Bubbles are the Best

I was working at my computer when the bubbles in my eyeglass cleaning solution caught my eye. I picked up the bottle and played. It was really mesmerizing watching the bubbles change and form with movement.

It didn't take me long to grab my camera and replace my lens with my 60 mm prime and begin shooting. Once on my computer, I played with a couple of presets in Lightroom and then did my own tweaks with the sharpenss and clarity.

I shot at a speed of 1/400 with an aperture of f/2.8.

The Colours of Our City

Winter's Gems

Eyelashes

I saw her coming down the street and noticed the frost immediately. Taking advantage of the exceptional daylight, I shot this picture of my daughter just as she opened the door from a cold walk. The frosted hair and eyelashes were stunning and needed to be captured before the warmth of our home made them a memory.

Making sure to focus on her eyelashes, the rest of her hair could blend softly into the background. I made sure to keep the important features in focus. Depth of field is important.

I shot with a shutter speed of 1/100 and aperture of f/2.8. My focal length was 34 mm and ISO 100. 

Flame

Softly

Artist's Commute

An early morning commute to art class.

I took this shot as the sun rose over the city using a shutter speed of 1/50 and aperture of f/5. My ISO was fixed at 100 and used a focal length of 62 mm.

Once on my computer I increased the contrast, took out much of the blue cast on the snow, softened some edges and added a slight texture layer before I called it finished.

Strawberry

St. Boniface

Trying to Stay Warm

It is another cold day here in Manitoba! Trying to stay warm...

This is what I see out my window today. I see cold.

On Broadway

Sun Dog in the City

I like to think that sun dogs try and make up for what is lacking ~ and that is warmth! Usually found on extremely cold days, the sun dogs cast a beautiful beam or two of coloured light on either side of the sun. Here, the sun dog seems to make up for more than just the absence of heat.

Layers

Someone once asked me if I wouldn't mind posting a before and also after picture of one of my images. Before the texture layers and additional top-secret-can't-tell-anyone-post-layer-processing - and after. And so I have.

Once imported onto my computer I do a bit of work on the picture in Lightroom and then export it to photoshop to apply any texture I might like.  Applying the texture layer is not just an apply-and-save process. Tweaking the contrast, saturation and lightness is necessary to achieve the look that each individual image might call for.

When satisfied I flatten the layers and save the image, bring it back into Lightroom for any final touches and then output the image as complete.

Warming Huts

It is a very cold day here in Winnipeg. Hardy as we are, many are still out and about over at The Forks today. Here are some brave souls working on what I am assuming is one of the warming huts that are placed along the skating pathway. Each of the warming huts are functional art and are really quite beautiful.

Love Simply

Sometimes loving simply is the best way.

She knew this and just couldn't put the tiny bluebell flowers down.

Loving simply...and sometimes simply loving in a complicated world.

Happy to have this example in my parents.

Out Back

Kalanchoe

Snow Keeps Falling

I thought I was done with the snowflake pics but this morning's gentle snowfall drew me outside again.

Chimneys

I was happy to see the chimneys' puffs today. It tells me there is some good heating going on in many of our city's homes on these chilly winter days. It also makes me mindful of those who are going without heat. God keep them safe.

Scenic Route

I composed this image with the intent of allowing it to guide my eye along the streets to the highrises and horizon. Taking the scenic route through a quaint residential area to the apartment towers and the corporate offices beyond seemed a pleasant way to travel through the image. The eye easily finds its way.

Including the telling things is something I like to do. The icy intersection is sanded and the furnaces are all working hard to keep people warm on this cold day.

I shot at a speed of 1/80 with an aperture of f/8. My lens choice was the EF 24-70 with a focal length of 43 mm. As is my custom, my ISO was 100.

Sharing

Stop

Sometimes you just have to stop.
But hopefully not for too long in this kind of weather.

Tree Tops and Red Tops

This first image is a good example of when filling the frame is a good choice. Some subjects call for this and this subject is certainly one. The tree, large and looming definitely wins the main stage here!

I shot at a speed of 1/1000 and aperture of f/5.6. My focal length was 70 mm and ISO 100.

Repeating pops of colour helps to bring a busy composition together. The red draws the eye throughout the image, in a way that is almost orderly. When the image has a lot going on it is important to remember to include something that will ground or guide.

I shot at a speed of 1/1000 with an aperture of f/5.6. My focal length was 70 mm and ISO 100.

Hotel

I shot this image in my city's beloved Exchange District. Some might have tried to get this shot sans truck but I quite like the ordinary in my compositions.

Including the Hotel sign balances the image and also adds interest.

My shutter speed was 1/100. The aperture was f/7.1 which allowed for an increased depth of field. My focal length was 24 mm and ISO 100.

My Winnipeg Continues

Love One Another

Winter's Corner

Shadow and Light

A shadow indicates a light source.

Important in photography.

More important in life.

If I only see shadow, maybe I should turn around.

I shot this daisy as it lay on my dining room table, its back to the window. The table itself was blown out except for a tint of colour and the grain of the wood. I increased the exposure on my computer on the face of the daisy and also bumped up the clarity and contrast.

I shot at a speed of 1/60 with an aperture of f/2.8. My focal length was 70 mm and ISO set at 100.

My Sweet City

A Summer Day in the City

This was a gorgeous summer day in Winnipeg's "little Italy", otherwise known as Corydon Avenue.

Romance

To show the romance of a tulip, allow the colour to emerge but not all at once.

Simplicity

Sometimes the beautiful simplicity of a single tulip is best shown in black and white.

Repurposing

Drop

Spring in Winter

Sunrise

Today I caught the sunrise. What a beautiful display!

Morning Light

This morning's light was so beautiful as it tried to make its way through our curtains.

Seeing the sun cast its golden glow to the floor and piano, I got my camera and tripod to catch a little of this sunshine.

I needed the tripod because of the low light. I also bumped up the ISO to 400 for the same reason. My shutter speed was quite slow, set at .5 sec and my aperture was f/7.1. My focal length was 43 mm using my 24-70mm lens.

Summer Dreamin'