Urban Textures Revisited....

Last weekend while I was sorting and editing some of the floral abstracts I have been posting I had one of those a-ha! moments. It had suddenly dawned on me to go back and take a look at one of my earlier subjects and then re-interpret them with some of the new skills/techniques I have learned since then.

So out came the camera and the umbrella and I headed over to one of the more colourful spots in Toronto, Queen Street West. The first time around I had focused on Urban Textures as I was actually viewing them, and only used composition as my way of expressing how I was seeing them. This time, it was still about the colours and patterns, but less about fine details. I decided to experiment using the same techniques I have been using with the floral images, and my Kaleidoscape series.

The result is an explosion of colours, and some wonderful, (in my opinion) abstract shots. I can't wait for my next day off, and hope to build up the portfolio with a few more...

Here are a couple for you to take a look at..

Retrospective Part 5 of 5...

Here it is. The last portfolio I entered into the contest. (Portfolio contest, "Color" magazine). So now it will be another month or two of waiting for the results. In the mean time my plans are to get the camera all cleaned, and serviced, and perhaps look at purchasing a new lens. I'm thinking wide angle....

Did I mention I am collaborating with a couple of friends on developing a play about photography for this years Fringe festival here in Toronto? (July) We have titled the play "Exposure" and we will be showing at the Tarrogon theatre...I will post the details, as they come. ;)

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

Mellow Yellow

I seem to recall that the groundhog predicted an early Spring......I think I'm going to make groundhog stew tonight for dinner.

I managed to squeeze in a quick photo shoot at Allan Gardens the other day. Yes, it does tend to be my 'go-to' place, especially this time of year. But who can resist the warmth, the smell of moist soil, and fragrant flowers when outside it is still damp, cold, and downright ugly. (I dislike March, can you tell?)

The purpose of this shoot was to add a few more shots to my "Kaleidoscape" series, especially the ones using colour from flowers. These are some of the ones that turned out, and I am happy with. You definitely get a feeling of spring and warmth from them. Don't you?

I am also working away at putting a few portfolios together for a contest that a rather large and well known photography magazine is hosting, so stay tuned for info on that. It may be a long shot, but you just never know.

Kind of like not knowing when Spring will start...

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.

strength from within..

Another day off, and another overcast one at that. Now many of you mourn the loss of the sun, but as you  may know, I love taking shots on overcast days. So I grabbed the camera, bundled up, and headed out to take some more shots for 'kaleidoscape". I didn't get as many as I had hoped, but there where a few winners from the bunch.

This one was one of my favorites. To me it feels like there is an energy from within his torso and it is radiating out, or giving him strength. I am sure we can all relate to days where we have to draw from an inner strength in order to cope or succeed at the task at hand.

The statue by the way, is the one standing in front of Union Station on Front Street. One of my favorite pieces of public art.