Shot of the Week: 7

"There Must Really be a GOD"

These are the words I uttered as my friend and I drove pass wide open fields covered in snow, with the bright blue sky and white fluffy clouds above us. I've said it awhile back and saying it again, I am definitely loving winter!

I don't think these photos really captured the beauty of it all.

I wish I have a very photographic memory and that everytime I would want too, I'll be able to pull back from memory all the images I saw that day.

Parts of the road were icy with the melted snow that are now frozen after the temperature dropped below zero again.

Another perspective of the part frozen road. Converted this particular photo to black and white and thought it turned out okay.

Is it faith that makes you walk on water? Maybe. But in this case, the weather! We decided to take a walk off frozen lake.

The lifeless trees against the golden sunset I thought were beautiful.

Thank God this ice did not break while I was standing there!

I just thought, I have to take a reflection shot. I always try to get one :)

Every road trip is punctuated with meal time. In Shelburne, Pete's Donuts is in every corner (yes not Tim Horton's) for awhile there I thought I was in the twilight zone! Every turn, there it is!


The weather that day (Feb 16) was perfect! Not too cold. And I am very thankful I did not stay home to do chores. Thank you to my shooting buddy that day who loves and enjoys long leisurely drives and is too kind to have me tag along! Make sure to check out his photos too. (There are some photos of me! And you will see how high the snow banks were after too much snowing!)

Shot of the Week: 6

Family Day

It has been awhile since I went out with my family or sat down with them for long hours talking and sharing laughs. For the past couple of months we've been busy doing our own stuff. The only activity we do together is supper. (Well, now, my family here in Canada is comprised of myself, my elder sister and my brother.)

Who would have thought that a trip to Paderno and IKEA will be so much fun.
The three of us played like little children and laughed our hearts out with the simplest thing.

Without my SLR nor dinky camera, I settled using my phone camera. Shot of the week project is not about having a technically good photo but its more about capturing a slice of my life. (But ofcourse, it will be better if the photos would come out great!) That's why not having my SLR is no excuse for snapping a picture.






Me, me, me! Always a photo of me! I just can't resist sitting down on one of these. And who wouldn't burst into laughter???





Again, me, me, me with my baby brother. Well, he is not a baby anymore. My sister just refused to be in a photo. She really doesn't want her photo taken.





Time just really flies so fast when you're having so much fun.



If I have my super power, it will be the ability to stop time.

Looking forward to another fun day with my family, hopefully soon with everyone.

Shot of the Week: 5

Winter Wonder Land

I have said it before, and I'll say it again. I think I am loving winter. Maybe not think, I am definitely loving winter now.

At first I dreaded winter. Having lived most of my life in the tropics, I wondered how I will survive winter. The lowest temperature I've experienced is 8C before I moved to Canada two years ago. And I'll be in double sweaters and will be tucked in my bed most of the times.

Last year's winter was mild (well, according to alot of people). I thought it wasn't that bad but it was not fun. I've spent most of the time home and hardly took my camera out. I thought the dead tree branches were a drag and depressing to look at.

This year, I made a 360 degree turn. Even a snowstorm will not stop me from going out and having fun. I actually enjoyed going out during a snowfall, feel the breeze and the soft snow brush and fall on my face. Even the treacherous walk after the snow has frozen was fun! The landscape is just beautiful after a snowfall.


I took this on my way to work. I have to go out of my way to snap the photo. That day was a bit of a drag, as I didn't want to be locked up in the office on such a beautiful day.


One of the four falls we went to. The fluffy, white snow made the falls look so amazing. The cascading water and the gentle breeze will just put you at ease.


Trying to keep the water flowing


Frozen


Testing the limits of our equipment. Not really, just too tired lagging everything around.

My shooting buddies for the week! Everyone is from the group called TPMG. I guess, knowing these people and making really good friends helped change my attitude towards winter. Looking forward for more snowfall and outings with these guys.

Shot of the Week: 4

The EYE

The model wannabe did not show up when a friend and I scheduled a shoot!
So, instead of putting the day to waste, I played with my camera and just snapped away. Of all the photos, this is what I liked the most.

Shot using my D70 at f1.8.









"Never bend your head.
Always hold it high.
Look the world straight in the eye."

Helen Keller

Shot of the Week: 3

The Distillery

One thing I love about Toronto is that it offers a lot of contrasts. You could be standing amidst the cold towering buildings of the financial district one moment and a few minutes walk will bring you to the warmth of brick architecture or the lush greenery of parks.

The Distillery sits very close to downtown Toronto. It is a national Historical Site and has great architecture that offers a lot photo opportunities.

It used to be called the Gooderham and Worts Distillery. Its facilities used to include flour mills, a warf, the distillery, store houses, ice house, a cooper shop and a dairy. (source: http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/frameset.html)



Again, despite the bitter cold of winter, I ventured out and tried to capture some photos.

This strip is lighted by changing color LED lights. Timing to get the best color was hard!

Victorian achitecture soon to be shadowed by new condominiums.

I was talking about contrasts, stand at the center of The Distillery and you will see the old and the new.



The Distillery also now houses the arts - galleries, theatre and host to different festivities all year round.

I was not the only idiot who went out to shoot in the freezing cold, despite the knowledge that these buildings will still be there this summer. Shooting buddy for the night.

Shot of the Week: 2

Okay, okay, I am getting worst at this. Last week I was just a day late, now two days. Good thing I didn't commit to a daily shot.

But in all fairness, I've taken these photos last week.

I got a new 50mm, 1.8 lens and took it for a test last Tuesday with a friend. We went to Horseshoe Tavern to see some rock bands play. Biggest mistake? Not bringing an earplug. For awhile, I thought I've busted my eardrums and gone partially deaf. Thank goodness I was hearing normally after two days, as my friend predicted.




I've always loved taking people shots, but not your usual posed portraits, sometimes I call firing squad shots. I like taking photos of people on their unguarded moments. So, I thought taking photos of a rock band performance will be neat! We always see them in their element, as if in their own world. They lose themselves to their music. I've converted most of the photos to B&W to mask the blur. It was hard getting sharp photos as they move a lot.




And ofcourse, a shot of the shooting buddy

Shot of the Week Reset. Week 1

It is the new year.
So, I am resetting my shot of the week counter. I should be able to log 52 shots this year. Am a day behind. True.
This is or these are my Week 1 shots, for 2008.



A friend and I ventured into the Guild Inn Park. Though our feet were frozen, we had a lot of fun. The area has interesting sculptures and pillars in random places around the park. My favorite spot, this! I had a blast taking pictures of ourselves. It has been a long time since I played in front of my camera.

The frozen melted snow made the grounds slippery. But still, a lot of people go to the park for a quick walk and to snap pictures. Into the woods, I spotted this couple walking hand in hand.

Technically, this photo is bad, but I like it for the drama. How would you like to find someone to hold your hand as you journey through life? Someone to walk with wherever the path leads you too.

(Photo taken in full colors and converted to B&W, more grain added.)


I tried hard to capture the tree reflections on the paddle of water. I hardly succeeded.

The color, the lone bench and the tree branches give me an eerie feeling of being lost and alone.