Dunvegan Bridge

Windmill Pump House 1

Windmill Pump House 2

Windmill Pump House 3

The last few months have been a time of deep learning with photography, paying attention to tools and their use, composition and light. It’s been a time of becoming more familiar with what to do in a given situation and how to problem-solve along the way. It’s been a time of seeing what more I can do with editing in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. It’s been a time of making time for photography whether it’s the decision to pull the truck over a grab the image I’ve been gifted with or planning time in the mountains with my camera or to participate in a photo walk. Longstanding computer issues have been resolved, the monitor is calibrated as best it can be and now it’s time to print my photos and share my photos. One of the highlights occurred last summer when a canvas print sold for $900 … a record for me. And, that event highlighted understanding of how meaningful an image can be to others. I am grateful for the encouragement and the opportunity to have done so, right here, in High Level, Alberta, Canada.

A Saturday’s drive to Grande Prairie netted these images. The Dunvegan bridge is something I photographed in a photo-stitch and as a single image using a 10 stop (Super Stopper) Lee Filter. The photo-stitch was a curious experiment – I used a 16-35mm lens for the stitch of eight photos. The distortion of the lens created something curious looking and less that real, but a good example of why working with a 50 mm prime lens would be the better choice – I am learning and have learned. Working with a 50 mm prime is my plan next time I am in and around Dunvegan. I did gather a good shot with the Super Stopper filter and was rewarded with smooth water as result following a four-minute exposure. At day’s end I shot a windmill water pump between La Glace and Sexsmith, Alberta. On a grey sky evening, the sky opened between clouds and I got these images – I’m liking the colour, the texture, the light and the cloud work.

Quote to Consider / Inspire: “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” ― Ansel Adams

Listening to: Still Corner’s ‘The Trip,’ Flock of Seagulls’ ‘I Ran,’ Midnight Oil’s ‘Beds Are Burning,’ Gord Downie’s ‘Introduce Yourself,’ Joe Strummer’s ‘London is Burning,’ Bob Dylan’s ‘Wiggle Wiggle’ and Laura Cortese’s ‘California Calling.’ And, of course, there’s been Dizzie Gillespie’s ‘School Days.’