Supermoon

Last night was the night that the moon passed the closest to the earth that it's been in about 20 years ... that is, about 1000km closer than it usually is!

Of course, true to form in BC, the weather was overcast!

Happily, I anticipated that and went out on Friday night, when it wasn't exactly clear because there was a layer of thin/variable cloud, but at least we could see the moon. Paul kindly accompanied me on this outing and drove us across the valley, where we parked behind the hockey arena, atop the bench above the lake.

This is the best shot of the bunch, imho. I am, always have been, terrible at moon shots, and my post production work didn't help a great deal, either!

But at least it gives you an idea of what we saw:

Down By The River ...

... the Kootenay River ... on a freezing morning!

Image Theft

So, I got angry today.

As angry as I’ve ever been.

I can think of just three other occasions on which I’ve been this shaking, quaking angry (no, I won’t go into the gory details).

Today’s episode came on very unexpectedly. Out of the blue.

Who knew that someone would think enough of one of MY amateur photo’s to STEAL it and post it somewhere, without attributing it to me, but under their OWN name?

And to be dumb enough to not only post it just a month after the original was uploaded by me … but on the same website where I originally posted it (yes!) … then to claim that it was a “back yard sunset” on February 14th, when it was taken at 11.20am on February 6th … and, to add insult to injury, to claim it as your own …

I supposed I should be FLATTERED!

NOT!

I certainly didn’t anticipate feeling this angry or upset!

I’ve no problem with someone copying a photo to use for their own pleasure – as a screensaver on their personal computer, or something like that.

What were you thinking, Justine Swindell, when you posted my photo on TWN’s website as if it was your own?!

I can prove that the original photo is mine because on the day I took it, I blogged about it here:
My Blog
and I also posted it here for my photog friends to look at:
NYIP Forum

Needless to say, my comments about the theft are now in several locations on Facebook, in the two photography fora that I contribute to, and now, again, here in my blog.

Thank you to www.theweathernetwork.com for promptly removing the fraudulent image.

End of rant.

Thaw

For the first time since we moved here in early November, I ventured out without a winter coat on today, when we went out to do a bit of grocery shopping. Ok, I still wore my toque and sorels, just in case ... I don't take a chance on freezing for anyone!

Better than expected - it was positively pleasant out - sunny and warm (about 8C) - we even drove with the car window open!

As we drove down into the valley, it immediately became apparent that there'd been a great deal of melting of the lake ice, with large pools of melt water lying on top.

While we were out, we stopped at Kinsman Beach to have a look at the lake. It was literally "a look" - no boots-on-the-ground testing - the ice was really mushy and rotten!

The ice-fishers' shacks are still out on the ice, and there've been no newspaper notifications that the White Way (the winter road across the lake ice for light trucks and cars) is no longer viable ... but you wouldn't have caught me out on the ice today, that's for sure!

Here are a couple of photo's I took today. I was trying to capture the water pooling on top of the sheet ice but ended up instead with what I think are some really cool clouds! Just goes to show, no matter how well you plan or check your composition, you can still surprise yourself with what you capture!

Halfway There!

It took longer than I expected (it usually does, from what I've heard from other students!), but I've now officially past the halfway mark to having completed the Complete Course on Professional Photography which I'm taking through the New York Institute of Photography!

I have successfully completed the theory tests, and have received good reviews on my photo projects for the first three units!

I thought I'd share my project photo's here, perhaps as a way to help future students get ideas for their own projects, and to point out places where they can learn from my mistakes!

I'd like to add here that I've made it this far due in large part to the help, encouragement and support I've received from the wonderful group of people on the NYIP forum! Thank you, guys! You know who you are!

I started the course in July 2010, and hope to graduate by the middle of 2011!

UNIT 1

Illustrate shallow depth of field:

Illustrate great depth of field:

Motion - freeze action:

Motion - panning technique (can't tell which direction movement is in - subject facing wrong way):

Motion - subject blur (watch out for cutting off feet):

UNIT 2

Illustrate framing (crop closer from left/right - don't necessarily need as much of the frame):

Illustrate the rule of thirds (consider a secondary subject in left-hand rot position):

Illustrate leading lines (take photo from between the lines):

UNIT 3:

Photograph a person in open shade (prefer portraits to have faces showing):

Illustrate back-lighting:

Illustrate texture using 90 degree lighting:

Using natural/available light from approximately 45 degrees, demonstrate how a reflector can open up shadows:

Without reflector:

With reflector:

First Portrait

I've been dreading this section of my course.

I don't take photo's of people. Unless they ask. And that's few and far between!

I took this photo because I wanted to enter a dpreview photo challenge entitled "almost twins".

People are always saying that I'm the spitting image of my Mum. I don't see it. She can't see it.

What do you think?


This is one of those quick kitchen window-light shots - 20 minutes from extending the legs of my tripod, to having 5 shots in the camera. Just a hint of reflector help - it was balanced on my Mum's foot!

Back At The Terrain Park

This is a three-day weekend in both Alberta and the US (both just a couple of hours' drive from here), so Panorama was really busy yesterday - it was great to see all the parking lots full and actual lift-lines happening.

Of course, the best snow conditions in many years helped attract the crowds!

It's about time good things started happening up at Pano!

Here are a few shots from the terrain park (I was disappointed at how few people were up taking advantage of this incredible facility - think I might've been too early in the day, being there around noon!).

Air Over The Rockies:




Riding The Rails:



And here are some shots from around the village:

Ski School In Paradise:


Riding The Magic Carpet:


Relaxing In The Hot Pools:


And last but not least, the Belgians: