Winter at Lake Simcoe

Lake Simcoe is the 4th largest lake in Ontario. It's about an hour and half north of Toronto. It's bustling in the summer with cottage folks spending warm summer months along its shores. It's good in the winter as well. The lake freezes and people enjoy ice fishing, hockey, snow mobile rides and cross country skiing on the lake.

This is taken along the shore of Lake Simcoe which is now frozen. Careful as some parts where water from in the inland flows to the lake is not solid. I can only guess how this sharp ice formation came to be.

Frozen waves

I call this the lonely willow tree.

Black and White version of the lonely willow tree.

The sticks mark the play/picnic area leading to the lake. With the lake frozen and the ground covered in snow, it's hard to tell where the water starts and the land area ends.

Cross Country skiers.
You can enjoy winter without the extreme sports like snow boarding or (hill) skiing. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing can be just as fun. 

Is this rock in land or on frozen water? Hard to tell eh? Taking this shot, low on the ground, I got scared as I heard a sound from under my feet. (Water gargle or bubble) I had no idea how deep the water under is, so I decided to walk back on safer grounds.

The sun sets on Lake Simcoe

Outdoors in the winter is beautiful! Enjoy it. Bundle up and keep warm!

Trading In

Since I started owning an SLR (some ten years or so ago), I try to use it at all my outings, even if it means hauling an extra bag weighing about 10 pounds of equipment - camera body, lenses, batteries and at times, tripod! I for some reason dread using dinky cameras - the point and shoots. But lately, I've been using a camera even smaller than my dinky camera - my iPhone 4s! And I hate to admit it, I've been using it more often than my DSLR and I am lovin' it! It's handy, fits my pocket, takes descent photo, have free photo editing applications and multi-purpose!

My friend, Bernadette from down under visited us and we're grateful she got to experience Canadian Winter!

Snow Shoeing with Alvin in Collingwood. While waiting for our snow mobile tour,  the operators took us to a snow shoeing tour.

Snow shoeing photo, edit on iPhone - crop and add a filter using Instagram.

Berns enjoying the walk on fresh, fluffy snow.

It was great that there was a significant snowfall, 24 hours before we got there!

It was winter wonderland. Border and feathering on the side using Instagram.

Can you feel the cold?

Snow shoe trail

And of course, in town (Toronto), we did some skating at Nathan Philip Square.

Photo cropped and horizon adjusted on Photoshop Express. 

One nice feature of the iPhone camera is the HDR function. This is taken with HDR function on. This photo is as taken, no enhancement made in the post.

I think the photos are good. It's actually better than my dinky camera. I'd trade in my dinky cam with the iPhone. But I am keeping my DSLR.

On New Borns

Taking baby photos, let me rephrase that, taking new born photos is a huge challenge for me. I was excited to do it but I was not comfortable at all. I had the parents present and had them move the baby in different positions. I was afraid to move her.

I had so many ideas in my head but I failed to execute it. The baby either cried, needed feeding, pooped, needed changing, then our time was up!

Learnings from this shoot -

Timing is important. Talk to the parents, ask when scheduled feeding would be (as I assume the baby would sleep after that). Work with the baby's schedule not yours.

Just like on adults, if you're getting new clothes, make sure it fits. You don't want the baby swimming in the clothes. 

If you're DYI-ing your props, do it properly. I created a headband with little flowers. It was cute laid out on the bed but wrapped around the baby's head, the flowers were not properly placed! Thank you Photoshop, I cloned one of the flowers and I think it came out okay.

Keep your eyes open. There are moments, unposed that could be interesting. I took this photo while mom held the baby, trying to soothe her.

Use pop of colour. Step away from the usual black or white. Play with focus.

Don't leave out the big sister/brother.

The shoot was fun. Will I do it again? Yes, but only with people I know well, who will be patient with me.

Due

My dslr has been gathering dust (yet again).  I always knew that I'd pick it up again and take it out in due time.  That time came couple of weeks ago.  Off I went (with Alvin) and forayed into maternity photography. My sister-in-law was supposedly due in a week then. 

The shoot was fun and though a bit rusty, we managed to get some decent shots. The whole family was a good sport and we all had some fun.

Here are some of the photos.

The fun and wacky side of everyone was evident in some of the photos.

Big sister is very excited and has been patiently waiting for the baby.

She promised to take care of the baby and volunteered to change diapers.

Soon, there will be tres Marias.

Winter is Here!

Well, it has been for a while.  It's just that all we have had are the freezing temperature and a little snow dusting, until today. Toronto had a good snow fall.  A lot went out to enjoy it including moi!

After a good walk, ' stopped for coffee at Sense Appeal.  It's a relatively new coffee place on Spadina.  Coffee looked and tasted good, pastries -- yummy. (In my haste to take the first sip, I forgot to take photos)  Similar to Starbucks, you can create your own coffee but thank goodness, it's simpler (and no gazillion choices).  The staff (who I believed are the owners/partners) were very nice.  They engaged the customers and were happy to explain the different coffees.  Customer service: two thumbs up.  The only downside is that the space is small.

Comfort before fashion, why? When you can have both. Stay warm and look good. Replace your toque with nice hats from Big It Up!

Out for a ride.

Enjoying the snow downtown before it turns to black.

   

One, Two, Tie Your Shoes...

... and join me and thousand others for a run to fight breast cancer on Sunday Oct. 3, 2010!

Yes, I have made a commitment! Shoe laces are tied, practice run scheduled - I am all set!


This is a new cause I am taking. It's cliche, but sadly true. Most of us if not all know someone whose life has been changed or affected by the Big C. Two of my dearest friends are breast cancer survivors. (Big cheers for them). I am running to celebrate them (and the million others) with hopes that we will find the cure; and have a future without breast cancer.


I invite you to join the fight. Run beside me,
register now! Or you can donate, and sponsor me run!

My heartfelt thanks (friends) to all the support, donation and cheers.

(photos taken with Nikon d300 with 35 mm lens, slow shutter set on the floor)