Tag Archives: Norhern Ontario

Something Unique

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Walking the beaches at Pukaskwa National Park on an August evening 2013 turned up some interesting subject matter. With the lowering sun creating warm and interesting lighting on the surrounding landscape. I came across this  rock just out from the beach. The waning sunlight brought out the colors on this particular rock along with the intricate patterns on the rock surface. The constant pounding and flow of water over this rock creates smoothness and patterns. The water was not calm that evening. But with the lowering light comes slower shutter speeds to give that dreamy effect of the flowing water. You can see the light touching the back right corner of the rock bringing out the colors. These are the little things that I look for when looking for subject material.

A Collection of Rocks

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Exploring the Georgian Bay shoreline in Killbear Provincial Park on a cool Fall evening, a series of small rocks appeared before me. I thought now this would make an interesting composition. The rocks were of different color and texture. The sloping rocky points in background gave depth along with added color. It was still early evening and I decided to keep on exploring. I would return later when the lighting would be much improved.

Returning just after the sun had lowered to the horizon, the above scene was captured with much warmer lighting to enhance the color of the rock structures. I set my tripod up very low. I was on my knees to get the effect I wanted. With a slower shutter speed I was able to smooth out the water to a nice pleasing ripple. The setting sun created a nice yellow glow on the water. The lichen scattered on the slopping rock adds a nice touch. It is all the little things that add up to a good composition. This is a place to just sit and relax to enjoy the view before you before darkness sets in.

I would like to share with you the work of Carole Rodrigue. Carole is  a still life artist specializing in contemporary realism. She is a proud member of the International Guild of Realism.

To view still life art at its best, check out Carole’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/CaroleRodrigueartist

It is getting cold in my part of the country. Christmas is coming. I have to get my Christmas shopping done. I am working on another book to be published next year. I have been accepted at the American Juried Art Salon’s 19th International Art Contest. One of my photos received a perfect score. More to come later.

For that unique Christmas gift check out my Fine Art Print Page.

https://kenben.org/fine-art-prints/

Or maybe a book of photos and poetry of Northern Ontario wilderness.

https://kenben.org/books-2/

Thank you for stopping in. Until next time happy trails

Killbear Provincial Park – West End

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The above photo was taken on my last trip to Killbear Provincial Park. I had been exploring the West end of the park when I came across the scene above. It was just a matter of waiting for dusk to come. This is a tight shot going to infinity. I wanted to emphasis the boulders here. There is a touch of Fall to be seen in the trees flowing down to the water. The background has beautiful color from the setting sun to give a nice touch to the clouds. There is a tremendous detail to be found in these boulders.

An Evening at Bassfin

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This is a photo that I composed when Maureen and I spent a wonderful evening canoeing on Bassfin Lake. We were paddling out of a secluded bay through a narrow channel leading to the main lake. The bright red coloring of the rocks caught my attention here. I motioned to Maureen that we would pull up to the red colored island. Gathering my camera equipment I was soon set up and composing my shot. The sun was below the horizon now. The water surface like a mirror. Mother Nature was at her best in providing cool geometric shapes created by the reflections. There was a touch of clouds in the background to offset the blue sky. A perfect ending for a lovely evening spent with my wife in a back bay isolated from everything but nature.

Well that is it for now. Until next time happy trails.

Heart In The North

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Riding on a Greyhound bus

On a North bound highway

I watch the landscape flashing by

I think back to the day

I had left my Northern home

To seek a job down South

I left a girl behind

With tears in her eyes

The bus rolled along

Bringing me closer to home

Next stop Sudbury

As I stepped down

From the Greyhound bus

There was my girl

Waiting for me

With tearful eyes and a warm smile

She ran towards me

I dropped my suitcase

Taking her in my arms

The years melted away

I was back home

In the North

Were my heart belonged

She said wait here

Returning with a little girl

This is your daughter

Tears came easily

I said come to Daddy

With a moments hesitation

She was in my arms

This is were my heart belongs

In the North Country

With the lady I love

A beautiful little girl

Blond and blue eyes

We can now share our love

The above photo was an evening capture up the Matagamasi Road. The lake is Bushy Lake. I had been photographing at Bassfin Lake and decided to take a quick run up to Bushy Lake. There I was greeted by the above scene. Beautiful sky and reflections. I used the left shoreline to lead out to to background. The reflections were great with some amazing cloud detail. This is again being in the right pace at the right time.

Thank you everyone for stopping by. Enjoy the comments very much. Keep them coming. I have reach a milestone of shorts as I have surpassed the 500 subscriber mark. Love that. So until next time happy trails

The Magic of Rocks

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The above photo was captured on my first trip to Killbear Provincial Park. It was now getting late in the evening. The rock color and texture here are truly beautiful. There is something to be said about rocks that have the texture and detail.With the right lighting they become a work of art. I used the rock in the foreground for added depth. I included part of a Pine tree and ground vegetation in the upper right corner to break the color. You can just see the far horizon with an island. When your eyes go there you may want to know what lies beyond. As it was getting late my shutter speed was at 6 sec and f22. With that said, the water will appear smoother and the clouds have a nice affect. Using Photoshop I added a touch of color in the sky to break up the blue and also to complement the coloring of the rock.

Thank you all for stopping by. Also thank you for subscribing to my blog. I am fast approaching the 500 mark. Again thank you. Until next time happy trails

Exploring A.Y. Jackson Lake

I met Jan Withers at the four corners in Sudbury Ontario last SundayI had called him Saturday evening to see if he was interested in going for a hike.We picked up coffee at the Tim Hortons and drove to Killarney Provincial Park.We chatted away on the trip down as Jan and I had not seen each other since last Fall.

I wanted to explore around A.Y. Jackson Lake and hopefully get some photos.We gathered up our equipment and located the trail into Jackson Lake.The beginning of the trail is quite steep and there after easy going.Once over the first ridge you are walking in open woods.The trail is well defined.Upon reaching a y in the trail,the lake was visible. I stepped up on a rock and saw a spectacle scene before me.I saw before me a scene with the right lighting that would create a great panoramic.

Jan and I spent the day exploring around the lake looking for photo opportunities and waiting for the wind to stop blowing.The wind was quite strong that day and we waited until 7:30 to no avail. By that time we decided to call it a day.

I decided to hike back into Jackson Lake Monday morning early.This was a lake that was best photographed at daybreak.The sun sets at the far end of the lake.This would mean waiting for the sun to set first and then photograph.By shooting early morning the light would be behind you and slightly to your left creating even lighting. I hauled out of bed at 4:00 a.m.,picked up a Tim Horton’s coffee and bagel before heading for the park.

There was a slight breeze blowing.This meant that I was not going to have excellent conditions. I hiked up to Jackson Lake,but I was  not early enough.This meant I would have to get up earlier next time.The panoramic was a no go this time.The wind was creating ripples on the water before me.Fortunately The water was calm on the East side of the lake.

I composed the above photo with the zoom set at 47 mm and the shutter speed set to 1 sec @ f22.I placed a small rock point in the foreground and shot along the shoreline.The reflections and the stillness of the water creates a very peaceful setting.

Looking to my left I saw the above scene before me.he reflecsions were not perfect,but that is not always required.I find that a slight ripple on the water can give a painting effect.The reflections add depth to the photo.The early morning lighting was good, giving the color of the rocks good saturation.I shot this photo with a zoom setting of 135 mm and the shutter speed set at 2 sec f 22

The wind persisted all day and I finally left around 6:30 that evening without getting any more photos.I will have to wait another day to get that panoramic. So until next time happy trails