'The Nobbies', Phillip Island, Victoria.
Published on 2012/12/02 by Denis on http://denisgrenier.com

This is a book review about Creating Deeper Photographs & More Engaging Experiences with David Duchemin

One of the greatest challenges of a photographer is representing a world in three dimensions through a two dimensions medium.  I take pictures since more than 30 years now and often my pictures do not work.  They do not engage the viewer more than a few seconds.

In my pursuit to become a better photographer I am listening to podcasts, reading books and e-books and I went to multiple workshops.

Recently I came across “A Deeper Frame” by +David Duchemin.  This e-book is a great source of inspiration.  Moreover, this book explain concepts skillfully and simply.

David covers multiples topics and illustrates concepts about Depth and Perspective with photographs.  Using graphical elements over these photographs, these concepts are easier to understand.

David tells us in his book:

“The more a photograph recreates the illusion of reality as we experience it, the deeper the potential experience, the longer the memory of the image, the greater the possible impact…”

In order to help us recreate this illusion of reality, David goes through the following concepts:

Depth and Perspective
The Frame Cubed
The use of different optics
Depth of Field
Use of Colors
Use of Light
… and Emotions
This book has only 45 pages.  It is a fast read and this is welcome. Early on we feel the urge to try these techniques with our own pictures.  This is exactly what a good book do.  Urge us to experiences by ourself and changing the way we are making pictures.

In this picture, I tried to build upon David’s advice about creating a greater engagement.  The lines in the rock are heading into the picture and there is clear foreground, middle ground and background in this picture.


Buy one picture up to 16 x 20 inches for as low as 35$
 

And at 5$, this book is cheaper than a magazine and about the price of a Cappucino.

I strongly recommend this book from Craft & Vision
Published on 2012/12/06 on http://denisgrenier.com

What a nice name “East Quoddy” lighthouse.  This is one of the largest lighthouses on eastern coast.  This lighthouse includes five structures: the lighthouse tower itself, the adjoining dwelling, fog alarm building, a work shed and a boathouse.


Buy these pictures in a Framed Wooden box in either 10 x 25 or 22 x 55 inches
East Quoddy Lighthouse has a long history as an aid to navigation in the Bay of Fundy and Passamaquoddy Bay. On the northern tip of Campobello Island, which is the largest of a number of islands in the Passamaquoddy Bay near the border of Maine and New Brunswick.  Campobello Island is closer to the coast of Maine as it is to New Brunswick.

The island is probably best known as the site of the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.  This is where he spent his summers as a child.

Head Harbour lighthouse is about two and a half miles from the nearest community, the beach Wilson. The rocky outcrop on which the station is set becomes an island at high tide and is connected with the main body of the island by several of these rocks near islands.

The Friends of East Quoddy
Today The Friends of The Head Harbour Light station are in charge.  Their mission includes:

To preserve and protect the cultural and historical value of the Head Harbour Light station;
To honor and respect the fisheries tradition and the value of the sea and the business community of Campobello Island;
To offer an emergency response service for disentanglement and the rescue of stranded marine mammals in the Bay of Fundy area.
Fortunately I came to East Quoddy Lighthouse at low tide.  At low tide we can use stairs to reach the lighthouse.  On site I met the Friends of the Head Harbour Lightstation, Inc., a Canadian registered charity, which bears all the costs of maintenance and restoration.  Dedicated to “preserve, protect, and promote the unique heritage of the Head Harbour Lightstation for the enjoyment and education of all,” the Friends apply all cross-over and tour fees to their restoration and maintenance activities.

I plan to return to East Quoddy Lighthouse to take picture at Sunrise and Sunset.  Hopefully, the Friends of the Head Harbour Lightstation could use these in their future communication.

Do you visit National Monument like the Head Harbour Lightstation?
Published on 2012/12/04 by Denis on http://denisgrenier.com

How does this Canon Infrared 50D deliver the goods?
More importantly, is Infrared Photography for you?

Infrared Photography as could be seen on various Web Sites like flickr.com is mesmerizing.   There are so many amazing infrared pictures.  A year ago, I bought a used Canon 50D that I sent to lifepixel.com for infrared conversion.  Since then, I am trying to get used to Infrared Photography and here is the full report on it.

Converting a Camera to IR is a permanent change.  The operation means removing the Infrared filter in front of the camera sensor and replacing it by a visible light filter.

I have opted for the Super Blue filter.  Along with infrared light this filter allows some of the blue light to reach the sensor.  My Canon infrared 50D did the back and forth travel to lifepixel.com within two weeks.


Buy a print of this picture up to 24 x 36 inches.
 

Challenges associated with Infrared Photography.

The Infrared filter in front the sensor is blocking most of the visible light.  This means that looking through the viewfinder, nothing changes.  However, the resulting image will be much different.  Taking pictures while looking through the viewfinder is tricky.

This also means that focusing and metering are not correct anymore.  On most DSLR focusing occur trough the viewfinder focusing points.  Infrared light properties are different and correct focusing is only possible through live view.  Using live view you get exactly on the screen what the sensor is recording.  Live view is also the best way for metering exposition.  Using live view extensively will drain battery faster.  Bring some spare battery with you.

I chose the Super blue filter by lifepixel.com.  I also bought a 77mm RM72 Infrared Glass Filter made by Hoya.  This filter passes only infrared light over 720nm.  When this filter is on my lens, it prevents all visible light from reaching the sensor.  Using this filter is just like if I had performed a standard Infrared conversion.

Option #1: Super blue filter.

In this mode, pictures needs less change to look nice most of the time.  I use a grey card to set up proper white balance. If exposed correctly, the resulting picture looks good.  Working in Lightroom or Photoshop could bring the picture to life and make them very nice.  There is a potential challenge associated with chromatic aberration.  Since the blue wavelength, at one end of the spectrum do not focus at the same place on the sensor than infrared wavelength.  In some case, pictures are just bad.  Some lenses are better than others.  I suggest your research this online to see what combination work well.

Option #2: Super blue filter with visible light filter on the lens.

In this mode we are back at the usual Infrared Picture where only deep red and near infrared wavelength reach the sensor.  There is no chromatic aberration and the recorded image is reddish.  Swapping the red and blue channel in Photoshop makes these picture looks very nice with blue sky.  Looking through the viewfinder is of no help.  The RM72 Infrared Filter block visible light.  This also means that exposition and focus is only possible using live view.

Option #3: converting to Black and White.

In either of the first two options, converting pictures to black and white give very nice results.    Sky is usually darker and vegetation is very bright.  This is one of my preferred mode for IR photography.  By changing your picture mode in Camera to Black and White, you can see on the screen what your picture will look like once converted.

The main advantage to Infrared Photography is to shoot, very nice picture, when the sun is high in the sky.  Shadows are not your enemies anymore with IR photography.

All in all I am very happy with my infrared conversion.  Should you go forward yourself, I strongly recommend to check all the documentation on Lifepixel.com before committing to it.  Remember, this is a permanent change.

About you, do you like Infrared Pictures?
Masonry bridge crossing a nice river coming from Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park
Low tide in this early morning show algae resting on the rocks, waiting for the water to come back.
Published on 2012/12/05 by Denis on http://denisgrenier.com

Nature Photography is best done far away.  Or is it?
Often, Nature Photography opportunities are right around the corner.  There is no need to go far away to find out peace.  Most of the time, only minutes away from heavy traffic congestion, peace is there, waiting for you.

Do you know a peaceful place, to do Nature Photography, near your home town?


Buy these pictures in a Framed Wooden box in either 10 x 25 or 22 x 55 inches
We, passionate landscape photographer, are so lucky. We are always looking to get into these peaceful and amazing places where the sky, land and water blend together in magnificent panorama. When looking at pictures online on 500px.com, Pixoto.com, photoshelter.com or smugmug.com, we are usually dreaming of faraway scene while there is such beauty in our own home city.

This picture is from a site only 1 mile from the very congested tunnel leading into Montreal under the St-Laurence River.  Before entering this tunnel, heading into Montreal, you go through Charron Island which is part of the 5 small islands in the “National Park of Iles de Boucherville”.

15 minutes away from downtown Montreal this is a little paradise.  Even if the highway is just minutes away, we hear nothing but the sound of nature.  There is 7 miles of trails on the 5 islands of the park.  These trails offers good viewpoint on the St-Lawrence River, the Montreal Island and the South shore.  All kinds of wildlife and birds wander in or near these trails.

In the summer time, when weather forecast is great for picture-taking, I leave earlier with my backpack and office clothes in the trunk and head to Boucherville’s Islands.  Getting there by 04:30 gives me time for Sunrise (05:00) and the golden hour before heading to the office.

There are dozens of locations near and in Montreal where peace can greet you in the early morning.

So the day before this picture, I looked at the weather forecast.  Forecast was partly cloudy which, in my opinion, is perfect for taking picture.  Clouds do bring something special and different that is worth it.  They often take nice colors before sunrise and can create some drama in the sky after the sunrise.

So, on this early morning I was hunting the Sunrise on Boucherville’s Islands, and the Sunrise I caught!

What are your favorite’s places near your hometown to do Nature Photography?
Published on 2012/12/05 by Denis on http://denisgrenier.com

Nature Photography is best done far away.  Or is it?
Often, Nature Photography opportunities are right around the corner.  There is no need to go far away to find out peace.  Most of the time, only minutes away from heavy traffic congestion, peace is there, waiting for you.

Do you know a peaceful place, to do Nature Photography, near your home town?


Buy these pictures in a Framed Wooden box in either 10 x 25 or 22 x 55 inches
We, passionate landscape photographer, are so lucky. We are always looking to get into these peaceful and amazing places where the sky, land and water blend together in magnificent panorama. When looking at pictures online on 500px.com, Pixoto.com, photoshelter.com or smugmug.com, we are usually dreaming of faraway scene while there is such beauty in our own home city.

This picture is from a site only 1 mile from the very congested tunnel leading into Montreal under the St-Laurence River.  Before entering this tunnel, heading into Montreal, you go through Charron Island which is part of the 5 small islands in the “National Park of Iles de Boucherville”.

15 minutes away from downtown Montreal this is a little paradise.  Even if the highway is just minutes away, we hear nothing but the sound of nature.  There is 7 miles of trails on the 5 islands of the park.  These trails offers good viewpoint on the St-Lawrence River, the Montreal Island and the South shore.  All kinds of wildlife and birds wander in or near these trails.

In the summer time, when weather forecast is great for picture-taking, I leave earlier with my backpack and office clothes in the trunk and head to Boucherville’s Islands.  Getting there by 04:30 gives me time for Sunrise (05:00) and the golden hour before heading to the office.

There are dozens of locations near and in Montreal where peace can greet you in the early morning.

So the day before this picture, I looked at the weather forecast.  Forecast was partly cloudy which, in my opinion, is perfect for taking picture.  Clouds do bring something special and different that is worth it.  They often take nice colors before sunrise and can create some drama in the sky after the sunrise.

So, on this early morning I was hunting the Sunrise on Boucherville’s Islands, and the Sunrise I caught!

What are your favorite’s places near your hometown to do Nature Photography?
Not Published
'The Nobbies', Phillip Island, Victoria.
'The Nobbies', Phillip Island, Victoria.
'The Nobbies', Phillip Island, Victoria.
See photo in original gallery.