Learning as I go!

I tried to stay out as long as I could last night. I even brought my own chair! I prepared a little better for the expected cold temperatures by bundling up like like I was about to march to the north pole. I thought it would be enough. 

Nope. It wasn't.

I'm not sure if it was when I couldn't feel my feet or when I discovered I was covered in frost that made me want to pack it in. 

I went back to Peggy's Cove again. I have big plans in the new year to get further out of the city for better star trails. You can really notice the light pollution from Halifax and as you can also see, Peggy's is a little too close to the airport. 

In the photo below, you can see how the clouds affected the quality of the star trails. Check out the bottom right corer. This was the Orion constellation. The really bright star coming up behind the rock is the Sirius star. I painted the rocks in the foreground with a flash light! 

Continuing With Star Trails

Star trail photography seems to have slapped me in the face! It combines everything I love about photography and yet I've only just begun! Planning for this type of shoot is very important. You have to choose your composition carefully because once you start you could be locked in for hours. Nothing should move. This photo below was taken last night. It combines twenty seven different exposures and spans one hour and 45 minutes. I used google sky maps on my cell phone to help me locate the north star during daylight. Locating the north star is important to help give me an idea of what the end star trail will look like. Because the earth is rotating on its axis, the north star will stay in the same place while all the other stars will look like they are rotating around it.  

The only thing I would do differently is dress warmer and bring a chair! Hope you enjoy.

I set out again last night seeking another opportunity to photograph the stars. It called for a clear sky but just as the sun was setting the clouds came rolling in. It's something you kind of get used too when living here in Atlantic Canada. This image was a 30 second exposure and the rocks were illuminated with a flash light. 

Light Painting

With the sun setting at such an early time, (4:40pm), it makes light painting and star trail photography a little easier. I set out last night to try and capture a great image of star trails and combine a little light painting. This photo below is a series of multiple photos "stacked" on top of each other to show the moving stars. I haven't spent a lot of time exploring this type of photography but this is the start of something you can expect from me. The tree was illuminated by a flashlight. 

The moon is in it's first quarter and was quite bright last night so the stars do not appear as bright as they would during a new moon. Regardless, it requires patience but it's so cool to set up your camera, let it do it's thing and spend a few hours star gazing. Reminds me of all those nights as a kid laying on the front lawn!

Duncan's Cove : HDR

I love the coast of Nova Scotia! This was my second time hiking Duncan's Cove which is really just a path that follows the coast. If you're from this area, check it out. It's awesome. Pack a picnic and just watch the waves. Love this place!

Peggy's Cove : HDR

I just entered this photo in HDR One's photo contest. If you like it help me out by voting for me. 

Contest ends Oct 20th. Wish me luck!

Kenzie + Alex: Halifax Wedding

Saturday was an amazing day to get married, especially on the Tall Ship Silva. Kenzie and Alex had such a perfect wedding with great weather, friends, family, short speeches...oh did I say that out loud? The staff on the Silva were amazing, the food was even better.

I was so happy to be a part of their day. Kenzie's family has an amazing history with the Dingle Park area so naturally we headed there for photos before heading to the ship. With three different wedding parties all trying to get to the Dingle, we did a little juggling with our time but in the end it all worked out. 

There was a moment during the photos that I think Kenzie will remember forever when we stopped in front of the house her grandfather was born in and asked the kind person living there if we could take a photo in front of the house. Thank you to that wonderful person who truly made Kenzie's day!!! (Sorry Kenzie, I'm holding that one back!)

Hope you two enjoy these photos. Thanks again Kenzie and Alex, I hope your wedding was everything you wanted it to be!

 

 

Fire In The Sky

I set out yesterday evening to take photos of the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse. I was expecting a great sunset and figured Peggy's Cove would be the perfect place to be. What a let down that plan was! The lighthouse is undergoing a new paint job so it's very ugly right now. The only thing worse then a lighthouse without paint is remembering you read an article about it a few days ago! 

So, I took a few shots of the surrounding area but made my way back to Terence Bay. I wasn't there for very long when the sunset became intense. 

Here's one of the shots. This is an HDR, (High Dynamic Range), image. I've merged three different exposures of the same scene. It's the first one that I've done for my landscape images and I'm having fun learning and playing.

Comments are always welcome. 

Driftwood Beach

I've been editing so many wedding photos over the past week that I found myself missing fresh air. I have had such a busy summer, (not that I'm complaining), and I've realized I may not get back here this year. This is one of my favourite places in Nova Scotia. Along with many other beaches here in NS, Driftwood Beach is amazing and well worth the visit. It's found in Advocate at the entrance to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. One of the best place to view a sunset! 

Okay, back to the wedding photos...

Fogo Island

I had planned on this post being an open letter to the FIAC, to let them know of my intention to apply for their Residency Program. Instead, I wanted to write something to the people of Fogo, who made our trip to Fogo Island an amazing experience.

Although my wife and I were only there for three quick days, we were immediately drawn to how welcoming you were. As we were setting up our "pop-up" tent, which takes us less than two minutes to do, you wanted to help us peg it down. You welcomed us into your backyard fires, into your stages and gave us the ol' "what-a-ya-at?" head-snap as we drove past. Your sense of pride in your land, your culture and your traditional ways are so rare. Your hospitality was beyond what people have come to expect from Newfoundlanders and it's easy to see why you always want to return to this beautiful place you call home. 

It is my intention to come back, sooner rather than later. Those who know me best know how much I love what I do and how amazing an opportunity it would be for me to be there, applying my passion to to such an amazing, breath-taking place. 

Never change. 

Perry  

Leaving Newfoundland

This has been an amazing trip for my wife and I. We have been able to share big moments with some of our favourite people, but more importantly, with each other. 

We worked hard, but Newfoundland forces you to slow down and take notice of what's around you. They are just moments that are passing by, like a hand-shake welcoming you into the family, a kiss to seal the deal, watching whales while setting up a tent or watching a setting sun. 

This is one trip we'll never forget. Thank you to all who asked us to be here. We had an amazing time!

Holly + Patrick : Fogo Island Wedding

Amazing. Epic. Crazy. Unforgettable.

 

Christine + Byron : Newfoundland Wedding

Christine and Byron make up wedding number two for us in Newfoundland this summer. Christine has been one of my best friends since I can remember. Growing up together in Gander, it was such an honour to be a part of her day. I remember saying to her that I would never have imagined being her wedding photographer when we were younger. 

I'll never forget watching the rehearsal and seeing their son Zach take his mom's hand and then his dad's and place the two of them together, with family and friends looking on. 

The decorations were amazing, the hospitality was even better. Thanks to Sue, simply because you're the best. 

We had a wonderful time, and you looked so amazing Christine. You and Byron deserve all the happiness in the world. Linds and I wish you all the best and we can't thank you enough for including us in your day. See you at the Kitchen Party tonight!

Allison + Mark : Newfoundland Wedding

The story; Allison moved from Newfoundland to England. Found a teaching position, took a trip to Ireland, met Mark, an Aussie, fell in love, moved to China. They were married in St. John's this past Friday in front of close family and friends.

Allison is my sister, so this one meant everything. It was an amazing day and I was so happy to be a part of it from start to finish. Thanks to Carolyn Lee of Peep Toe Esthetics, for making the girls look stunning. The makeup was amazing. To Lindsay, my wife, for your patience and hard work. The hair was beautiful! This wedding would not have been the same without the two of you.

Allison and Mark, may you have a long life filled with happiness. Considering all of the things that had to line up, you were obviously meant to be together. I hope you enjoy these photos. There are so many more.