DECAYING WOOD

The last few days have been cold and grey. I made this picture of a piece of decaying wood. I liked the texture and , while the colour image looked fine, I preferred the black and white. The light was a very soft diffused light which was just right for this subject.

A COLD DAY

The cold weather returned yesterday. It was only 0°C but the strong cold wind made it feel more like -20°C

The ice on the lake is breaking up rapidly so we know that the lake will be free of ice in the next week or two, which will probably be a record. The strong blue colour emphasizes the feel of cold while the warm colour of the rock promises that Spring is close.

TIGHT PARKING

I always have a camera with me. Every day I make pictures of any subjects which catches my interest. So when I had to pick up a few groceries I noticed this cart and of course it was an obvious picture for me. 

EARLY BREAKUP

It is amazing how quickly the ice is melting. I made this picture yesterday and it looks to me that the lake could be ice free in another week or ,at most, ten days. This would be the earliest I have seen that all snow and ice has disappeared since we moved to North Bay forty two years ago.

BICYCLE

The bicycle, the overall colour and lines moving in all direction makes this picture. I had to think of the bicycle paintings of Greg Curnoe, the London Ontario artist, who loved bicycles. Obviously not this old wreck but this scene would make a fine painting.

DARLING'S HARBOUR, CALLANDER, ONTARIO

This old building has been at the entrance to the Callander dock as long as I can remember. We moved to North Bay in 1970 and this place has looked the same ever since. The ship on the sign shows the Seagull, I guess that was the first ship to cruise Lake Nipissing.

CHIEF COMMANDA, BLACK AND WHITE

This time a black and white image for David Ernest. This image works better in black and white than colour. I like the abstraction of this image, so I hope you enjoy this picture David.

CHIEF COMMANDA COLOR FIELD

Even though it feels like early May, it still will be a few times before the Chief Commanda  will be cruising on Lake Nipissing. While it is still on shore I went to take some pictures. The closeups are the best, reminding me of the color field style of painting which developed in the fifties and early sixties of the last century.

SPRING AT LAST

Spring has arrived. It is extremely early but who would complain. Yesterday temperatures reached 22ºC almost unbelievable for this time of the year. The ice fishing huts are taken off the lake, which, for me is always the sign that Winter is over.

READING

Taking pictures is very important to me. It is as important as food and drink to me. So wherever I go I carry a camera with me. As André Kertész said "through my camera I give reason to everything around me". While having lunch in the National Gallery cafeteria I saw this young woman treading her book. I just loved the light in this quiet scene, so of course I could not resist making this picture. 

LIGHT AND SHADOW ABSTRACT

I returned from my family visit in Ottawa. There was not much time for photography but I did get a chance to see a very good exhibition at the National gallery called "Made in America". If you are in Ottawa or planning to visit there in the next two weeks go and see the exhibition. It is very good. Of course I love the building and every time I can't resist taking some images. I raised the contrast to to enhance the light and shadow patterns. The result is a dynamic black and white abstract image.

ALMOST SPRING

Quite a bit of rain today. The snow is melting fast, I know Winter is not over yet but we  know that Spring is just around the corner. All in all it has been a very mild Winter. I will be away till next Tuesday so no postings till Wednesday. Have a great weekend.

BUSTER, NORTH BAY

This old rusty boat looked fine as a straight colour or black and white image. But I just manipulated the image to give it greater visual impact.

STEPS, NORTH BAY

Krys and Paul will appreciate this image. It is the type of subject matter, which Albert Franck would have loved to paint. You can find information on this artist on line of course or go to your library and see if they have the book on his life and work, written by the artist and writer Harold Town, who was a great admirer of his work and a very good friend.

TREE SCULPTURES

Right behind the house on Morris street I saw these beautiful trees. To me they looked like modern sculptures. I made quite a few pictures so here is one of those images. 

WINTER GARDEN PANORAMA

We woke up this morning to a surprise. We thought Winter was almost done but I guess we were mistaken. This is what our garden looked like early today. Still beautiful but we would have liked to see more early signs of Spring.

WORKSHOP DOOR WITH SINK

My first impulse was to just take a picture of this old green door but I am glad I included the discarded sink, leaning against the wall. The two shapes work well together in this composition.

MORRIS STREET, NORTH BAY

I enjoy walking through the various neighbourhoods of this city. When you drive the streets you miss so many interesting subjects like this house. The simple austerity of this house gives strength to the composition. The strong textured and coloured shape gives contrast to the black and white background.