The Hunt

The last image made during my stupendous weekend, a 30 minute exposure, ended with the lens dewing up. The dew on the lens causes the star trails to soften at the end which I really like. But the dew also makes the tree soften which is not quite so desirable. But I like the image with all of it's softness. The glow off in the distance is Thunder Bay some 40 mile further up the North Shore in Canada.

On the drive home Sunday afternoon I was reflecting on the weekend. Photography, for me, is like a hunt, always looking for an interesting image to capture. Sometimes you find a gem and other times a plain old rock. It takes alot of energy, both physical and emotional, and believe me it is not an easy pursuit.

It dawned on my that while I was out hunting for images I wasn't always seeing what I was looking for, taking time to stop and enjoy the feast before my eyes. In particular Saturday night/early Sunday morning I found myself totally involved in the experience of being outside on the North Shore at a place scared to the Ojibwe people under a canopy of stars engaged in quiet conversation with someone equally happy to be there. I commented to Travis that this reminded me of the time when I used to do this alot more when I realized that I was doing it again, right NOW. I felt so much peace and tranquility, nourishing food for the soul.

I've often subconsciously stopped and enjoyed my surroundings. Many a morning I have risen to make photographs of the sunrise but found myself enjoying the start of a new day with my camera still tucked in my camera bag. After all capturing images in ones camera is not the only capturing method. Capturing them in your body, your mind and your soul is often much more memorable. It is photographing the stars at night, that gives one he opportunity to capture those two images at once. Just be aware that a 30 minute camera exposure could easily become a 60 minute exposure if your body, mind and soul exposure is longer than the cameras.

Roger

Nighttime on the North Shore

This was a weekend from which life long memories are made. Night time shooting is something I have just recently begun to pursue with more than casual interest. A few weeks ago I dipped my toe in the water and this weekend I took the plunge. With great weather, a scared place and a fine friend few things could top the experience of the last two nights.

The first image was the first exposure I made on Friday night. The moon was scheduled to rise at midnight. This was a "quick" 30 minute exposure before the moon was due to make it's appearance.



Friday night turned into Saturday morning and the moon rose behind some clouds. As the clouds moved thru the sky the moon danced in and out playing with the light, the shadows and reflections. The second image of just a little over 2 minutes, gracefully smoothed the movement of the clouds.



The first night ended with a cloudless sky and the moon shining down lighting up this magical place. Another 30 minute exposure puts the stars in motion around the North Star. Fog lay off in the distance threatening the rest of the shoreline.

Tomorrow Saturday nights adventure.

Roger

Just have to boast a little

OK, it's not a picture that I'm going to print, mat and frame. But it is a picture of where I'm going to do the last two of those activities, mat and frame.

I previously did my matting and framing downstairs on top of an air hockey table. There wasn't any storage space and my back would kill me after working over it for a short time. There was something in my mind that would be alot better.

I did some research on the internet and got some good ideas. I knew I wanted storage for mat board and foam core board as well as framing sections and glass so I concocted this configuration. I knew it was going to be really heavy so I constructed it so all of the shelves would easily slide in and out. I was kinda crossing my fingers when I started building it from the simple plans I put together.

As with most on my projects there were some unforeseen obstacles butt I was able to overcome them. My biggest concern was following the suggestions of other matters and building it to my height, 4" below my elbow. I'm 6'4" and 4" below my elbow is pretty high. Well I've done some matting and framing on the table and it is quite comfortable working.

In the end I find it quite functional and really a nice work surface to work on. Now I need to go out and start marketing my work and putting the table to work :).

Anyway I just had to show off my creation, thanks for listening.

Roger