Double Arch Bridge in Stratford
Double Arched Bridge in Stratford
A shot form this summer today. I posted this bridge from a different angle earlier this summer. You can see it here https://villagephotographer.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/huron-street-bridge-stratford-ontario/
Built in 1885 this double arched aqueduct road bridge is the only one in North America still in use by automotive traffic. It is located in the picturesque City of Stratford Ontario. Yes, the same place Justin Bieber is from.
Mallard
Mallard Duck
This was taken earlier this winter in Harrison Park Owen Sound. I’ve always loved the colours of the Mallard
Skate Boarder
Skate Boarder
On a recent trip to Toronto we came across some skate boarders testing their skills on the steps of this courtyard. It was in the middle of some high end tall buildings downtown. Shortly afterwards security came along and chased them off and warned us not to encourage them by taking their picture. Really! I don’t think they needed any encouragement any more than we need to be encouraged to take pictures. We were just doing what we love to do!
Ontario Parliament Building
Ontario Parliament Building
Parliament Heads
This is the entrance to the Provincial Parliament Building in Toronto. I found it kind of ironic that these crazy faces are part of the facade (just above the pillars) of the building where our politicians meet!
Lost in Art
Lost in Art
This street musician at the St. Jacobs Market was lost in his art. It was as if he was being transported back to his home land playing for family and friends. Or maybe in a concert hall before thousands of fans. The instrument is a Niko which apparently is the most famous Chinese instrument in Japan.
I have been in a bit of an experimental mode with my photography lately. I guess you could say I have been getting lost in my art.
Possessed in Lightroom and Photoshop with a couple of texture layers added.
Bethesda Terrace Central Park
Bethesda Terrace Central Park
This picture was taken at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park New York back in 2008. This part of Central park and the Bethesda Fountain are a must see if you are ever in New York. It is kind of fun revisiting some of my older images taken on my first DSLR – a 6 mp Canon Rebel. I made some adjustments in Lightroom, brought it into Photoshop and applied filters in Topaz adjust. Added a paint filter layer. Added a texture layer. Made some tweaks here and there and that is about it. I love taking a simple straight on shot like this and making it my own using the many tools available to us in the digital darkroom.
Snow Cotton
Snow Cotton
I thought the snow made these thistles look like cotton. This image is an experimentation of textures and various effects.
Reflective Stream
Reflective Stream
The tree reflecting in the stream caught my eye and I was able to get it lined up nicely in the water without actually having to stand in the stream. I made me wonder – when we reflect back on past experiences do we have a distorted view?
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Here is an other shot from my Saturday morning walk. The snow piled on top of this bird house reminded me of a ski chalet and the heart reminded me of the old saying Home is Where the Heart is.
This is a 3 exposure HDR with a paint filter in PS6
Double Take
Snow Path – B&W
Snow Path Colour
Here is another shot from my Saturday morning walk in the new snow. The trees at the end of this path in the new snow caught my eye with the snow clinging to the branches creating contrast with each other. It’s always tough shooting in the bush without it looking like a bunch of sticks! So here are two takes on the same image. One is pretty much how I framed it in the camera and the B&W is an alternate crop. So – Which do you prefer?
This is a 3 exposure HDR processed with Photomatix and Lightroom.
Winter Shadows
Winter Shadows
We had a significant amount of snow in the past 24 hours and this morning the sun was shinning creating beautiful long shadows on the newly fallen snow. It was great to get out in the fresh air but walking through the deep snow reminded me how out of shape my legs are.
Daisy
Daisy
Today it snowed almost all day. Schools, Colleges, and Universities were shut down. Driving was a challenge. As I went through some of the pictures I took this summer I came across a pretty generic shot of a daisy. It was a nice reminder of summer but not all that interesting being it was just centred in the frame. In addition to cropping I also applied an oil painting effect with a free program I just discovered called Fotosketcher. Now – at least to my eye it is a bit more interesting. I do enjoy post processing!
Harrison Park Stream
Harrison Park Stream
Harrison Park in Owen Sound has a beautiful little stream flowing through it. Listening to the flow of the water and walking along it’s route through the park was very relaxing and peaceful.
Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals
Along with winter and the colder temperatures comes the smell of smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. While most houses in the city rely on natural gas for heating many rural homes will have a wood burning stove or fireplace for supplemental heating . The smell of burning wood in the winter reminds me that we will be enjoying summer camp fires before you know it.
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