Image 1 A ::: Exterior // Small Residential Home  //  [f/5.6]  [3 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

This is a small lop-sided residential  house nestled on the side of Place Saint Henri Metro.  The photo was taken at 7am on a rainy morning.  I tried to balance the ambient natural light and gorgeous glow and reflection of the street lamps.  The right side of the house has straight vertical lines to the edge of the frame.  I did not, however, adjust the left side.  The house itself is not straight, and it s in my opinion adds to the small house’s charm.

Image 1 B ::: Exterior // Small Residential Home //  [f/5.6]  [3 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

FOR REFERENCE ::: As an experiment, I waited for one of the transit buses to pass and kept the same set up.   I really like the blurr effect of the passing bus.

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IMAGE 2  //  Stewart Hall

Image 2 ::: Exterior // Stewart Hall (Pointe Claire Cultural Center) [f/11]  [1/60 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

This is the side veranda of Stewart Hall – The Cultural Center of Pointe Claire in the West Island.

This image was taken at about 11am.  Although not ideal in terms of the quality of light, I wanted to get the tall shadows created by the columns.  The higher sun proved to give me this effect better.  I tried to ensure the columns were vertical to the edge of my frame.

The hall has a very long history, most of which can be found on the Town of Pointe Claire website

Brief History ::: tThomas Avery Crane, of Crane & Baird Grain Exporters, bought the actual lot, called “The Knoll”, in 1891. On it he built a wooden country house by the edge of the lake and a farm on the north side of the Lakeshore. In 1901, the property and the farm were sold to Hugh Andrew Allen, while part of the farm was reserved for a tree farm, the Pointe-Claire Nursery. The Knoll thus became the summer residence of the Allen family. By 1910, the Allen enterprises were in difficulty, and the family had to let go of their summer residence.

In 1940 the Fathers of Sainte-Croix acquired the property for a nominal sum, using the hall for a novitiate and continuing the farm. For eighteen years the Fathers supported themselves by cultivating the farm while training several generations of lay brothers, missionaries and priests. However, as they experienced financial burdens, their ability to support themselves decreased, and in 1958, “Les Pères de Sainte-Croix” were forced to sell the property to a real estate developer. The mansion thus stood empty throughout the winter, while plans were being drawn up for a high rise apartment building. It was saved from demolition at almost the last possible moment by Mrs. May Beatrice Stewart, who bought the mansion and resold it to the city of Pointe-Claire for $1.  A planning committee was formed, and Mrs. “Vi” Duncanson’s proposal was accepted by all: that the mansion would become a cultural centre. The restoration and renovations were entrusted to Guy Gérin-Lajoie. It is to his credit that the MacLean mansion has retained the character and ambiance of its original style while fulfilling its functional role. The official opening of Stewart Hall was held on February 16, 1963.

The building now houses a branch of Pointe-Claire Public Library , Stewart Hall Art Gallery and Art Lend. Stewart Hall also offers various high standard cultural programs to the community.

It can also be rented for events, such as weddings – the reception hall opens onto the veranda.

Image 2 B::: Exterior // Stewart Hall (Pointe Claire Cultural Center) [f/11]  [1/500 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

FOR REFERENCE ::: For This is the right side of Stewart Hall, you can see the veranda

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IMAGE 3 // Xerox Building

Image 3 ::: Interior // Xerox Building, Main Lobby  // (Composite)

1st Image [f/5.6]  [1/8 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

2nd Image [f/6.3]  [1/3 seconds]  [iso 100]  [20mm]

These images were shot during our Saturday Demo class at the Xerox Building.  This is the main entrance escalator.  I bracketed this shot so that I could have bright clear windows and warm lighting for the interior.  I tried very hard to give a symmetrical look to the escalators.

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IMAGE 4 // Our Little House on Ile Perrot

Image 4 A::: Interior  // Colin’s Office //  [f/5.6]  [1/15 seconds]  [iso 800 ]  [20 mm]

This is my husband Colin’s hobby desk in his office in our home in Ile Perrot.  After he is done any work he brings home, he works on one of his hobbies.  Painting Warhammer figures.

This image was shot around 4pm.  attempted to balance the different lighting sources which include a window on the left (not in the frame), a cold florescent bulb in the floor lamp and a few regular incandescence bulbs (in the ceiling fixture and desk lamp)

I like the lighting because it looks true to how Colin works when he sits in his chair.

Image 4 B ::: Exterior // My Little House // [f/13]  [2 seconds]  [iso 200]  [20mm]

REFERENCE ::: This is a picture of our little house on Ile Perrot.

My short list for the Jan Groover “Kitchen Sink” assignment.

though we have to submit images in color for the assignment, I really liked the look of black and white for these images.

This was a long week.  Lots that had to be done, but I got there.  Feeling optimistic.  The cup is half full.

Colin normally doesn’t let me take his picture.  In a odd moment on a late train here are a few pictures I snapped of him.

Some more pictures from my ALP shoot with Georgina.

Check out her work :::
www.georginaavilaphotography.com
www.georginavila.com
www.mexicolindoyqueherido.ca

Love this picture.  It has a cat, photography and Nikon all represented (some of my favorite things).

I didn’t take the picture, and would love to give credit where credit is due.  Great capture mysterious photographer!

I have been friends with Georgina for 3 years now.  She is a graphic designer, turned photographer.  She is a recent graduate of the AEC Commercial Photography Program at Dawson, and she was the one who encouraged me to apply to the course.  Georgina and I have shot several weddings together and find we work extremely well together.

Her graduating portfolio for Dawson was a personal project about her home – Mexico -  and the pride the local street vendors and artisans have for their nation.  Her project has expanded and she is currently working on having her photographs published into a book.  Her project can be seen here :  www.mexicolindoyqueherido.ca

With the letters and correspondence Georgina is sending to various publications, submission houses, publishers and print media she believes having a portrait of her surrounded by those things important (Not only to the project, but simply to the artist herself) may help familiarize and personalize her requests to potential supporters, benefactors and publishers.  Alternatively, the portrait photo could be used on the dust jacket for her book.  It could also be used for advertising publications for Mexico tourism.  www.visitmexico.com

We chose to shoot at her home in Rosemont.  She lives on a lovely treelined street in a  stereotypical “Montreal” rowhouse with her father, Jorge.

Her multi-coloured sweater speaks volumes about her personal style, her design esthetic as well as an homage to Mexico.   Surrounding her are the tools of her trade, her MacBook and camera.  Small hints of her life are scattered in the images, including her bike, her favorite coffee mug, her astrology books and favorite photos of friends.  The walls of her bedroom are adorn with art created by Georgina.

To see more of Georgina’s work, please visit one of her websites.

www.georginaavilaphotography.com
www.georginavila.com
www.mexicolindoyqueherido.ca

Photo 1.  NATURAL LIGHT  [f/5.6]    [1/50sec]   [iso 200]   [85mm]   [ambient f/11]

Photo 2. REFLECTOR  [f/2.8]    [1/1000sec]   [iso 400]   [50mm]   [ambient f/2.8]

The reflector is on the left side of the image, filling in some light on the face where the fading sun through the window is creating shadows.

Photo 3. FLASH  [f/5.6]    [1/100sec]   [iso 200]   [20mm]   [ambient f/8]   [lighting pattern : broad]

CONCLUSIONS / ISSUES :::

This was a fun project as I got to take pictures of a friend, however, that was also an issue because we chatted lots.  For the second image with a reflector I wanted to use the setting sun streaming through the window, it was such a short period of time I really didn’t get the shot I wanted when the light was most perfect.Also because of time constraints I wasn’t able to shoot Georgina at an alternative location I scouted a week before the shoot.

Not being able to take out all the equipment needed for the project from school is a real bummer.

Luc

Melissa.

This is Toady.  We call him Toady.  No idea what his real name is.  Toady has been visiting us for about two years.  He comes and talks to my cats and occasional torments and teases them as well.  Rolling and basking in the sunshine on the deck, as my cats watch from inside.

We recently tore down the old aluminum shed in our yard, and we’ve had an influx of mice.  Thankfully with all the food I’ve given Toady over the years he made quick work of the mice, in what I’d like to think is a gesture of thanks.  He has brought me almost 10 so far and laid them all out on the deck.

Colin and I have been busy doing some small renovations to our little house in Ile Perrot.  On Saturday we cleared out our master bedroom to put down some new flooring.  While we took a break to have some lunch, Manny enjoyed some uninterrupted sun bathing in a large pool of sun.  Its a cat’s life.

www.elegantwedding.ca Magazine Publication)

www.lavphoto.com / www.veravarley.com (Photographer)

Credit & Copyright to : Erin Farrell  /  Blog Post :  “Your Camera Takes Really Nice Pictures”.

Imagine that you’re baking dessert for a party.  It’s your special recipe: the one everyone asks for.  You make it from scratch, of course, never looking at the recipe that you committed to memory so long ago.  Sugar, beaten eggs, sift in the flour…  you’re crafting something delicious from basic elements.  Now you’re at the party and everyone is gushing about your dessert.  The flavor!  The texture!  But most of all you’re being asked, “what kind of oven do you have?  It makes great cakes!”

That’s pretty much how a photographer feels when people look at their photos and say, “your camera takes great pictures.”

Of course it’s not the camera that takes great photos, any more than it’s the oven that makes a great dessert.  Ovens and cameras are just tools that make our jobs easier.  Yes, better equipment does make a difference.  I wouldn’t spend thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses if it didn’t.  However, you must understand the camera to take advantage of all it can offer.  Just because you’re using a professional camera does not mean you are producing professional images.

It’s all about what you know: the technicalities of photography.  You have to determine just the right type and direction of light, position your models to take advantage of that light and create a pleasing composition, utilize the correct camera settings (aperture, ISO, etc.) and work with your models to make them feel comfortable.  And that’s just the first half!  After the photo shoot there is still post-processing to be done.

 

Facebook   /  Twitter   /  Yanick Dery Webite  / Blog  /  Official The Photo Art Book 360 Website  / Logo

Recently we met Yanick Dery when he was a guest speaker in one of our classes.

He has embarked on an ambitious photo project – all for the good of charity.

His personal goal, to photograph all 360 degrees of the planet, taking pictures of people representing all geographical areas of the earth.

The book, The Photo Art Book 360 Degrees, is firstly a charity project.  Individuals and companies have an opportunity to buy a layout (page) in this 360 paged book – with all donated monies going to the charity of their choice.

All the links for this project are above – check them out !!  Tentative release date for the book OCTOBER 2012.

Best wishes and good luck to Yanick!

Yanick encourages people to download the Photo Art Book 360 logo, and to take a picture to post to their Facebook – and maybe (just mayyyyyybe) these photo submissions might make it to the final book!

Get snapping, and do your part to spread the word about this interesting and worthwhile charitable work!!

Marty, Minou and Manny have done their part!

Above a few more diptychs of my favorite subjects.

Last week I caught Manny inside one of my bags.  I thought it was soooooooooooo sweet and cute.

I took pictures. . . .

. . . .Then. . . .

. . . I got a Twitter message from LUG (The maker of the bag Manny was having his siesta in) and would you believe it. . .a pet photo contest!!!!!!

Needless to say Manny is entered.

I tried my hand at making “diptychs” (the connected pictures) which is part of our next assignment in school.

Not sure if either my submission or my diptychs are successful, but one thing is for sure. . . .Manny is cute!

(Also, anyone looking for a gift idea for me, LUG has been linked in this post! haha!)

Here are some of the pictures I took on our little trip to the Biodome here in Montreal.

Yes, I spent a LITTLE more time with the Lynx than any of the other animals!