureMixedMediaArtist8077814853Bruce TrailGrey CountyOctoberPetun LoopabstractautumncompositetexturewoodsOntarioCanada