Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

Recently I bought myself a new softbox, backdrop and reflector set. My intent is to learn more about portraiture. Yesterday was my daughters birthday so I used it as an excuse to make this image of her.

I think every father will understand and nod sagely at these words:

Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter.
In love to our wives there is desire;
to our sons, ambition;
but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express. ~Joseph Addison

Happy Birthday sweetheart.

Everton Walk - Fields of Gold

Everton Walk - Fields of Gold
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

Serendipity - We took the long way home from our trip to Everton Mill on Saturday, down side roads seldom, if ever driven.
We were rewarded by this classic winter scene. - Serendipity.

Have I mentioned how much I love winter? The silence is what gets me every time, the wind in the tree's, the crunch of snow underfoot, the occasional chickadee calling. I guess you could call me "the snow man" :-)

"One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;
And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves."
- Wallace Stevens, The Snow Man, 1923

Algonquin Sunset

Algonquin Sunset
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

In response to a new challenge on our club site I was looking back over my images from 2010.
When I got to the Algonquin series I happened upon this shot. Taken at sundown, in the early spring, during our "annual moose hunt" (with camera's not guns) This image brought back so many memories, memories of good times with friends and the wonderful tranquility that is Algonquin Park.

We do not remember days; we remember moments. ~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Grindstone Creek Marsh

Grindstone Creek Marsh I
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

When we decided to visit Grindstone Creek marsh I had an image in mind. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the weather didn't cooperate.
I wanted rays from the rising sun slanting across the frozen marsh, Oh well, "when the weather hands you lemons, you make lemonade" ;-)

The temperature was about -10c and the snow was drifting slowly downwards, a great time to be out in the woods and fields.

I spent many hours over the Christmas break poring over Ansell Adams work. He is such an inspiration. Too me he was a true master. However, I can only try to emulate, never duplicate or overtake what he accomplished, trying to even come close is damned near impossible!

So, one of his thoughts to ponder ...

"A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety". ~Ansel Adams

Little Cove Dawn

Little Cove Dawn
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

During the Christmas break two friends and I took another trip north to the Bruce Peninsula.
We stayed overnight in Tobermory and Grant suggested a visit to Little Cove as it was close to where we were staying.
We awoke early in anticipation of a Georgian Bay dawn and were at the cove well ahead of sunrise. The only living souls around except for a red fox that we disturbed.
The sunrise did not burst across the bay as we had hoped but it softly lit the cloud cover. The reflections on the calm surface of the bay mirrored the sky.
I made many images in the two hours we were there but when I saw this one through my viewfinder I knew it was the one.
Little Cove on a cold, snowy morning, with friends, what a great day!

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets