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.

All That Jazz

You've got to love summer in Toronto. It continues to sizzle - with the rising temperature (up wards to 40C), the lakeside, the patio and weekly free events for families.

This weekend, Torontonians are once again treated to beautiful music at the Beaches Jazz Festival.  Here are some snapshots.


Lisa Haley and the Zydekats at the Kew Beach -

God Made Me Funky 

My favourite will be the big bands.

There are more happenings in Toronto. This weekend, Caribana. So get your flip flops, put on some sunblock, wear your sunglasses and hat! Step out and enjoy summer while it lasts.

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.

   

A Year After

Well, the weekly blog didn't work.
Been busy.
Didn't shoot last year.
Been sick.
Blah, Blah, Blah.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.

After a year, I only managed to post seven!
It's winter again. Here are some I took last weekend.
Weather was good, temperature was a little over ZERO.
A good thing after double digit negative temperature for a week.

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: 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.