Baby, It's Cold Outside

She Dances

She doesn't feel the cold.

She dances.

Her skirt swings wide.

The Fruit Remains

Even in the cold

the fruit remains.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights

It was cold down by the river today but today was the day I chose to steal some time away with my camera. I was determined. Even if it lasted for only 10 minutes.

Here is a shot of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights taken from the east bank of the Red River near the foot of the Esplanade Riel in Winnipeg.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Bites of Beauty

Sometimes the very beautiful is to be found in the harshness of winter. When the cold bites, this is precisely when the sun shines brightest and dances in and around the dormant branches and fallen grasses. This is one of the prettiest sights.

Had I chosen to stay warm, not risked getting cold and bitten by the frost, I would have missed out on this today.

Kind of like life, no?

Beach Day