The Bleary-Eyed Photographer

Don't try this at home - can be dangerous

Unlike some of my photographer-friends I find myself unable to rise before 5 am driving to catch the best light of the day -the dawn. I did, however, manage it this weekend.  At first, the whole enterprise I thought was going to for nought, as I drove bleary- eyed through light rain with heavy cloud cover.  I kept going, as in the distance I saw some hope of light and colour.

Dark clouds were everywhere- only some light on the far horizon.

North of Newcastle, Concession 6

Disappointed I headed for home but in less than 20 minutes there was some wonderful skies starting to appear. If only I had more patience. 

Courtice-Taunton Road- Pringle's Farm

These shots required a Lee graduated ND filter. It was good to have more experience with the Lee's.

Courtice Road - Dawn Fireworks

This past week there was some fun with a '58 Chevy and an old pickup truck.

Or how about B&W?

This is a low-key version with an orton overlay effect . . .

Or even a little "midnight overlay"

Super HDR?

and the old truck - 

OK back to the peaceful, rural landscape in mid-summer Courtice:

On the Bike Again . . .

Out on the bike again in Clarington.  The "big landscape"  is, most pros will say, the toughest image to work at because you need to create depth with a strong foreground "actor" or use light for the same effect.  A little light on the road helped do this here because a strong foreground element is lacking.

Base Line Road West, Courtice

I like this a lot better as the flowers add some interest at the bottom and the eye is led across the scene by light and colour-  too bad it was taken late in the morning -the light is too "hot" - need to come back to this location early morning before the yellow has all gone.

Some drastic cropping can also "save" a big image to create a faux panorama effect: as the eye has to move laterally and the trees on the horizon give a sense distance and depth.

A true panorama ( a series of exposures "stitched" together) is better perhaps, like on this headstone:

Another panoramic-crop-for-effect on a fence -

Looking for patterns and interesting lighting is dangerous when biking on a busy road.

Old CP tracks at Courtice Road.

Solina Road Farm

Trulls Road, Courtice

It has been quite surprising what interesting photo opportunities you can find within a couple of kilometers of your own home.  Freeman Patterson is validated!

Holt Road, Clarington