DPP_0092

DPP_0092
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This shot of Cameron falls in Waterton National Park, Ab. was taken on a fairly cloudy day in amongst the trees, so the light wasn't too harsh from the sun. It allowed me to slow down the shutter speed to a couple of seconds to allow the water to flow smoothly without blowing out the light parts of the image.

The lens used was a Canon 50mm F1.8 prime, which I hadn't used a lot up until this point. I'm glad I did try it, as the effect was exactly what I was looking for. I wished now that I had composed it slightly to the left to include more of the water in the lower pool, but it gives me a chance to go back again..LOL



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure: 2 seconds
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Flash: Off, Did not fire

DPP_0008

DPP_0008
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This shot was taken using a Canon Rebel XS (1000d) , tripod and a Canon 75-300mm zoom to keep back from the splashing water. I had used a one second bulb exposure at:

Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 255 mm
ISO Speed: 100
White Balance: Tungsten

I then froze the image with a handheld Canon Speedlite 430EX11 on full power on camera right up close using the pilot button. All the lights were out in the room and the background was actually a "black" drop-cloth.

The setup was a blue bowl of water with a water fountain pump and the pipe leading from the pump was about 4 inches or so above the bowl. If you look closely at the bottom center of the picture, you can make out the tube. I had it burbling on a medium setting so it didn't splash too much, and each shot came out completely different!

~mike

Photography Tips coming soon!

Ssince I have started taking photographs, I have been asked how I set up the shot, and techniques used, so to give back to the photo community that has taught me all I know, I would like to explain how I did it.. stay tuned!

~mike

Inukshuks

Inukshuks
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

I love Inukshuks!!! Thanks to whoever built these at the top of Bears Hump in Waterton Park..!

Way Down

Way Down
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

On the way to the Waterton town site, you can turn right at the golf course and go about 16km to Red Rock Canyon. There is a nice walk around the main canyon section that offers some great views!

Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Writing on Stone Provincial Park
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

We were able to take a tour of a protected area of Writing on Stone Provincial Park, where they have a LOT of Petroglyph's from the past.

The earlier ones were done by the local Natives many years ago, and were partially defaced in the 60's by people who didnt have a clue to the heritage they were ruining for the future visitors.

Hence it is now a protected area. The local guide Sheldon was VERY informative and was able to show us the different glyphs in detail and what they meant :) All in all it was an awesome day out!!

Shianne

Shianne
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

Thank you Shianne for posing for the picture!! She is the youngest of the clan of my friend Sandra. Also a wonderful girl who's Mom can surely be proud of :)

Nataja

Nataja
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

Thank you Nataja for posing in this picture!! She is the wonderful daughter of my friend Sandra!! A girl any Mom can be proud of :)

Mother and Daughters

Mother and Daughters
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

The trip to the Crowsness Pass was a lot of fun :) My wonderful friend and her two awesome girls let me take some pictures of them along the way, and it turned out to be such a nice afternoon after a hard day at work :)

Birds of Prey Center

Birds of Prey Center
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This beautiful Owl was part of the Birds of Prey Center in Coaldale, Ab. This Owl was like many there that were either injured or hurt, and are part of a rehabilitation program put on by many good volunteers!! Some will be allowed to go back into the wild, and some will remain permanent residents due to the injuries incurred..

I have 10 other pictures that are on my Flickr account from the same location and you can access them when you click on the image of the Owl..!

Enjoy :)

Goslings

Goslings
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

There was a proliferation of geese and the young gosling's this spring near the wetlands. This was part of the Lethbridge Photography Club field trip in Coaldale, Ab. Located right next to the Birds of Prey Center was this amazing wetlands area full of local birds!

Yellow Headed Blackbird

Yellow Headed Blackbird
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

There were many of these beautiful birds along the side of the pond in the bull-rushes.. this was part of the Lethbridge Photography Club field trip in Coaldale, Ab. Located right next to the Birds of Prey Center was this amazing wetlands area full of local birds!

Beams

Beams
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

I just loved the new style beams and the old building it was supporting... Such a contrast in design from the old days to now! This was one of the buildings in the Leitch Collieries exhibit near Frank Slide..

In the past

In the past
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

Another of the old partially restored buildings at the Leitch Collieries near Frank Slide... There is so much history in the local area from the days of Coal Mining...

Washery and Power House

Washery and Power House
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

One of the stops we made was this little gem on the side of the road near the Crowsness Pass, AB. This is one of the buildings that is part of the Leitch Collieries exhibit near Frank Slide..

Lundbreck Falls

Falls
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This was a last minute road trip to the Crowsness Pass, AB. It turned out to be such a beautiful afternoon/evening adventure with a good friend and her daughters :) The weather could not have been any better for driving that day :)

Published photo!

I got one of my images published in the Schmap Calgary Guide under the Calgary Olympics category!! Woot :) I included a link to it on the right hand side of my blog if you want to see what's going on in the Calgary area!!

Photo shoot

I found out there is a photo shoot at the Birds of Prey Center in Coaldale, Ab. this coming Saturday. It's being put on by the Lethbridge Photography Club and having recently joined up with the club to get out and meet like minded people, this might just be the thing to get my photo slump recharged again :) 

I'm actually interested in birds of all kinds, and was lucky to find quite a few American White Pelicans hanging out in the local area ponds and rivers! I'm sure they wont be around for that long, assuming they are on a migratory route and will be off to greener pastures soon.. I better make the most of the opportunity for photos!!!

Have a fun week all, and hope to post some more goodies soon :)

Photographers block!

After going away for the weekend I came back empty handed as far as photo's are. I just couldn't seem to get into the mood to take any pictures, which is most peculiar for me... I travelled through some amazing scenery and came through the whole trip with photographers block (if there is such a thing)...lol

I think I need a fresh look at things and a kick in the pants to get going again... wish me luck :D

Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

These vicious little critters were ready to pounce at any moment.. ;)

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

Could there possibly be any more tomatoes in one small area...lol

Pure Steel

Pure Steel
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This shot was taken during a field trip with the Lethbridge Photography Club to the Broxburn greenhouses and Country Blooms Garden Center near Lethbridge, Ab... I liked the intricate detail of the vase...

American White Pelicans

American White Pelicans
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

There were about 15 American White Pelicans hanging about in Lethbridge on the Oldman River that runs through town..

Dreaming

Dreaming
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This little baby was so cute with the gunny sack curled up in his arms!

People watching

People watching
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

It seemed like this fellow was just as interested in watching people as we were of the animals at the zoo!

Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

It was hard to find one that was in the right place at the right time :)

Walking Tall

Walking Tall
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

I had lots of images of the face, but this one seemed to just jump out at me..

Deep in thought

Deep in thought
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This old fellow seemed to be lost in thought... or wanted to be first in the line up for dinner..!

Ski Jump Towers

Ski Jump Towers
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

There are many different sized Ski Jump Towers located here for the athletes in training and competition.

Ski Jump Tower

Ski Jump Tower
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This was taken at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Ab. This is the 90 Meter Ski Jump that also doubles as a Zipline down the cables you can just see in the image

Last day of Skiing

Last day of Skiing
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

What a beautiful day at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Ab.

The Bridge

The Bridge
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This bridge is 100 years old this year, and spans over 1 mile and 300 feet high from the riverbed.

Frank Slide

Frank Slide
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This is a shot of the mountain that collapsed and covered the town of Frank many years ago..

Summer Shine

Summer Shine
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This is such an amazing view from the Prince of Wales Hotel....

Reflections

Reflections
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

Henderson Lake in Lethbridge, AB. is such a pretty place to walk around.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Light at the end of the tunnel
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

One of the first images I took with a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM Lens. I love this old bridge...!

Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

It took me all the strength I had to hold the camera from flying out of my hands. Talk about windy! This was taken at Waterton Park, Ab.

Ghost Town

Ghost Town
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

While most people have shut up shop and hunkered down for the winter, the town of Waterton, AB offers such quiet beauty in the off season.

Rolling Fog

Rolling Fog
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This is the same blanket of fog rolling over the top of the mountain.

Misty Morning

Misty Morning
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

On a road trip to BC, I came across the fog just rolling down, hugging the mountain like a blanket.

Riveting

Riveting
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

This was taken from the base of the 100 year old Train Bridge in Lethbridge, Ab.

Falls

Falls
Originally uploaded by Mfitton

During a road trip through BC back in 2005 and happening to come across a place called Crazy Creek Falls, It was a good opportunity to relax from many hours of driving. The place was a bit commercialized, but it also offered access to some wonderful areas..

Beauty in everday objects.

I am lucky to live in an area with natural beauty. Being new to the area, I have had a wonderful time finding many things to Photograph. Hopefully you enjoy the images that will be posted here :)