HDR in Foymount.....

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Last summer I had a serious craving for shooting ghost towns. Don’t ask me why, because I have no clue. I just felt like I really needed to photograph something completely abandoned, falling apart with an eerie feel that moved me. This ghost town bug has not left me, as I still want to find some more elaborate run down buildings.
I dragged my husband and four kids with me told them “Hey guys lets go on a field trip” they bought it. I think they clued in once they saw my gear. It was only about half hour from where I live, not far so that the kids would not be making each other mad by screaming “Are we there yet!” I also bribed them with chips from the chip wagon. You have to have secret weapons to deal with kids.

We went to Foymount, Ontario. Foymount originally was a radar base in the 50’s. It sits on the highest point on Ontario, Canada. It was a Radar base, used to detect nuclear bombers coming over the polar region from the Soviet Union, that was until the 70’s when they had develop better technology and moved else where in Ontario. The site was eventually close in the early 70’s. I did hear however that some soldiers that were originally stationed there have returned to the town and are trying to re establish Foymount. The trip to Foymount was truly amazing. The ride up was divine, lush forests, winding roads and a soft blue sky with fluffy clouds getting larger as we neared. I was very excited and could not wait to jump out of the car. My only concerns were a: hope there are no, no trespassing signs b: hope none of the kids have to go to the bathroom.
My husband did the driving that day if it were me behind the wheel. I would have parked as soon we drove into the town and made a run with my camera, he took us to the top of the hill. Good thing though, what a treat.


There are several different types of buildings at Foymount, though the barracks are the ones with the worst wear. The architect of the buildings is stunning, making you feel like you are in a Sci fi flick On the towns main road there sits several windowless buildings. Some are occupied with new owners others lay empty. Personally I think they would make an incredible gallery for an art show. Anyhoo, in this nearly deserted town there sits a tea room for tourists, yes a tea room that has tea and crumpets. Thankfully they had Ice cream as well, kids loved that part.

Before leaving town there sits a large building that is occupied by an outdoor gear store that manufactures clothing worldwide. I asked my husband to pull in the lot and I jumped out and walked around it, photographing all the beautiful detail and color. I was so focused that I did not notice how badly bitten I was from the horse flies. Their monsters!


Beautiful Colour buildings that once were barracks for the soldiers still stood there on the hill magnificently. You really feel there sense of grandeur at first glance. Hold the thought for one second, back to my kids for a sec. Now I mention earlier how they regretted it once they got there. Only Mason would get out of the van. The other three scared and bored would not leave. What were the girls afraid of you ask? Ghosts! Seriously, my oldest daughter started it. Yes, granted it was a spooky place. Run down, balconies flying in the air, windows cracked no trespassing signs EVERYWHERE. There were also pictures of Mary posted on all the windows.

This I found very interesting but my daughters found spooky. Okay so back to the old barracks and how gorgeous they look, just waiting for me to take their picture. It couldn’t just be any shot. They deserved something truly special. HDR photography would make these buildings shine in all their glory. I first took a walk around the buildings looking for shadows and angles. Aiming to get the best shot; my time was limited in Foymount because the kids would not be able to stay too long.

Something very important to note when shooting HDR is to use a tripod, if you don’t have a tripod try to find a good base to hold the camera steady. If you don’t have a base lean up against something to steady yourself and hold your breath....personally I would rather much prefer to use a tripod. I then set up my camera and take 3-9 bracketed exposure shots. Unless you are going for a certain look you need to watch out for the wind otherwise your shot will be blurred. With any luck it will be a slow wind and you can time it.

I like to use Aperture priority to control the depth of field and when I am shooting HDR I want complete depth of field. Play around and see what you like. Your white balance should not be set on auto. If you are using models for your HDR shots then they will have to stand very still for a period of time, other wise the shot will be blurred and the images will not align correctly when using the merge function in Photoshop, as you will see in my example image. The clouds are blurred and the high grass is blurred. I could not control the wind factor….oh well can’t have everything…I got the shot I was going for though.
Below are examples of three different exposures I took to be able to merge later in Photoshop.

Here comes the best part, watching it come alive…..
When I got home I opened up Photoshop CS3 and went to work. I like to use the HDR merge right in Photoshop and then take it through Photomatix for tone mapping.
Go to File/Automate/Merge to HDR
Then go to Filter/Photomatix and play with the settings.
There is no right or wrong way in using Photomatix, it is what you like and what works for the image. What is it you are trying to achieve? Play around with the settings, have fun exploring Photomatix.
Now I want to convert my image to 8 bit and a window will pop up , adjust your exposure and gamma settings. If I want to take the image further I will adjust the curves in Photoshop for more contrast and pump up the saturation.
Go to Hue/Saturation and pump up the sat and darken just a bit.
Open up curves and make adjustments for more depth in your image, almost making appear like it will jump out at you. You are aiming for the shadows here to make them stand out more.
Now go to your layers palette and duplicate your image and set it to hard light at about 23%
Voila! Your HDR image

To Flash or not To Flash….

Photographs are straight from camera

After spending many days in bed (I was going out of my mind) with a very nasty virus I am ready to get back to it …slowly. I miss drawing, writing and taking pictures, I really do.
I could not get up and walk around the first few days I could not sit up because of the dizziness, the world was moving in slow motion for me. Something to do with my inner ear and of course a virus to help it along. Not a great feeling at all...on the bright side and there always is a bright side…I did get to see everything in a fresh light and ideas began to form in my head. I wonder if they would mind if I came to emergency with a camera…note to self...bring camera next time to emergency…I didn’t see any signs stating otherwise.

During this horrible sickly time I was also awaiting the arrival of my Alien Bee Ring Flash. I finally got it yesterday and did I put it to work? Yes I did! My daughters and one of their friends were my models. I did struggle with the weight of the flash and camera together. I really wanted to attach the flash to my camera and hold it. But I found out that this would be impossible for me ….much to heavy …camera….ring flash…no go….so I grabbed a light stand and attached the ring flash. I didn’t think the price for just the flash was too high…however, the combination of the battery pack (which you need if you want to shoot outdoors where there are no plug-ins) and ring flash are high. They thought of everything though to get you started; grounded power cord, sync cord, umbrella adaptor, mounting bracket, even a diffuser to protect and for soft lighting and even the screw to attach your camera to the mounting bracket (some free advertisement).

I am also in the process of learning how to use my Canon 50D EOS….loads of incredible features that after using a Nikon D50 feels like I need a GPS to navigate…well, with manual in tow…I went at it. Most often I like to use the try it and see what happens method. I am like a kid, no patience with new toys. Just let me at it. My results…well not exactly what I wanted initially, have to keep at it...but I’m getting close. I found that my aperture was best set at 16-18, at least 10 to 15 feet away. I did not mount my camera on with the ring flash , rather I held it alone and attached the sync cord … I most often shoot Aperture priority( I like to control the depth of field and not worry about the shutter speed so much) but this time I am aiming for manual….something different …note to self, need a longer sync cord…hope I can get a longer cord.


Today, still resting a bit…and a bit of work…I do not want a relapse of the nasty virus. I am going to try something with the ISO that I have never tried before (once I try it I will post my results and what I did). I discovered something before I fell asleep….yes…the truth is out….photography, art, is constantly on my mind. I was not kidding about the hamster in my mind constantly churning… I read something in the Canon manual and in a book that I have been reading, The Hot Shoe Diaries written by Joe McNally. The book (one of six) was part of my prize package that I won for 1st place Wedding/Portraits at Photoshop User Awards 2009 NAPP…my brag moment. Joe McNally goes into great detail of his set up….starting with one flash, two flashes and so on. Seriously, it is a how to book full of diagrams and descriptions. Now, Joe McNally talks Nikon but I do not see how a Canon user cannot follow and apply what he is teaching so brilliantly. In 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' Joe McNally talks about using small flashes and getting big light and quite honestly looking at his images I never would have thought the simplicity of the shots…at first what comes to mind is some type of elaborate set up that I cannot a: afford b: have room for, for instance he gives you a great shot of man in front of some metal scraps…looks great!….I think studio shot, lots of lights, cables… not so…he shows you the set up ..a backyard studio. The backyard studio I have room for! Summer will be interesting (hope the neighbours will not mind). He shares with you the set up and describes in detail how he took the shot. I have not finished reading the book yet but so far it is very interesting… he is very encouraging and humours, which makes it a fun read…there is a lot of tech talk but important tech talk which he shows you how to work through it. He answers the questions that enter your mind. He does not loose your attention. I see his work and it is brilliant. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about flashes and using them creatively. I choose wisely.

Confessions of a Car Nut.....

Today was an awesome day!!! Sorry I just had to say ‘awesome.’ This was one of those days when ‘awesome’ is required!

It had been so long since I picked up the camera and shot something other than my children. I love my kids, but, sorry guys, “Car Nut” junk yard, my subject for this day, was eye candy. Mommy needed to lose herself in something. Spring finally arrived. It had been a long, long winter. The lot I went to houses around 200 vintage cars. All around me there were Chevs, Fords, Plymouths, and 1950s school buses. There was a taxi from the 50’s that still had the drivers cap inside. There was a beautiful black and red Fury that the owner sometimes drives. His younger brother owns the red Viscount that I had photographed a few years earlier. Gorgeous cars! You can really see the love that went into them.

As soon as I pulled up I could feel the excitement build. I could barely contain myself from jumping out right away and getting lost in the junkyard. Relax, Breathe. (I love, LOVE old cars.)

The owner greeted us and showed us around. (My oldest daughter and her friend tagged along with their cameras.) He has a shed behind the house where he had spent many long winter hours constructing a miniature town with a train the goes around town. Beautiful sight!! The detail he put into was incredible. He had a couple of accidents in the town, a police car ready to give a speeding ticket, passengers waiting at the rail station to board, even a drive-in theatre.

On the walls he had vintage memorabilia. Pictures from way-back-when, license plates from the 60’s, articles from old newspapers, and hubcaps from different models of cars. On the bottom of his miniature town lay headlights and taillights from various years and cars. I was overwhelmed with all the visual stimulation. At times I wondered if I had enough memory cards on me, because I knew I wanted to get some shots of the collections in his shed.

It was incredible to see all of this. I felt very honoured to be allowed to photograph and have his wife and him share stories of their lives. He also showed us the tin train he had won in a coloring contest when he was eight years old. It was so much to take in, I knew that I would have to return to the junkyard and go beyond the cars. There’s so much more to see there than cars.

I really enjoyed hearing his stories of when he was a boy growing up in the house that stands in the yard. (He lives there still.) The kids would play hide-and-seek in the hallways, where it was so dark that someone could walk right past you without notice. The smile on his face as he told his stories was beautiful. I truly felt privileged that he shared his wonderful stories with us.

I finally unloaded the camera gear from my car and was reassured to see that I brought my tripod. Note to self: Tripod is good, use the tripod. Great for pans and HDR photography. But the excitement of the day clouded my judgement and I forgot to use it! Well, I don’t know if it was forgetfulness so much as that I was too busy to spare a moment for fear I might miss something. Off I went clicking away. All you could hear were the birds and my camera. At different times I was sitting on the ground, lying on my back, and climbing. I was gone. I think, no I know, I embarrassed my daughter.

You should have seen the smile on my face. In my mind I was jumping up and down. What’s the expression? – “Giddy like a school girl?” There you go. That was me! I swear I saw the expression on my daughter’s face that said, “Mom get a life.” The hamster in me was running that wheel. I was busy planning each shot. Honestly, my neck is now sore from the effort—self-induced whiplash. Where do I look now, I kept asking myself? Sometimes my daughter and her friend egged me on: “Mom look at this. Paola you gotta see this.”

What I really enjoyed about today, aside from the stories, was just looking at the cars and seeing their faces and expressions. I know it may sound silly, but if you look deep enough the cars from yesteryear have so much character and the stories they could tell you. In fact the owner told me “Some of these cars would rat out teenagers.” I really wanted to be able to capture the individual character of each car, to try to get the viewer to wonder where that car had been, what it had heard over the years, and how it ended up at the yard.

I took over 700 shots (and would have taken more if I had more memory.) I took my time. I could not wait to get home and work on them. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I even got a chance to put my lens baby to work. I am really happy with the results and I plan on going out there a couple more times. I would love to get more information on the cars and listen to some more stories.

For a free screensaver of my trip to the Junkyard go to Aperture Aside Photographers Web Hub click here.

Tools of The Trade...

My equipment…. a Canon EOS 50D, white/ gold reflector, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS4….in a few weeks I will be adding an Alien Bee ring flash….I’m so excited…I’ve been writing down ideas and asking around for models…I cannot wait until I can start shooting with the ring flash….

For my other love…writing and drawing… I use Faber-Castell pencils…I really like the feel of the pencils...they have tiny grips and are not to big to hold on to….. I’ve tried several other pencils...I even have some artist pencils but I always turn to Faber-Castell...…I use Mole skin sketch books and Mole skin writing books...why?...the paper is smooth and the pencil just glides on the paper……when ever I make a trip to Ottawa (which doesn’t happen to often) I make a stop at Chapters and buy a bunch of Mole skins (they come in different colors now yippee)...and yes I confess I purchase picture books and reference books ….okay you got me…I also pick up cute items…erasers….paperclips…

Inspirations
My kids…they are so comical and cute…many times they make suggestions on how they would like to be photographed…at the moment my seven year old has an idea that involves chaos …that is all I can say for now…I’m just waiting for better weather to take him out to some old buildings…..

Color…I must have color….I do not like bare or white walls….one of these days I will have to take a picture of the family room that also is my work space and you will be able to see that I thrive in color and creativity…you would be surprise how long it takes to choose a color and stick with it…it must be the right color…for the moment…tutti frutti pink is my favourite….kids love it…my husband questioned it at first but I think he likes it….

Toys...it can’t be just any toy…I really love tin toys….robots….carousels..…the creativity and mechanics that when into them is amazing…I am and always will be a kid at heart….my favourite store is Tiggy Winkles in Ottawa…..the kids are so lucky…everyone gets one toy (reasonably priced)…even me….and yes I share my toys…my little ones love to play with my Munny dolls and Nightmare Before Christmas collection…

Music…. I am picky about my music...it must move me…lately I have been leaning more towards alternative music...and I grew up listening to rock...who knew…some artists I listen to are Lily Allan...Kerli…and The Decemberists…when my kids are asleep I turn on my I touch and get lost in the music and my work…the moment I love is when I am listening to music and it just takes over and drives my creativity…

No matter if I shoot a photo or draw something I always use Photoshop….Photoshop is very forgiving and it’s not messy…layers are a huge help…the possibilities in what you can do to an image are truly endless….add a texture….add several…play around with the blend modes…made a mistake…don’t like it…delete it…..changed your mind and now you like it…Photoshop lets you….Photoshop gives you several chances to change your mind….want to just add texture to a certain area….try the clipping mask….brilliant…with all this playing around eventually you end up with several layers which add up to space in your system…..many of my images for my picture books are huge...at least 1gig…over 100 layers….3 weeks or so worth of work…where do I store it all?….I have two external hard drives and soon I will have to get another…..my fear…a flood in our home or bad storm…there goes all the hard work…knock on wood….

taking a break.....

Still working on the manuscript...I tried not to look at it yesterday so I would have a fresh start today.

I usually have my writing pad...print out of manuscript and a sketch pad with me when and if I have a moment to sit...lastnite I started a doodle....while thinking of my book.....my doodle developed into something more and I kinda of like It ...maybe when I have time I will work on it ....drawing many times inspires me to keep at it and jump starts my brain.....I have a few weeks to finish the manuscript and I would like to leave the last two and half weeks to go through grammer and all the other good stuff....

my drawing from lastnite....still pretty rough...