Silence...

I found this quote from Mr. Adams appropriate.

If you glance at the date of my last post you will see I have been silent from this blog for about a year. And what a year it has been. On one hand, it has been one of the most difficult years for me, and on the other it has been a great year in terms of self discovery, and acceptance.

I won't go into details at this point, but will just let this entry be simple and to the point. What is the point you ask? Well... the point is that after a year of silence it is time to once again dust off the camera, and get back out there and try to find the images that will help explain my new found perspective. As much as I enjoy silence, it is time to find my new voice, and rekindle my passions.

I sincerely welcome you back. I'm glad you are here.

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..

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".

Back to Brown...

Another visit back to one of my favorite spots, the Distillery District. This time the purpose was to practice using my camera with manual settings rather then the automatic ones I have been using up to this point. In a way I feel I am starting all over, but yet it feels exciting and new all at once. Most people who know me, know I have the patience of....well...who am I kidding. I have no patience. Which actually amazes me how much I love trying to figure out, and capture a good shot. Of course there are those moments of pure frustration, and disappointment but that comes with anything being newly learned.

But I digress. This shot is part of Toronto's most photographed old trucks at the Distillery. I can see why, the patina on it is simply amazing. My goal is of course to try and capture a less popular view of it. I love the rusty reds, and brown tones. Reminds one that Fall is only a month away....