Make Your Pictures Timeless

Getting rid of the clutter in your photos - even those family shots you take - helps to make them timeless.

I tend to forget where I am when taking nature shots, so for me, it's always a good idea to take a picture of the street name, or the town's welcome sign, or the highway numbers.  That helps me when I am looking at them somewhere in the future, to remember where I was as I take lots of unplanned "road trips" just to practice with the camera.

For those photographs you are taking that you hope will be around in the future - simply because you are an artist extraordinaire, and everyone must have the privilege of viewing them - avoid such things.

Do not include pictures on your walls, signs on the roads, trendy clothes, or makeup, posters and calendars.  One of the reasons why I'd love to get myself a backdrop for taking portrait pictures at home.   I suppose it would probably be a good idea to learn how to take portraits first. 

Related articles

• The One Question You Should Ask Yourself Before Taking Any Picture (digital-photography-school.com)
• From Audrey to Marilyn: 20 Timeless Summer Looks to Inspire You (bellasugar.com)

The Rule of Thirds

Image via WikipediaHere's a simple trick learned in class recently.  


When composing your shot, apply the rule of thirds.  If you are like me when I heard this in class I had a seriously blank look on my face.  But I'm also sure that thousands (maybe even millions) already know what that means.


In laymen terms: move your main subject matter off centre - it looks better.


Related articles

• Assignment 17: Rule of Thirds (thepetalpusher.me)

A Definition of Photography

Simply put, photography is painting with light.

Digital photography provides amateurs a relatively inexpensive way to practice that particular art form.  

Some people simply have a talent that shines through.

Some try to improve and manage all on their own.

Some of us need help.

I am one of those that need help.  So, I have enrolled in a photography course for beginners at a local college.  

See the picture below, and you can understand why I need help.   (Isn't it just a horrible attempt at capturing lights at night?)

If photography is painting with light - I certainly have a LOT to learn.  

Related articles

• Guest Post: Painting with Light (artfulparent.com)
• Photography Courses 2012 (oxfordschoolofphotography.wordpress.com)
• 
  

O Canada!

Canada is a beautiful place

Ontario is a land 'o lakes

The camera tells the stories true

Lakes and skies so often blue

Flowers and trees with colours blazing

Mist and fog is often hazing

Winter blasts and storms that brew

Always something fresh and new

Many of my articles express the nature and beauty of this wonderful country.

Come check them out.

Winter Wonderland

Lake Ontario Great shots and some history

Cruises to take in Ontario

Driving Safely in the Winter

Touring the 1000 Islands

Ontario - yours to Discover.
Take the time to see the adventure that is right in front of you.
Share the experience with others who travel the water ways of the 1000 Islands.
This is just one of many wonderful places to see and enjoy in Ontario
Bring your camera and go snap happy.

To read about more cruises that can be found in Ontario, click here

Get out and enjoy Ontario!

Summer

Image via Wikipedia

• Sizzling hot sunshine
• White water rafting
• Sultry summer evenings
• Hammocks and napping
• Swimming
• Beach Volleyball
• Sweltering temperatures
• Air Conditioning
• Boats
• Sweet shade of a willow tree
• Vacation
• Camping

If you are lucky enough to be able to have the use of a boat, or are simply enjoying time on the water with friends who are lucky enough to have a boat.  Please be aware.  Think safety.

BoatSmart Canada

What do you think of when you think of summer?

The Book of Negroes

Image via WikipediaThe Book of Negroes, by Lawrence Hill - A Book Review

This was a fascinating story and one I am delighted to write a short review for.    I was given this book to read from a friend because she likes to keep up with all the books that receive a stamp of approval from Canada Reads.

While the story is fiction, there are many facts about how slaves came to settle in Nova Scotia, which is something I did not know, and it is something that is not taught in our schools.   Our history lessons are sadly lacking it seems.

The story follows the life a young girl, captured and sold into slavery in the late 1700's.  From the horror of walking for months through Africa, chained, beaten and branded - how she was taught to "catch babies" - how she learned to read - how she went from Africa, to the United States, then to Nova Scotia, back to Africa and finally to England.

The amount of research that had to go into the writing of this book staggers my mind.  From the details of life in her village, to the horrible conditions of the slave ship, the slave block, life on a plantation, the loss of family- all vividly portrayed.

This book is full of a history few want to read, but is told in such a way that you don't realize you are learning.

A must read.

Changes

There is nothing so constant in life as change.
That seems like a quote I might have heard somewhere but I do not recall the source.

There has been little activity on this blog.  And, have you noticed that it is getting farther and farther away from the original purpose?  Jeff Foxworthy has nothing to do with anyone's writing journey, even if it did give me a chuckle.

The blog was started after receiving some well meaning encouragement from other writers.  I think perhaps I tried to do too much too soon.  When you start on any of the social networks and prove to some that you CAN write, there are those well meaning people who will offer you advise.  It's wonderful they try to help, but it's difficult to know what advise to listen to - what will work for you.

Blogging can bring recognition to a person's work, back links that can prove useful and some little income - but it must be done right.  You learn these things as you move along trying to soak up all the information and the constant changes.

I can say with absolute certainty this particular blog has not been done right.

My dilemma:
Do I continue with this one and revamp it
Do I shut it down and start anew
Do I give up the attempt all together

What say you?

Jeff Foxworthy on Living in Canada

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Canadians; during a recent appearance at Caesars in Windsor:

 If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May,
 You may live in Canada.

 If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number,
 You may live in Canada.

 If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Detroit for the weekend,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you measure distance in hours,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you can drive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
 You may live in Canada.

 If the speed limit on the highway is 80 km -- You're going 95 and everybody is passing you,
 You may live in Canada.

 If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you know all 4 seasons:  Almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction,
 You may live in Canada.

 (this is my favourite, because how true)

 If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car,
 You may live in Canada.

 If you find -2 degrees 'a little chilly',
 You may live in Canada.

 If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your friends, you definitely are Canadian and proud to be.

Sharing a Travel Advisory Email

 Govt travel warning issued

The Government has issued a travel warning due to the cold weather.
They suggest that anyone travelling in the current cold icy conditions should make sure they have the following:

• Shovel
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Extra clothing including hat and gloves
• 24 hours worth of food
• De-Icer
• Rock Salt
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Road Flares or Reflective Triangles
• Empty gas Can
• First Aid Kit
• Booster cables

I looked like an idiot on the bus this morning!