Tag: workshop

LA Calling!

Architecture, Fine Art, Photography, travel

I find it astonishing that I can wake up in one city one day and wake up in another city 4,100km (2,600 miles) away the next day. I am one generation removed from the generation that invented gas-powered passenger flight. Yet I am able to go to the airport, hop a plane, and be in a new universe in just hours.

I did that recently, travelling by plane from Toronto to Los Angeles. I was there to attend a photography workshop, hosted by Angie McMonigal, a wonderful architectural photographer who specializes in abstract captures of architecture. Many of the photographers I’m drawn to now come from technical or science backgrounds and Angie does too. Her focus on details is exceptional, opening up a whole new way of seeing. But it’s her artistry that is stunning.

Angie is way ahead of me and has already published a look at our session, which you can access above, along with her images from the event.

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When Life Gets in the Way of Art

Architecture, Life, Photography, travel

First, Happy Flag Day! To all my Canadian readers, we show the flag with pride today – first unveiled 60 years ago. Proud of the flag – and so very proud to be a Canadian!

As you read this, I’m in the final planning stages of a trip – to Los Angeles. Will be joining an avid group of hobbyist architectural photographers to try creating abstracts with this unusual source subject. A new twist for me on a typically formal subject, usually captured with full facades, straight lines and predictable angles. These images will be tilted, twisted and perhaps even distorted. It should be fascinating. I’ll report on the outcome separately, but I wanted to take note of a few unexpected considerations in my planning. Not life imitating art or vice-versa, but rather life getting in the way of art.

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My Next Trip

Life, Photography, travel

Over the past few months, I’ve had a number of experiences that have shaped how I will be approaching travel in the future.

Seniors are definitely great travelers. It’s what the retirement brochures say you will be doing with your time once you retire – visiting family far away, visiting places you have never seen before, having adventures with like-minded souls and meeting new friends. All hyped up to help you comfortably transition from filling your days with work to filling your days with ???

But I’ve never been a big traveler. There are a number of reasons for that, but mostly because I’m a solo traveler – no regular companion. A number of reasons for that too, but I digress. I was determined to add more travel to my retirement plans and have only modestly achieved that goal. Some trips have been with family, some have been with friends, some have been with groups having a common interest and some have been on my own. I’ve enjoyed some more than others but have learned something from each one.

In the past few months, I’ve looked into 5 separate trips, each one offering something different. Two are now booked, another will likely be booked by the new year, one is complete and the other, well, didn’t happen. Here’s what I’ve learned about me and my travel interests at this stage of my life.

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Are Workshops Helpful?

Expertise, Nature, Photography

This past week, I attended a photography workshop. The subject was bird photography. It was held at a location known to be a key flyway for spring migrating birds here in Canada, particularly for warblers and related species.

I am not a bird photographer – my nature interests lie in landscapes. So I thought it would be interesting to experience the event and to learn about this fascinating subject that seems to delight so many of my friends.

The workshop was held over 5 days, with each day offering an early morning and a late afternoon outing. Outings were only marginally planned, to coincide with weather, wind direction and the observed arrival of birds that day and the day before. Our workshop leader was experienced, with many decades of knowledge about birds, bird photography and this location in general. So how did it go?

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My Busy Few Weeks

Interesting Stuff, Life, Photography

In the last three weeks, I’ve been the busiest I’ve ever been since taking up this interest in photography.  Has it made me a lot of money?  Sadly, no.  But I’m still happy with the outcome.  So what have I done?

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