Galvanized Texture

I was afforded the opportunity to wander around a small deserted town when my uncle invited me to spend the day with him photographing what is left of the town of Bulwark, Alberta. We arrived a bit before the sun rose and spent a few hours capturing many many images. I had left my two tripods in my own vehicle the night before and it didn’t dawn on me a 6am to retrieve them, so I started out using my Olympus E-M5 as it has a fantastic image stabilizer built in which would accommodate my movements in the dim light of the morning. A few old buildings and wrecked cars are scattered about along with a lot of hidden debris under the grass. I had to be very careful when wandering about so as not to step on anything that might cause injury. There were also a few open wells and basements I certainly wouldn’t wanted to have ended up in! I made some overall images of some buildings and the vehicles, but it was the textures up close that really grabbed my attention. This first image was made of the galvanized metal skin of an old threshing machine.

 

 

 

[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]

 

 

Experiencing Cold

I made this image the same morning as the last few images posted. These trees lining a small slough were caked in very thick hoar frost after going through a night of ice fog. Eventually the sun burned off the fog and was shining bright and the clear blue sky added just a bit of colour.  There were images to be made all around and it was a lot of fun searching out one that told the story about the morning I was enjoying. Sometimes I find it very difficult to translate what is around me into an image that tells the story of my experience. Many times the light may not be just right or I forgot to bring my cup of coffee along, but whatever the reason, some days images present themselves everywhere whereas other days I can go home empty handed. That is OK too, as I have almost always had a very enjoyable time outdoors or travelling around some backroads exploring. I used to have a very strong desire to come home with a keeper whenever I headed out, although this could be at the cost of me not being more than just an observer. I now head out with the hope of making a beautiful image I can share with others, but also with the full intention of feeling the wind and smelling the air, experiencing where I am. The days I come home empty handed are usually those when I leave the house with a preconceived idea of what I will see and shoot instead of just observing and experiencing what is laid out before me.

 

 

[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]

 

 

Trees of the Field

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“Consider the life of trees.

Aside from the axe, what trees acquire from man is inconsiderable.

What man may acquire from trees is immeasurable.

From their mute forms there flows a poise, in silence,

a lovely sound and motion in response to wind.

What peace comes to those aware of the voice and bearing of trees!”

Cedric Wright

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[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]

In the East Hills

Sparkling hoarfrost being backlit by the rising sun makes for high drama on the hills east of town. I found this lonely tree full of character in the middle of a meadow and it reminded me of images I’ve seen from parts of England.

 

 

[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]

 

 

Second Sunrise

Yes, a second sunrise image from yesterday. Same sunrise though, not a second one. Making sense now? Yesterday morning was so beautiful! I was out for 4 hours enjoying the changing conditions as the fog would come and go. Some places were completely sunny and another only a kilometre away were totally socked in, so it made the lighting change dramatically. It seemed quieter than usual too, so the fog must absorb some sound. It was great to be in the midst of a thick bank of fog and just listen to the quiet.

 

 

 

[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]

 

 

Ice Fog

All around Red Deer County this morning was some dense patches of ice fog. It was great to watch the sun rising through the banks of fog and I quickly searched out a foreground to compliment the spectacle.

 

 

 

[Olympus E-M5, Panasonic PZ 45-175mm]