More Personal FavouritesJanuary 21st, 2017

Still haven't been out with the camera. Have been watching the world reaction to Trump. Where I was previously thinking he might turn out to be better than many thought, I now wonder what the hell is ahead for the world. I agree with you Gene... he's scary. Is he really at heart, an idiot? And it's only Day 2.

So to take a break from world news, and put my head back in the sand maybe, I'll post some pictures. :-)

This post is all shots from a Toronto outing. I love street photography. Henri-Cartier Bresson has always been an inspiration to me. I could only dream of coming up with something to compare to any of his memorable shots.

Many of these are what some call "a moment in time". That moment is gone, but it's been recorded. These are the type of shots that no one else could possibly have captured, unless they were there beside you at the time. Even then, the split second before or later that they took their shot, it would be different. 

These are all in B&W. Colour can distract. B&W lets you look at the overall scene without pulling your eyes to a shirt, dress, etc.

Street shopping.

I prefer shots of people who are not looking at the camera. When anyone looks at a camera, they put on a camera face. They may try to look natural but I don't think that's possible. You see a camera looking at you, your expression changes. It has to.

The dog... whose is it?... the conversation at the table. We share their lives for an instant.

She saw me with the camera. No camera-face here.

Two guys, two newspapers. No doubt reading two different articles.

Waiting for the bus. One inside the shelter, three out. One on a cell phone?

Got the coffee. Get the little one ready and we're off.

I caught them in step... just luck. Though I was in the ROM Museum at the time, I was looking for street shots. I guess she wasn't in the mood for coffee.

Another taken from inside the ROM. They're pretty much in step too. Again, just luck.

He looks tired. Time for a break. Just outside the ROM.

Another just outside the ROM. Dogs can add to a shot.

Outside the ROM. Though we were visiting the ROM, I took very few shots inside it.

Studying or just reading?

Her stride caught my eye. She wasn't just strolling by.

"Should We Go In?" I wonder if they did.

This has always been a special favourite of mine. Four people, four lives sharing a space for an instant. Hard to say why some images have special appeal to me. It varies with us all so I won't try to explain why it's special to me. 

In fact, it may be boring as hell to some. Some people just like pictures of kids, family, pets and flowers. Different folks, different strokes.

The last time I was here (Toronto) it was plastered with advertising. I don't think you'll be able to get a shot like this anymore.

This was in the Science Centre in Toronto. I'm guessing she was trying to figure out where to go next, or maybe how to get out of the place.

Pulling out favourites let's me relive some times from the past. Not venturing out the camera as much as I used to means I'll be doing more of this I guess. I hope some of the shots may bring back memories for some of you as well.

Memories are in large part what photography is all about, isn't it?

Take care,
Bob

Something DifferentJanuary 13th, 2017

Haven't been out much with the camera lately... one reason and 'tuther. But I'm so used to posting on my blog in a fairly regular fashion, that I thought I'd try this. It gets me 'thinking photography' at least.

I found a folder on my system titled 'Personal Favourites' and dug some shots out of it. Why are they my favourites? Good question. Some bring back fond memories, some make we wonder what people were thinking, some I can't explain.

This was the super-moon. Yeh, right. Super moon, Wolf moon, Harvest moon... they all look the same to me. Maybe this isn't a favourite... just one to comment on.

An abandoned home just south of Moose Jaw. The design is interesting and it was in good shape. If walls could talk.

One of my favourite shots of Jane. I doubt many would agree (including Jane) but I've always liked it. She was sitting by her Mum on a bench at Port Dalhousie, just outside of St. Catharines, a spot we often went to, when her Mum was alive.

"You're pulling the wrong tooth!" — Bowmanville Zoo... which has since closed.

In a roadside ditch in Morocco. What was he thinking as a busload of 'rich' tourists drove by?

Kids in Bolivia watching us tourists. This shot has always bothered me. The look on the older girl's face... even that on the younger ones. Envy, lack of understanding, hopelessness, sadness?

"Lola"... my name for her. She was in a shop window in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We often went to NOTL to pick up British jams, etc. for Jane's Mum. They changed the outfits on Lola regularly so I have several shots of her. She's a cutie don't you think!

The Dancer, in a square in Madrid. Her eyes are hypnotic.

Concentration... a couple kids in Paris, completely oblivious to me and the rest of the world around them.

A couple girls at the ROM (Toronto). What are they looking at? What are they thinking? We'll never know will we.

In the Atacama Desert in Chile. One of those places that make you feel like you're a million miles from anything you know.

Another of my favourites of Jane... on the English Channel. It's a bit of home for both of us. My Mum was from Southampton. Jane has a more recent history with Old England. Jane loves water. She always has fun with it. I enjoy water too, but I'm the boring one.

A couple at Oshawa harbour. What's their story? What was happening in their life this day? We can only wonder.

I do seem to get in a philosophical mood, or a nostalgic one, more often these days. Maybe that's why I posted this set. 

Take care,
Bob, Dad, etc. 
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2017 New Year's Day Drive

Over the years we've often gone on a New Year's Day drive. Today there was a brilliant blue sky, constant sun and a January chill in the air. It almost felt a bit odd having the camera in my hand. It's been a while for one reason or another.

This is a very ordinary shot but it does show 'typical' countryside for this time of year in our area.

Down the road a ways, I spotted this... more the type of shot photographers look for.

I looked at this scene and 'roly-poly' came to mind. Why such eloquent terms pop into my mind I have no idea. Am I reverting to childhood? Another sign of age? Probably.

 
Fly south guys. Get with it.

A Hollywood star traveling incognito I think.

The lake was a gorgeous blue but the wind was frigid.

I think this is the only Milkweed shot I've got this fall/winter so far. I love 'em.

The rest of these shots were taken over the last couple weeks from the warmth of our living room... a zoom lens is all you need. It's all I ever use now.

This hawk grabbed a Chickadee in our neighbor's yard... then brought it to our patio fence to display his prize.

Sad for the Chickadee of course, but I think hawks have a certain majesty. And they have to eat and feed their young ones. Many of us eat veal & lamb. What's the difference?

Juncos are one of my many favourites. They flit from bush to feeder to ground, flashing their white tail-feathers as they do.

We often clear this bird bath in winter and put bird seed on it... which is enjoyed endlessly by birds and squirrels alike.

Our 'garden boy' told me he wants to move to Florida. Wuss.

Mourning Doves... the 'cows' of the bird world to me. They sit for hours, winter or summer, soaking up the sunshine & contemplating life.

Puffing up works. They don't need to go south.

Squirrels probably eat more than half of the bird seed seed we put out. But that's ok with us. Just like the birds, they offer lots of free entertainment.

A portion of our Christmas tree.

The elf wants to move to Florida too. Bunch of wusses.

It was good to finally get out with the camera again today. Maybe I'll get back into it, who knows.

May 2017 be a good one for you and all of us. No one knows at this point but hope springs eternal.

Take care all,
Bob