Photo of the Week #243

We just returned from our second trip to Shetland. Awhile back I wrote about comparing an organized photo tour with a self-guided trip and you know what? My original feelings were only reinforced. We really like the idea of setting up a home base and working from there. This flight was our first ever time that our luggage got misplaced. I’m willing to bet it went to Bergen without us as there was a plane from the same airline loading for there when we arrived.

We had to purchase a few things to get us going but the horrendous weather was the real issue. It was so windy and cold we really didn’t have the clothing to do very much. Our luggage caught up to us by day 4 and we were set with our rain gear and some more layers to deal with the low teens temperatures we were experiencing. All things considered, I would rather be in some northern destination than sitting on a Caribbean beach any day.

One of my favourite images came from a hike we did in the rain. There is no bad weather, just poor choices in clothing they say.

Photo of the Week # 222

It is said that if you don’t step out of your comfort zone, you don’t grow. I believe this to be true and I value critique in my photography a great deal, but I think that many people look for critique in places that aren’t valuable. The vast majority of people on social media don’t know a good photo, have you seen them complimenting each other on their blurry profile photos? Your friends or family likewise aren’t the people to look to for honest opinions, they like everything you do, or maybe they don’t but they aren’t going to tell you if that’s the case.

For valuable critique, look to people whose work you admire, for obvious reasons. Maybe find a friend you trust who is willing to be honest with you? I don’t wait and count social media likes but I do notice when a few certain people engage because I trust and follow those people. Those are the opinions I do value.

As usual, thoughts and comments always welcome.

Photo of the Week # 207

When I travel typically, I end up with photos that I am really not pleased with. Travel photography often means that I don’t take my time and really do what I intend and when I get home, I am dissatisfied with my work. My wife and I have talked about this many times and we are trying to change the way we travel a bit and take our time. Often, we try to do too much and that just isn’t conducive to good photography.

The image below is a 2:1 aspect ration pano pf Payto Lake. I did a few but I think this was a 12 frame pano and is printable to at least 48 inches wide. This would look wonderful over a sofa, would love to see it.

Peyto Lake, Alberta

Photo of the Week # 204

Canada’s Rocky Mountains, one of the most beautiful places I’ve spent time. There is beauty in all directions, you just have to find a composition to enhance it. This is a scene from Canmore, Alberta we found. We experienced very little cloud in the sky while we were there, mostly clear blue skies so in this one, I excluded most of the sky.

Photo of the Week #203

We just got back from a few days in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Alberta Canada. Our base there was Canmore so how can you not take advantage of “The Three Sisters”, likely Canmore’s most iconic subject. I hear lots of talk about the value of shooting these “iconic” subjects, the ones that have been shot so many times by just as many photographers. Lots of people think those shots are of little value. I, personally think you should shoot what makes you happy, after all, I do this for my enjoyment, right?