On Location - Month 3

So the plan was to meet in Kleinburg and explore the back woods of the McMichael Art Gallery. All was fine and dandy except it was -20 and freezing. I was so cold I didn't focus too much on the photography, I was more concerned with my frozen toes. Why did I think it would be a good idea to wear rubber boots in the snow?

The above pic is part of a series I am working on showing pattern and movement. Removing the subjects literal interpretation and making it looked skewed. I don't think I'm quite there yet but comments are always welcome.

On location - Month 2

Well what can I say... We've been trying to get together for our outing for over a week and nothings happened. Screw the obstacles I say - I went out by myself today. Chris picked my location and I strapped the camera around my neck fully prepared to get nothing out of today but I forced myself out of the house, because really, why are we paying daycare - ya know?

I ended up at Webster's Falls. It turned into a beautiful day with bursts of sunshine and dramatic skies. I trekked around the park trying to follow other people's footstep so as not to fall down (can you say 2ft of snow anyone?!?) and shot the equivalent of a few rolls of film. I started off taking pictures from one of the look outs when I spotted a small group of people on the canyon floor taking pictures SO CLOSE to the falls that the spray was hitting them. Curious (read: jealous)  I started running down the snowy slope to find my way down there.

It took 5 minutes for me to realize it wasn't going to happen. I wasn't wearing the proper footwear (or a hat & mittens) and the stairs leading down were completely covered in ice. It just wasn't meant to be - today anyways - but that's okay because I plan on going back soon.

On my way back to the car I met a really nice retired guy who lived in the area and spent the better part of an hour telling me the history of the falls and the small town of Greenville, Dundas and Ancaster. He actually told me too much of himself (his house is for sale, getting divorced, moving to Japan... Hi Bruce!) but I enjoyed listening to him go on about all the hidden trails and secret places he played in as a child. Maybe when I go back I can take advantage of some of the stories and incorporate them into my photography.

All in all I had a wonderful day! And surprise surprise, it was all by myself.

On location - Month 1

Today I spent the afternoon with my photography friends working on material for an exhibit we're planning to show next November. We will be meeting once a month as a group to encourage each other to get out and create. The theme is yet undecided but I'm hoping that as things progress it will develop on it's own.

It's so nice to have a purpose to my work again. Even if I don't get a single shot from the day, I'm happy to have made the effort. Sometimes I have to convince myself to leave the house. Convince myself that I have a smidgeon of talent and that I can pull it off. I suppose all "artists" feel this way at times and it's this exact insecurity that drives them to always do better - to push the boundaries of their art. For me it's enough right now. 

On a side note, I brought out my 4 lens Lomo. I shot 24 frames using expired film that my dad bought me a few years ago. It's been sitting in my fridge just begging to be used and I couldn't think of a better way to crack it open. I'm also enjoying the excitement of the unknown. It's been so long since I've worked with film and I'm not used to having to wait to see the fruits of my labour. Once they are developed I will post - good or bad - I promise.