With the Wind

Wind's Sigh

To catch the spirit of the prairies one must include wheat and wind.

Finding a new perspective when shooting can make a big difference in the outcome. Getting low to the ground and shooting the subject of the wheat upward gives a sense of shelter and security.

Shelter and security are both strong characteristics found in homesteading on the prairies; we see the wind but are not fearful.

Black and White Storm

Often, black and white photography can be the best way to show contrast. Originally in colour, the storm clouds in this image lost much of their definition and drama that were present in reality. No matter what I did to increase the contrast, it did not show as it had on the evening of the storm...until I pulled the colour. Immediately, I could hear the wind whip up the trees and I could feel the heavy skies reach down over and around me.

I used a shutter speed of 1/80. Though not fast enough to freeze all the movement in the trees, it was exactly the right speed to show the increased wind pockets. Some areas of the trees, the motion was stopped but other areas, where the wind was crazy fast, there is blur.

Wind

Unpredictable.

Exciting.

Wishes

While I'm on my dandelion kick, I'll add another image I took this morning that I've called Wishes.

I love how these two wishes have lodged themselves between a rock and a hard place. Yet they are still present, like hope. And isn't that exactly the place where we feel we need hope the most?

I wanted this image to be as natural as possible. I chose not to use any layers or processing outside of some sharpening and removal of noise. I did not change the colours present or add any layers to blur or modify the image. Choosing to show these seeds just as they were was important to me. The wind called for many captures to get one image that was relatively sharp. In the end, I am pretty happy with the results.

Light's Breath

I can feel it, Light's breath. Gently washing over me, it is warm with a soothing flow. It finds its way to the cold corners and shadows around me, surrounds me and fills me all at once. It caresses my cheek and I know its presence.

I layered a texture over top of this image. It was just the right touch to bring out the feel of the foxtails, the gentleness of the breeze and the brightness of the light.

Sunshine Outside then In

It is a mild winter day here on this patch of the Canadian prairies. I geared up and hit the trail this morning before the sun would hide and the winds would blow hard.

Sheltered from the gusty winds, I found some sunshine indoors this afternoon.

 

Autumn's Dance

The prairie winds are blowing through the fields today, clearing the way for winter I imagine. Each season has its own charm to be sure. Autumn dances between summertime temperatures and winter's chill but the colours of autumn are hers alone.

In this image, colour is not what speaks about the season. Rather the wind, the dry grasses and wheat along with the few bullrushes reveal summer's leave and winter's coming.

Me? I'm going to stay in autumn for now. Winter will have her day.

Catching Wind

Today I played around in Lightroom with this picture. It was a little bit of fun and I am pleased with the final result.

The wind was really blowing this morning when I took this shot. The leaves are not tack sharp, nor should they be if it is windy! In order to really show wind, sometimes showing something still alongside the movement works well. Here, the chain link fence was the stability that contrasted the fluttering of the leaves.

And then my camera died. Well, the shutter refused to flutter. It looks as though I'll be without my trusty tool for a couple of weeks. I'll continue to post but will be digging up images from my archives until new images are possible again.