Crossing

This is a pretty common sight in our city, Winnipeg.

It was a foggy morning when I took this shot. Using my tripod, I gained stability where I would have lost it with my 1/30 shutter speed. My aperture was set at f/5.  ISO was 100.

Once on my computer, I brought the image into photoshop and added a texture layer to give the structures a little bit of substance, something for our eyes to grab hold of through the fog.

One More

I didn't think I had it in me to take even one more winter picture this season. I was wrong.

I shot this image at a speed of 1/320 and aperture of f/5.6. My focal length was 27 and ISO 100. Once on my computer I added a texture layer and increased the contrast to make it pop.

Studio Flowers

I have a bouquet of flowers sitting in my studio. When the morning light comes, it sure makes me smile and I cannot resist grabbing my camera to take pictures. It is interesting that each morning, or afternoon or evening, something new catches my eye. It is never the same.

Once on my computer I brought this image into photoshop to add a texture layer. After sharpening the focal points and brightening the image up a bit, I was done.

My shutter speed was 1/13 (used a tripod), aperture f/2.8 and ISO 100. I used my 60 mm macro lens.

Inspirational

This lovely couple sitting by the river inspires me. They inspire me to wait patiently for whatever comes (spring!) and enjoy the present, enjoy each other.

I took this image with a fast shutter speed of 1/2000 and an aperture of f/2.8. I imported the image into Lightroom where I made some changes in the colour and then added a texture layer in Photoshop to complete the post processing.

Warming Up

I shot this image on a tripod as I had minimal light and didn't want to use flash. My aperture was f/2.8 at 1.0 sec. My focal length was 24 mm and ISO 100.

I converted the picture to black and white in Lightroom and then brought it into Photoshop to add a texture. I chose a texture that had some warm tones  but once I got this back into Lightroom I warmed it up even more.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Year's Reflections

This year is coming to an end. Sometimes we reflect back on what was before we look forward to what will be. A tough year may inform our view of the future and give us a sense of futility or dread. As a result, we may not give our best to what is and also what will be.

What if we framed our reflections in a bit of a different way, not in a false way, but a new way? What if we saw things differently, from a new perspective?

I shot this image at a shutter speed of 1/30 and aperture of f/8.0. My focal length was 24 mm and my focal point was the base of the water goblet. The ISO was 100.

I took this image looking at the water goblet on the dining table with the windows directly behind. Once on my computer, I flipped the image vertically and used the reflection as the subject. Including the grain as a means of pointing to the subject was effective. The dining chair offers balance.

Snow in the Dark

Again, the frost remained overnight and I woke up to a lovely snowfall as well. Off I went with my tripod and camera to stand in the middle of the street to take some shots.

I shot these in the dark, obviously, so I decided ahead of time to lug my tripod up the street to help with steadying my camera. The streetlights were helpful with casting the light necessary for focusing.
I shot both at a speed of 1/20 with an aperture of f/4.
My ISO was 500, which I normally do not choose, but for a snowy scene, any increased grain wasn't an issue.
Once on my computer I converted to black and white, ridding the images of the orange hue that often accompanies low light photos.

Snowflake

Today's fluffy snow is welcome. With it are some warmer temperatures that are a little easier to handle than what we've recently had. Funny how the snow looks so soft and fluffy but close up, it really doesn't look fluffy at all.

I converted this image to black and white to rid it of the brown colour in the fence behind it. I didn't want anything to distract from the delicate shape of the flakes. Once converted to black and white, I find it is always necessary to bump up the brightness as the overall grey hue seems to also make the image darker.

I did not have my tripod outside so I opted to increase the ISO to 400 from my usual 100. This enabled me to shoot a little faster at 1/160 which was necessary to reduce the risk of camera shake. My aperture was f/2.8 with my 60 mm macro lens.

Bell Hotel

Shooting on a mild morning, before sun-up, allowed me to take full advantage of the lights' reflection in the puddles. Puddles are an unusual sight in Winnipeg in winter and well worth getting up early to incorporate into my compositions. Puddles add pop to pictures.

I shot this scene at a speed of 1/30 and with an aperture of f/2.8. My focal length was 28 mm and my ISO was 400.

Chilly in the Exchange

I'm really loving city shots these days. The more colour and texture the better! As I drive around town, I keep my eyes open for interesting streetscapes and see them as finished compositions.

Once on my computer, I play with the colour and contrast and add texture layers if needed to match the image I shot with my mind's eye.

This image I shot at f/2.8 with a shutter speed of 1/80. My ISO was 100 and focal length 45.

Dusk to Sundown in the City

City shots are so much fun! The more colour you can include the better. Red lights pop better than green. Sunsets or the blues of dusk work well. Daylight offers options of sign and vehicle colours that lower light isn't so inclined to give up.

Adding a texture layer over-top of your street scenes gives a feeling of nostalgia immediately and easily brings to mind stories and tales of the past.

The first image was taken a little earlier than the second. My focal length was 70, aperture f/2.8 and shutter speed 1/160. With the lower light and no tripod in reach, I chose an ISO of 400.

The second image demanded a slower shutter speed to allow as much light as possible so I shot at 1/80 and an aperture of f/2.8. My focal length was 45 and ISO was again 400.

Aging Beautifully

Wisdom in wrinkles shown and shared.

How beautiful.

Bathed in beautiful late afternoon light, I shot this image with a shutter speed of 1/200. My focal length was 60 and my aperture was f/4.5. I didn't use a tripod but did go as close to my window as possible to make use of all the natural light there was. Actually I was lying down on the floor, holding the rose up to the best pocket of light and with my other hand I took the picture.

We need to go where the light is, whatever it takes.