Paris, la Cité D’Amour

Take52 Challenge – Week 15

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis…

This is it…it’s gonna happen.  At the end of this week, I’ll be off to another dream vacation.  Jeremy and I will be starting our three week vacation; Paris, road-trip through Spain, and southern France.  To get me through the last week of classes, I’ve been doing nothing but dreaming of our upcoming trip.

Every trip to Paris must include a visit to les Jardins de Tuileries.  Some how the bustling park seems to be quiet too.  We pull up a pair of green metal lounge chairs, sit back and relax.  A nice little picnic with some cheeses, breads, and pastries.  The beautiful flowers in bloom with a view of the palace behind.  This is where dreams do come true; Paris, la Cité ’Amour.  Or so I thought.  It seems that he had other plans.  My dream was not to come true in the Jardins de Tuileries; but, instead on l'Île de la Cité.  It is there that after 13 years of being together, that I said “Yes.”

Below is "our" spot in the Jardins de Tuileries.  It's here that we pull up the green chairs to sit, to relax, and to enjoy each other's company.  I've slightly edited the photograph to intensify the colours as I remember them on the trip.  Again, dark clouds; but just enough sun to make the flowers pop.

Aperture Priority; ISO 200; Shutter 1/320; Aperture f9; Focal Length 35mm; ev 0; WB – Auto

Hearts were a flutter.  Love was in the air (or on the ground).  While exploring Montmartre if you were able to find gratified hearts all around on the old paved stones.  Not that we often look down, but this time is was worth it.

Manual; ISO 200; Shutter 1/60; Aperture f5.3; Focal Length 66mm; ev 0; WB – Custom

As always I welcome thoughtful critiques.

Patterns, Patterns, Everywhere

Take52 Challenge – Week 14

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis….

I love when family is in town.  You tend to get out more and explore, going places you normally wouldn’t take the time to visit.  While my cousin’s daughter was still in town we took the time to go to Chinatown.  (Okay, it is somewhere I would go normally; I did take my photos there for the “Red” Challenge). 

While walking throughout Chinatown, I came across an unusual pattern.  Or a not necessarily an unusual pattern, but a pattern we normally wouldn’t consider.  A Foo-Dog. 

Aperture Priority; ISO 640; Shutter 1/1250; Aperture f5.6; Focal Length 35mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

And why not include another pattern?  Skiers and boarders are covered head to toe in patterns; the louder the better.  I wasn’t interested in these patterns; I thought I’d look down.  While looking down, I came across some patterns that typically go ignored. 

Aperture Priority; ISO 200; Shutter 1/40; Aperture f7.1; Focal Length 80mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.

Ooey, Gooey, Goodness

Take52 Challenge – Week 13

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis….

Sticky, that’s easy.  No challenge here.  Look for a yummy food item that you eat with your hands.  Of course this food item must be sticky.

As a short mini get-away to Whistler was in order; no, not just for this photo challenge.  My cousin’s daughter was in town for a visit from Michigan, her first visit to Vancouver on her own.  Throughout all of her trips to Vancouver she has never been to Whistler.  So we were off.  I have a number of quintessential places I like to eat while there.  One of which being Beaver Tails.  If you have never heard of Beaver Tails, it is another version of a Whale’s Tail.  It is fried dough with a heap of messy toppings.  Well you could have it plain with sugar and cinnamon; however, the more you pile on the yummier it is.  At least in my mind.

After a Peak to Peak trip up to the top of of Whistler mountain and a to Blackcomb mountain, we decided it was necessary to stop for an afternoon snack at Beaver Tails.  While we could’ve gone to the one located in the Village, we wanted to enjoy the sunshine in the Spring-like snow conditions on the mountain.  Although my cousin’s daughter went for the not-so-sticky option, I loaded myself up with the ooey gooey goodness.  The Triple Trip; a Nutella base with peanut butter drizzle and Reese’s Pieces.  Yummy, Ooey, Gooey, Goodness.  My mouth is watering with the thought.

Manual Priority; ISO 1000; Shutter 1/800; Aperture f16; Focal Length 48mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.

Motion a Buzz Downtown

Take52 Challenge – Week 12

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis….

Thinking about motion I was indecisive.  I couldn't decide how I wanted to capture it.  I was downtown Vancouver for a staff retreat and knew there would be a constant buzz of motion.  Thankfully it was a sunny afternoon.  I took off during our lunch break and headed down to the water.  These photographs represent only a small portion of the buzzing motion during a sunny afternoon lunch hour.

I love the first as I feel that it captures the quint essential feeling of the City Wharf in Coal Harbour about a century ago. It is  a half scaled freight shed and is meant to represent the industrial activity at the time.  Paired with the flying seagull and the contrast between the dark storm clouds mixed with the highlights of the direct sun, is speaks to me.  

Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/2500; Aperture f4.8; Focal Length 55mm; ev 0; WB – Sunlight

This next one is a simple water feature that I happened to be walking past on my way back to meet my colleagues after lunch.  I'm drawn to the warmth provided by sun kissing the water through the tall buildings downtown.

Shutture Priority; ISO 200; Shutter 1/30; Aperture f5.6; Focal Length 80mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.

Nothing More Simple than Simple Machines

Take52 Challenge – Week 11

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis….

As a science teacher, more specifically as a teacher that was preparing to teach Science & Tech 11 in a few weeks, I was deep into my Simple Machines.

I love things that are simple, I love simple décor, I love simple days spent at home, I love the simplicity of a photograph.  I may love simple things, I do not love Simple Machines; but, I do love their simplicity.  I also love that when multiple simple machines are put together they are able to form a complex machine.

And it is these simple machines that I drew on for my inspiration for this week’s challenge.

Nothing like a plane and a screw.

Aperture Priority; ISO 400; Shutter 1/3200; Aperture f5.0; Focal Length 60mm; ev 0; WB – Sunlight

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.