Launched last year in collaboration with Singular Luggage, my art luggage collection offers a selection of suitcases featuring my contemporary photography. The images have been chosen based on inspirational themes for your next trip. With these unique designs, showcase your personality and identify your suitcase easily when travelling!
I'm happy to share that the Palm Fan design has been chosen by a traveller for her 20" carry-on suitcase. Here are some images showing the finished product. May the warm tropical vibes of this design accompany her wherever she travels!
The suitcases come in 3 sizes to suit your travel needs - please see below for the features. To purchase, please click on the luggage style name or photo and it will bring you to Singular Luggage's website. Please select the desired luggage size before adding to your shopping cart.
Luggage Features:
- Available in 3 sizes: 20" carry-on, 24" and 28" checked luggage
- Clear hard shell front, back is solid black
- Art insert is installed behind clear front
- 4 smooth-rolling 360° swivel wheels
- Pop-up handle for wheeling around
- Super soft grip carry handles on top and side
- Internal clipped dividers with zipper pockets
- TSA approved lock on side
Free Shipping to Canada and US lower 48 states (produced and shipped in 3-4 days).
Please refer to Singular Luggage's Privacy Statement, Returns Policy, and Terms of Service.
If you would like another photo from my portfolio on your luggage, please reach me via the Contact Form.
Designs by other artists are also available on Singular Luggage - please have a look at their designs too.
Bring this luggage with you to your next destination - have a fun and safe vacation!
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Those who live in my neighbourhood (and many others in Toronto) will have noticed the increased number of pigeons in the city over the past few years. They became such a nuisance that I had to install netting on my balcony to prevent them from making a home there, and leaving a mess which I had to clean up on a weekly basis. Although the pigeons are now kept away from settling in my balcony, they dot the nearby overhead wires making it a risk to walk directly underneath - you'll notice many people now pulling hoods over their heads before walking there!
On a foggy day I captured this image from across the street - this series continues on both the left and right sides...
It made me wonder what song they're composing on the wires, like musical notes on the 3-lined staff. I turned it into the image below by adding a vintage texture, giving it a brighter feel. From this perspective, and enhanced by the delicate patterns in the texture, they don't appear to be such a nuisance, right? Don't they make a beautiful art piece?
If you're living in the Northern Hemisphere, there's still a few more weeks of winter before spring officially arrives (as predicted by several groundhogs last week). You may be experiencing a case of winter blues with the cold temperatures and grey skies. Even on such days, there are art pieces to be found if we brave the cold and go out to explore.
This is a tree trunk just outside my building, covered with snow blown onto it from one side. I was captured by its simple curvature and the patterns formed on it by the snow, complemented by the thin branches poking out from the sides.
My first instinct was to turn it into a black-and-white image, as it most closely resembled its original tones in the image above.
To create an image with more artistic feel, I applied an oil painting and canvas filter, producing the result below. This is more inline with the winter blues theme, don't you think? Which of these versions do you prefer?
As shown in these examples, we can find ways to turn nuisances and winter blues into photo art. What are your tips for "turning lemons into lemonade"?
May 2023 bring fresh opportunities and positivity into all areas of your life!
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I am thankful that I was able to do some travelling ahead of the holidays, giving rise to the 2 versions of Christmas e-cards below. Which version do you prefer - the one with various holiday lights or the bright pink poinsettia?
Thank you for continuing to follow and read my blog posts this year. I look forward to bringing you more fine art photography in 2023!
Wishing you and your families a holiday season filled with love, peace and joy, and best wishes for the New Year!
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In the autumn season, we are blessed with various harvests providing the food on our tables. A few weeks ago my friend and I enjoyed an apple picking outing and the photo below shows part of the resulting harvest. The gala apples were sweet and delicious!
Autumn is also well known for beautiful fall foliage, as leaves turn from their summer green into brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow colours. I'm thankful for the gift of sight and the opportunity to view nature's amazing show on display!
And last but not least, two weekends ago I participated in Local Street Marketplace's in-person Falliday Market in Toronto, where I met other local artisans and area residents who supported these local businesses. Thank you to those who supported my work by purchasing my photo books, tote bags and photo prints! Thanks also to everyone who stopped by my table to peruse my photo artwork and have a chat. I look forward to connecting with you again at future events!
Wishing you continued blessings and colourful moments in life!
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The theme this year is "Get Out and Get Art".
Due to various other photo projects that has kept me busy in recent week, I'll be participating in the online show this year.
If you've recently upgraded your space and need artwork to suit your new decor, new home office (if you can continue to work remotely :-), or want to refresh your walls for a new look, you've come to the right place!
The ArtWalk in the Square art show features more than 80 artists working in various art medium, including photography, painting, and sculpture. Here's a direct link to my Eventeny storefront where you can view the pieces for sale, with product photos showing the printed and framed views, along with sample images of how they would work in various interior spaces. Once you've found the right piece(s), you can buy them from the virtual store!
For example, a display of "Strolling on Silk" and "Silken Sahara" artworks would complement a space with Moroccan decor style. Please see the images for each piece of artwork in my storefront for more interior design ideas. If you'd like some guidance specific to your unique space, please contact me and I'll work with you to choose the most suitable piece of artwork, print media and framing or mounting option.
Even if you're not currently looking to purchase artwork, please enjoy the virtual art show and the joys that art can bring! I hope to meet you in person at a future art show!
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On the next day, I headed out to Ashikaga Flower Park. I started out bright and early as this day-trip required 2 train rides, with a transfer at Oyama station to a shorter local train. On this local train, station stops were only announced by a soft-spoken conductor, as opposed to the Japan Rail (JR) trains with electronic signs indicating station names in multiple languages along the route. There were many other visitors going to the park on that sunny day, so I had no difficulty getting to there. Upon arrival, I studied the park map to confirm its layout, which I had briefly seen on the internet before my trip.
Although this park is famous for its wisteria flowers, there are also other varieties of flowers that can be enjoyed in its many gardens.
The different colours or varieties of wisteria (called "ofuji" in Japanese) reached peak bloom at different times - the pink variety was barely visible when I arrived, a few yellow ones were still in bloom, the most abundant purple (both long and double varieties) were at peak bloom, while the white variety was at its prime when I visited.
This wisteria tree is over 130 years old and was transplanted in the 1990's through the efforts of more than 2000 people! At that time the trellis spread over 600m2 and continues to grow today. It's known as the Great Wisteria of Miracle, truly a miracle.
The double wisteria variety looks like bunches of grapes hanging from the trellis:
A tunnel of white wisteria flowers for visitors to stroll through:
And a bridge covered with the white flowers - such a romantic spot!
I was amazed by the beautiful dangling "strings" of flowers swaying in the breeze, and took many photos of the overall canopy formed by the branches. But I also wanted to capture the delicacy of individual flowers that make up the whole scene.
As you can imagine, with so many layers of flowers in front of my camera lens, focusing became a problem, even with single point focus. So I switched to manual focus mode and below are some of my favourite images.
The park offered several sweets based on the flower theme, and with the warm weather, it was the perfect combination to have this lavender colour wisteria-flavoured ice cream bar while enjoying the view!
When dusk arrives, the "light-up" of the garden starts. It gives the flowers a completely different look against the dark sky. Here are some images of the white variety with illumination:
Ashikaga Park - White Wisteria-LIt Up
The Great Wisteria of Miracle also looks amazing with the light-up effect:
Here is a yellow wisteria tunnel followed by a close-up of the flowers:
Ashikaga Park - Yellow Wisteria-LIt Up
The most dramatic are the views by the water, as the canopy of lit-up flowers is reflected for double the effect.
Ashikaga Park - Purple Wisteria-LIt Up-1
Ashikaga Park - Purple Wisteria-LIt Up-2
There are also other flower decorations around the park that make for a full day's visit, and a wide variety of plants are available for sale at the garden shop. In winter months, the park is transformed into an illumination attraction with beautiful designs - I'll have to visit again in winter season to capture those views. Which of the images posted here are your favourite?
I wanted to stay until the park's closing time but had booked my Shinkansen train ticket back to Tokyo, so I got on the local train and headed back after taking some photos of the light-up views. I started to doze off on the train ride (jet lag was catching up with me!) but I tried to listen intently to the station names as they were announced, because I needed to make a transfer at Oyama. When the conductor announced "Omoigawa", which when pronounced quickly in Japanese, sounded to me like "Oyama", I grabbed my backpack and jumped off the train. Against the dark sky, I thought: this station doesn't look like the one I transferred at this morning. By the time I realized it wasn't Oyama station (I got off one stop early!) the train had pulled away from the platform and it was too late to get back on. I flagged down a high school student on the platform to ask (using the limited Japanese that I knew) if Oyama station is within walking distance. She suggested I call a taxi, but my phone didn't work there as I had trouble setting up the SIM card I bought. She kindly helped me call 2 different taxi companies, but unfortunately no one answered.
Then I recalled a friend said that when her family got lost in Japan, a kind soul drove them to their destination. So I decided to try my luck and went down to the parking lot, to see if any of the parents picking up their children would be headed in the direction of Oyama station. A father listened to my situation as I tried to explain in broken Japanese, but he was waiting to pick up his family and wouldn't be able to help me out. After having a chat with him using the Japanese nouns and verbs that I could remember..."Oyama eki ni ikitai..." (I want to go to Oyama station), I went back up to the platform to wait for the next train. Fortunately, there were 2 more trains running that night, otherwise I'd have to stay the night in the tiny train station shelter instead of my hotel room. When I reached Oyama Station, I was able to easily exchange my Shinkansen ticket (perhaps because I had a Rail Pass?) for the next train back to Tokyo. Eventually I reached my comfortable hotel bed for a good night's sleep!
For the third day of my flower park visits, please see my next blog post...coming soon!
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Sakura 2022-3
This year High Park reopened to visitors after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. However, I decided to check out another location where sakura trees can be found in the city. I visited the University of Toronto's downtown campus and found a grove of cherry trees in bloom next to the Robarts Library. It's said that about 70 cherry trees have been planted there.
In addition to the blossom photos that I posted last week, I've created a short video that I would like to share with you. I included some content from my neighbourhood park, where plum blossoms were also in full bloom, and just as pretty.
Enjoy the delicate beauty of sakura blossoms along with relaxing music in the video below. Yes, this is the launch of my YouTube channel - please subscribe to see upcoming content! I've added 2 other videos that I created previously - please feel free to watch them too and click the "like" button if you enjoy them. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Happy Mother's DayWishing all mothers a lovely day!
In memory of my beloved Mother.
The sakura (cherry blossoms) trees in Toronto have bloomed just in time for Mother's Day. It was still snowing recently in April, and there was a day with heavy rain last week, so we're fortunate to see the beautiful blooms! Here are some photos of the blossoms that I'd like to share with you and bring more joy into your day.
Sakura 2022-1
Sakura 2022-2
Sakura 2022-3
Although my beloved mother has passed on a few years ago, I am forever grateful for her love and guidance, and remember her fondly especially on this day. I miss you Mom!
May all mothers enjoy their special day today and be celebrated!
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As the flowers reached their peak bloom the week before I arrived, I decided to visit the 3 parks in 3 consecutive days to maximize my photo opportunities. These day-trips from Tokyo started the day after I landed at Haneda airport (after a 13 hour flight from Toronto), so there was little time for me to feel jet-lagged.
Camera backpack with fully-charged batteries and empty memory cards, I headed out on the train to Hitachi Seaside Park. This park by the sea is famous for its blue nemophila flowers, especially on days when the sky is a matching blue colour, and the flowers blend in with the sky into an amazing sight! Of course, with the park's popularity amongst local visitors and tourists, the scene becomes interrupted by the crowds of people enjoying the park. There are a few lone trees (strategically planted, I believe) to act as focal points for photos. If I could have visited a week earlier, there would be a complete sea of blue flowers, while green patches were now interspersed with the blue. Nonetheless, I'm happy to have seen and experienced this park.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Lone Tree with Blue Nemophila Flowers
Hitachi Seaside Park - Blue Nemophila FlowersThe sky wasn't so blue at this time, but its pale colour highlighted the baby blue colour of the nemophila flowers.
I was surprised to find some poppies blowing in the wind amongst the blue fields. Although the nemophila flowers were planted (not wild) and the park is well tended to, I'm glad they didn't pluck out the poppies, so I could make this photo below. The photo below and the one above became part of my Art Series "Japan + Shodo" where I combined images from Japan with their titles which I wrote in Japanese calligraphy. To view the other images in this series please visit this gallery.
Another interesting sight was 3 girls dressed in angelic outfits having their photos taken against the park's sea of blue background. I captured them as they were getting ready for a selfie.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Angels with Blue Nemophila FlowersIn addition to the attraction of the blue nemophila flowers at this park, three girls dressed as angels were another attraction that day.
After enjoying a walk up to the top of the hill and seeing the extent of the blue, I replenished my energy with a blue soda, paired with a chicken skewer (yakitori) and sweet potato chips.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Blue Drink and SnacksBesides the flowers that are blue in this park, this drink I had with my snacks was also blue. The snacks were a chicken yakitori skewer and sweet potato chips.
Later I walked over to the glass house cafe and had a cup of nemophila tea. The cafe, surrounded by glass and overlooking an infinity pond, had a light airy feel and a fantastic view that I could enjoy while sipping my tea.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Glass CafeThe Glass Cafe at the Hitachi Seaside Park overlooking an infinity pond.
The tea had a beautiful light blue colour and a subtle plant flavour. The glass cup in which the tea was served had a matching botanical theme to suit. So pretty, isn't it?
Hitachi Seaside Park - Blue Nemophila Flower TeaEnjoying a cup of blue tea made from nemophila flowers. The glass cup shows its blue colour beautifully.
Besides the attraction of the blue flowers, the park has other features such as this ferris wheel and a sight-seeing train. This park is also known for its amazing red colour in Autumn. I hope to visit next time in the fall season and share my photos with you.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Ferris WheelThere's more to the Hitachi Seaside Park than the blue flowers, including this ferris wheel.
Hitachi Seaside Park - Sightseeing TrainThere's more to the Hitachi Seaside Park than the blue flowers, including this sight-seeing train.
Before heading back to Tokyo, I took a ride on a local train along the Minato line, where each station name has its own design to match its local specialty. The train has a cute design too!
Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Station Sign - AjigauraThe Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This local train line has decorative station signs at each of its 11 stations. The train itself has a cute design too!
Train on Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line
This decorative owl watches sternly over the station sign at Tonoyama station.
Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Station Sign - TonoyamaEach station on this local train line in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, has a decorative design for its name written in kanji.
The Kaneage station sign has a military-theme design. I have photos of each of the 11 station signs but I'll let you explore this train line and find the remaining signs.
Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Station Sign - KaneageEach station on this local train line in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, has a decorative design for its name written in kanji.
Do you like the cute cat in the Nakaminato station sign below? I didn't see many cats in Nakaminato, but there must be lots around, especially with the fish market in town!
Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Station Sign - NakaminatoEach station on this local train line in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, has a decorative design for its name written in kanji.
I quickly visited a quaint glass art shop and local fish market in Nakaminato before they closed for the day. In the town, even the street signs have graphically-decorated designs, along with the fish market sign decorated with all kinds of seafood that's sold there.
Direction Signs in Town of NakaminatoAside from the train station signs, the directional street signs in the town of Nakaminato are also decorated.
Fish Market Sign in Town of NakaminatoThe fish market sign in the town of Nakaminato is also decorated with the types of seafood that can be found in the market.
Seafood at Nakaminato Fish Market
After spending a day exploring the park and the local area, I took the train back to Tokyo and was awarded by this view - the sun setting behind the mountains casting its orange glow over the rice paddies. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
Sunset on Rice PaddiesAfter spending a day at Hitachi Seaside Park where I was rewarded with the sea of blue nemophila flowers, I was further rewarded by this sunset over the rice paddies.
For the second day of my flower park visits, please see my next blog post.
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Today I'm sharing this ecard, created based on an acrylic painting I made last summer, combined with a photo frame effect using a photo-editing app. I hope the spring and Easter-themed flowers in colours of yellow, fuchsia and white in this ecard will brighten your day. It's refreshing to experiment with other art forms from time to time - putting down my camera and picking up a paint brush. Please stay tuned for some upcoming new art series that I'm working on!
Happy Easter 2022An Easter ecard created from my experimental acrylic painting combined with a photo frame effect.
On this day which symbolizes rebirth, may renewed energy and love fill our hearts.
Wishing that Easter 2022 will bring peace and hope to the world!
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In collaboration with Singular Luggage, I'm pleased to announce the launch of art luggage and offer this selection of suitcases featuring my contemporary photography. The images have been chosen based on inspirational themes for your next trip. With these unique designs, showcase your personality and identify your suitcase easily when travelling!
The suitcases come in 3 sizes to suit your travel needs - please see below for the features. To purchase, please click on the luggage style name or photo and it will bring you to Singular Luggage's website. Please select the desired luggage size before adding to your shopping cart.
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Lights shining through a screen create an abstract sun and moon in the sky, marking the start and end of days well lived and well travelled.
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Interesting images can often be found in reflections - here a street scene as reflected from a building’s geometric facade. Spot interesting urban sights during your travels. |
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Aerial photography shows the amazing artwork on earth, such as this patchwork formed by farmland. Watch for amazing patterns on your next flight. |
The variegation and pattern of this leaf produce a rainbow effect, adding colour to our world as travel adds colour to our lives. |
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A palm leaf and its neighbour’s shadows create a fan reminiscent of the tropics. Bring tropical warmth with you wherever you travel. |
An abstract style of the Palm Fan design with iridescent colours. See the many colours of our world through your travels. |
 Luggage - Back View
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 Luggage - Front View (prior to inserting artwork)
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 Luggage - Side View
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 Luggage - Wheels
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 Luggage - Inside View
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Luggage Features:
- Available in 3 sizes: 20" carry-on, 24" and 28" checked luggage
- Clear hard shell front, back is solid black
- Art insert is installed behind clear front
- 4 smooth-rolling 360° swivel wheels
- Pop-up handle for wheeling around
- Super soft grip carry handles on top and side
- Internal clipped dividers with zipper pockets
- TSA approved lock on side
Free Shipping to Canada and US lower 48 states (produced and shipped in 3-4 days).
Please refer to Singular Luggage's Privacy Statement, Returns Policy, and Terms of Service.
If you would like another photo from my portfolio on your luggage, please reach me via the Contact Form.
Designs by other artists are also available on Singular Luggage - please have a look at their designs too.
Bring this luggage with you to your next destination - have a fun and safe vacation!
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Here are some of my favourite Japanese dishes that I've made at home. The first is chawanmushi (literally translated as bowl steam) - a steamed savoury egg custard filled with delicious mushrooms and chicken, with a hint of yuzu citrus peel - perfect for a cold winter day!
Another egg dish that I like to make is tamagoyaki - egg grilled and rolled up using a rectangular pan, topped with sesame seeds and nori (dried seaweed) flakes. Personally, I prefer the savoury version over the more popular sweet style.
A third Japanese dish that I like to make is okonomiyaki - a grilled pancake filled with cabbage and basically any of your favourite ingredients - this time I used dried shrimp, but a typical seafood version would contain shrimp and squid, or bacon is another popular topping. The finishing touches (essential for the authentic flavour) are okonomiyaki sauce, nori (dried seaweed) and bonito (dried smoked fish) flakes.
Have you tried these foods at Japanese restaurants or tried to make them at home?
Writing about these delicious dishes is making me hungry...time for a snack!
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If you recall from my blog post in mid-January, we had a HUGE snowstorm in Toronto (the largest one in the past decade!). The next day I went out for a walk, though it was a limited journey as many sidewalks had not been plowed and were impassable. Although it was a short walk, there were many interesting snow details along the way. Below is one example that I captured on my phone. My eyes were caught by the drift formation that popped up - it looked like a little animal that came out to play in the snow! It was quite cold that day so I quickly took the overall scene without zooming in, and continued on my way.
As my main interest from the photo above was the snow formation, in the next step of photo processing I cropped in tight to the shape, rotated it 90 degrees, and made a mirrored image which was then flipped vertically. This resulted in the following image. I also tinted the left side blue while making the right side black-and-white.
I liked how the above image looked, but then started experimenting with some photo apps on my phone. One of the options was this geometric abstract below. It gave several variations on how the "broken" strips were angled and arranged. I liked this arrangement the best, as it accentuated the zigzag shape of the snow formation. The colour tones were also slightly adjusted to produce the final result below - creating a contemporary abstract photographic art piece.
As shown in this example, we can find ways to turn winter blues into fun activities - for me it is creating abstract art through photography. What are your tips for emerging from the winter blues?
Spring is just around the corner! Let's look forward to the fresh opportunities it will bring :-)
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(This e-card was created from one my photos in the Dreamy Florals collection. To see more photos from this series, please visit my Publications page and scroll down to the "Dreamy Florals" book section. Enjoy!)
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The first is a baked salmon fillet served with two veggie sides - one side is red cabbage with carrot and burdock strips, while the second side is chickpeas and lentils with onion, carrots and cauliflower, flavoured with curry and turmeric powder. The salmon fillet was the perfect size for dividing the 2 colourful halves visually!
Another comforting dish is lemon chicken with risotto. Admittedly, it was my first try at making risotto - I used an artichoke risotto package mix and added in green peas, marinated artichokes and oyster mushrooms. I'm a huge fan of mushrooms... they always take pasta and risotto dishes to another level with their umami flavour! As for plating, the lemon and mushroom slices are arranged in a triangular shape, which takes the viewer's eyes around the photo, allowing them to savour the taste ;-).
And last but not least, is an avocado smoked salmon toast with chips. Although not as hot (temperature wise) as the 2 dishes above, it is definitely a comfort food for me. I love the combination of avocado and smoked salmon (both in texture and in flavour), topped with crunchy toasted sesame seeds. The spicy-flavoured chips added a kick too!
Comfort foods are meals that warm your heart. Stay well and enjoy your favourite comfort foods this winter season!
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I took some photos while the snow was flying but when it cleared up, I captured the images below to show the aftermath. My window overlooks a parking lot behind a plaza, where there were parking signs and shopping carts buried in the snow.
The minimalistic style of the photo below emphasizes the quietness of that morning, with a large amount of negative space included. The lone shopping cart accompanied by the steadfast lamp post, standing strong in the snowstorm.
After a tough day of shovelling and digging out from the snowstorm, the city was comforted by an amazing sunset that warmed our hearts, creating the golden scene below.
Stay well and keep warm this winter season!
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With rising COVID-19/Omicron cases in recent weeks, many regions are restricting travel, and implementing local gathering and business operational restrictions once again. Let's hope these measures will help us overcome this pandemic wave soon.
For this first post of the year, I went back into my collection of photos for inspiration. I'm sure that many of you, like myself, are dreaming of taking to the air once again and travelling to amazing destinations around the world. Despite the long lineups and sometimes troublesome process to get through customs at the airport, it's a wonderful feeling to be walking on the people mover with carry-on luggage, heading to the departure gates to board the plane (as long as you're not running late and scrambling to find the gate location!).
I often choose a window seat so that once in the air, I can look down and enjoy the aerial view of various landscape scenes. Whether they are snow-capped mountains, checkered farmlands, or the expansive ocean, I enjoy seeing the range of patterns they form and capturing the sights of this globe we call home.
I overlaid the two photos above into this image below to combine these feelings - the anticipation while heading towards the airplane and the excitement while in the air. I'm longing to experience these feelings and bringing travel photography to share with you once again!
May this be the year that we can resume travelling safely. Which travel destination are you dreaming of?
Stay well and best wishes for the New Year!
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For some, it may mean last minute changes to travel plans. I hope those can be sorted out smoothly, and that you can take time to explore within your city during the holiday season (while following the masking and distancing protocols). You may be surprised by some new findings!
Most importantly, may you find peace in your heart and time to connect with family and friends (by phone or virtually, or safely in an outdoor space), and enjoy the holiday season with delicious meals and laughter.
Thank you for following my blog this year, and I look forward to bringing you more fine art photography from my camera in 2022!
Stay safe and keep well this holiday season, and best wishes for the New Year!
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No worries, I've got some photo art gift ideas for you. More art products have been added to my store on eCommerce site Local Street Marketplace, which supports local businesses in Ontario, Canada. Here is a link to my store on Local Street Marketplace - purchased items are available for pickup or local delivery within GTA (for a small fee).
In addition to photo prints and photo books that you may already seen on my website (6 new prints have just been added to the store!), I also offer hanging canvas prints that work well in small spaces. They measure 11"x11" or 11"x14" and are sandwiched between magnetic wooden bars, giving a minimalistic style to the art decor.
Also available are canvas tote bags featuring my photo art work. These sturdy bags measure 16" in length, 13" in height and are 2" deep, perfect for a laptop or books, or when you need to carry a few items from the store. Also suitable for general outings or when travelling, and they make great gifts. They come in 3 designs, and are printed on both sides so you can choose which side of artwork to show depending on your mood or to suit your outfit colours. The bags feature shoulder straps 22" in length and are machine washable.
If you're interested in any of these products but are not located in Ontario, please reach me via the Contact Form and shipping can be arranged accordingly - they will arrive for the New Year.
There are a great variety of other local businesses on Local Street Marketplace, so please pay a visit and happy shopping!
Stay safe and well this holiday season!
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For this photo, the water level was lower this year so I was able to walk down and capture the foliage and its mirrored reflection, as if I'm standing right in the middle of the creek. It's one of my favourite captures this fall season. (My feet did get a bit wet though, as my shoes started to sink into the mud at the bottom of the creek, will bring rubber boots next time!)
After cleaning the mud off my shoes, I continued on the trail and looked up to find the afternoon sun shining through the trees. I narrowed the aperture setting to capture this starburst effect amongst the golden autumn leaves.
At another point in the trail, the creek was filled with the reflection of these wonderful early fall colours. Seeing this scene, complemented by the rocks and soft ripples, filled me instantly with tranquility.
Exploring another part of the trail brought me to this next sight. What first caught my eyes was the group of orange leaves floating in the middle of the creek, which added a bright element to the overall image.
Reflecting on Fall Colour Beauty
At another point of my walk, I was once again caught by reflection of colours - a abstract mixture of reds, oranges, yellows and greens floating softly on the blue water surface. I softened the image to further enhance the dreamy feeling.
This is my collection of photo art celebrating autumn colours this year. Which is your favourite image from this group?
I hope you've enjoyed the autumn season as we head into the upcoming winter. I look forward to capturing snowy scenes and sharing them with you. Please bookmark my blog page and stay tuned!
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The site will go live at 10am ET on October 15, 2021 - please bookmark it and visit over the next two weeks as more art work will be added to the site as pieces sell.
https://www.givergy.ca/AutumnArtisanMarket/
The pieces below are the ones that I currently have available in the art show, and other pieces will be added as these get sold. Each of these are printed on paper and framed in white wood gallery box, measuring 12"x16"x1.75".
Stay well, enjoy art and support the McMichael Volunteer Committee!
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Similar to last year, I bought a carnival squash with festive colourful design (but may try it with a different recipe this year). It looks as if someone has painted a band of orange across the squash covering the original green colours - isn't design by nature amazing?
Although the weather this week is warmer than usual (thankful for the 20'C temperatures in early October!), it was cool a few weeks ago and the change to fall colours has started. I went to the park and captured the photos below. I had always wanted to stand near the centre of the stream to get all the wonderful reflections, so I was really glad to find the path this time where I could capture this scene!
Here's a close-up of the reflected colours - a fantastic blend of yellows, greens and golden orange, combined with the gentle ripples spreading through the water.
I'm so grateful for all the beauty that nature gives us, along with my family and friends who I can celebrate with.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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With my personal interest in Japanese language and culture, I started studying Japanese a few years ago. After taking these photos in Japan, I wanted to combine their titles written in Japanese calligraphy (known as shodou) onto the images. I bought a brush style pen and began practicing to write the characters. After many pages of practice, I obtained results that I liked and overlaid them onto the photos.
Three of the pieces were released at the beginning of 2020 and were exhibited in the Artsu Matsuri exhibit at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto. These photos were captured from two flower parks near Tokyo in Japan, featuring blue-as-the-sky nemophila flowers and purple wisteria flowers.
Flowers of the Sky
Colour of Wind
Pearls of Flower
The new pieces pictured below were photographed in the Setouchi area of Japan, where I attended a festival with various art installations.
Stillness of Stone (Ishi no Sei)
Stillness of Stone
Sound of the Bell (Suzu no Oto)
Sound of the Bell
Ramen of the Sky (Sora no Ramen)
Ramen of the Sky
Please visit this gallery to see all the pieces in this series, and please reach me via the Contact Form if you are interested in these pieces of contemporary art work for your home or office decor.
Stay tuned for additional photo art series coming soon!
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My mother and I travelled to Hokkaido more than 10 years ago, and we took a trip there in the summer of 2018. However, this latter time I was seeing the sights on earth while she was viewing them from heaven above. Although we were physically apart, I know she remains my guide, accompanying me in spirit as I journey. She was always my protector and now she is my guardian angel. I saw these scenes through a portal, as in a dream, and my feelings were bittersweet, symbolized by stylized tears in muted colours. Though I was happy to be there, recalling our previous trip to this island, I was sad that my mother wasn't there physically next to me, enjoying the scenery with me, sharing our feelings and experiences at these locations. She had enjoyed our previous trips to Japan - no doubt she would have loved this trip too.
My mother exists freely in space - I know she was watching me from above. Although I may have appeared as a tiny dot in this vast expanse, I could feel her love and spirit embracing me as I experienced and captured these scenes. The digital artwork that I added into each piece was inspired by the elements or shapes in the scene, along with colours that were found in the image.
Some of the pieces were captured at Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, converted from a waste treatment plant into an expansive park with various hills and playground structures, designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
Bittersweet Hokkaido - Tears
Bittersweet Hokkaido - Side by Side
Bittersweet Hokkaido - Together
Two of the pieces were taken at Hill of the Buddha, a Buddhist shrine located in a cemetery, designed by architect Tadao Ando. From afar, only the top of the Buddha statue is visible, surrounded by a hill of lavender flowers.
Bittersweet Hokkaido - At Peace
The design is such that visitors walk around a large reflecting pool (pictured below) and pass through a tunnel before reaching the Buddha statue, giving time to prepare oneself spiritually before entering the place of worship.
Bittersweet Hokkaido - Reflecting
Here is a photo of the Buddha statue, a peaceful sight to end my bittersweet journey to Hokkaido.
Please visit this gallery to see all the pieces in this series, and please reach me via the Contact Form if you are interested in these pieces of contemporary art work for your home or office decor.
Stay tuned for additional photo art series coming soon!
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In addition to photo prints that you may already seen on my website, there are some new products available at the store, including hanging canvas prints that work well in small spaces. They measure 11"x11" or 11"x14" and are sandwiched between magnetic wooden bars, giving a minimalistic style to the art decor.
Also available are canvas tote bags featuring my photo art work. These sturdy bags measure 16" in length, 13" in height and are 2" deep, perfect for a laptop or books, or when you need to carry a few items from the store. Also suitable for general outings or when travelling, and they make great gifts. They come in 3 designs, and are printed on both sides so you can choose which side of artwork to show depending on your mood or to suit your outfit colours. The bags feature shoulder straps 22" in length and are machine washable.
If you're interested in any of these products but are not located in Ontario, please reach me via the Contact Form and shipping can be arranged accordingly.
There are a great variety of other local businesses on Local Street Marketplace, so please visit and happy shopping! The holiday season is just around the corner so it's time to start working on those gift lists!
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Cinque Terre consists of 5 seaside villages along the southern coast of Italy by the Ligurian Sea, hence the name for this area ("cinque" meaning five in Italian). The five towns (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) are connected by hiking paths, local trains, and of course you can also reach them by boat. Colourful houses can be found on the sides of steep hills, fishing boats fill the harbours, and this area is famous for the local seafood and lemons!
Here are some of the images I captured inside the town. Colourful houses line both sides of the street - in pink, green and yellow. Fishing boats can also be found parked in front of the houses. To suit the mood of the image, I used a nostalgic filter in post-processing. What do you think of this effect?
In the image below, I was captured by the decorative arches and ceiling details. I framed my photo and waited for someone to walk by - then the perfect subject came through, wearing a light yellow shirt that matched the building's colour exactly! The strong shadow of the column also added to the geometric framing of the photo.
My friends and I also spent a lot of time photographing by the coastline - we were blessed with amazing sunset views, framed by rugged coastline and interesting tree forms!
Yearning for the Sun
Island Sunset
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Cinque Terre in Italy through the above travel photography. I look forward to bringing you more travel memories and other photo artwork from my portfolio!
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The first image uses motion blur. While vertically panned blurs are commonly seen in the photographic community, I wanted to create an art piece that's slightly different. Keeping with the theme of trees reaching towards the sky, this piece symbolizes the act of reaching out and growing. It was inspired by various online communities that I've joined since the pandemic started, which has enabled me to reach out to people from around the world and grow my network.
Reach OutReaching out to make more connections and grow, as important for trees as it is for people.
I captured a bird taking flight off the branch and created this multi-panel fine art piece. Inspired by the re-opening of the city's businesses and events, this symbolizes the sense of freedom after the 6-months-plus pandemic lockdown. I certainly hope this will be the last lockdown for the city!
This is a dreamy abstract piece that I created last summer - I like it so much I wanted to share it with you again! It's a multiple exposure of summer grasses combined with colour tone adjustments to enhance the summer feel.
Summer GrassesWatching the grasses sway in the breeze, on a dreamy summer day.
I've just created prints of these 3 pieces in preparation for an upcoming art show in the Fall. Please stay tuned for more information.
Enjoy all that summer days have to offer - taking in the colours of nature and lively activity all around you!
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Please visit this page to download a complimentary sample from my book. After registering, click on the cover image in the gallery, and then click "Download Original" above the image to obtain the PDF file.
If you like the sample, please visit this page to order your copy of the entire book to learn more about the 10 elements of art design and how to apply them into your photography. Both softcover and eBook versions are available to suit your preference.
Enjoy the complimentary sample and please send me your comments or feedback.
Thank you and happy photographing!
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Let's continue our Moroccan journey and head to the blue town of Chefchaouen. If you missed the first part of the trip, you can catch up on Casablanca, then Essaouira and Marrakech, the not-to-be-missed desert scenes, the landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and the craft city of Fes.
Aside from the Sahara Desert, I'd have to say Chefchaouen was my second favourite place in Morocco. Perhaps it's due to the fact that blue is one of my favourite colours, perhaps it's the calm atmosphere created by the blue walls, blue doors, and blue staircases wherever I turn. Or perhaps it's the disbelief that a town could be so stunning when painted in various shades of blue, accented by bright red or pink colours here and there.
There are different theories on why the town is painted blue. As the colour blue symbolizes the sky and heaven, it's believed the town was painted blue as a reminder to live spiritually. Others believe it's a way to keep mosquitoes away and keep the houses cool in the summer heat. It may also be related to the colour of water, to bring calmness, happiness and optimism. The tradition continues today, perhaps as a way to attract tourists to this blue city.
After dropping our suitcases off at our hotel, we ventured out with our cameras and this is the scene I saw...isn't it amazing?
The mural painted on this wall depicts the town so well - blue walls framed by blue arches, blue steps lined with plants in blue flowerpots, locals dressed in blue.
Below are some of my favourite scenes; these exist in reality, though they may look like paintings - the shades of blue colours and the textures, so minimalistic yet so beautiful!
Besides the flowerpots, accent colours can be found on staircases too. This colourful pattern decorated the steps in front of a hotel, welcoming guests with each joyful step they take.
Accent colour can also be in the form of a bright red fire hydrant, half camouflaged with the wall behind.
The wall below has art patterns painted on using darker shades of blue, mimicking the curves in the tree trunk. Starting from late morning, many tourists can be seen in this town browsing through the colourful products sold by vendors, such as the bags seen in the mirror's reflection.
Yet another way to add a colourful punch to the blue-washed walls is the clothesline strung in front of this home, and the bright fuchsia and cyan coloured clothes hung out to dry.
The locals also act as contrasting elements to the blueness of the town.
I had fun observing the contrasts in fashion styles - a local resident in her patterned outfit and a tourist bride in town for her wedding photos!
Next to tourists, another common sight in Chefchaouen are cats - curious ones peeking out by the door, or sitting on a step to bask in the sunlight.
In the evening, we found this spot to capture the blue town during blue hour. In this scene, the accent is provided by the glowing golden minarets.
And here's an abstract version of the same scene, taken a while later as the sky turned dark. Which version do you like?
To see more photos from Chefchaouen, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. Which photo from this town did you like most?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Chefchaouen, and all the places we've visited on this journey - Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains and Fes. This concludes our virtual photo tour of Morocco. I hope you've found a Moroccan photo art piece that you'd like to hang in your home or office, whether it brings back memories from your trip there, or as an inspiration to travel to Morocco in the future!
Please feel free to post comments on this blog about the Morocco photo tour, or reach me via the Contact form to be notified of future photo journeys! Until then, take care and stay safe!
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From the magnificent landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, let's continue our Moroccan journey and head to the lively city of crafts, Fes. If you missed the first part of the trip, you can catch up on Casablanca, then Essaouira and Marrakech, the not-to-be-missed desert scenes and the Atlas Mountains.
In Fes, we stayed in this riad that is an artwork in itself. Here's a view out to the courtyard and a glimpse of the mosaic tilework of an interior staircase that carries through onto the walls and floor.
Let's start exploring the city and see the craftspeople at work! One of the places you can visit is a leather tannery. In the medina markets there are lots of leather products for sale including purses and bags, Moroccan slippers and shoes, and pouf ottomans. At the tannery you can see the process of how the leather is prepared and dyed into different colours (of course you can purchase leather products here too!). Please note this is a busy workplace, so please be careful when walking through to avoid being in the way of the workers.
Another location to visit to see craftspeople at work is a tile and pottery apprentice school. Here you can watch the delicate work in creating thumbnail-sized tile pieces using chisels, and arranging them to form dazzling mosaic patterns to decorate tabletops and furniture pieces. As for pottery, you can see them from being spun on the pottery wheel to being hand-painted with Moroccan designs.
If you're looking for a Moroccan rug for your home, here you'll find a myriad of colours and patterns of handwoven rugs to choose from. You're bound to find one that suits your home's decor!
If you thought the mosaics and rugs above were a dizzying array of patterns, have a look into this small shop where the craftsman is surrounded on all sides with teapots and platters. The intricate patterns on the platters are quite an amazing sight, aren't they?
At times I was so busy capturing these sights in the medina that I forgot to pay attention to the narrow alleyway in which I was walking, and almost got run over by a donkey pulling a cart of goods through the market! When I came to a quieter spot, I noticed these magnificent architectural details and waited for the perfect moment to capture this image.
To see more photos from Fes, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. What did you like most about this city?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Fes. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll head to the blue town of Chefchaouen (one of my favourite places in Morocco)!
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After spending 2 days in the Sahara Desert, let's continue our Moroccan journey and head north to the Atlas Mountains for much different scenery - if you missed the first part of the trip, you can first catch up on Casablanca, then Essaouira and Marrakech, and the not-to-be-missed desert scenes.
We took switchback roads, zig-zagging our way up the High Atlas Mountains. Before this trip, I did not realize this type of terrain existed in Morocco, so I was pleasantly surprised when we reached the top and were rewarded with these splendid mountain views.
We arrived at the perfect time for this photo opportunity - the light was shining right where it should be, highlighting the layers of terraced fields. The ominous clouds above the mountains gave a dark contrast that complemented the image.
View from High Atlas Mountains
The cactus had beautiful yellow blooms in the spring that added a pop of colour to this photo, where it was used as the foreground element.
A variety of landscape images presented themselves as we continued through the mountains. Berber villages can be found throughout the mountain range - can you spot the village camouflaged in the photo below? It may not be evident at first glance, when viewed against its immense background.
The Atlas Mountains are well known as sheep raising areas, as evidenced in the scenes below. Can you count the number of sheep in each photo?
To see more photos from the Atlas Mountains, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. Which photo did you like most from the Atlas Mountains?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to the Atlas Mountains. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll head to the city of crafts, Fes.
Continuing on our Moroccan journey (if you missed the first part of the trip, you can first catch up on Casablanca, then Essaouira and Marrakech), today we're heading east to the Sahara Desert.
In reality, the journey from Marrakech to the journey took over 2 days, but on this virtual photo journey we can arrive with the click of a button. We had a stopover in the city of Ouarzazate - here you can find the World UNESCO World Heritage Site Aït Benhaddou, a historic fortified village and an example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. The sight of the lush palm groves brings reprieve from the heat.
Ouarzazate is also known for its film studios. Movies filmed in this area include Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Babel. Some episodes of The Amazing Race and Game of Thrones were filmed here as well. When I saw this scene below, I thought I had stepped onto a movie set!
We're getting closer to the desert. After watching the golden sunset over this town, we were presented with a wonderful lightning show.
And here we are, at Erg Chebbi, at the western edge of the Sahara Desert! We quickly dropped off our luggage and headed out for the camel ride. In the event of a sudden sand storm, we each had our face covered with a scarf in the style of a tagelmust.
The vastness of the desert was immense, and the height of the dunes - it was only when I started to climb onto one that I realized how high it was, and that reaching the peak was no easy task (hint: it's easier to climb with bare feet). Everywhere I looked, a different scene emerged to be photographed. Whether you want to capture the overall landscape, or zoom in close for the abstract sand patterns, the possibilities are endless. Some of the photographers in our group even ventured out in the middle of the night to capture the Milky Way over the desert.
The next morning, we headed out for a camel ride at sunrise. These are my two favourite photos from that morning - where the dunes are transformed into silky waves and look absolutely magical.
Silken SaharaThe gentle morning light on sand dunes turns them into a sea of silky waves. The slightly adjusted colours adds to the soft pastel feeling.
Strolling on Silk*Rising early and making the challenging climb onto the sand dune ridge was well worth the effort, as I was rewarded with this breathtaking view. The gentle morning light turned the dunes into a sea of silky waves, and the immensity of the Sahara desert is contrasted against the person strolling across, symbolizing freedom and exploration.
(* Commended in 2018 Sony World Photo Awards, Honourable Mention in 2017 Tokyo International Foto Awards)
(The photo above was Commended in the Sony World Photography Awards Open Competition, Travel Category, 2018.)
To see more photos from the Sahara Desert, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. What did you like most about this area?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to the Sahara Desert. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll head to the Atlas Mountains!
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Continuing on our Moroccan journey from Casablanca and Essaouira (if you missed that part of the trip, you can start with Casablanca here and read about Essaouira here), let's head east to the bustling city of Marrakech.
When you hear of Marrakech, the first thing that comes to mind will likely be the main square in the old medina where the market is located. The Djemaa El Fna square is filled with vendors selling local foods, fruits and spices, clothing and housewares. Pedestrians and motorbikes share the space, along with curious tourists. Here you will also find snake charmers and monkey trainers, if you'd like to have your photo taken with them. Luckily there was a terrace nearby where I could capture photos of the market, so I didn’t have to get too close to the snakes!
After visiting the busy market, you can take in some historical culture by visiting the Bahia Palace, built in the late 19th century. The Grand Vizier of Marrakech lived here with his four wives, 24 concubines and numerous children. Constructed of cedar wood ceilings, marble, and ceramic tiles, it’s a great example of Islamic architecture with amazing details.
As for artistic culture and a visit to a garden oasis within the city, the Jardin Marjorelle is highly recommended. French painter Jacques Majorelle spent 40 years creating this garden with 300 plant species from 5 different continents. His Art Deco studio is painted in vibrant blue and yellow colours, where the Berber Museum is currently housed. Yves Saint Laurent bought this property in 1980 and saved it from being developed into a hotel. So fortunate to have this wonderful gem preserved!
To see more photos from Marrakech, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. What did you like most about this city?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Marrakech. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll head into the Sahara Desert!
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Continuing on our Moroccan journey from Casablanca (if you missed that part of the trip, you can read about it here), let's head in the southwest direction to the seaside port town of Essaouira.
Those of you who are fans of the TV show Game of Thrones may recognize this town, as part of the filming was carried out here. This area is very lively and busy with fishermen bringing in fresh catch from the sea. The smell of fish is quite strong...lots of seagulls flying overhead (cover your head!).
We were fortunate to have stayed in a hotel by the coast - this is a view from the terrace at low tide. Amazing view, isn't it? We could see part of it from the bedroom and from the dining area while enjoying our meals. I wonder what the person in red jacket was gathering.
There were many interesting sights in the town - fishermen and painters going about their work, merchants selling handmade crafts and goods on the sidewalk, every view was like a scene from a painting.
From the architecture, you can see the French and Arabic influences - arches and tilework can be seen everywhere. Early in the morning, the alleys are quiet but later in the day, local merchants and cats share the paths. It was so much fun exploring the alleys, discovering new scenes around every corner.
My favourite images from Essaouira are these three below - one is an abstract created from the fishing boats, and the second, an abstract view of the town from the rooftop terrace, and the third, from the same viewpoint at blue hour. Which do you like best?
FIshing Boats AbstractBoats wait in the harbour until it's time for the next fishing trip.
To see more photos from Essaouira, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio. What did you like most about this town?
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Essaouira. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll head to the bustling city of Marrakech!
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If you haven't been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 yet, if your country of destination hasn't loosened travel restrictions, or if you're not quite ready to pack your suitcase yet, don't fret. You can join me on a virtual journey through Morocco, via a collection of photos I captured on a trip to this colourful country four years ago.
Today, we'll start the journey from Casablanca, and moving counterclockwise, make our way to the seaside town of Essaouira, then head inland to Marrakech, and onwards towards the Sahara desert. After that, we'll pass through the Atlas mountains and visit a local family, then visit the city of crafts Fes, and spend some time in the blue town of Chefchauen to wrap up our tour around the country.
When you hear of Casablanca, it'll likely conjure up the famous movie with the same name. Although the film was in black and white, the colours found in Casablanca are a sharp contrast. From the bright red taxi cabs, to the crafts and goods sold in the Old Medina market, bright colours abound. Whether you're looking for a hand-woven rug or leather pouf ottoman for your home, delicately patterned tagines or plates and spices for your kitchen, or leather bags, scarves and slippers for your wardrobe, you can find it here in the market, with a multitude of colours to choose from.
After filling your shopping bags and to take a break from the busyness of the market, the other not-to-be-missed attraction in Casablanca is the Hassan II Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and 7th largest in the world. Its minaret, at over 200m high, is the world's second tallest. You can join a tour at the mosque to visit the prayer hall decorated with chandeliers and marble, and also see the baths in the lower level. A magnificent structure that took 8 years and 2500 people to build! I would recommend seeing this attraction both in the daytime and at night - equally stunning with its lights shining bright, with the sea as its background.
Hassan II Mosque at Dusk - Casablanca, Morocco
To see more photos from Casablanca, please visit this photo gallery in my travel portfolio.
Friendly hint: you can buy these prints from my online shop, or contact me for customized sizes and print medium. My entire collection of photos from Morocco can be found in my photo book "Patterns of Morocco" - you can see an excerpt here. If you'd like to order a copy of the book for yourself or your family, friends or clients, please reach me via the Contact form.
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Casablanca. Follow me on my next blog post as we continue this journey through Morocco, where we'll explore the seaside port town of Essaouira.
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Here's a fine art photo piece I created to portray the love that mothers give to their children, from before they were born and throughout their upbringing, like the sunshine that nourishes a young seedling and nurtures its growth.
As children grow and journey through life, they're influenced by various outside forces, media, and peer pressure, just as plants are subjected to wind and other forces of nature, swaying them every which way in different directions.
Mothers (and fathers too) provide guidance to their children, helping them grow in ways best suited to their personalities and interests, leading them to be the best version of themselves.
Although my dear mother has passed on a few years ago, I am forever grateful for her love and guidance, and remember her fondly especially on this day.
May all mothers enjoy their special day today and be celebrated!
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Fortunately the snow didn't last long, and last week there were definitely signs that spring had arrived! At my neighbourhood playground I was surprised to see these sakura (cherry blossom) trees in full bloom. It was a bit windy that day, so there were only a handful of parents with their children playing on the swings and slide, and a few people from the neighbourhood taking a walk and stopping to take photos with these beautiful blooms as the backdrop.
There are actually only 4 trees in this small playground, but the photo above looks quite fulsome. The trick to this is to zoom right in and try to keep distractions out of the frame. Although the colours are most intense and the scene most impressive when viewed from afar, I prefer to get in closer to the blooms for an art piece. Let's see how close we can get. This version below is closer and gives an overall pattern of the blooms, but difficult to focus on a specific point.
I used my 100mm macro lens that day and tried my best to isolate just a branch, which is a challenge with all the overlapping twigs, branches and flowers. So the best way is to look for a branch at the edge of the tree, where the sky becomes the background as in this photo below, giving a clearer view of the blooms.
And finally, this was the closest I could get to the flowers. There are still some branches in the background (which I could remove in post-processing), but it shows the details of 2 blossoms against the soft background.
Which version do you like best?
Despite the pandemic lockdown, try to take walks outdoors to refresh the body and mind. Don't forget to bring your camera along, you may come across some pleasant surprises like these!
(Edit: actually these may be plum blossoms as opposed to cherry blossoms, but either way they're equally delicate and beautiful!)
Or perhaps you would like to send a gift to lift someone's spirits, which is much needed this year as many people are dealing with various challenges brought on by the pandemic. They may have lost a loved one to COVID-19 (my thoughts and prayers go out to them), they may be tirelessly working in the frontlines of healthcare or other essential services (thank you!), they may be stressed from work-from-home plus home-schooling (parents, hang in there), they may be isolated due to the limited number of family or friends they can meet (please stay strong), or they simply deserve a thank-you for helping with your errands (so grateful for these kind hearts!). All these are reasons that one should spend time with art, by immersing themselves in the pages of an art photo book.
I've published a number of photo books that are suitable for any of these occasions. To uplift spirits or to say thank-you, I would recommend the "Dreamy Florals" book, filled with more than 40 dreamy rose photos that will bring you into a colourful garden. These roses will last all year round in the recipient's home and bring a smile to their face whenever they flip through the pages.
For special occasions or for art lovers, there are three other options for your consideration: first is "Titled Art No. 1" which features 26 art photos, with their titles creatively incorporated into the images.
Two other options are portfolio books of my colour photos or black-and-white photos. These are hardcover books featuring debossed linen-style covers, each with approximately 50 art photos printed on photo paper. Please contact me via the online Contact form to obtain a copy of the portfolio photo book for the art-lover on your gift list!
Rita Wong Photography Portfolio Books
If you're gifting to a photographer who wants to create more artistic images, I would recommend "Art Design in Photography". They will learn how to apply elements of art design in photography and use visual language for creating impactful images. Ten elements of design are presented, along with sample images from my portfolio, accompanied by explanatory text.
Last but not least are my travel photo books. The "Peace of Kyoto" book is filled with 80 pages of peaceful sights from Kyoto, ranging from traditional to modern architecture, skillfully built shrines and temples, serene zen gardens to street scenes. It features photo lustre paper, with a satin-matte surface that makes each page look and feel like a photo print.
Please click here for a collection of sample pages for your perusal.
Peace of Kyoto Photobook Cover
The "Patterns of Morocco" book features the vibrant colours and patterns in Morocco, both in the cities and in natural settings. The book will take you on a photographic journey around Morocco, starting from Casablanca, to fishing town of Essaouira and lively Marrakech, across the High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara desert, stopping in Fes for the cultural arts and wrapping up in the blue pearl of Chefchaouen. This hardcover book is filled with 168 pages of photographs printed on premium silk paper.
Please click here for a collection of sample pages for your perusal.
Please contact me via the online Contact form to obtain a copy of the travel photo books for the traveller or art-lover on your gift list.
I hope this gift guide has helped you choose the perfect gift for special occasions or for your special someone, or as a present for yourself! Please feel free to contact me if you require further guidance in selecting a photo book gift.
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The pandemic has truly turned the world upside down, gatherings with friends not allowed, company employees working from home, public transportation, theatres and concert halls mostly empty, shopping malls closed. Restaurants permitted to open for takeout or delivery only, teachers and students sent home from their classrooms, meetings moved to online platforms and seeing other participants on screen only, flights and cruises halted, the list goes on. Almost everything we do - the connections with family and friends, the way we work, live and spend our leisure time, the freedom to travel - has been affected and greatly changed. I created the fine art photograph below to convey this "upside-down world" feeling we're all having. It's been over a year and is challenging for everyone, but there is light at the end of the tunnel with the advancement of vaccination programs worldwide. Let's stay strong, hang in there for a while longer and look forward to the spring and our new world.
Fortunately outdoor walks for exercise are still permitted, so I took advantage of the warm temperatures (it was close to 20 degrees yesterday!) to get some fresh air, soak up the sunshine and vitamin D, and take some photos. This week will be rainy and temperatures will cool down to typical early April weather, about 10 degrees. At a neighbourhood park I noticed buds on the trees starting to bloom, and formed this colourful pattern against the bright blue sky. Despite the lockdown, we can stay connected to others via technology, as these trees are connecting with each other.
Through their songs, birds are announcing spring is here, It's certainly a mood booster to feel spring in the air and to see signs of spring around us, signifying renewal and new beginnings. Keep looking for the small things in life that bring you joy, give gratitude and cherish these gems.
Enjoy the spring weather and sights, and let's work together to fight this wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. May the world and our lives return to a new normalcy in the near future.
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It's been a difficult year, but may this Easter bring renewed hope and strength for everyone to get through this pandemic. Here are some small blooms below that welcomed me yesterday morning when I got out of bed. They brought a smile to my face instantly.
I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to all the healthcare workers who continue tirelessly with this battle, and those who work in essential services to keep our cities running. I am grateful for my relatives and friends who have connected with and supported me during this time. To show my gratitude, here's another design to offer hope and thanks. It's based on a doodle sketch that I made years ago - I just discovered my small notebook filled with such gems.
Although it's not really the time to have a big celebration, I did make an Easter dish filled with spring flavours - a seafood pasta with scallops and smoked salmon, portabello mushroom and white asparagus, with a good sprinkling of dill to enhance the taste. I hope you'll enjoy your Easter meal, giving thanks for food on the table.
As it is a challenging time for many families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether physically, financially, or emotionally, let us keep them in our thoughts. On this day which symbolizes rebirth, may it bring renewed energy and strength to all.
Wishing peace and hope for everyone around the world on this Easter day!
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Few weeks ago there were still signs of winter - piles of ice sitting on the sidewalk next to the pavement. Before they melted away, I captured a photo and combined it with a tree soaking in the sunshine, preparing for its leaves to bud, resulting in the image below.
Here's an e-card to wish you a happy spring filled with colourful blooms.
May spring bring good health, hope and peace to you and your families (and an quick end to the COVID-19 pandemic)!
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Although 10 years have passed since that tragic disaster, survivors are still working to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. In memory of the lives lost and to wish the survivors continued strength and resilience, I offer these cranes of hope.
March 11th marked the one year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. March 11, 2020 was also the day the first COVID patient passed away in Ontario. More than 2.5 million lives have been lost around the world to this virus. It has been 2 months since I lost my uncle to this terrible disease, and my family is still trying to accept this reality.
Last month, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, a new hospital in Ontario opened its doors and pivoted to especially provide support for COVID-19 patients, as other hospitals in the city were reaching capacity. Hopefully this will enable more lives to be saved, combined with a rapid vaccination rollout program.
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital-1Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital - a new hospital in Vaughan, Ontario that opened in February 2021 with a focus on providing support for COVID-19 patients.
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital-2Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital - a new hospital in Vaughan, Ontario that opened in February 2021 with a focus on providing support for COVID-19 patients.
In memory of the loved ones lost to COVID, to wish their families peace, to inspire strength for everyone enduring lockdown restrictions, and to thank all healthcare workers who continue to fight on, I offer this image of light and hope.
Let’s stay strong through the challenges. May good health and peace be bestowed upon everyone in the world in the near future!
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If you missed my previous post, it's linked here for your perusal, and I've included the 12 original images below for your reference. Here are 3 recent images taken with the same theme. Although similar colour schemes and lighting conditions appear when compared to the previous series, isn't it amazing how cloud formations can give unlimited combinations and produce unique images?
Stay-at-home View 13
Stay-at-home View 14
Stay-at-home View 15
Below are the 12 images from last year's 4-week project (these images were captured with mobile phone at maximum zoom, so please excuse the blurriness!). Which lighting/weather condition do you like best? I like the soft colour palettes near sunrise/sunset, but also enjoy the dramatic lighting conditions.
Stay-at-home View 1
Stay-at-home View 2
Stay-at-home View 3
Stay-at-home View 4
Stay-at-home View 5
Stay-at-home View 6
Stay-at-home View 7
Stay-at-home View 8
Stay-at-home View 9
Stay-at-home View 10
Stay-at-home View 11
Stay-at-home View 12
When we need new photographic ideas (or for other creative endeavours), it helps to set constraints on our project. For example, in this case I limited the project to one frame as viewed from my window. Nonetheless, it has created numerous unique images and helped me to see this scene with new eyes, bringing a sense of calm despite the pandemic.
Although vaccinations against COVID-19 have started around the world, new variants are surfacing so it may be a while yet until we can return to life as normal. What creative projects have you started in the past year? Let's stay strong, stay home as much as possible and continue to let our creativity roam in unlimited directions!
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Combined with the winter weather (in the northern atmosphere) and curfews or other stay-at-home lockdown orders, it's becoming more challenging to remain patient through this time. Having recently lost a family member to COVID, I can fully understand the pain that countless other families have experienced throughout this pandemic. I continue to hope that everyone will do their part to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and keep physical distancing, along with observing other recommended precautions.
While taking a walk at a nearby park for exercise (and to clear my head), these snow-painted trees made for a perfect art image. I've always wanted to capture such a winter scene, but usually the snow would be blown off or melt by the time I got to it. I processed it to further create a painterly feeling. The thick trunk on the right acts to balance the four thinner trees on the left.
At another part of the park, two trees created an arch framing this lady out for a walk. I added the zoom blur effect to make the photo more abstract, to depict the feelings that many of us may be experiencing now, trying our best to ride through this pandemic, aiming to keep our sanity despite the many restrictions and changes to our lives.
Although temperatures are cold, the wind chills to the bones, and winter days are gloomy, let's do our best to persevere through this challenge. Know that the sun will shine again, to warm the earth, and melt away the snow and frost.
Let's stay strong and conquer this pandemic together!
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We should also take time to reflect on the past year, as challenging as it was. To those who have lost loved ones, may you be comforted knowing you are in our thoughts, and will find peace in your hearts through your healing. To all the frontline healthcare workers who continued to care for the afflicted, and to essential workers who kept groceries and other supplies available, a heartfelt thank you for your courage and dedication. May you continue to find strength as the world fights this battle together. To everyone who has been doing your part to stay home and stop the spread, thank you for your consideration, not only for your own health but also for the well-being of others.
Reflecting on past captures, I found this image of a frosty window and looked for ways to make it new.
Although we've had to make sacrifices and forego many of our usual activities, we have learned some important lessons. We've found that we can adapt to changes - new ways of working, different methods of attending classes and collaborating, virtually meeting family and friends, hosting movie nights online, to name a few examples. Some have learned new skills, baking cakes and cookies for neighbours, experimenting with new ingredients and recipes, sewing cloth masks for donation to healthcare workers, learning to speak a new language or to play a musical instrument, and other creative endeavours. Though we had to stay apart physically, we connected more via phone or video calls, putting aside family disputes to express concern for relatives, reconnecting with long-distanced friends, and making new friends through online groups. We also learned to simplify our lives and focus on the essentials, be grateful for what's truly important in life - we really don't need ALL the material goods that we strive for.
Here's the new version of the image - a more colourful representation of the frosty wisps. What parts of your life would you like to reinvent for 2021?
Happy New Year 2021Happy New Year 2021! Let's welcome a peaceful year filled with new experiences.
Let's carry the lessons from 2020 into 2021, while welcoming new experiences. May the new year bring good health to you and your families. and happiness for all!
Happy New Year 2021!
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Despite the many challenges this year, let us remember to count our blessings for the things that are most important - health, family and friends, food on the table. Although we were not able to do some of the activities that we used to do, go to places that we used to visit, let's consider those as a temporary pause, and that we will come out better after the pandemic. Let's continue to stay strong in solidarity, and do our part to limit the spread. May the new year bring new hope, as vaccines against COVID-19 are becoming available, that in 2021 the world can return to normalcy.
I would like to share this ecard with you, to brighten your holiday season and wish you the best for 2021!
May you and your families have a safe, peaceful and happy holiday season!
Happy New Year 2021!
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Most of my family and friends have already switched to online shopping earlier this year, even for their groceries. My friend commented the other day that although extra payment is needed for delivery, the amount of time it has saved her - not having to drive to the store, line up to get into the store (when limited number of shoppers are allowed at one time), navigate through the aisles with a shopping cart, wait for the cashier in socially distanced lines - all these are enough to justify the delivery fees. Every Friday morning she receives her groceries, and stores them away in her fridge and pantry before starting her workday in her home office. Amidst the challenges brought on by the pandemic, we're adjusting our lives to suit and making new discoveries!
Here is a new discovery I made recently in my photography - with the aid of a post-processing software, I was able to turn a simple photo of summer flowers captured in a garden into an artistic image of shimmering jewels. Let's continue to explore new or creative ways of doing things in our lives, whether in obtaining our day-to-day goods or in photography.
Those of you who have been reading my blog (or seen my Publications webpage) may recall I had previously self-published photo books titled "Dreamy Florals" and "Art and Design in Photography". Today I want to share the news with you that they're now available for purchase in Apple iBooks! Yes, this means you can start your shopping now, for your friends who prefer to view digital formats.
Here is where you can preview and purchase "Dreamy Florals" (a perfect gift for anyone who could use the peace and calm from seeing dreamy photographs of roses) and "Art Design in Photography" (for all photographers who want to create more artistic imagery). For family and friends who still enjoy flipping through pages of a book, hard copies are also available. Please see my Publications page for more details, including other eBook formats of these photo books.
Wishing everyone in the US a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving!
Please stay safe while shopping for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
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I reverted to a modest homemade dinner - bought a carnival squash with festive design (and found a perfect art backdrop for it at home!), and filled it with a delicious combination of onion, mixed mushrooms, quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Rather than attempting to cook a turkey, I opted to make simple turkey patties that tasted just as good.
Carnival SquashColourful carnival squash - a festive design for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving MealHomemade Thanksgiving meal, smaller feast this year due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in Ontario, Canada.
Although this dinner was much different from the traditional feast with my relatives, I am blessed to have enjoyed the abundance of this meal. I am grateful for health, family and friends, food on the table, and the beauty in nature (such as the fall colours captured below) that surrounds us and is a source for fine art photography. Despite the many challenges that COVID has brought to the world this year, I try to remind myself to practice gratitude daily.
Thank you for reading and following my blog, dear readers. I hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Stay well everyone!
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To continue honing your craft of photography and to be inspired by other photographers' work, I would like to personally invite you to join the FRAMES Magazine and Photo Community.
It is undeniable that we live in a digital age. For a fact, photography has been one of those genres that have undergone quite a dramatic transformation in the last few decades. The overwhelming majority of photographs are captured with digital cameras. Additionally, we use our computers and mobile phones to consume photographs most of the time.
But…how about paper? When was the last time you held a photography book or a photo print in your hands?
Enter FRAMES.
Photographer Tomasz Trzebiatowski, based in Switzerland, is launching a quarterly printed photography magazine. Yes, printed. On paper. And it is looking wonderful.
What is pretty unique about this new publication is the fact that FRAMES Magazine embraces all possible photography genres and formats. Each quarterly edition of FRAMES will feature the work of photographers using digital and analogue cameras, mobile phones, even pinhole cameras.
“Excellent photography belongs on paper” - that’s Tomasz’ motto. The common denominator connecting all the images being printed in FRAMES is simply their visual quality and inspiring, thought-provoking character.
The magazine itself is looking gorgeous. In essence, it is a top-notch, quarterly photography book, printed on 140gsm uncoated Edixion Challenger offset paper manufactured using 100% ECF pulp. Each edition consists of 108 pages (!).
FRAMES is off to a good start. In the first edition you can see the work of such acclaimed artists as Michael Kenna and Phil Penman as well as some great photography by less known, emerging photographers such as Robert Atwater, Olga Karlovac, Yalim Vural, and Curtis Salonick. What’s more, the first issue also includes two in-depth exclusive interviews with Magda Keaney (Senior Curator, Photographs, National Portrait Gallery in London) and Richard Tsong-Taatarii (photojournalist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune).
But that is certainly not all. When you become a FRAMES subscriber, you automatically get access to the entire suite of their digital offerings: FRAMES Digital companions, online Photography Masterclasses and the insider FRAMES Photo Community.
FRAMES is set to become an impressive blend of printed and digital photography assets. Tomasz’s idea is to create a passionate international photography community with the magazine and its additional digital components as its hub.
You can become a member of FRAMES today for a monthly fee of $14 USD, benefiting from the early bird fee (regular pricing will be $17 USD per month). Your membership will secure you annual access to 4 printed editions of FRAMES Magazine, 8 editions of FRAMES Digital Companions, 4 Photography Masterclasses and the private community and forums.
This package is of great value!
Without a doubt, FRAMES Magazine has every chance to become a collector’s gem. It is looking pretty exciting and impressive.
If you would like to start your FRAMES Magazine collection from its very first issue, please ensure you become a FRAMES member by October 15th 2020. Volume 1 will be shipped on October 30th. The magazine is printed in the UK and can be shipped to any international location, shipping fees are included in the subscription.
To learn more, check out the FRAMES website and subscribe today. If you have any questions about this magazine or community, please contact me at [email protected].
Happy photographing, see you in the FRAMES Photo Community and stay well!
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To draw our attention away from the upcoming cold weather and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I'm pleased to announce that one more virtual event is taking place for your enjoyment from home! ArtWalk in the Square is an art show that had traditionally been held in the plaza of Shops at Don Mills, located in Toronto, Canada but in an effort to minimize social gatherings and keep artists and art lovers (and their family and friends) safe from COVID, the show has moved online this year.
As we've been spending more time at home this year (and likely for part of next year), many people have been working on home improvement projects. If you've recently upgraded your space and need artwork to suit your new decor, or want to refresh your walls for a new look, you've come to the right place!
The ArtWalk in the Square Online art show runs from September 25th to October 9th and features more than 80 artists working in various art medium, including photography, painting, and sculpture. Here's a direct link to my Eventeny storefront where you can view the pieces for sale, with product photos showing the printed and framed views, along with sample images of how they would work in various interior spaces. Once you've found the right piece(s), you can buy them from the virtual store too!
For example, a display of "Strolling on Silk" and "Silken Sahara" artworks would complement a space with Moroccan decor style. Please see the images for each piece of artwork in my storefront for more interior design ideas. If you'd like some guidance specific to your unique space, please contact me and I'll work with you to choose the best suited piece of artwork, print media and framing or mounting option.
Even if you're not currently looking to purchase artwork, please enjoy the virtual art show and the joys that art can bring (more important this year than ever before)! Please continue to stay healthy and safe from COVID-19, and I hope to meet you in person at a future art show!
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Here are two macro images that I took indoors, and processed to highlight the features of each plant (and making summer last longer). In the first image, the tiny green dots shine like emerald gemstones, and in the second image that has a more abstract feel, the veins of a lily petal that sustain the flower's life are featured. Which one do you prefer?
Emerald GemsThis plant's green dots shine like emerald gemstones.
Lily PetalVeins of this petal sustain the life of the lily flower.
As we head into September, here's a bright sunrise to start off the school year and welcome the Fall season, while we all adjust to the new normal way of life.
Enjoy the warm summer weather while it lasts, and please continue to stay healthy and safe from COVID-19!
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Recently I went for a long walk in a city park and discovered some new walking trails. Well, they're not actually new but they're new to me - this is the first time I learned of their existence! Although international travel may still be limited (or we may not be too eager to get on an airplane just yet), we can explore our city and surrounding areas. I'm sure there are more discoveries to be found!
From my walk, here are 3 images I'd like to share, to inspire you in exploring new locations or new ideas. The initial captures looked fairly ordinary, but after I tried some new methods of post-processing, it resulted in these dreamy abstract art photographs.
Guess which one is my favourite? Which do you like best?
Summer GarlandGarland of white flowers, its gentle fragrance carried in the dreamy summer breeze.
Summer ParasolWhite parasol to provide shade on a sunny, hot summer day.
Summer GrassesWatching the grasses sway in the breeze, on a dreamy summer day.
Enjoy the dreamy summer days, watching grasses sway, smelling flowers' gentle fragrance, capturing all the beauty nature has to offer and making new discoveries.
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While waiting for the light show and fireworks, I found some images in my photography collection from a few years ago, when Canada turned 150 and special events were held. Here are some memories to share with you. At the Canadian National Exhibition, performers flew the Canada 150 flag on waterskis.
This Canadian group of wakeboarders were united in their performance as they glided across the waters of Lake Ontario.
At Toronto's HTO Park, the artwork on these Canadian canoes represents the heritage and colours of our country:
Canadian CanoesCanadian traditional canoes docked in Lake Ontario, next to Toronto's HTO Park.
Until we can all gather together again (without having to keep our socially distanced bubbles), keep smiling like this giant rubber duck that docked by the water taxi in Lake Ontario.
The more united we stand with our fellow Canadians in caring for each other's health, the sooner we'll be able to gather together again, hand in hand across this vast country of ours.
Happy Canada Day, and enjoy the virtual fireworks tonight!
]]>One sign of the cleaner environment are the clouds in the sky. For those who may have watched Bob Ross teach landscape painting on TV (as I did as a child), you would remember him painting "happy little trees" and "happy little clouds" on his canvas. As I walked around my neighbourhood today, I found some happy little clouds. Some were not so little but still looking happy!
In this first image, the clouds formed a speech bubble shape right above the street lamp. What do you think the lamp is saying? Maybe it's wondering why there's been fewer cars on the roads lately, more people taking walks, jogging or riding their bikes.
Then this one caught my eye, a giant bird with its wings spread out, swooping down over the treetops.
And finally, I saw this soft fluffy bunny hopping over the buildings, its ears lifted by the wind. The clouds sure were happily enjoying the warm summer weather and blue sky today!
Despite the challenging times the world has been through recently with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, let's continue to hope for a brighter and happier future.
The next time you're out for a walk, look up at the sky and see if you find other happy clouds!
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At times it will feel like we're walking along a foggy path, not able to see clearly to know how to proceed. Perhaps it's not a straight path ahead, but with curves that we must take care in navigating. The way to handle this situation, as you would do on a foggy path, is to take one step at a time. Just focus on the step ahead of you that you can see, and not worry about the path out in the foggy future. Once you take one step, you'll be able to see the next step, and so on, until you've made more progress along the path than you've realized.
Foggy PathWalking in the rain along a mountain path, its stones a shiny contrast to the foggy air.
It may seem like you're alone in this situation, facing unique problems in solitude that no one else can see. But know that we're all in this together, we're all affected in one way or another. While some have lost their loved ones, others have lost their jobs. Some are trying to cope with homeschooling their children and working at the same time, while others are coping with loneliness from social distancing. Stay strong and know that we'll work through this together. Support each other through this challenging time, stand in solidarity - we are one world.
Foggy SolitudeA bird stands in solitude on the craggy rocks, taking in the foggy silence.
When the fog lifts, and it will eventually, the air will be clearer, the view will be more beautiful - as this landscape that was unveiled before my eyes. I hope these art pieces bring hope for brighter days ahead. We will overcome this disease, find new ways to connect, take better care of ourselves and those we love, be kinder to each other and to the earth.
After the FogAfter the fog lifted, this beautiful mountain view was unveiled before my eyes.
Despite the uncertain times the world has been through due to the COVID-19 pandemic, let's continue to hope for a brighter future!
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As for my new experiences, I ordered produce boxes for home delivery and tackled chopping up a giant rutabaga for the first time. Roasting it with other vegetables (carrots, onions, and celery) yielded 2 large casseroles filled with healthy and delicious goodness! Here's a photo of them, piping hot out of the oven.
Another creation I worked on was my cloth mask, hand sewn with pleats on the sides to resemble surgical masks. It's made with a double layer of cotton fabric, with a pocket between them to insert an extra layer of filter when necessary. If I rest my glasses on the top edge, it keeps the fabric tight to my face. This became my go-to mask when I'm heading downstairs to the lobby to pick up deliveries and mail, or just going for a walk in the neighbourhood. Although social distancing guidelines are posted in the building's elevators, some residents don't keep their distance or don't wear face coverings, so I use my cloth mask as a layer of protection. When going to grocery stores with more people at closer distances, I'll use disposable surgical masks. Please remember to follow the distancing guidance while we continue to fight the pandemic. (It's not visible in the photo below, but a few weeks ago I also attempted my own DIY haircut - guess how the results turned out?)
One morning while taking a walk in my neighbourhood, I passed by the local community centre and found this empty baseball field. As group sports had been suspended for the past 2 months, the field is overgrown with yellow dandelions. It was quite a pretty scene, despite the fact that dandelions would usually be promptly weeded out. I turned it into a creative abstract art image, to simulate the action that typically takes place on a baseball diamond, with players running around the bases. I'm sure baseball players can't wait to restart their games, just in time for summer.
What creative activities did you engage in during this time of self-isolation and social distancing? Did you find new ideas or subjects for your photography? Please share with us!
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With the city having much less car traffic over the past 2 months, the sky appeared more blue, more clear, the clouds more white, more beautiful than before. Making a perfect backdrop for the baby green leaves sprouting out.
Tree branches dotted with new leaves, their delicate silhouettes still clearly visible, taking on a fresh spring look after the long winter and self-isolation period.
Even the yellow dandelions usually considered as weeds complemented well against the green grass. With the bright sunshine, all the colours appeared more vibrant, lifting my mood.
Having gone through a period of stay-at-home orders, it made me appreciate and be grateful for the simple things in life, rethink what's most important in life, what I could do without, and recognize the beauty in my nearby neighbourhood.
Did you make any new discoveries in your neighbourhood during this time of social distancing? Perhaps you've found new inspiration for your photography?
Enjoy your Victoria Day!
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After my past posts on "Coping with Social Distancing Amidst COVID-19" and "Treasures I Found While Social Distancing", I undertook a small photo project from the comfort of my home. Living at a busy intersection (well, typically it’s packed with cars, but both streets have been much quieter during this stay-at-home period), the view from my window isn’t very photogenic.
Picking one view which I thought has the most potential, I took photos of it whenever an interesting condition in lighting, weather or cloud formation appeared. Even in just one small square frame, this project over a 4-week period showed how many different images can be made by nature’s paintbrush, if we observe how it changes over time. This exercise brought me a moment of zen with each capture, and made me rethink how photogenic the view can be!
Here are various views at sunrise, sunset, before/after the rain, during snow flurries, on a sunny day...can you guess which image matches which condition? (I took quick shots with my phone at maximum zoom, so please excuse the photo quality!)
Stay-at-home View 1
Stay-at-home View 2
Stay-at-home View 3
Stay-at-home View 4
Stay-at-home View 5
Stay-at-home View 6
Stay-at-home View 7
Stay-at-home View 8
Stay-at-home View 9
Stay-at-home View 10
Stay-at-home View 11
Stay-at-home View 12
If you’re feeling bored, try a similar project in your home. It can be a view outside, or a spot inside your home that is exposed to different lighting conditions - of course you can create the lighting conditions too, have fun with it!
Although we’ve been restricted from freely going about our daily lives, our creativity can’t be bounded. We're still free to be creative and find different ways to express our art. In fact, this time period may have boosted creativity by limiting our physical boundaries.
What creative endeavours did you take on? Please share!
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These cards can be sent to your family and friends conveniently during this "stay at home" period. You can use them as a thank-you to a healthcare worker, your friend or neighbour, or for a loved one's special day (Mother's Day is coming up, or for Father's Day, graduation, a birthday or anniversary). "Get Well Soon" and "Thinking of You" versions are also available for those who have been affected by this disease, and a sunny yellow "Happy Day" card to brighten someone's day with cheer. Choose the card you like from my gallery - (after registration) look for the "Download" button above the photo, hover on the triangle pull-down to choose "Original" for that specific card, or select "All Available Originals" to download the entire set of 9 cards. If you would like to purchase printed greeting cards with these designs, please reach out to me via my website's Contact form.
While creating these cards, I looked up the meaning of different colours of roses and found the following from Passion Growers:
- Pink - admiration, gentleness, grace, gladness and sweetness
- White - innocence, purity, remembrance and new beginnings
- Yellow - cheer, joy and friendship
- Lavender - an enchanting way to say, "I love you!", offer a daily reminder of your love
- Orange - energy, enthusiasm and excitement
- Red - traditional symbol for love, romance, will always be a way to say "I love you"
- Novelty (dual-colours) - combines messages of both colours (in the case below of pink and cream: admiration, gladness, and charm - perfect for a graduation; send congratulations to the graduates - unfortunately convocations may have been cancelled due to the pandemic)
I hope these cards will bring a smile to your face and to all who receive them.
Keep well and stay healthy!
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Uplifting Florals (slideshow)Uplifting floral photography set to music.
As more financial support is needed around the world to assist with the global pandemic, I wanted to contribute with my photography in addition to making personal donations to charities in need.
I've created a photo book filled with the images that you saw in the slideshow above (plus 30 additional photos) that will make a perfect present for someone in your life. It may bring solace to those who have lost a loved one to this pandemic. Or it can be sent it as a thank-you gift to healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly, to your local grocer who is keeping shelves stocked for your shopping convenience, to your neighbour who dropped off groceries at your door, and to friends who showed extra care for you during this time. It's also a great way to brighten someone's day during this period of social distancing and self-isolation. And don't forget to celebrate with your loved ones - surprise them with this gift for Mother's Day (coming up soon), Father's Day, a birthday or anniversary. These flowers will last all year round!
Please visit this page to see a preview of the book or to place an order. Printed and eBook versions are available. Net proceeds from this book sale will be donated to the COVID-19 Global Appeal.
Thank you in advance for your support, and I hope all recipients of this book will find a sense of peace and hope in their hearts.
Together we are stronger. Stay at home, keep well and stay healthy!
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I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to all the healthcare workers who continue tirelessly in this battle, and those who work in essential services to keep our cities running. I am grateful for my relatives and friends who have connected with me during this time (I was pleasantly surprised by a message from a friend that I haven't met in many years - thank you T!).
As it is a challenging time for many families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether physically, financially, or emotionally, let us keep them in our thoughts. On this day which symbolizes rebirth, may it bring renewed energy and strength to all.
Wishing peace and hope for everyone around the world on this Easter day!
Hopeful Easter 2020May this Easter bring peace and hope to all.
(Ecard created from a photograph in my portfolio.)
]]>Rather than complaining about the social distancing and stay-at-home rules we've been asked to follow, this is a call for us to slow down our hectic lives and reflect on what's most important in life, giving us more time to connect with family and friends, to help others in need, work on to-do lists that we never had enough time for.
Since my last post on "Coping with Social Distancing Amidst COVID-19", I've been revisiting photographs in my catalog, dusting off photo albums and books from my bookshelf - lo and behold, I've found some treasures to share with you.
I came across this image from Angel Road, which on first look, is a sunny vacation photo to brighten our days during this challenging time. But as I thought about it, this image is actually a metaphor of the situation we're in right now. Angel Road is a sandbar on an island - this beautiful scene only appears during low tide. It's believed that couples who walk across this sandbar together will find happiness together and their wishes will come true. Similarly, in this time when moods may be low and the situation seems dire, we get to see the best in people. Businesses converting their processes to manufacture items most in need, restaurants providing meals to healthcare workers, special provisions in grocery stores to assist seniors, the list goes on. Let us all work together to walk across this low point - when we reach the other side we will be stronger, and our wishes to overcome this disease will come true.
The next treasure I found is a photo book that I put together after a family trip to Prince Edward Island. Usually I'm not a big fan of driving, but I made an exception for this trip - it was the best way to see all the amazing scenery and unique attractions around the island. Some of the photos from this trip can be viewed here. Of course, the photo book is also full of wonderful memories from the vacation with my mother, along with my aunt and uncle. We ate plenty of seafood, strolled on red sand shores, visited gardens, art galleries and the famous Green Gables (how could we miss this? I read all the books in the Anne of Green Gables series during high school!). What family trips and stories do you recall from your photo albums?
Another treasure I found on my bookshelf is a small book on Japanese living. Those who know me would have heard about my fascination with Japanese design, whether it be the use of wood in houses, the earthy tones of wabi-sabi pottery, or the simple yet refined style of food presentation. While flipping through this book, I found a piece of paper with page numbers written on it. The handwriting belonged to my mother, and seeing her notes immediately brought tears to my eyes. My mother had marked down pages of images that she liked most in the book. I looked for the pages she noted, turning the pages as if she was sitting next to me. All the photos that she liked are my favourites too, including the image below of matcha and sweet mochi, including all the zen design elements that appeal to me. I'm grateful that I have this special connection with my mother, and hope that in this time, you can find some special memories to bring you comfort.
Have you found some treasures while social distancing?
Please continue to stay at home as much as possible, practice social (physical) distancing and stay healthy!
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Let's remember to nourish well - eat healthy foods (as much as possible), cook at home (try new recipes and be creative!), drink plenty of water (a cup of warm tea can be calming), take vitamins to boost immunity, use aromatherapy to relax, and have sufficient sleep. Try to exercise at home, in your yard, or at a park that's not crowded. Or go for a walk around the block, go for a bike ride. Practice yoga, lift free weights or sing and dance in your living room. Practice mindfulness (meditation, prayer), write your feelings in a journal or blog, help others remotely. Despite the situation, be grateful for what you have - I'm grateful for my relatives, friends and neighbours who are calling to check in on me, to bring me bulk dried goods from Costco (thank you!).
To boost immunity, I made a comfort meal consisting of butternut and carrot soup (full of beta-carotene, added diced onion and garlic, spiced with turmeric, black peppercorns, cayenne pepper and finished with paprika) and a potato casserole with green beans and mushroom, topped with a slice of smoked salmon sprinkled with dill. Definitely brought warmth and comfort to the body and soul! (Please excuse the quality of the photo...I was hungry and just grabbed a quick photo with my phone before devouring the delicious foods.)
Be sure to stay connected with others. Thank goodness for technology - call your family members, friends, neighbours, have video chats via FaceTime or Skype, use Netflix Party to watch shows or movies and discuss with your friends. Take to social media - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, so many options. Also spend some time offline - anxiety levels rise when we keep hearing or reading about the latest number of cases. Tackle the to-do list, declutter your home. Read paper versions of books or magazines (if you still have them), revisit photo albums (for those of us that did print out photos), work on a puzzle, spend time on your hobbies or take on a new hobby, learn a foreign language. (I'm keeping up with my Japanese studies while the classes are moved to an online conferencing system.) Do more of what you enjoy!
To align my teatime with what I enjoy most, I filled my plate with Japanese snacks (various senbei, or rice crackers) and my matcha bowl with a turmeric matcha drink (it's a drink mix I bought, not my creation). After this oishii afternoon break, I resumed working from home, filled with a sense of zen.
Japanese TeatimeJapanese snacks and matcha to enjoy for an afternoon teatime break.
For photographers, what better time than now to catch up on sorting through and processing photos in your catalog? That's what I'll be doing in the next while. Keep taking and sharing photos! Photography is a great way to relieve stress. One morning I got up early and was rewarded with this beautiful sunrise - may it bring hope to everyone that this situation will be resolved soon.
Please share what you're doing to cope with social distancing. I'll be posting updates from my corner of the world.
Until then, keep social distancing and stay healthy!
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After a difficult childhood in a family with 5 siblings, my mother's challenges continued as an adult. She was diagnosed with cancer during her pregnancy, and 5 years later, she became a widow. Despite these tragic events in her life, my mother dedicated herself to raising me up. She took on numerous jobs, including hand sewing, house cleaning and babysitting, worked hard and saved every penny towards my education. I am forever grateful for her love and selfless dedication, and could not have thanked her enough.
When I found out that my girl friends have challenging relationships with their mothers, it made me further realize and appreciate how blessed I was to have had my mother. I sincerely hope my friends can mend the relationships with their mothers while they have the opportunity to do so.
Who are the important women in your life? Remember to celebrate them today and cherish their love for you!
Happy Women's Day 2020!
Women's Day 2020Celebrating all women on International Women's Day 2020.
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Similarly with photography, we can acquire new camera gear or change the way we compose photos to create new images. We can also look at past photos with fresh eyes, try different processing techniques and find new creations. Below are some images I made recently while browsing through my collection of photographs.
For this image "Two Suns in the Sunset", I used a new painting filter and gave it a square crop, placing focus on the two suns as they set into the fiery-orange sky.
This "Light as Air" image below was given a blue filter to enhance the feeling of a balloon floating up high into the sky. (Although in reality this was a porcelain balloon in a display case next to the window.)
To further provide an abstract look to the image "Shapes of Winter", motion and blur filters were applied. The trees' shadows appear to be moving while the observer is stationary - does this sound like a dream where you wanted to run but was stuck in place?
I hope these gave you some inspirations to look at your photographs (and the world) with fresh eyes, find alternative options and carry on with your new year resolutions!
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On the heels of The Big Holiday Smalls Show, my next art show is opening at Toronto's Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. It's Artsu Matsuri (Art Festival) 2020 - running from January 11 to March 29, 2020. This show features art work by Japanese and Canadian artists, sharing the Japanese Canadian culture with art-lovers in Toronto.
For this festival I'm exhibiting three pieces from my new series combining Japanese calligraphy with images captured in Japan's flower parks - two from the Hitachi Seaside Park when it's full of flowers blue as the sky, and a third from the Ashikaga Flower Park filled with dreamy wisteria.
Please visit the exhibit to see these in person, along with the work of numerous other artists.
The gallery is located inside the JCCC located at 6 Garamond Court, Toronto.
The opening reception is January 9, 2020 at 7-9pm. Hope to see you there!
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Thank you for a year of sharing in my photography. I look forward to creating more art in the coming year (and decade) and sharing the wonders of our world with you.
I wish you and yours a joyous and peaceful holiday filled with warmth and laughter!
Happy New Year 2020!
Christmas 2019Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy New Year 2020
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The gallery's hours are: Wednesday - Sunday 12-5pm
You can also grab a bite to eat in nearby cafes/restaurants before/after seeing the exhibit. Choices in Leslieville include Completo sandwiches, Kaspace cafe, YaYa brunch, Nodo Italian, Descendent pizza, La Paella...the list goes on!
Big Holiday Smalls Show Postcard2019 Artists' Network "Big Holiday Smalls Show" event is on.
UPDATE: The show will be extended to January 12, 2020.
Happy holiday shopping!
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Pumpkins were abundant at the grocery stores, and even in my office where a pumpkin carving contest was held. I was inspired and reminded of several photos I had captured (inadvertently) throughout the year based on this theme.
The most direct capture was this famous yellow polka-dot pumpkin sculpture by artist Yayoi Kusama, located on Naoshima island in Japan. Many people had lined up to have their photos taken in front of this yellow pumpkin, so I had to quickly steal some shots in between their posing times. It turns out a red pumpkin is also located on that island, one that is cut open for visitors to climb into.
For the next photo, I was initially caught by its graphical pattern. But on second look, they resemble a batch of pumpkins. Secret revealed: they are a cluster of ceiling lights that I photographed from directly underneath. Tricked you, didn't I?
Pumpkin LightsThis cluster of ceiling lights resembles a batch of lit-up pumpkins.
The orange circular theme then led to this photo below, on a more abstract level. What appears as a golden circle is actually parts of a circle painted on various elements inside this house - on the wooden beams above, on the shoji screen walls, and on the floor's tatami mats. Only by standing at a certain spot, at a certain height, will a perfect circle appear in front of the viewer. This was part of the Setouchi Triennale art festival, where artists transform some existing buildings on the Setouchi islands into art installations.
Which version of "pumpkin" was your favourite?
Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight for an extra hour of sleep tomorrow!
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Feast and food aside, let's not forget the real reason for the celebration. Let's remember to give thanks for our family and friends, for our health, for the beauty that nature provides, for peace in our country, for the fresh air we breathe, (please add your own items here...). Before your meal, please remember to thank all the people who worked tirelessly to produce our food and those who transported it to the stores, and of course to those who prepared the meal!
Let's count our blessings and give thanks! Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner!
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When we disembark the Disney ship and return to reality, we continue to navigate our way through life, trying new things, starting new chapters. We may encounter some road blocks along the way, but there'll be another path that we can take, much like the criss-crossing beams supporting the Szent Gellért station structure in Budapest.
Although it can be scary to start new chapters - it may feel like you are entering into the abyss, not really sure if this is the right path, or not really knowing what you're getting into, but life is about taking risks, tackling new challenges, learning and growing with every experience. So as long as there is some light shining on your path (not heading into complete darkness - although adventurous types may attempt this), go ahead and give it a try! On a foggy, rainy afternoon on Mount Pilatus in Switzerland (~ 2000m in elevation), I ventured unknowingly into the "Dragon's Path". No one else was out there and several times I considered turning back, but I was curious to see where it led. So I gathered up my courage and forged ahead until I completed the trail, and captured the photo below. Didn't encounter any dragons though...
With each new chapter in life, we are testing our bravery, putting ourselves out there and making new discoveries. If we don't push ourselves out of our comfort zone, our growth will be stunted. So I encourage you to start something new, whether with your photography or other aspect of your life!
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Before we entered the maze, we were advised by event staff to keep our arms outstretched, but not to touch the walls with our hands, to avoid leaving our fingerprints all over the mirrors. As soon as we entered, it was completely clear to us as to why we needed to walk with our arms out in front of us.
Every way you turn, there's a mirror and your reflection in front of you, on your left and on your right. Without arms out to test for walls, you risk walking right into a mirror! Twisting and turning this way and that way, we slowly made our way through the maze. With the open "ceiling", at least we could use the surrounding buildings and landmarks as guides to move around. It did get a bit dizzying, I must say! The angled photos reflected exactly how I felt in the maze - as if losing my balance with every step.
This maze felt like a "reflection" on life, pardon the pun. As we find our way through life, we may take a left turn here, a right turn there, and see where it'll lead us. Sometimes we take a wrong turn and keep going in circles, or reach a blockade and have to revert in another direction. We have to keep trying different routes on this journey of life, as we seek out our paths. For some people, it could be an easy straightforward path, for others, it could be a more convoluted path through the maze. I digressed...
When we got to the end, there was a large open space, surrounded by mirrors of course! Here I felt less claustrophobic, and could take more photos without worrying that someone would bump into me.
I liked this geometric piece the most. It includes elements from the House of Mirrors, while reflecting some surrounding buildings from the urban area.
This House of Mirrors can be seen as a reflection of our journey through life. We'll each have unique experiences from our different paths - let's keep exploring and share our stories!
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My pieces will be at the Pop-Up Gallery for this show, in booth 47-53, near the Artists' Network information desk.
Please see the evite below for more details, and visit www.artwalksquare.ca.
ArtWalk in the Square 2019ArtWalk in the Square 2019, Shops at Don Mills, Toronto.
I'll be making a pop-up appearance on September 15 - hope to see you there!
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One way is to convert the image to black and white, and then adjust its tonality and contrast to make it pop. In this example below, the adjustments made in post-processing highlighted the central space in the building's new addition, while showcasing reflections in the glass on the left and the historical brick structure on the right.
Another method is to combine the lines with other elements such as interesting patterns and colours. Here the patterned lines of a building's reflection are paired with strong diagonals and shimmering details (part of a staircase and decor inside the building) to create an urban graphic design. The pastel colour palette also works well with the geometric patterns.
Urban Graphic Design *Architectural elements work together to create this urban graphic design.
In the example below, the rhythm of wine bottle placement on the shelf adds variety to the orthogonal pattern's black lines, making a great abstract that resembles an abacus. The glowing golden light in the background further adds to the artwork.
Modern AbacusThis wine rack filled with glass bottles is like a modern-day version of an abacus.
Try these techniques and see what results you can get with line patterns! For more details about use of art design elements in photography, please see my previous post here.
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The exhibit included artworks that showed how the change from rural life to industrial development (post Industrial Revolution) influenced artists of that time in Paris. Advancements were made in train travel, and in building iron bridges and iconic structures such as the Eiffel Tower. Almost 150 years later, we continue to travel on ever-faster bullet trains, and build taller skyscrapers reaching for the sky, even designing 3D-printed shelters that can be placed on the Moon or on Mars and beyond.
Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare (Claude Monet)
Claude Monet, Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare, 1877
Georges Seurat, Eiffel Tower, c.1889
Since that time, two more Industrial Revolutions have taken place, and the 4th Industrial Revolution has started. We now live in an age where we use augmented reality to ride up the Eiffel Tower's elevator while standing inside a room in Toronto, and robots attend to hotel room service and serve food in restaurants. There is fear that some jobs will become obsolete due to these developments, yet on the other hand, robots can assist with tasks where human resources are lacking, and more.
As Monet captured the atmospheric effects of the first Industrial Revolution's pollution on London's Charing Cross Bridge...
Charing Cross Bridge, Overcast Weather (Claude Monet)
Claude Monet, Charing Cross Bridge, Overcast Weather, 1900
...I once again admire an architectural gem - the spiral staircase at the AGO, ponder on the effects of the 4th Industrial Revolution, where we are headed, and created the following photographic art piece in response.
Looking to the future - where will the 4th Industrial Revolution take us?
(All images of paintings credited to the exhibition held at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 2019.)
]]>Please visit this page to see a preview of my book and to order your copy.
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Until then, here are some colourful photos from my collection to brighten your day, as we wait for the sun and warm weather to return, the flowers to bloom, the birds to sing...
These images were captured in Italy in the month of May, with beautiful golden colours both at sunrise and sunset. The buildings in this area are painted in various shades of yellow, orange, pink, and brown, creating this amazing reflection in the water. The happily floating buoys were the perfect subject to add into this composition.
At sunset, from the top of a hill appeared this magical scene. What a fantastic array of colours brushed across the sky, forming the backdrop to the mystical mountains. It was a long walk up to the hill, but definitely worth it!
And my favourite, a minimalistic abstract from blending the sunset colours in the sky and water with a motion pan. I'd much rather have this on my window than the grey winter sky!
I hope these art photos have brightened and warmed up your winter day. Rest assured that spring is on its way!
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In photography, there is an equivalent saying: "behind every dark silhouette there is a bright light". The silhouettes are like the dark clouds, where you won't see much details of the person or object except for their shape, but beyond that is a bright light shining, whether it be the sun, the moon, or artificial lights.
Here are some examples I found, while sorting through last year's travel photos. These two images were taken at the same water fountain with bright lights in changing colours - one image I kept the original blue lighting, the other I converted to a black and white image to emphasize the silhouette. Children and adults alike (and photographers) all have fun at this place!
Playtime ContinuesThough night has fallen, children's playtime continue at this modern water fountain.
Reliving ChildhoodAt this modern water fountain, even adults have fun reliving their childhoods.
Another location that lights up an architectural marvel...with the right timing, this person's silhouette provided the perfect scale for the building's giant columns!
Some viewers may prefer to see more details in the subjects, but I think these silhouettes make for impactful images, and work well as minimalist photographs. This will be the subject of a future post...stay tuned.
Don't mind the dark clouds, eventually they will pass. In nature, in photography, and in our lives, something brighter and better is beyond what we can see!
All the best for the year ahead, filled with more photography adventures!
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The exhibit runs until January 6th. Happy holiday shopping!
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As an example, in recent months I gathered some images that were all related to the theme of fog and mist, as shown below.
The first is a temple in Japan that was hidden behind a curtain of thick fog where it was obscured entirely from my view - eventually it emerged so I could capture its top next to the treetops.
In another city I saw this man walking into a sea of mist. Visibility was down to nearly zero at the mist's highest density. Fortunately, the high curb kept everyone safe on the walkway, which overhangs above a river.
Finally, closer to home, there were many foggy days as summer turns into fall, and temperatures fluctuated dramatically, giving moody images like this one.
All of these images coincided with a "foggy" time in my life, in which I was struggling with a decision, and the way ahead was unclear. But just like the mist and fog, which eventually faded away, I slowly made my way through the cloud, and the path emerged, letting me see which road to take.
I'm sure that if you look through your photography, there will be many parallels between your images and your mood or emotions at the times those photos were captured. Do you agree?
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Here is the cover of the Catalogue and a page excerpt that features two of my photographs. My image submission is one of 20 Best of New Submissions.
Fleck Fine Art Catalogue Fall 2018 - coverFleck Fine Art Catalogue Fall 2018 - Front Cover
Fleck Fine Art Catalogue Fall 2018 - Rita Wong Photography PageFleck Fine Art Catalogue Fall 2018 - Rita Wong Photography (Page 25)
A group exhibition will be held September 19 to October 3, 2018, with an Opening Reception on September 20, 2018. Elaine Fleck Gallery is located at 1351 Queen Street West, Toronto. Please drop by to see the group exhibit as part of your fall season activities!
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Here's a look at my booth after it was all set up on Saturday morning.
The most popular piece was "Aglow", the jellyfish on the blue round print. Second up was the black and white print next to it, "Solitary Sahara Trek", and a common question was "what animal is it that left those tracks on this photo?" - I think it's a bird, but it's still a mystery to me! Another question came up more than once for the "Strolling on Silk" piece - "was that person really there, or did you add him in?" He was definitely there, wandering freely on the sand dunes. And yes, I had to climb onto a HIGH sand dune to capture that image!
It was lots of fun meeting all the visitors to my booth and talking about the stories behind my photographic artworks and photo books. Some who had visited Antelope Canyon, Kyoto or Morocco shared their trip memories with me. One couple even said I should be invited along on their trip to Morocco to take photos for them (just contact me when you're ready to start your trip)! I met people who shared a similar artistic philosophy, and others who simply enjoyed viewing my calming images after seeing alternative art styles in other booths. The most heartfelt comment I received was from an elderly lady: "You have a WONDER in your heart!" So priceless!
On Saturday it started off a bit cool but the sun warmed up brightly that afternoon. I even had to run across to my neighbour's booth to cool off when it became too warm on my side. Can you spot me (trying to hide from the sun) and my booth in the photo below? Fortunately, the rain that was forecasted for Sunday held off until close to wrap-up time and was of short duration. It allowed for all artists to pack up their booths and artworks without getting drenched.
A huge THANK YOU to my friend Ro for helping me with my booth setup starting at 8am both days and with the load-out, and also keeping me company on Sunday!!
Overall, it was a great experience! Until the next time, please stay in touch for new works posted on my website.
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With the warm summer-like weather these days, I'd like to invite you to the the 2018 Riverdale Artwalk in Toronto this coming weekend on June 2 & 3, 2018.
This outdoor art show runs both days in the Jimmie Simpson Park & Community Centre from 11am to 6pm, with 150+ artists participating and is free admission!
Please see the postcard invite below for details. Hope to see you there!
"Get out and get some art!"
[UPDATE: Please see this blog post for a summary and photos from this event.]
]]>Please see the postcard invite below for details. Hope to see you there!
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Winter AerialAerial view in winter looks like a fabric pattern with snow blanketing most of the land.
Knee-Deep in SnowSnow drifts reach the window sills of Mont Tremblant's airport.
This morning we slept in, catching up from the activities in the past two days. Well rested, we had brunch at La Maison de la Crepes. Their savoury and dessert crepes are all made fresh to order and very tasty, staff are friendly and the musical atmosphere completes the meal.
To round off our trip, a visit to le Scandinave spa was a must. The outdoor hot tubs and cold pools were an amazing sight, not to mention the benefits of hydrotherapy along with the saunas. We were not allowed to bring in phones or cameras (for obvious privacy reasons), and all visitors were reminded to be silent in the pools and sauna areas, to truly appreciate and benefit from the relaxing environment and have a detox from our electronic gadgets, discussions about politics, parties, or other gossip of the day.
Winter FamhouseThis farmhouse and its hay bales are weighed down by a heavy layer of snow. What a serene view!
Winter Hide-and-SeekThough this school bus is mostly hidden in the snow, its yellow frame gave it away in this winter game of hide-and-seek.
Wrapped only in my soft fluffy hooded white robe and draping my towel around my neck as a scarf (a far cry from my typical winter gear), I quickly stepped into the hot tub and immersed up to my shoulders into the pool of 38' C water. Compared to the frigid -25'C temperature, this felt like heaven! Fresh crisp air kissing my hair and face combined with the gentle warmness of water caressing my body, what more can I ask for? Without cameras, we could only capture the incredibly beautiful scenes in our minds, using the memory "cards" of our brains: a thick curtain of steam rising from the water a mere few inches in front of my eyes (at times I couldn't even see my hands held up in front of me) and beyond that, a little pine tree with all its needles enrobed in snow, next to it a small deciduous tree whose branches were individually wrapped in glistening frost. Lighting this scene was the late afternoon sun peering through the mist in between the two trees. A truly amazing scene that I'll never forget!
Winter Forest SketchWith the forest shrouded in snow, the line details of trees resemble a pen-and-ink sketch.
Winter ShowWho needs a TV screen when I have this beautiful view to enjoy? Watching the softly-falling snow and occasional drifts in the wind, while warming my hands and stomach with a steamy cup of hot chocolate.
Surrounding the hot tub were layers of rocks each blanketed by snow. Suddenly I felt as if I had been teleported to Japan - the only thing missing were the red-faced snow monkeys that love to lounge in the hot springs! After spending 10 minutes in this smaller tub (needless to day, I dreaded getting out of this pool, both for not wanting this amazing feeling to end, and fearing how cold I would be before reaching my robe and towel), we quickly wrapped up in our robes and stepped into one of the relaxation rooms to warm and dry up. Then we hastily walked over to the largest hot tub at the far end of the property. One of the highlights of this tub was a waterfall dropping into the pool. Just hearing the rush of the water splashing into the pool was a therapy on its own! Again the view from this tub was spectacular - behind a thin veil of steam were silhouettes of a group of girls sitting in a row, leaning against the infinity edge, enjoying the warm water soak and relaxing by the jets of the hot tub, with the sun shining through behind them. Later in the evening, changing coloured lights surround the pool, giving a romantic and magical feel to the whole place!
Church Scene in WinterThe red roof of this church gets a wintry white coat, and the blue light transforms the skating rink into a mini lake by the church.
Festive LanternA giant festive lanterns decorates the street in Mont Tremblant resort. Perfect for the Christmas season!
Although we would have liked to stay longer in the hot tubs, we had to drag ourselves out of the tub for the massages we had booked, which were much needed after all the activities in the past two days. It definitely helped to soothe my sore muscles from the snowshoeing falls and the hit by the snowboard! I almost fell asleep under the heated blanket in the pine-walled treatment room, soothed by the therapy and natural surroundings. After being mellowed out, we continued to relax in the lounge area, munching on complimentary apples and sipping spiced tea, warming up by the fireplace until it was time to get ready for dinner.
It took me longer than usual to get dressed after chilling for the past few hours. We took a cab to downtown Tremblant for fine dining at sEb, where we tasted local specialties including rabbit, sweetbreads, and lamb. Full of food and wine, we rolled back to the hotel to pack up for next day's departure. The next morning we made sure to have another fill of the delicious crepes before heading to the airport. This time we got a table on the first floor and could watch the young chefs dance to the music as they craft our crepes.
As I couldn't capture photos at the spa, scattered in this post are some pictures from the first and last days of the trip, as we commuted between the airport and hotel, at the airport and some aerial photos taken from the plane.
Sleepy-Eyed View of TorontoAs I emerged from my nap on the flight, this was my sleepy-eyed view of Toronto.
Travel BeyondThe perspective of lines lead you right to the vanishing point...what lies beyond? Hint - it has to do with travel.
After this trip, it sure has changed my mind about taking a vacation to a winter destination! I hope these stories and photos will inspire you to go out and do some winter photography. Until next time...
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Snowy View of Mont Tremblant ResortMont Tremblant resort is veiled by snow, muting the bright colours of the buildings.
Snowboarder and SkiersSnowboarders and skiers on the slopes from early morning.
The next morning we started with a hefty breakfast buffet at Le Shack. Even though we were almost the only ones eating at 8:30am (others were already on the ski hills!), the chef started the omelette station to make our customized omelettes. Fuelled with energy, we headed to our morning snowshoeing "fire man" tour. Most of us in the group of 8 were newbies at snowshoeing, and our guide was very helpful with strapping in everyone's snowshoes. After some notes about techniques for going up and downhill, we headed into the forest. As this is meant to be a tour for snowshoeing, there wasn't as much time to stop and compose images as we would have liked. So the two of us lagged a bit behind the group - on top of trying to take photos. we also had to struggle with camera gear that was freezing up in the cold.
Snowshoeing at Mont Tremblant-1Snowshoeing into the forest at Mont Tremblant
Snowshoeing at Mont Tremblant-2Snowshoeing at Mont Tremblant, making fresh new paths in the deep snow.
Due to the nature of this tour, I had brought my mirrorless camera rather than my heavier DSLR. Nevertheless, the small camera fared well enough and managed to give me these photos. The only issue was when I turned the camera off occasionally, trying to protect the lens both from the falling snow and from falls INTO the snow (which happened to me a few times in the beginning as I tripped on my own snowshoes!) sometimes it would result in error when the lens got stuck at the -30'C temperature. A gentle tap on the front fixed this issue as I went along. We headed up the hill where a snowboarding run was located, but didn't have any snowboarders at that time which would have made awesome photos. Nonetheless, we got a great view looking down towards the frozen lake, along with some snow-tree sculptures!
Snowboarding HillLooking down the hill groomed for snowboarders and skiers.
Snow-laden TreeWith so much snow loading its branches, this tree becomes nature's winter sculpture.
Halfway through the tour, we stopped next to a giant rock wall covered with icicles and our guide started a small fire to warm us up. He even played a traditional Quebecois song on his harmonica! A great entertaining addition to this walk in the fairytale snow-white forest. After that we headed back to the activity center to conclude the tour. Overall, it was a fun new experience for me, although at times I was out of breath going up those hills, but my energy and stamina grew as we went along.
Icicled RockwallCurtain of icicles covering the face of a rock wall.
Snow-White ForestTree trunks covered in snow contrast against the golden-brown leaves of their neighbour.
The sleigh ride that we had booked for the afternoon was cancelled because the strong winds on top of the frigid temperatures would have made the open-field ride unbearable, both for us and for the horses pulling the sleigh. So we warmed up and enjoyed a snack at the packed Cafe Johannsen (most skiers were in there sipping hot chocolate and munching pastries!), then retraced some of the paths taken that morning, to take more photos of skiers coming down the beginners' slope. As much as we kept to the side and out of their way, I learned my lesson the hard way when a novice snowboarder came too close to the side and fell, taking me down along the way. I was lucky he had already slowed down when his snowboard hit me, and ended up with a badly-bruised shin instead of a broken leg! As the saying goes, no pain no gain. Here are some images I got after the incident:
Skier 1Skier enjoying the snowy scenery.
Skier 2Skier ready for the slope.
Skier 3Young skier at the underpass.
Skier 4Skier's colourful outfit is almost a perfect match with the wall!
After another hour or so of photos, we retreated to the shopping area where we found anti-fog wipes for glasses - a must-have for those wearing glasses along with a balaclava-type mask to keep the face from frostbite. Luckily I had worn my contacts that morning, or else would have had to go snowshoeing without my glasses, which would have caused more falls and injuries! We also spent some time picking out souvenirs to bring home, to remind us of this trip. We were planning to have a go at the free sliding evenings but I believe they were cancelled, as temperatures fell below -25'C. Next on our agenda was a sumptuous dinner, of course. We were fortunate to come across a little known restaurant (and were able to find a table last minute!) in la Quintessence hotel - their French cuisine, wines and service couldn't have been topped. Our sever was so knowledgeable about all their dishes and wines, and extremely friendly too! I highly recommend enjoying a meal here. Although not listed on most tourist guides, it's actually quite close to the resort area. In warmer weather, you could even enjoy your meal on the terrace with a beautiful view of the lake. Our bellies filled with delicious goodness, we retreated to the hotel for a restful sleep, though there was a small disruption as some neighbours held a birthday celebration!
Watch for the next post to read about the ultimate activity on Day 3 of our trip...
]]>We took a morning Porter flight and arrived at Mont Tremblant in an hour. The airport shuttle to the Tremblant resort was highly convenient and we reached our hotel before noon. After putting on additional layers and warm gear to protect our faces and hands from the frigid temperature of -25'C (remember how I said our trip coincided with the cold winter spell that fell across the region? This was the actual temperature, but felt more like the minus 30's with the windchill factor!), we headed up the mountain. A ride on the cabriolet took us to the base of the mountain. As we had never been to Mont Tremblant in the winter, seeing the huge snake of a line-up for the gondola almost deterred us from joining the queue. Once we realized how quickly the line actually moved, we jumped in behind the skiers. We clearly stood out as the only ones not wearing ski helmets and goggles, no ski boots, not carrying any skis or snowboards. Eight at a time, we were swiftly shuffled onto the next gondola coming around the tracks.
A sea of skiers lining up for the gondola to head up to Mont Tremblant's summit.
Racks of skis and snowboards parked outside as skiers and snowboarders refuel in the restaurants. "Wish you were here" to join in the fun!
Scene as reflected from the orange lens of a skier's goggles.
As my friend and I are both photographers, we quickly took corner seats hoping to get the best vantage points from inside the gondola. When we saw how frozen over the windows were, we immediately started to wipe away the frost with our gloves, to clear enough space for our camera lenses. As the gondola carried us up the mountain, we took the opportunity to photograph the downhill scenery, the row of gondolas coming uphill and the other heading back down, and the skiers zooming by the sugar-coated trees beneath us. Once we reached the summit, we exited the gondola into the sea of skiers and snowboarders.
From Up HighView from gondola to the skiers below, and the rows of gondolas going up and down the mountain.
Hitting the SlopesSkiers eager to hit the slopes at summit of Mont Tremblant.
A note to photographers here: although it is tempting to start capturing images at this spot, you should first move away from this disembarkment area - I almost got whacked in the head by someone's snowboard as they eagerly headed to the slopes! We were a bit disappointed to learn that the free guided tour at the summit was meant for skiers only, so we couldn't join, but the friendly guest services told us about the balcony lookouts where we could see the panoramic views. The racks of skis and snowboards parked outside also made for interesting images, along with a communication tower that camouflaged against the white sky.
It was simply too cold and windy to go up the observation tower, but from the balconies we were able to take photos of the snow-laden trees acting as the perfect backdrop to the skiers and snowboarders in their colourful ski jackets. Due to the snowing conditions, visibility to the mountain base and lakes was reduced, but this added a mysterious atmosphere to the images.
Misty Summit PanoramaA misty panoramic view from Mont Tremblant summit, with beautiful sugar-coated trees in the foreground.
Snow-FrostedThe white snow frosting on every branch of these trees dispels the name of "evergreen"!
Watch Me SkiA young skier decked in bright ski outfit makes downhill skiing looks so easy!
Ready for the SlopesA skier gets ready to head down the slopes.
When our fingers got too cold to continue pressing the shutter buttons on our cameras, we headed into Le Grand Manitou and enjoyed a warm bowl of butternut squash soup, staying there until the last gondola down the mountain. The ride down was much quieter, as we were two of the few without other means to get downhill! We had much more freedom moving around inside the gondola to get the best angles for our shots.
Landscape View From GondolaCloser view from gondola to the skiers below, and the rows of gondolas going up and down the mountain.
Ski, Ski, SkiSmooth skiing down the slope next to the gondola line.
Winter MagicThe power of snow to transform the landscape into a magical white scene.
We spent the rest of the late afternoon checking the deals in local shops - what's a girls' vacation without some shopping? As it was the weekend after Christmas, the festive decorations were still up for some holiday photos. There were also fire pits for warming up when you want to sit and "chill". For dinner we found a cozy little place, le Q. G., which had fantastic food and great service. A wonderful way to end Day 1 of our trip!
Festive Lights at Mont TremblantA perfect festive backdrop for holiday photos!
Stay tuned for the next post about activities and photos from Day 2 of this winter trip.
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A big thanks to my friend for capturing this awesome photo!
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Christmas Card 20172017 Christmas Card from Rita Wong Photography
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Until next time, enjoy these photos and stay warm!
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BowsArt150-2017Invite to Art Exhibit at Art Square Gallery in Toronto, Nov. 20 - Dec. 4, 2017.
A reception will be held on November 22nd, and the exhibit runs until December 4th. Happy holiday shopping!
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A reception will be held on October 20th, and the exhibit runs until the end of this month. Hope to see you there!
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Here are a few images that are my favourite, both for their beautiful colours and fantastic abstract patterns that resulted from the dancers' motions.
While some viewers may like still images of these dancers frozen in time, these "in motion" images convey the energy of the dancers as they moved and twirled their dresses across the stage!
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To survive this madness which most people know as "life", you often have to stretch yourself and bend over backwards (or perform other forms of acrobatics) to meet all these demands, with little Suzie crying for her favourite toy or Johnny asking (the sixth time!) for his permission form to be signed. Perhaps this pair of artistic acrobats can give you another inspiration:
In the midst of all this craziness, it's important that we take time to press PAUSE now and then (freezing action as below, only when safe to do so, of course), to take stock of where you are and check whether you are heading in your life's desired direction.
If so, continue to forge ahead! Otherwise, see what changes are needed and take steps to make these adjustments before life passes you by!
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By observing the world around us, we can find interesting scenes and capture these moments through photography. In both a physical sense and as a metaphor, this reflection image below epitomizes life in Tokyo. The modern architecture is representative of leading-edge design in Japan, yet traditional festivals (the red and white lanterns) continue to this day. This scene may seem chaotic, with a crowd of people crossing the street, the festival float, and shoppers entering the shopping mall, but pedestrians somehow maintain their order.
If we focus in on specific parts of our surroundings, whether in nature or in architecture, there are countless patterns that can be captured by the camera, putting these snippets within frames and creating art pieces. I am particularly drawn to geometry, and the image below makes use of light, lines and reflections to form strong criss-cross patterns. This makes a great piece of art on my wall!
I also like to use photography to turn reality into abstract images. We see reality often enough that it's fun to see something different, to give our minds a break from real life. The out-of-focus photo below is an example of this. I just love how the lights look when they're not in focus, also the patterns of the crosswalk lines and the cyclist that just passed through. I'm sure the real, in-focus version of this image won't be as impactful!
The above examples show some my favourite types of photography. What does photography mean to you?
]]>With this new-found freedom, I was able to poke my camera lens into the flowerbeds, entering into the world of insects that I otherwise may have missed. Here are a few fantastic scenes that I found in the garden.
First I caught a black ant climbing around leaves searching for the perfect part to cut out and take back to its colony. The serrated edge of the leaf adds interest to the image.
Then I found this four-lined plant beetle attempting to camouflage itself among the yellow flower, but its dark black stripes gave it away!
Finally I was lucky to find this caterpillar on display. Usually I'm not a fan of caterpillars, but I've never seen such a colourful one, covered with blue and brown dots, and tufts of hair along its body. A rare thing for me to say, but what a beautiful caterpillar! Added to this is the vibrant flower on which it rests!
A minor drawback to this hand-held photo technique is that quick bursts of shots are needed to increase the success rate. But with the current camera technology and memory card speed/storage capacities, it is easily doable and well worth the effort to capture these beauties in the world of insects!
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As we enter the summer season, get out there and enjoy this vast country of ours! There's so much to explore and see in each Canadian province and territory. Aside from the sightseeing, don't forget to sample the local specialties of food and drinks. Enjoy your Canada Cay celebrations!
Happy 150, Canada!
]]>I take a twist on this trend and prefer to take "selfies" of my shadow, as I find them much more photogenic than the selfies showing my face!
Here are some recent examples. While on vacation, I had just come out of the store with a bag of groceries and saw my shadow along the beautifully decorated sidewalk - what a great spot for a selfie. The late afternoon sun cast a long shadow - this is the only time I can be so tall!
This past weekend, I took part in Doors Open to visit some new buildings in town. This landscaped space was full of geometric shapes that complemented my selfie and made the abstract all the more interesting.
Another selfie taken near the same building - this one also incorporated unique shapes of reflections on the ground and shadow of a street lamp.
What forms of selfies have you taken? Do you prefer traditional selfies or other styles? With the trend of selfies being so popular, photographers need to be more creative and artistic with their selfie images.
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This processing technique can be used to turn an ordinary landscape into a more artistic scene, as colours may be brightened and mixed into adjacent colours for a soothing effect. Here is one example of a landscape that looked more pleasant after an artistic treatment.
The paint treatment also does well for fragments of a landscape - in this image below the paint brushstrokes enhances the feeling of motion as the grasses are blown about by the breeze.
If you like to focus right in on a subject, as I did in this photo below, the painting effect can work its magic here too. Not only did it highlight the main subject in the image with the vibrant ochre and white colours, the foreground water became more transparent showing the pebbles below, and the background ripples were emphasized in the darker azure blue water. I can see this painting hanging on my wall!
Photographers not only paint with their cameras in the field, but are also artists when processing their photos, especially when paint treatments are applied. Which effect do you like best?
]]>While watching a skating show, I took multiple images of this dancer. Upon reviewing the series of photos, I found her shadows even more interesting, as the lights cast shadows in three directions, forming a trillium shape. I decided to make a composite from 2 of the images, with the following result:
Reality can also be transformed into abstract art. The photo of a simple tree was manipulated into a black and white abstract, which I titled Night and Day. Simple yet effective, I think, and has a lot more impact than the original tree image!
Night and DayAbstract made from views of this tree at night vs. at daytime.
A third example is this building which I redesigned. The architect of the original building likely won't approve of this change, but it made for a fun exercise in creating composites.
ROM RedesignedThe ROM Museum is given a new look in this abstract composition.
If you need some inspiration for your photography, play with the photos in your collection. The results are only limited by your imagination!
]]>After a heavy snowstorm, when children are out building giant snowmen or tobogganing down mountains of snow, it's the perfect time to capture nature at its best. All the trees and shrubs are covered in a blanket of snow, outlining and highlighting the delicate shapes of branches and dried leaves, some of which we don't even notice at other times of the year. Here is one sample I found today after 15cm of snow shrouded the city.
Just a few days ago, the scenery was much different. It rained all afternoon and as evening approached, the temperature hovered around 0 degree. A veil of ice masked the city, including my room window. While it was treacherous to be walking or driving in this weather situation (I hope everyone stayed safe!) and kept me indoors, it didn't stop me from seeing the beauty in this scene. This is what a frozen streetscape looked like, including the towers across the street and the lights from cars stuck in traffic.
I continued to search for interesting patterns through my window, and soon enough, a car in the parking lot below started moving. Its brake lights became the glowing red sun in my winter sunset scene, a la Monet style. It has turned the sky into a peach tone over the water below. (This involved a bit of imagination and a vertical rotation of the original image.)
What sorts of winter images have you been making? Whether realistic or abstract, the possibilities are endless!
Stay warm and keep safe in your winter photo shoots!
]]>A good example is this photo that I took one grey day - the clouds presented interesting textures in the sky, but it was so overcast that the colours in the vegetation were barely visible.
The underexposure didn't help either. But after a transformation using a NIK software filter, it takes on an artistic look and a whole new life! Although some of the cloud texture in the sky is lost, it is still visible in the reflection on the water. The triptych panelling also adds to the painting effect.
Using another filter effect, the original photograph is transformed into a completely different form below. This abstract version retains (and enhances) much more of the dreary, cool mood, but in an artistic dreamy manner. If I hadn't shown the first photo above, it may be difficult to figure out what the original image looked like!
One photograph, three vastly different looks - which do you find most effective? Which version do you like best?
This definitely is a good reminder to keep photographing, no matter the lighting conditions. You may be surprised by the resulting images that you can create!
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Hardcover: http://www.blurb.ca/b/7615737-titled-art-no-1
Softcover: http://www.blurb.ca/b/7555560-titled-art-no-1
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As long as you have captured a suitable portrait to start with, many different artistic effects can be applied to alter the look of the image. The effect applied to the image below gave it an illustration look, and reminded me of an aged book cover. Something old can be refreshing when compared to the plethora of similar images out there.
A Pensive Moment *A boy and his horse take a break from posing for visitors' cameras.
Aside from applying artistic effects, I also like to look for unique portraits while shooting street photography. Two examples are shown below. In this image, many people will say that an artistic filter was applied to the image, and won't believe when I say otherwise. It's actually a piece of installation art where a wall was covered with silver reflective film. As this passerby approached the wall, his reflection is distorted and gives an impressionistic effect to his portrait. It was a great coincidence that his outfit colour goes so well with the fuchsia colour in the wall opening!
Candid shots can make for interesting portraits too. As many observers were peeking through this art installation, they became part of the artwork and added another dimension to it. The geometry of the art piece and placement of these two men in the frame created an unique portrait. The subjects' clothing colours also matched that of the artwork! What more could I have asked for?
The styles for artistic portraits are limitless, so photographers don't need to follow the latest trends in creating similar images. We just need to keep watching for unique portrait opportunities.
]]>On an unusually warm Fall day, I was walking in a garden enjoying the flowers that were still in bloom. A large white iris caught my eye and I started by capturing it in its entirety. With the bright afternoon sun, it was not the ideal lighting condition for this type of shot, and the background is quite distracting with other flowers and leaves pointing every which way.
Typically, I prefer to see more close-up details of my photo subjects, so I moved in for a closer look. Peeking into the petals of this snow-white iris with my detective eyes, I found a Japanese beetle hiding in there. In turn, it was peering through a hole in the flower petal...I wonder what it found?
To continue this peek-a-boo game with the beetle, I took a photo from outside the flower and saw its head poking out slightly from the hole in the petal. Although this also makes for an interesting shot, the subject may not be as clear if this image was presented by itself. Now that you know the whole story, which photo do you prefer? The one showing the beetle from above, or this version from below?
Whichever one you like, it's a reminder to always keep our eyes open for photographic opportunities everywhere, to play games with our subjects, and to use our detective minds for unique shots. Instead of carrying a detective's magnifying glass, just whip out your macro lens instead!
]]>One popular event for female riders is barrel racing. Riders race their horses around 3 barrels in the arena following a cloverleaf pattern, with the aim of getting the fastest time without knocking over any of the barrels, although touching or tipping the barrel is acceptable. This rider is intensely focused on the barrel as she maneuvers her horse around it.
Barrel RacingAn intense moment as the cowgirl and her horse go around the barrel.
After going around the third barrel, the rider runs a long stretch from the far end of the arena back to the finish line. It seems the louder the crowd cheers, the faster the horse gallops! This is the perfect opportunity to practice panning shots. The photographer needs to switch from the previous high shutter speed used to freeze action around the barrel, to a slower shutter speed and narrower aperture for panning with the galloping motion. With many trial-and-error shots, I was able to get a few where the rider's face was in focus. I really like how the panning effect conveys a sense of motion, as opposed to a static image where everything is sharp.
Another exciting event at the rodeo is Bronc riding. The cowboy has to stay on the bucking Bronc for at least eight seconds, holding on with just one hand and not letting his other hand touch his horse. The bucking action of the horse is so violent that this event is considered toughest on a rider's body, with the highest stress placed on his arm and back. This cowboy was certainly riding with style!
Bronc RidingCowboy hangs on tightly as he rides the bucking Bronc for at least eight seconds.
At a rodeo, photographers can capture unique action shots while learning a thing or two about cowboys. But for their own safety, photographers must also be prepared with an escape route as aggressive horses or bulls can run into the fence towards them!
]]>When you see the photos from that morning, you will understand why we stopped numerous times. We even considered skipping the dog sled races all together, just to stay by the fields to capture the beautiful winter scenes. Here is one of the morning shots, in the misty air. It reminds me of Turner's paintings, the way the light is filtered and falls across the canvas.
Another photograph from that frosty morning by the side of the road. I used a high-key treatment to further accentuate the branches' lightness and delicacy. We really could have stayed there all day, or at least until the frost melted away, but we continued on to the dog sled races...
We began near the starting line to catch the dogs and mushers as they ran off with an energetic start. Photographers were welcome at the event, though we had to be mindful to stay off the race track, and not to make sudden movements to spook the dogs. I crouched down by the side of the track while the dogs were still far away, being careful not to stand up until after they've passed my spot. However, the dogs of some teams were quite curious and almost ran towards me. Luckily, all race teams and photographers stayed safely away from each other!
Haliburton Dog Sled Race MusherDogs and musher are off to an energetic start to this dog sled race.
After all the teams started off, we waited patiently as they raced along the trails. We could move around the grounds to catch the race teams at different parts of the trails. Some popular spots were crowded with photographers, while some other areas were quite open. I caught the following moment as two teams dash towards the finishing line, the second team hot on the heels of the first one. I wonder which team was faster in the end? The pano crop chosen for the image emphasizes the linear shape of the subjects.
As you can see, one day of photography outing can yield vastly different results. From serene landscape photos to action-packed images, it's all for the taking!
]]>After a hiatus from my blog posts, I am resuming my entries with a change in topics. Whereas the previous series was about adding elements of art and design into photographs, this series will highlight various images I come back with from each photo shoot, talking about both the photographs and interesting stories about the shoot itself.
A recent photo shoot was an impromptu one...originally the plan was to photograph some dance shows, but it turned out photography was not permitted inside the theatre. Stepping outside after the shows, I saw skaters enjoying the unusually warm weather and sunshine. Thus, it became a photo shoot at the skating rink instead.
One of the first skaters that caught my attention was this boy. He was likely a beginner skater, but brave and showing off some tricks already, such as skating with his eyes shielded. His mom was certainly proud to see his footwork!
Look at Me, MomThis boy is a beginner skater, but is already showing off some tricks.
As this day was so warm, the skating rink had started to melt. It was an unique opportunity to photograph skaters on ice covered with water, so I wanted to focus on this aspect. I zoomed in on two pairs of skates, followed by trails of water. This image is also complemented by the skaters’ reflections and shadows.
Later in the evening, the rink ice was repaired and skaters returned to skate along with music and colourful lights shining around the rink. I captured this skater in motion with panning and motion blur. Some viewers may prefer a sharp subject, but I wanted to convey his motion on the ice, and like the flow of colours around him in this blurred rendition. It's blurred, but his skates are still visible to convey his action.
Skater in ActionSkater enjoys an evening skate, accompanied by music and colorful lights.
So, the next time that your planned photo shoot turns into an impromptu one, don’t be disappointed...you can also get other interesting images that you had not expected!
]]>For example, in “On Guard”, there is a gradation in both colour and value. The colour of the clouds changes from a purplish blue to pure white further out over the ocean. Also, the value gradually turns from a brooding mid-tone to a bright white. Without the gradual transition, a sudden change between the two extremes would be too jarring.
In “Soap Orbs”, the soap bubbles slowly change from small globes at the top of the image to large spheres at the bottom. This creates a sense of perspective as the bubbles float in from outer space towards the viewer.
A transition in direction can be seen in “Winter Tent”, where the angles of the red tent poles vary around the curve of the tent. This provides a dynamic feel to the image, leading the viewer’s eyes into center of the lightweight tunnel.
Winter TentThrough the red arches supporting a white fabric winter tent.
Often, some degree of gradation occur naturally, as shown above. But at other times, photographers can make use of this design principle to create impactful artwork.
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In the photo “Couples”, the use of symmetrical balance can be seen. A couple is placed on either side of center, and offset in the vertical direction to form a slight diagonal line between these shapes. The symmetry gives a stable feeling, suitable for the theme of couples in the photo.
CouplesTwo generations of coupled statues sharing a cozy moment in the ocean at sunset.
Similarly, symmetrical balance is employed in “Double Phoenix”. Not only are the shapes of the phoenix equally weighted, but the colours added to the sky are also in balance. Again, a diagonal design is added to suit the elements and to create visual interest. The balance in shapes and colours emphasize the presence of the subject.
Double PhoenixMystical clouds take on the form of a phoenix rising into the sky.
For the image “Architecture Reimagined”, asymmetrical balance is chosen. The three spheres are placed unevenly around the image, but there is harmony between them. The reflections on the spheres are similarly repeated, and the spheres are arranged in a zigzag fashion towards the viewer, creating a sense of dynamics.
See how the use of balance, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical, can enhance the subject or design of your images and add impact.
]]>When I captured the image “Puzzle in the Sky”, I wanted to show the different fragments of buildings and parts of canopies as pieces of puzzles in the sky. Thus, the upper portion of this image has more negative space, to give room for the puzzle pieces to fit into.
Puzzle in the SkyInteraction between several structures.
In the photo “Embrace”, the main subject is the rock formation enclosing the slot canyon, and this positive space rightly dominates the composition. However, some viewers see the negative space in the shape of a fish, as the two sides of the canyon also embrace it.
EmbraceEmbracing sandstone rock formation in Lower Antelope Canyon.
The abstract image “Urban Tuxedo” uses balanced positive and negative spaces to convey its message. The positive space shows the urban structures, yet the negative space is equally needed to complete the artwork, providing the outer “tuxedo” part of the composition.
Urban TuxedoUrban architecture turned into a fashionable tuxedo.
Although the examples I provided above are all in black and white, this is not a necessary requirement for the application of positive-negative spaces in an image’s design. The next time you’re composing your photographs, take a look at the positive and negative spaces and see how you can use them to add emphasis to your images.
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Initially, the photo “Towards the Light” looked fairly bland, but once it was converted into black and white, the tonal contrast became more apparent. By contrasting the light shapes against the darker areas, the geometry of the stairwell is accentuated and directs the viewer towards the light.
Towards the Light *Light streaming through an architectural stairwell.
Tonal contrast can be provided naturally, as in the previous photo, or through the use of applied lighting. In “Building Blocks”, a flashlight was used to light up and create high tonal contrast on the blocks and part of the arch. This localized contrast focuses the attention onto the blocks, which are used to form the arch.
Building BlocksBricks in old kiln building.
Overall impact can be added to an image by applying high contrast to the entire photo. The shapes and textures of oyster mushrooms are highlighted in “Mushroom”. Here, there is maximum contrast between the lightest white and the darkest black areas, enhancing the curvaceous shapes of the mushrooms and giving an abstract or pop art look to the image.
MushroomCurvaceous shapes and textures of oyster mushrooms turned into pop art.
Look for areas of high contrast when you’re photographing, or add tonal contrast with lighting sources or in post-processing. This is another method to create impactful images.
]]>In the “Frozen Lake of the Rising Sun”, the inclusion of the couple walking their dog gives a scale reference, showing the immense height of the ice mountain built on the lake’s surface. Similarly in “Fantasy Flight”, the difference in size between the large wing tip and the smaller airplane near the bottom of the image depicts the relative distance between the two.
Frozen Lake of the Rising SunEarly morning walk on the frozen lake at Crystal Beach. The transparency of the dog-walkers mimics the translucent ice, as if they're being melted by the rising sun.
Fantasy FlightTwo planes flying by the moon.
For architectural photos, the diminishing sizes of objects provide a sense of depth and perspective. Two examples are seen in “Galleria Wave” and “Rhythm and Blues” with the red balls and blue columns decreasing in size into the distance.
Galleria Wave *Wave sculpture of red balls in Galleria.
Rhythm and BluesThe rhythmic pattern of blue-lit columns leads to the light at the end of the tunnel.
The large size of the statues in “Farewell My Sailor” are of dominance (major elements), while the smaller boats in the background are supporting (minor) elements to the story. On the other hand, in the abstract “Sun and Moon”, both circles are of similar size, both being equally important as the sun and moon in the image.
Farewell My SailorA wife bidding farewell to her husband before he sails off into the sunset.
Sun and MoonLights through a screen forming an abstract sun and moon in the sky, marking the start and end of a day well lived.
When composing your photos, including elements of varying sizes can help with the story-telling aspect, either by providing scale references or showing major-minor relationships between subjects/objects, giving your images the desired impact.
]]>In the image “Strawberry Corn”, the 3 pieces of corn (three is a good number to use in visual design) are repeated in a row, forming an orderly array. The size of corn gets smaller the further back it is from the viewer, giving a sense of depth to the image. This makes for a calm decorative piece in the kitchen or eating area.
On the other hand, the symmetrical repetitions of wheels and spokes in the abstract “Electrified” provide great visual impact to this photo. The effect suits the title and purple lights in the image. After being electrified by the lights, the eye sees multiples of wheels and spokes, similar to the multiple bright spots that you see after looking at bright lights. This pattern also highlights the architectural qualities of the artistic sculpture.
The lily pads in “One by One” are lined up in order, but there is some variation in how they are positioned. This creates visual rhythm that adds interest to this photo, leading the eye from one lily pad to the next, while moving from one side of the image to the other. Although the lily pads are similar to each other, their arrangement allows a comparison and shows they are distinctly different - some perforated with tiny holes and others having collected small pools of water, some with flat edges and other with a raised lip.
One by One *A row of water lily pads forming an artistic curve.
Add some patterns or rhythm into your photo compositions, and see how they can enhance the messages you are conveying with your images.
]]>In the photos “Tangled” and “Nature’s Ice Sculpture”, the rough curly texture of the leaves and the glossy smooth undulations of the ice are highlighted (by increasing contrast) as the images’ main subjects, giving a sense of depth to the two-dimensional pictures.
TangledCurled leaves of a dried plant resemble a plate of tangled pasta.
Additional textures can be used to enhance the surface quality of the original images. In “The Beginning of The End”, the rough bark on the tree trunk and roots is further accentuated by the cross-hatching pencil sketch treatment applied in post-processing.
The Beginning of The EndRoots and truncated trunk of tree, best portrayed by a pencil sketch.
Similarly, the pencil crayon effect in the “Red Rock” image makes the elements of clouds, rock and grass pop out with a three-dimensional quality. This effect is similar to painters applying multiple layers of oil onto the canvas and creating textures with their brushes or palette knives.
Red RockRed Rock Canyon depicted in pencil crayon.
Some photographers add other textural effects (wrinkled paper, cracked stone walls, etc.) as backgrounds to their images, combining the main subjects with the specific context for an aged or artistic look. I’ll cover this approach in a future blog post.
Try experimenting with different textures in your photos, whether enhancing the natural qualities of the objects or applying artistic filters to produce fine art images.
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For colour harmony in a photo, analogous colours can be used. These are any three hues that are side by side on the colour wheel. An example is “Crimson and Gold” where the three hues of red, orange and orange-yellow are present.
Crimson and GoldBottles filled with red and golden elixirs.
Another theory for colour harmony is that of complementary colours, in which two hues are on opposite sides of the colour wheel. In this photo “Together at Sunset”, the background colour of the sky was altered slightly in post-processing. The yellow in the lower portion matches the colour of the canoes, while the purple in the top portion is complementary to yellow.
Together at SunsetKayaks at sunset.
A more vibrant combination is a triadic colour scheme, where the hues are evenly spaced around the colour wheel. For this theme, the three colours should be balanced such that one colour dominates with the other two as accents. For the “Pears” image, the triadic hues of red, green and blue create a strong visual image with red taking precedence.
PearsColourful pears lined up on the runway.
You can apply the above (or other) colour theories when you are capturing images, or adjusting hues in post-processing software to design your fine art photos.
]]>A number of shapes arranged around an image becomes the composition, as in this photo of “Beach Houses”. There are several forms in this image - the frames around the window/vent opening, the three colourful beach houses, and the shapes cast by their shadows. All these shapes are carefully placed to move the viewer’s eyes around the image - from the brown house in the foreground to the yellow house in the background, then to the red house in front and continuing to the shadows in the foreground.
Beach HousesColourful beach houses in Atlantic Canada.
In this image of “Autumn Treescape”, a natural shape is used to add impact to the image. The crimson red leaves of autumn are made more dramatic with the mountain-shaped outline. Although many viewers suspect this form was created in Photoshop, it’s actually made by nature. This image was taken from inside a small cave, and the rugged shape is the overhanging rock of the cave entrance. The resulting frame and shape definitely make the photo more intriguing.
A more simple shape is used in this minimalist image “Glow”. It is simply one side of a porcelain bowl, although some viewers have wondered if it is a piece of cloth or some other object. In this photo, the shape of the bowl dominates and is the main subject. I really liked the way light reflects off its side face and the soft glow created along the top edge of the bowl.
As these photos show, shapes can be used alone or in a group to design an impactful image.
]]>In this example, the well-worn boardwalk acts as a leading line in the photo, drawing the viewers to the colourful bushes and trees beyond. The narrowing of this line element conveys depth, moving in from foreground to midground of the image.
The second example shows how the direction of lines can affect the mood of a photograph. Wavy curves in the snow lie horizontally in the plane, conveying a sense of calmness and tranquility. Their slight diagonal angle projects a sense of motion, as the drifts are blown by the wind, giving the graphic patterns.
Winter DesertSnow drifts resembling desert sand.
A third example given in this image includes both line direction and weight. The vertical parallel lines of the frame suggest strength and power, as is needed for support. Diagonally oriented, the thick line of the conveyor is the photo’s subject and commands attention with its sliding motion. Together with the third line of the rooftop, a triangle is formed which keeps the viewers’ eyes going around the image.
Sugar Slide *Conveyor slide used in sugar production.
For your next photo composition, add in some lines to guide and communicate to viewers.
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Sakura ImpressionShadow of dried flowers on snow reminiscent of sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring.
Another example is this photo taken by a pond. Some people will see this simply as a branch surrounded by ripples, but with some imagination, it resembles a water strider creating concentric figure eight patterns in the water. Even a plain object can become a subject for art.
Water StriderRipples surrounding branch resembles a water strider.
A third example is this humorous image I made in the southwest US (below left). You may hear many photographers say that with the harsh light at mid-day, it’s time to pack up the photo gear and head indoors. Without the bright light casting this shadow of the rock (and a bit of imagination), how would I have captured Miss Piggy making an appearance at the slot canyon? While scrolling through my winter images, another prominent portrait caught my eye, that of a lady in white (below right). It’s snow accumulated on top of a concrete curb in the park, and its shadow forms a profile of a woman with long flowing hair.
Miss Piggy Spotted at CanyonShadow of rock at slot canyon resembles Miss Piggy from The Muppet Show.
Lady in WhiteProfile of a lady formed by snow gathered on a ledge.
Add a dash of imagination in your next photography outing, and you may find some unexpected objects or subjects in your images!
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Some viewers have found this image to be too busy and complicated, and suggested cropping out the lights, keeping only the mannequins in the store windows. To me, making such a crop would lose the entire meaning of the image. Without the lights and reflections, this would just be a capture of a street scene, not an artistic interpretation. On the other hand, others have found this to be an intriguing image. A family physician chose this image for his office’s waiting area. The photograph serves dual purposes on that wall, both as art and to give his patients something to think about, relieving their minds from anxiety - how was this image made? What are the drops of lights beneath the trees?
What are your thoughts - do you like the image including the lights and their reflections?
Another example of using reflections to enhance an image is that of the residential towers reflected in a water feature (below left), adding a surreal feel to the street scene. Or making a photo of reflections only, such as the image of a banner and surrounding buildings reflected in a pond of water (below right). The ripples in the water transformed the words on the banner into "Subliminal Messages", and interesting abstract shapes are formed.
Reflections on Urban LivingReflections of residential towers in water feature.
Subliminal MessagesReflections of a banner in the ripples of a water feature turn into subliminal messages and abstract art forms.
When you go out to shoot street photography, keep your eyes open for interesting reflections, whether in ponds or puddles of water, on windows, mirrors, metallic surfaces or car roofs - they can turn an ordinary street scene into an art piece.