Lost Souls
Lost Souls
I found this shed behind a burn out farm house in Elmira. It’s at the same place as the love seat I posted earlier. Amongst the chaotic pile of junk sat these old boots neatly placed as if someone had taken them off – carefully set them aside and went and sat on the old love seat. Now these lost souls wait patiently for their owner to return.
3 Exposure HDR, Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz and Lightroom
Branching Out
Branching Out
I posted this tree once before in B&W. This time there was a beautiful sunset that lined up nicely. This tree is trying to branch out all over the place. I don’t think it’s working to well for it. We can probably learn a lesson here in that if we don’t prune back the unnecessary things in our lives we can end up branching out all over the place and not be very productive.
This is a 3 exposure HDR, Photomatix, Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz.
Troll Bridge
Under the Troll Bridge
This evening I when on a photo walk in Cambridge with my friend Anthony. I thought I might be able to get a shot of the infamous Cambridge Troll. I crept down under this bridge hoping to find him. Since Trolls are very camera shy his spies must have informed him of my approach and he was gone. The only evidence of this being his lair is the depression on the ground under the bridge where he sits. You can see it on the right side of the picture. O well, maybe next time.
This is a 3 Exposure HDR. Processed in Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz and Lightroom.
April is Daffodil Month
April is Daffodil Month
I may be rushing things here a little but the warm weather has brought out the daffodils early this year. I took this today so heads up! April is Daffodil month. Please keep the Canadian Cancer Society in mind and support them in what ever way you can.
I’ll keep an eye out for you!
I'll keep an Eye out for you!
We went for a walk around the village this evening and came across this guy. Looks like someone has been picking his brain too!
Antique Pump
Antique Water Pump
Found this antique water pump in St. Jacobs on Sunday when we took a walk around the Village. It’s water pumping days may be over but it’s rustic beauty endures. Anyone know what the BT stands for? I did a quick search but could not find anything.
3 Exposure HDR, Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz
Abandoned Stable
Abandoned Stable
This abandoned stable is at the same location as the burnt house in Scone. I can just imagine the livestock taking shelter here on a stormy day.
This is a 3 exposure HDR processed in Lightroom, Photomatix, Photoshop and Topaz.
Love Seat
Love Seat
I was taking some photo’s of an old burnt out house in Elmira and around the back was this old love seat. It makes you wonder about it’s history. Someone picked it out from a store and then it probably was used while entertaining guests in the the old farm house. Now it sits abandoned and broken.
3 exposure HDR, Lightroom, Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz
Tree on the hill
Tree on a Hill
I spotted this tree up on a hill growing up out of the brush. It looks like it has been through many trials and tribulations yet it stands tall above the brush trying to choke it out. What keeps it going? It is firmly rooted in what gives it Life.
I’m going to go out on a “limb” here and declare that this is what Jesus does for me.
Rail Bridge Sunset
Rail Bridge Sunset
I went on photo walk with a couple of friends this evening. The sunsets are lining up nicely with the rail bridge this time of year. As the sun settled into the towering clouds it set off a burst of orange and yellow. The great thing about landscape photography is that you make a point of finding and recording these beautiful scenes.
This is a 3 exposure HDR processed in Photomatix and Lightroom.
Maple Syrup – It goes with everything!
Maple Syrup Sugar Shack
Maple Syrup producers in Waterloo County are in high gear trying to make enough syrup for the Worlds Largest single day Maple Syrup Festival in Elmira Ont. The festival takes place Saturday March 31, 2012. With the mild winter and spring I’m sure production is down. This shot was taken a couple of weeks ago just outside of the village of Hawkesville.
For this HDR shot I used only 2 exposures. Since I was shooting hand held the +2 exposure was not sharp enough so I could only use the -2 & 0 but it still turned out ok. Processed in Lightroom, Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz and Noiseware
Lost Acre Variety
Lost Acre Variety West Montrose
Just up the road from the Kissing Bridge in West Montrose is the Lost Acre Variety. I didn’t get a chance to go in because they were closed but I will make a return visit. This area is well worth visiting if you like small quaint villages.
3 Exposure HDR, Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz, Noiseware.
West Montrose Covered “Kissing Bridge”
West Montrose Kissing Bridge
There was a beautiful sunset last night so I headed over to one of the most historic landmarks in Waterloo County to see if I could get a good photo of the Kissing Bridge. The sun was at a good angle and with no leaves on the trees to obstruct the view it worked well. Below is the description from the Township of Woolwich web Site.
The West Montrose covered bridge is recognized as a historic site by Ontario’s Archeological & Historic Sites Board. It is Ontario’s last remaining covered bridge and has a 198′ span across the Grand River. Visitors come from all over the world to see and photograph this picturesque bridge.
The roof over the bridge served to protect the large timbers and trusses from the elements, and this is also the reason the bridge is still standing after more than 100 years. Uncovered wooden bridges have a life span of only 10 to 15 years because exposure to rain causes unprotected joints to rot in summer and freeze in the winter; the hot sun causes the wooden planks to dry and curl. Applying oil and tar to preserve the floor made the surface slippery when wet. Horses fear rushing water and would often become spooked as they approached bridges. A horse will trot up to the opening of a covered bridge and clip-clop through, reassured by the side walls and the light at the end of the tunnel.
The bridge was built in 1881 and underwent major repairs in 1999. Light traffic is still crossing the bridge daily including horse and buggies. The bridge
is often referred to as “The Kissing Bridge” because it is enclosed and the soft light provides a feeling of intimacy for the romantic.
The blue sign erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, to the right of the bridge opening reads:
This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand River. Built a year later by John and his brother, Benjamin, the 198-foot bridge was covered to protect the wooden flooring and frame against the elements. Known locally as the Kissing Bridge, it later came under the jurisdiction of Waterloo County. In 1937 the province assumed responsibility for the Guelph-Elmira Road, including the West Montrose Bridge, and its floor and sub-structure were subsequently rebuilt and reinforced.
3 Exposure HDR, Lighroom, Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz, Noiseware
Rural Sunset
Rural Sunset
This rural sunset is another shot near the village of Hawkeville taken last fall. The sun had just dipped below the horizon painting the sky with beautiful palette of colour.
A 3 exposure HDR, Photomatix, Photoshop and filters
Abandoned Barn
Abandoned Barn
This abandoned barn is at the same location as the burnt out house I posted earlier. It is hard to imagine it once full of livestock.
3 exposure HDR. Photomatix, Photoshop and Lightroom
Canada Malting Silos
Canada Malting Silos
Another shot from the Photo Walk in Toronto. This is down at the Harbourfront. Below is a description from Wikipedia.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Canada Malting Silos is one of two remaining silos in Toronto‘s Harbourfront in Ontario, Canada. Located at the foot of Bathurst Street at Bathurst Quay (Eireann Quay), the silos were built in 1928 to store malt for the Canada Malting Company. It was an important work of industrial architecture, grain elevators had long been built out of wood, and thus at great danger of fire. The concrete malting towers were a new innovation, and the stark functionalism of the prominent building was an early influence onmodernist architecture.[1] A round office was added in 1944 and glass office was built in the original construction in 1928. The main silos, 15 in all, are 120 feet (37 meters) in height and additional storage bins built in 1944 are 150 feet (46 meters) high.
It was abandoned in the 1980s and destined for demolition, but it was designated a heritage site by the city of Toronto. A group called Metronome Canada hoped to convert the silos into a music museum or theme park.[2] The city of Toronto is also considering it as a location for a municipal history museum. [3]
Demolition of the germination and kiln buildings began early September 2010. The silos will be left standing, eventually being incorporated into future developments on the site. The municipality has not yet decided exactly what will be done with the space once the demolition project is complete.[4]
Hone Graffiti Toronto
Hone Graffiti Toronto
This is another shot from the photo walk last weekend. I was taken off the beaten path to a part of Toronto most people don’t see and there was this great graffiti. Not sure what Hone means in this case. A quick Google search brought up various other versions of Hone in Toronto but no real explanation. Maybe as simple as Honing their skills or a signature. If you know what it stands for let me know! Anyway this was a pretty cool spot.
3 exposure HDR, Lightroom, Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz
Old Ford Tractor
Old Ford Tractor
This old Ford tractor was taken at the same location as the burnt out house near Scone. It is just waiting for some collector to come along and restore it to it’s former glory!
3 exposure HDR Photomatix Lightroom Photoshop Topaz
Early Morning By the Pool
Early Morning by the Pool
As I mentioned earlier I attended a workshop at 44 Wide in Toronto. The workshop include printing either a photo you took that day or one you brought with you. I took this picture early one morning last fall on a Mennonite farm not far from where I live. It is a shot I keep going back to so I choose to print it. I came home with a beautiful print on 17″ x 22″ Baryta paper.
This is a 3 exposure HDR. Photomatix , Photoshop.
Fergus Swimming Pool
Fergus Swimming Pool
This is the old Fergus swimming pool where I learned how to swim as a kid. It was an out door pool and I spent many cool summer mornings at swimming lessons. I would spend so much time in the chlorinated water that my blond hair turned a tinge of green. The pool is now filled in and is a parking lot for the business that has taken over the building. I thought I better take a picture before they change the sign.
See’n the View in Toronto
See'n the view in Toronto
I attended a photowalk and workshop Saturday put on by 44 Wide. We had a great time and I learned lots. This is one of the shots I took.
3 exposure HDR -Photomatix Lightroom, and Photoshop
Burnt House
Burnt House
I can’t help but wonder about the life and times of this old farm house. What memories were made here? What brought about it’s destruction? Even in it’s dying days there is a certain beauty to it. It is located just south of the village of Scone Ontario near the corner of Bruce Rd. 10 and 19.
3 exposure HDR, Photoshop, Topaz, Lightroom.
Hawkesville Spring Sunset
Hawkesville Spring Sunset
I met up with a couple of friends yesterday evening for a little photo walk. We met in the village of Hawkesville and were able to go down the the river and catch a brief sunset. I think normally this time of year this area would be under water with spring run off but with the lack of snow the river is not very high.
This is a three exposure HDR processed in Photomatix, Photoshop, Topaz filter and Imagenomic noise reduction.
Waiting for Spring
Waiting for Spring
There hasn’t been very much snow this winter so I guess we can’t complain to much. This up and down weather does get a little annoying though. This chair is just waiting for me to sit in it this summer and watch the sail boats go by.
Villagephotography 