Retrospective Part 4...

These shots are from my fourth portfolio I recently submitted into a portfolio contest. The previous blog posts showcase the three portfolios I have shared with you as part of my retrospective...This particular group is a combination of photos from my "Surface Deep" and "Kaleidoscape" series. (2010-2011). I decided to marry them together into a High Park portfolio. All of the photos were taken using slow shutter speeds, and in most cases, zooming in/out during the exposure.

They still remain some of my favorite mood shots...

A retrospective...

It has been a while since I have posted anything, which I am sorry for. Things have been a little hectic lately, and I have been fighting a really nasty cold for almost three weeks. On top of all that I need to take my camera in for a good cleaning, and apparently that is going to result in 4 to 6 weeks of not being able to use it. I keep putting it off because that seems like such a huge time to not be able to take a single shot...

Needless to say, I am unable to show you any new work. On the plus side of things, my exhibit at Olivia's has been extended by a month, until the end of May. I also decided to enter a portfolio contest held by Color magazine which is a sister publication to the more famous Black and White photography magazine. There was no limit to the amount of portfolios one could enter so I decided to enter 5 separate ones showcasing different themes from my past work. Consider it a retrospective if you may. I have decided to show you all the images I chose to enter, and I will post them over 5 different blog entries starting with today's.

Obviously you may have seen some or all of them. But I often say to others that sometimes you need to look back and see where you have been in order to know where to go....so do come take a look back with me......

This portfolio is from Urban Textures, 2010

Exhibition..

I am happy to report I have just completed the hanging for my exhibition at Olivia's at Fifty Three. This is the second time I have been asked to show my work at this fun little restaurant in Little Italy. This time I have featured three images from the 'Surface Deep' collection, and four images from the 'Kaleidoscape' collection. I took these photos in haste to remember the positioning of them, but have since decided I would like to share them with you....

The exhibition runs until the end of April, so if you are in the mood for some great wine, Italian food, and to take a look at my work, please go visit. The restaurant is at 53 Clinton Street, Toronto. Steps away from the TTC on College.

charcoal..

Just sharing a photo I happen to enjoy that reminds me of a charcoal sketch. I'm drawn to the pattern and smudging of the lines which of course are branches reflected off of a creeks surface in High Park.

Many thanks to those of you who visited my last entry, and then gave me comments. critiques, and your pick to help me determine which image to submit for the exhibition I am attempting to enter. I couldn't make this work without your help and support, so I sincerely give you all my thanks. 

Charitable Donation

I have been given the opportunity this holiday season to contribute a piece of my work to help support Eva's Initiative, an organization that help at risk youth develop their skills in order to find meaningful work. My framed image will be for sale at Olivia's at fifty three this Thursday evening. Olivia's at fifty three is the restaurant in Little Italy that I exhibited my first series in last May. (53 Clinton Street)

I thought I would share the image I chose to donate. It is from my new series "Surface Deep". I decided that due to its painterly feel I would print it on watercolour paper. I am quite happy with the result, and hope it sells in order to raise funds for Eva's. :)

Dream like..

This is another shot from my new series Surface Deep which was taken on my last hike through High Park. I was intrigued by the patterns the bare trees and branches made on the creeks surface, and then pushed the pattern a little further by taking the shot with a long exposure. To me, the result almost feels dream like. I also enjoy the moodiness of the browns, charcoal blacks, and greys. I would love to see these shots printed in large scale, say 4 feet by 6, in a simple black frame and hung on stark white wall in a spacious room. Now who is dreaming??

colour burst..

Back to Toronto! This shot believe it or not, is a sample of my new series Surface Deep. It is a reflection off of the pond at Riverdale farm in Cabbagetown. By using a longer shutter speed, I then zoom half way through the exposure to create the burst of colour. The colour of course is coming from natures palette.

Enjoy!

Credit Valley

Okay, so I know this blog is Toronto based, but every now and then I happen to get out of the city and explore the countryside. It won't happen often, but I wanted to share a photo or two of a recent day trip Hugh and I made to Belfountain Falls which is part of the Credit Valley River. I wanted to go for a drive in the country to see what kind of shots I could get for my series I'm working on (Surface Deep). I came back with some great reflection shots, but also some rather good (in my mind) shots of the moving water. They feel rather refreshing in my mind.

Enjoy..

Surface Deep

For most of you, it is not news that after my two solo shows I went through a period of feeling uninspired, and not sure what to focus on next. I do feel I did the right thing, and took the opportunity to not actually focus on anything, but rather learn, and practice a few new things on the camera. I have been concentrating on using different exposure times and have done what I feel are some nifty practice sessions around the apartment.

                                                                                                                                                                             Recently, I was feeling like I needed to get back outdoors and spend some time with nature, and of course the camera. I went on a couple of hikes and found myself drawn to reflections in the water. Within minutes, I was using my new skills with exposures, and am happy to say I have found my new project. It is a nice transition from my texture series which focused on colour, and patterns, and textures of solid items. The difference is that now the subject is water, but the focus remains on colour and pattern.

Welcome to my new series, my new work. I call it "Surface Deep".