Originally from Northern England, Alan Norsworthy has been a photographer since the late 1960's.

He moved to Canada in 1973 and has made Guelph Ontario his home for the last 24 years.

" I remember visiting the CN Tower in the early 70's and the guide said that as far as you could see in any direction is the best farmland in Canada. That comment echoes down the years as I watch subdivisions eat up the landscape."

The area around Guelph offers up a plethora of rural images which Alan captures with his artistic vision. His work covers everything from macro photographs of flowers, sweeping landscapes, historic buildings and old abandoned farms in both colour and Black and White.

"This is where I find my inspiration, I have a need to show people the beauty I see as I walk the woods and fields of Southern Ontario"


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Gentle Nudge - Mom and young 'un


Gentle Nudge - Mom and young 'un
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy


"Without the animals man would die from loneliness of the spirit" ~ Chief Seattle

Today I'm starting my blog post with a quote.

Why? Because maybe it helps explain why everyday I pass by this field and smile. because everyday I see, just for a moment, the interaction of mother and child.

Seeing them, just for that moment, lifts my spirits and I smile to myself.

Chief Seattle was right ....

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sunlit Hill


Sunlit Hill
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy


Seeing and photography ...

How many times do you hear it, "since I took up photography I see things differently"
Is this 'seeing' a bi-product of being a photographer or is it that we already see things differently that makes us a photographer?

How many times have you stood and looked at a scene before you and have others look over your shoulder and ask what you are looking at?

So what then is a photograph?

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

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Lord of all he surveys


Lord of all he surveys
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy


While driving around the countryside yesterday the discussion turned to friendship.
In particular how we happy band of brothers (you know who you are) takes the time to make sure that each one of us in turn is not allowed to sink too far into that darkness that is "depression". Not that anyone was depressed on a fine summers morning like yesterday ...

We have each had our moments and the others have used the velvet glove to drag the sufferer out for a day of photography and camaraderie. Which is usually more than enough to reverse the downward spiral.

My friends, may I never be without them, nor you without me.

This is Bob, one of those people who lives simply and laughs long, and one I am fortunate enough to call a friend.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. 
 ~Albert Schweitzer

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Doug meets Joe


Doug meets Joe
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy


Yesterday, a few friends and I spent the day in Toronto. We attended the Joe McNally One Light Two Light Seminar Tour.

There are those who say 'you should never meet your heroes' all I can say to them is "you're wrong" !

Joe McNally has to be one of the best speakers in the world. His down to earth, easy going banter even in the face of great adversity (accidentally launching a flash off a pole and hitting a member of the audience, right Grant ?) he hardly skipped a beat.
It was a learning seminar filled with laughter and more information than a person could ever hope to assimilate.

Then again I am biased, Joe McNally is one of my heroes and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet him.


Our pictures are our footprints. It’s the best way to tell people we were here. - Joe McNally

Monday, July 2, 2012

Stonework by the river


Stonework by the river
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy


Traveling - In the past month I have traveled thousands of kilometers.

When I am away I try to become a "traveler" instead of merely a "tourist". I seek adventure, I cannot sit on a beach reading a book or 'soaking up the sun' I have to be on the move, exploring the less traveled highways and byways in search of something interesting some new knowledge.
I search for learning and for images of course ;-)

A solo back roads trip this weekend got me thinking, even though I am only a few miles from home, am I still traveling ?
I like to think so, let me explain..

I explored never before driven (by me) side roads
I explored local oft visited places with a new eye, a photographers eye.
I met new people and had interesting conversations
I learned of places and things and gained more knowledge
are these not the requirements of a traveler?

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land. ~G.K. Chesterton