Tag Archives: Photography

Rocky Shorelines

As I travel through the many lakes in Killarney Provincial Park,I am always on the lookout for various rock structures along the shoreline.The right combination to create a pleasing composition are not common.But with a watchful eye you will find these rocky shorelines.Also a quiet evening or morning gives the total reflection and some very neat patterns.Look at this as a geometric pattern.

Mid day creates harsh lighting on the rock surface.Evenings the rocks can take on a totally new look with the soft lighting available.The detail in the rocks become intensified.The above photo emphasizes the rock structure.By placing the first point in the foreground to show the texture of the rock,leave a space of water for the reflections that added very interesting patterns and also to  tie everything together.The dark background of evergreens creates the sharp contrast with the rock points.

 

This next photo was created by turning the camera 180 degrees and photographing from the opposite direction.Again placing the first rocky point in the foreground with some green vegetation for added contrast.A span of water for your reflections to tie it all in.I also like it when the evergreens reflect into the water for that added depth.So by standing in one spot you are able to capture two very nice compositions.So next time out on the water watch for those unique rock structures along the shorelines and come back when the lighting is right.

Well that is it for this week.I am counting down the weeks now until my first trip back into the park.Spring appears to be here now.So until next time happy trails.

Killarney Lake

One of the many lakes found in Killarney Provincial Park that offer picture book settings.Killarney Lake is nestled in the La Cloche Mountain system.With sapphire colored water and surrounded by white quartz mountains that  creates a picture of serene beauty.Killarney Lake runs in a East, West direction with a large open expanse of water.There are two islands located at the East end of the lake that offer some interesting photo compositions.But bear in mind that the wind can create a problem due to the open expanse of water.There are portages at each end of the lake.The West end portage will take you int OSA Lake.The portage at the East end of the lake goes into Norway Lake.

I just returned from Midland,Ontario where I attended the Quest For Art 8th Annual Juried Art Show.I had both my works accepted.There was a good turn out and I enjoyed meeting a lot of new people.If you are in the area stop in at the gallery and enjoy the show.

Well that is it for this week.So until next time happy trails.

Total Reflection

This two shot pano was taken last fall on OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.The La Cloche Mountains are in the background.I was captivated by the clarity of the trees along the shoreline.The reflection was picture perfect.There was just enough fall color to add to the over all composition.There was still some mist in the upper hills.The only thing I did not like was the bland skies.With that in mind I kept the sky to a minimum. That is actually an island in the photo.I added a touch of rock in the foreground to the right to tie everything in.

That is it for this week.Thursday I am off to Midland Ontario where I have 2 photos in the Quest for Art Juried Art Show.I have added the invitations to the reception.If you are in the area please stop by for a chat and you can view a couple of my compositions live.So until next time happy trails.

Light Up The Hills

With the warm early morning sunlight splashing the mountainsides decorated with fall color here and there.I quickly looked about for some foreground to give the photo depth.I was standing on the North shoreline of O S A Lake near the West end of the lake.There was a couple of interesting stunted pines on a island in front of me.By using part of the island to fill in the photo and add depth I created the above composition.Keeping the stunted trees to the left for added interest yet at the same time allowing a clear view of the hills to be shown allowed for a fairly open view.A touch of color on the water in the form of reflections adds to the overall look.The added bonus was the side lighting on the island to add some very good contrast.

These type of photos do not come around everyday.You just have to be there and be aware of what is happening around you.If you do not find what you want today,then next time you may.In other words Nature creates the scene with the available lighting and you must be aware of it.It helps to explore various locations you would like to shoot.If nothing also you have enjoyed the beauty of the land before you along with the peace and quiet of a wilderness setting.

That is it for this week.Thank you everyone for all the comments.So until next time happy trails

Turner Point

Turner Point is located on George Lake in the main campgrounds at Killarney Provincial Park,Northern Ontario. In the background is Hawk’s Ridge.The rock structure around many areas of the shoreline consists of reddish granite rock.The La Cloche Mountains are in the background are composed of white Quartz rock covered with trees.In this instance fall colors.

This was a heavy overcast day. The rain had just eased off from a heavy downpour.There was a fair bit of fog this morning and I had already taken a number of shots.For a while the fog was so thick you could not see anything.I knew there was some color in the background and I had to be patient.It was still early in the Fall for full color.As I waited the fog begun to lift and slowly the mountains became clear and when the splash of colors showed up is when I began shooting.I created this composition with two photos taken that day.

While that is it for this week.In my part of the country it is a holiday called Family Day.It is nice when all families can get together.So until next time happy trails.

Four Sisters

 

 

Not a breath of wind

Is to be had

The sky all red and orange

The dawn of a new day

Is upon the land

The Four Sisters eroded descendants

Of peaks once young in height

With quartz cliffs that gleam

Like snow from a far

A craggy imposing landscape

That others have passed

Many thousand of years before

Covered with jack pine ridges

Descending oak,maple and pine

Cover the mountain side

In the bowels of the mountains

Sapphire lakes gleam in the morning light

Mirroring the surrounding landscape

On their glass like surface

Sloping red granite offset

The stark white quartz

Upon a windswept ridge

A twisted pine braves the elements

Having landed there as a seed

Growing up as best as it can

Now part of the landscape

Bit by bit the Four sisters

Are revealed as rounded humps

Against the  glowering sky

Revealing their everlasting beauty

To paddlers and hikers now passing by

Being among the La Cloche Mountain system is a very inspirational experience for anyone who has been there.There is much beauty to be found as one canoes or hikes this mountain system in Killarney Provincial Park

The above scene is a series of photos put together to create the composition.I photographed the panoramic at O S A Lake in Killarney Provincial Park last Fall.At one point the mist was lifting and the sky was a gorgeous Orange and Red for a few minutes.In this particular section of the La Cloche Mountains their are four rounded humps visible on the South side of O S A Lake.The name Four Sisters is my own doing.

Grandkids

Photographing people is not something I do often.When the right opportunity is available then I will photograph.Especially my grand kids. The above photo occurred when I walked out the back door of my house.The sun had disappeared below the horizon leaving a wonderful orange,red glow on everything.My son was holding my grandson Gunner in his arms.I had taken a number of shots when Gunner spotted something on the ground,thus creating the portrait you see above. The expression,the glow and soft skin add up to a nice photo.

 

I was out visiting my daughter and her family a few Sundays back.My granddaughter Tisha has her own horse at a boarding barn.She also works there to pay for her board.We were all out in the indoor arena where the horses are exercised.The lighting was low in this building for the most part.Tisha was sitting on a bench facing the windows on the arena sides.I liked the natural lighting coming from the window.I got Tisha set up the way I wanted and proceeded to photograph.The above photo was the one I selected to use and thought that it came out quite good.I printed out a 13″x19″ print for her as a keepsake.

CONVERGENCE 2012

With my wife Maureen and daughter Maryjean we drove to Owen Sound to attend CONVERGENCE 2012
49th Annual Juried Exhibition on January 15.We arrived late Saturday afternoon and booked into the Best Western down by the bay.

Before the evening got too dark Maryjean and I went out on the town to do some photographing.I had left my tripod at home. As the light decreased I started to run into problems with shutter speeds. Owen Sound has a lot of various churches that have beautiful architecture.I managed to create a composition with the above church before the lighting got too low. The biggest problem was to find an angle to capture these buildings without wires,stop signs,traffic lights and vehicles.

Sunday we arrived at the Tom Thomson Gallery for the open reception at 2:00 PM.It was well attended by about 300 people. I had two of my photos selected for this show.I received the Dr Allen Pollock Award for one of my photos.This was quite an honor. I met some great folks at the reception and the gallery is very well run by very great people.We had a nice weekend in Owen Sound.It was a nice break in the middle of winter.

Well that is it for this week so until next time happy trails.

River’s Edge Part 4

The sun is low on the horizon

A campsite beckons not far off

Upon arrival I am upset

For among the tall grass

Garbage is scattered every where

The sign of wayward campers

I unload my gear

Setting up a campsite

Before the night approaches

I rest upon a rock

By the river’s edge

Enjoying the quiet and peace

That is to be had

Along the flowing river

Marveling at the reflective colors

Of green,gold and blue

Upon the river’s surface

The evening light is waning

I retire for the night

The night is now

Full of noises

From the rustle of night creatures

In the nearby woods

To the haunting call of

A great Horned Owl

That is answered further downriver

As I lay abed

Falling asleep under the canopy of stars

The Pond

The shadows are retreating

From the morning sunlight

The last remnants of mist

Has now disappeared

The pond now awaking

Bathed in a warm glow

Along the water’s edge

Pitcher plants,purple and maroon

With cup shape flowers

Nodding on their stocks

Awaiting an unwary insect

A beaver with a trailing wake

Is homeward bound

After a night of labour

Painted turtles with glistening shells

Emerge from the pond’s depth

To clamber upon a mossy log

Half sunken at the water’s edge

To bask in the warmth

of the mid morning sun

An elegent Wood duck hen

With bobbing head

Her brood in tow

Merges into the vegetation

To hide and forage

Unk-a-chunk,unk-a-chunk

The call of the American Bittern

From the far end

Of the beaver pond

We are blessed with a great deal of water in Northern Ontario.One is which is the beaver pond.My poem only covers a small fraction of what happens in and around these ponds.The beaver pond is home to a large variety of life.Plant life,aquatic life and wildlife are all sustained by a beaver pond.Spending time in and around the beaver pond is an awarding experience.Go to this web address and you will hear a recording of an American Bittern.

http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/BCWZQTGMSO/bird009.mp3

The above photo was taken at Wagon Road Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.With a beaver dam at one end and very swamp like at the far end I would almost classify this body of water as a very large beaver pond.It is a pretty place to be and an easy hike to get to this body of water.I loved the lighting effect that morning and I stitched a number of photos together to create this scene.

Well that is it for this week.Thank you all for your comments.So until next time happy trails.