FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHERS....A NEW FEATURE!

I have had the privilege of meeting on 'social media', etc. some photographers whose work I enjoy. As a result, I've decided to feature some of them on my blog periodically.

The first photographer I want you to meet and 'hear' is Dave Powers. He resides in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada and does some really beautiful work.

When did you first get interested in photography?

My father ran the photo lab for the OPP(Ontario Provincial Police).. he was a cop. He pretty much introduced me to photography. I had access to any type of equipment I wanted but of course, as a teenager had no idea how lucky I was... I did the odd thing here and there for fun, not until I had children did I really get into photography

What kind of camera was your first and what do you use now?

My first camera was a Nikon SLR. I then moved up to Hasselblad, 120 film size, medim format...the Hasseblad was sweet camera, and the lenses were fantastic.

What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages between ‘point and shoot’ and ‘DSLR’?

The advantage of point and shoot is the ease of use. You can carry it with you anywhere, in a pocket or what ever. You can practice your compositions anytime you want. You are limited though because of the one lens focal length. A DSLR allows you so many options with lens focal length, f stops, shutter speeds, exposure and so on. Of course, they are heavier and more bulky to carry around, but with the digital world now you can do so much.

What type of pictures do you tend to shoot the most?

People pictures...I love photographing people. You can get so many moods and emotions. Right now I am also shooting architecture. I look at it like building a puzzle, a little light here, add some light over there and so on.

What type of art, photography etc. is what you have in your own home?

Artistic photos of my kids when they were under 5 years old. We have one 20x30 print, from the film days, of the kids sitting on luggage at the train station in Cobourg, very cute image. We actually went to the local blue box station, bought a hat for my son, a dress for my daughter and two pieces of luggage. I think it cost about 3 bucks...my son looks like Frank Sinatra in it...it is so cute!

What is one tip you’ve learned to improve your photography?

Get it right in the camera… proper exposure, composition and such. That is the problem with digital photography now, people buy a camera, set it to automatic and click away and then try to fix everything in photoshop. People should learn how exposure works, f stops, shutter speeds, and ISO. When learn how to do that, you open the door for your photography....

When you do portrait work, what is your biggest challenge?

Finding somewhere different to capture the images. I have no problems doing studio type work, but I really dislike it. I like to find different places to take photographs like in a bar, a hotel pool, in the middle of the street...and so on..

What type of photography is more difficult for you?

I can honestly say I don't find any of it particularly difficult anymore. I'm not at all sounding cocky or anything like that...it's just that photography is about light. If you have enough light, you can get the image, if you don't have enough, you need to know how to add the amount needed. I can pretty much shoot anywhere and anything.

Is there a particular photo you just haven’t managed to shoot yet, but you really would like to get?

I would like to photograph, in black and white, an elderly person in their late 90's.

Who influenced your love of photography?

My dad and my kids.

Name one photographer you admire living or dead?

YOUSUF KARSH a wonderful Canadian photographer. If you haven't seen his work I really recommend you check out his images on line... Which shot, up until now, are you most proud of?

http://www.karsh.org/


I actually have three images I am most proud of, two of my kids and one of a wedding. All were taken during the film years...my kids walking hand in hand under 5 yrs old, along a path at Presquile Park during the fall, beautiful colours. The one I described above and one of a bride and groom in a forest. She was walking along a path, he was in the distance, her dress made her look like a fairy princess. The light was coming through the trees ….. it was such an emotional image for them.

If you wish to contact Dave, here are some addresses ......

dave
www.dpowers.ca
facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/davepowersphotography

tweet me:
@davepowersphoto

GRANDMA AGAIN......THIRD TIME!

I have had trouble getting motivated to post on my blog. There are so many reasons, but time has been the number one reason.
The wonderful news is the fact I'm a grandma again! I believe it's truly one of the rewards in our lives. My cousin's husband used to say, " Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own"! The gift granchildren give you is the unconditional love and all the fun without any of the major responsibilities...
I don't get much time with my grandchildren, but so enjoy the time when I get it!
My youngest daughter, Lindsay just had her second child on April 29th. She is blessed to have one of each now. Maggie who will be four years old in October and now Samuel Michael.
I went down to Princeton, New Jersey a week before Sam was born and then spent one week after trying to help where I could. It also gave me the opportunity to spend some fun time with Maggie. It gives one the chance to be a little silly with her and have all kinds of real and pretend adventures.
We did 'bubbles', made cookies, went to the mall, did sidewalk chalk, danced, cut paper, read books, fun at bathtime, did each other's hair, and whatever other 'mischief' we could think of doing. What fun! She is definitely one of the happiest children I know.
Sam looks just like his Daddy. If his fingers and toes are any indication, I think he's going to be quite tall.
I could go on and on, but pictures are more interesting.

Maggie the cookie baker

Maggie says Welcome Home to Mommy

Maggie loves her bubble time

Maggie's first chance to play her very personal guitar her Uncle Den made for her...

Baby Sam, as Maggie likes to call him

Family time with Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Sam

Maggie, for the most part, has always called me 'MeMe' and occasionally slips into 'Grammie'. I wonder what Sam will call me?

OPENING RECEPTION COME AND GONE...

Well, it's been one week since my 'Opening Reception' for my three month long photography show 'Life is Good'.
I had no idea what to expect, but had high hopes there would be a great turn out. From my perspective, I was just slightly disappointed in the numbers, but was told it was a good turn out. There were 20 who came to support me and I am truly grateful.
With all the advertising that went out, I thought there might be more people come who didn't know me, but that wasn't the case.
That being said, I was so touched by my friends and family that took time out of their busy schedules to attend.
My really big surprise came when my lifelong girlfriend and her husband drove from Toronto to surprise me. Boy, was I surprised! They also purchased a piece.
My five cousins who are so important to me also came to support me.
Some members of the Spirit of the Hills Arts Association came to give added support as well.
I am truly blessed on so many levels and must continue to remember that fact.
Yes, life is good!

BIG WEEK COMING!

Well, once again I've been remiss about posting to my blog.
Without going in to details, I've been having a few health issues which we are still trying to get resolved. I hope to have a better idea what's going on this week when I go see a specialist...it's very frustrating to do test after test and no one can definitively answer what is causing all this nonsense! I'm optimistic I'll get an answer or two this week!

This is my really big week when considering my photography.
The 'Opening Reception' for my 'One Woman' three month show is this coming Tuesday, April 12th, 6 - 8 PM! I have hung approximately 30 pieces at the Trent Hills Library in Campbellford, Ontario, CANADA and they will hang for three months. Since this is my very first 'solo' show, I'm both excited and yet a little apprehensive. I have many expectations for this show on many levels. Certainly a few of those reasons are monetary, personal recognition and feedback, of course! Artists need somewhat of a thick skin. It doesn't take long to realize not everyone will like your work, however, both positive and negative critiques can really help as I move forward.

The Kawartha Tourism Centre is going to hang 4 - 5 of my pieces. This is the first time photgraphy will be included in their giftshop! Woohoo!
I will stick to seasonal photography as requested. I'll post different pictures based on the season we happen to be in at the time. The photos going in the first of the week are floral photos with flowers that appear in the spring.