URBAN TOTEM

First I like to thank Caterina Serra for joining my blog friends. This picture I made a few days ago. I liked the perspective and of course I am always attracted by the patterns of primitive urban grafiti.

ORIGIN

This is my interpretation of the origin of the universe. Actually it is a continuation of my pavement pictures, one of which I posted yesterday. This is simply a mark on the pavement, which I photographed on yesterday's walk. Earlier I showe some images I made on my iPad and I use my tablet as a sketch book. However I don't like the quality of the lens on the iPad so I simply, using a great app, transfer pictures from my camera to the tablet. I make some initial changes then re-transfer the pictures to my computer. Now I make all the changes just using layers.

CALLIGRAPHY

In my last posting I made a reference to Aaron Siskind. This in turn got me interested in the work of the American Expressionist painters, in particular the work of Franz Kline. So this is one of a series of images inspired by Kline's work.

TRIPTYCH

I agree with Aaron Siskind who stated that when he makes a photograph he wants it to be an altogether new object. That is basically my philosophy about making pictures. So when I noticed these covered windows I knew before I took the photographs what I expected the final result should be. Of course I could have given the image a more artistic title but I prefer simplicity.

ANOTHER RAIN PICTURE

I could not resist posting another image from yesterday's rain and thunderstorm. Maybe because we have such a need for rain that this picture is simply a form of wishful thinking. But no I just liked the quality of this image which reflects the atmosphere of the storm.

AT LAST, SOME RAIN

It has been dry but this morning we received at least some rain. Obviously not enough for all the gardeners and of course the farmers but it gave some relief. The rain storm was short but heavy. We got stuck in a parking lot so, of course I took some pictures.

LAMP POST

First I like to welcome Gert Coppens, who is the latest member to join my blog. As I said in one of my earlier postings, I take pictures every day. Even though it was very hot  I did get out to make some pictures in the downtown area. Of course I could not resist this scruffy looking lamp post on McIntyre street, which turned into a very good abstract image. 

BLUE SKY PERGOLA, NORTH BAY

500 Leaves are being added to the pergola outside of the North Bay museum. These  are symbolical leaves in honour of North Bay individuals and organizations. 

TOM THOMSON PARK, SOUTH RIVER, ON

What a beautiful day it was. This morning we drove down to South River where I made a few nice pictures. I liked this view from the dock in Tom Thomson Park. It looked good in colour but I felt the black and white interpretation was visually stronger. I also like to welcome A. Laroque, who joined my roster of Siverpixel friends.

MOVING VAN

The last few days I did not take many pictures. We had friends from Southern Ontario over for a very pleasant weekend. This morning I made this image of a stack of folded blankets inside a moving van. I simply liked the pattern and the different colours. 

ARLIE'S STUDIO

Last week, during the popular gallery hop here in North Bay, I visited the studio of Arlie Hoffman. Arlie is one of the foremost artists here in the Nipissing area. I could not resist taking a picture of his rather small but intimate studio with a great view of lake Nipissing. 

FERNS 2

Still continuing with my exploration of different techniques. Again using the same process as in yesterday's image. Hope you enjoy this one too Larry.

SUMMER GARDEN

Still experimenting with various layers, blending modes and filters. Its very interesting to work in this way because I never know where this path will take me but so far I am thoroughly enjoying the unusual visual results.

VICTORIAN SUMMER

This weekend I have been taking a closer look at, what is now called, iphoneography.Many serious photographers are exploring the creative possibilities of the iPhone and iPad and, I have to say, there are some very exciting developments happening in this new area of photography. I have been experimenting myself with my iPad. I still am not happy with the quality of the lens of this tablet so I simply transfer images from my camera onto the iPad and then use the various apps and I have to say I am happy with the results.

EVENING, OAK STREET, NORTH BAY

In front of the old railway station, which now is the North Bay Museum, the city is constructing what looks like a gate to the new waterfront park. Last night, when taking pictures downtown, I made this picture of the setting sun reflecting the warm coloured light on this new installation, if that is the right name for it. 

FERNS

When I made the pictures of our garden yesterday, I also made a series of images of the ferns along the edge of the wooded area. Using different layers and using various blending modes I gave the picture of this fern the texture and overall look of an old nineteenth century image.

THE GARDEN

It was a rainy grey day today. So I just made some pictures of my wife, Marianne's garden. The light was just right to make some nice pictures of the wooded part of the garden. It is Summer so the plants are at their peak. Rich greens and yellows with some touches of grey blue tone of the groundcovers. I simply love the variety of patterns and the lush  colours.

MESSAGE UNKNOWN, NORTH BAY

I have of course no idea what the meaning is of these coloured bars on the side of this  old rusting boxcar. But I simply liked the mystery of these bars. If you ever read the classic "A Canticle for Leibowitz" you can understand that, if this message was found say a thousand years from now nobody would have a clue what the meaning could be. So I titled the image " Message Unknown".

OLD BOXCARS

It is a wonderful Canada Day weekend. This morning I decided to photograph some old boxcars I had noticed a few weeks ago. The images worked well in colour but I decided on a black and white picture. Then this afternoon I watched the great soccer game between Italy and Spain and I was happy to see that my favourite team won the European championship again.