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...

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!

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".

$3,000

I was recently reading one of my many issues of home decorating/furnishing magazines and I came across a small article on a local photographer. The work shown was abstract shots of water, mostly in terms of reflections. I have done some of my own work on this subject, and have given a few out as gifts, and also framed several for my own use. The picture I am posting is one of those shots. It was taken at Riverdale farm in one of the ponds.

In the article there was a photo of hers that was extremely similar, and it was enlarged to 20 inches by 30 inches. The price tag....  $3,000

Time for me to revisit this subject, I think.  :)

Reflecting

Another shot from my walk the other day to the Brick Works. I was just about ready to head home when I saw the old brick building being reflected in the pond beside it. Was just one of those tranquil moments. The area by the way, has won many awards for their conservation, and 'green' practices. I was a little dismayed though that many of the original brick buildings have disappeared and are being replaced by new buildings. The area is to become a huge science/learning/environmental destination.

I've always enjoyed the area. Every season, it is a good place to go and do a little reflecting.

Looking Down..

You may find it difficult, but this shot is a mixture of real trees and reflections. I decided to walk to Greek town today which takes you over the Bloor Street Viaduct. This shot was taken half way across the viaduct and looking down into the Don River. I figured I have shown mostly urban photos, so it was time to show a nature one. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

Honourable Mention 2

This is the second of the two Honourable mentions I received for The City of Toronto photo contest. It was Titled "Spring in St. James Park", and the category was city parks.

I love to take shots of water in various forms. Still, moving, rippled, splashes, reflections, and in this case raindrops. Much like weathered wood, peeling paint, and rust, I like how water can become abstract. Finding beauty or interest in unconventional things.

Printed, framed and hung, they often look spectacular. In my opinion anyways...