hqspflowers

The Essence of Rhododendron

Posted by Ellie
Essence of rhododendron

Sharp Focus on Blur : 4

Plus Post Week 4 Blurs and Unsharp Photography: Guided Play 2015 by +Alex Lapidus

This week was one of the most creative ones that I have enjoyed for a really long time. From the initial lesson post by our mentor Alex, through the additional material shared by alumni and fellow classmates, it was an exciting period of learning, trying, testing and discovery as I felt myself pushing the envelope of my own personal vision. In this image I used a multiple exposure technique that did not involve any work in Photoshop, but was done in camera. I decided to photograph all around this single rhododendron bloom to show every aspect of the unfolding beauty. I took many like this, finally getting one that I felt really captured the essence of the flower. I liked how the technique darkened down the distraction of the green leaves in the background, showing still the fine details of the marking on the petals and the definition of the opening buds.

Without the mentorship experience, I might well eventually have discovered the fun and creative potential in this and the other techniques that I have learned. But maybe not. I tend to be a bit stuck in my tried and familiar methods, so this environment has really helped me to blossom and show me more sides to my own creativity.

If you ever have a chance to join one of these mentorships, do not pass it up. You will not believe how much you will grow as a photographer from the experience.

With special thanks to my fellow students as they continue to inspire me and to the +G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers with +Robin Griggs Wood +Ron Clifford and Alex Lapidus (again) who with their wonderful program of free mentorships make all this possible.

Are you not able to comment on Google+ because you don’t belong? Would you prefer to comment on my blog? It’s right here with all my G+ posts on it: https://www.elliekennard.ca .
#multipleexposure #nophotoshop

#hqspflowers +HQSP Flowers curated by +Melania Pierce +Kanlaya Chungsangornpornsuk +Wayne Lu +Iva Pas +kaatje jansen
#PhotoManiaCanada by +Giselle Savoie +Mark HELM

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Dances with Blurs

Posted by Ellie
Rotation Blur- Ellie Kennard 2015
Rotation Blur- Ellie Kennard 2015

Plus Post Week 2 Blurs and Unsharp Photography: Guided Play 2015

This week has passed in a blur. I’m having so much fun and I feel like a puppy, dancing from picture to picture that I have taken, thinking “I love this one best, … and this one… and this one… and this one!” The techniques that we are learning this week are really unleashing a creativity that I only guessed that I might have and I feel a bit like these flowers that seem to be sucking in whirling colour and energy from the atmosphere in the mentorship and the world around me to be even more colourful and vibrant. Yes, it’s a learning process that I will keep working at even once the mentorship is finished, but the seeds that have been sown in my photographic mind will only continue to produce more and better results with time and practice.

I see the same delight in each of those on the program sharing their wonderful images and each again has a unique way of applying the material we are learning. What a great group of people there is taking part. I want to thank each one of them, students playmates and helpers alike for the support and encouragement they give me (and all of us) as I go through the learning playing process. Special thanks has to go to Alex Lapidus who must be the only person I know who can survive thrive on only one or two hours of sleep a night, spending the rest of his time on the computer looking at our pictures. It seems to make him even more encouraging and helpful. Unbelievable!
Thanks also to the G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers for making all this possible.

Milkweed Pod: Monarch Central

Posted by Ellie
 

5 of 5 for #naturephotochallenge

Every time I look at this picture I think of that line from the Beatles' song "She's leaving home, bye bye'. The tightly packed cluster of milkweed seeds are opening up, ripe and ready to take to the air and disperse on the wind. The milkweed is a plant that is vital for the survival of the Monarch butterfly and so each of these beautiful bits of airy fluff carries a precious burden. The contrast in textures between the seeds and their wings is striking.

This photo was taken last autumn in Ontario after a light snow fall. Snow has taken on a whole different meaning since that time.

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I have been challenged by my friend +Tom Crews to participate in a 5-day Nature Challenge. I have been asked to post one nature photo each day for 5 days. I am asked to name a new challenger on each of my 5 days. Today I am challenging my friend​​​​​ +Linda Jess to join me in this. Just post one nature photo a day for 5 days. Tag me in it, copy this text and use the hash tag #naturephotochallenge and nominate someone else on each of the days.

Thanks for nominating me Tom. It's been fun, if I have been a bit slow at finishing. 😀

Are you not able to comment on Google+ because you don't belong? Would you prefer to comment on my blog? It's right here with all my G+ posts on it: https://www.elliekennard.ca .

#bellesphotos +Belles photos by +Jean-Louis LAURENCE +Claudya Bonnet

#PhotoManiaCanada by +Giselle Savoie +Mark HELM

#hqspflowers +HQSP Flowers curated by +Krystina Isabella Brion +Melania Pierce +Kanlaya Chungsangornpornsuk +Wayne Lu +Iva Pas

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Breaking the Fall-144/365

Posted by Ellie

I have got myself into a downward spiral of not publishing my photos. They might not seem 'good enough' or it might be that I don't want to show one more floral image, or I might be too tired (most frequent) or it might be too late. Whatever the reason, I knew I had to break the cycle and just upload and share. This peony, one of my favourite flowers, was resting on the path, so splendid in its unfurling pinkness, so sweet in its wonderful perfume, it too easily might have been trodden underfoot. It's just as lovely as those standing proud above it. So (for my friend Joyce) here it is. 😀

#365project +G+ 365 Project by +Simon Davis-Oakley +Patricia dos Santos Paton

HQSP Flowers #hqspflowers +HQSP Flowers curated by +Kawthar A +Krystina Isabella Brion +Maria B-R +Zita Nahm +Kanlaya Chungsangornpornsuk

#bellesphotos +Belles photos by +Jean-Louis LAURENCE +Claudya Bonnet


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