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, May 31, 2015

Do you see what I see ?

















https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/17989983628/in/dateposted-public/

Yesterday began with a typical day in Ontario, hot and humid but on the horizon storm clouds were brewing.
I met with a friend for tea and munchies and as we left the cafe the weather was upon us. With an eye on the sky I hurried back to the car barely in time as the heavens opened.
I don't know how well Patrick fared.

That onrush of rain was the harbinger of what was to come, since then and overnight we have had rain, rain, and more rain.
The parched ground has has a long soak, one what we badly needed and I get a reprise from the sweltering heat, at the time of writing it is a cool 8c, much better!

Of course Winter (the dog) wanted to go for a walk.

After donning rain proof hat, jacket and boots off we went. As we walked I began to wonder, do others see what I see?

A newly opened poppy resplendent in it's crimson colours reached for the rain which bejeweled it's petals with fecund tears.

A goldfinch brilliant yellow against the rain soaked bark and foliage of the tree who's own colours are intensified by the rain.

My world is alive with saturated colours, everything more vibrant but it also becoming smaller as distance was hidden in a veil of mist.

And the soft sounds of falling rain becomes the backdrop to all of this.

Do you see it or do you sit inside and watch TV and miss one of the greatest shows Mother Nature can provide?

Maybe you should go outside and see the show and risk getting a little wet .

“I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness”. ~Adeline Knapp

Sunday, May 17, 2015

The Loooong Weekend


It's that time of year again.
"The long weekend"
May 24”,
May two four” .... Whatever.. 
 
Despite the plethora of names it usually means a lot of work... digging, sweeping, ripping up and tearing down, planting, grass cutting, fertilizing and in general wearing oneself out just in time to go back to work.!
Many people enjoy this spring ritual... Don't ask me why because I am not one of them nor am I a gardener.
  
Oh don't get me wrong I love being outside but I'm usually to be found sitting in the shade, as I am now mostly with a good book and a cool drink listening to the spring chorus and watching the aerial dogfights between boy birds and girl birds. ....

The above section was written earlier this morning before the piper demanded his due and who has now been paid with a pound of sweat.

A section of fence that didn't winter too well has been rebuilt and the gate has been fixed. Much to the other winter's consternation, she watched and I suspect took notes as I worked. The moment I was finished she was there, checking out the workmanship for that fatal flaw that means a way of escape..

There is one but don't tell her...

So that's it for today, debt paid, the back lawn can wait until tomorrow and I am writing this on my laptop under the newly erected gazebo enjoying a iced (green) tea 
 
Have a great weekend everyone …


"Your hair may be brushed, but your mind's untidy.
You've had about seven hours of sleep since Friday.
No wonder you feel that lost sensation.
You're sunk from a riot of relaxation".
~Ogden Nash, about weekends

*For those in different lands who do not celebrate Queen Victoria's Birthday (that is what the May long weekend is) Please don't ask me to explain why Queen Victoria's Birthday, which is May 25th became the excuse for a long weekend in the colonies but it is on May 18 this year... ask a politician  

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Once more around ..

























 

"Wondering what others think of your photography, stifles your creativity".. part of a conversation with Doug where I decided to 'shoot for me'. this usually means black and white 
 
 You can read the blog post that started me thinking here....


It was a result of this article by Canadian photographer Darren Wiggett


You might know or maybe not that I have been in the photographic doldrums for months now, nary a shutter pressed, definitely no prints made in what seemed like an endless struggle...

Well recently a few things have happened;

Primarily I had a blank wall at the gallery which is due to open today!

Two printers have gone virtually unused, something that is not good for printers so I had to print 'something'

A comment from my friend Doug a few weeks back about getting back to basics .

All of these started to gnaw at me and culminated/gelled in the moment I read the above articles.

Then the light went on or should I say “back on”.

I had been walking the same path, trying to please others, worrying about how others felt about my work, instead of just doing it for me.

So what you see here is that one small step back to the basics, which to me means black and white photography it's what I love so that's where I will start ….

Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom”. ~Buddha

and a very Happy Mothers Day to all our Mom's both here and 'there' .. 

Sunday, May 3, 2015

29 ...

29 Years ….

Today is our 29th Anniversary and I ask myself where did the time go?

I am ashamed to say that I have forgotten so much of what has happened over the years but I will always remember that when we met I was broken and Cathy, with patience and a gentle hand, fixed me.

 I don't know what she saw in me all those years ago but it is because of her I was able to become who I am and for that I will be forever grateful.


Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”.  ~Marcel Proust