The snow is mostly gone, here on the prairies, but it will be some weeks before we see greenery and flowers blooming. I can’t wait! It has been a long winter and I sure could use a bit of color. Late spring or early summer images are great for it because all is fresh and green is bright and not dimmed by dust of late summer days.
We are lucky here in Alberta, because some nights are full of light show. We had a couple of gorgeous Aurora showing last fall and I have managed to capture some shots without leaving the city.
I know, I know it is winter and everybody posts winter photography, but I am not ready for it yet. I see it outside my window every day, so I want to see something warm, colorful and pretty. Hope you are in need of this as well.
It has been a while since I’ve posted anything about Elk Island National Park. So, I think, it is time for some lovely sunset from the beginning of summer, when all was green, flowers were blooming and days were warm and long.
After seeing amazing photos of Abraham lake in winter, we wanted to see it for ourselves. These photographs are pretty common, as the area is beautiful, and Abraham lake, being man made, exhibits methane bubbles which get trapped in ice. These, and sunrise in the Rocky mountains is a recipe for beautiful images.
It is truly a wonderful experience to welcome a new day in the mountains. We were lucky to be able to do just that during our recent trip to Banff National Park just before Christmas. The changing colors of the sky, reflected in little pools of open water at Vermilion Lakes made it all seem like the most exotic place, even though we have visited it so many times before.. Met a few photographers who, having the same idea, were already positioned in various places along the lakes capturing all those colors of a beautiful solstice morning. Experiencing such natural splendor makes landscape photography even more enjoyable. Even though you are spending long time outside, in the cold, you are rewarded with such wonderful views that it is all worth it! I have managed to shoot a few close ups, too (can't really help myself, you know ;D) I have also been finally able to play with Sony NEX-6 and NEX-7 during this trip enjoying not having to drag my heave Canons along and must say, I do like the results. I hope you do, too ;D.
Kasia
I've never been to Lake Louise in winter before and was looking forward to seeing this beautiful place all covered in snow. When we arrived there the sky was already clouding up, but there was still enough light and colour to make things look interesting and it gave me the opportunity to take a few pictures of some of the great ice sculptures scattered all over the place, before they were damaged by rain and snow that came the next day. Mac has shared his images from this trip in his posts: A mix of color in winter - Alberta Landscape Photography, Winter in the Rockies – Alberta Landscape Photography and People in the Mountains – Candid Photography and now it is my turn to show mine, hoping you are not too bored yet ;D Kasia
What is it about shining objects that fascinates us? The sparkling melting snow, covered by a layer of thin ice draws my eyes every time. It was sunny and warm the other day, the snow and ice were melting and one could find me with my camera on my lawn taking pictures and gathering interest from passers by. I can just imagine their thoughts - oh look a crazy lady taking pictures of a pile of snow!! One lady even asked me what it was I was seeing and I answered truthfully: the ice, the sparkle and the rainbow.. Kasia
Last day of a wonderful vacation, we decided to drive down to the Columbia Icefields. On the way there we stopped at Athabasca Falls.
We did not encounter any wildlife along the way, but the scenery was absolutely spectacular.
Since we were playing proper tourists we decided to go full tilt and take the ride to the glacier. Unfortunately it is a short trip, and there were millions of people. So image wise it was a crap shoot. I guess you pay the price when you are a tourist.
So this was a tiring, but absolutely wonderful vacation. It just made me realize how much I love the mountains. I will have to go back there sooner than once a year. Will have to make the time.
It is long overdue, but yesterday I had my first chance to photograph at Elk Island again. It was a lot of fun, to use my wide angle again. Enjoy!
Continuing in the spirit of drinks, I got some dry ice from a local reseller, and decided to play a little. It is the most wonderful stuff. Not only it will cool your drink in a mater of minutes, but it produces some really cool effects. Here are some shots I've done. Only one of them was done outside in the sun. I wanted to freeze the gas escaping from the glass. The other ones were done in my makeshift studio, in a fairly dark room, with a couple of candles and a little blue LED light. Thoughts?
