Meet Braxton – the biggest puppy on the block

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Meet Braxton. He’s a Great Dane pup. Even though he’s only six weeks old he’s already taller than Lucy who’s the other puppy that lives in the same household and is six months.

My friend Robin just got Braxton a few weeks ago and I just had to get some photos of him before he got too big and lost his puppy look. I am a sucker for dogs and I had never seen a Great Dane pup before. Braxton stole my heart. He is such a gentleman. Literally.

Even though he is running in the picture above it was not because he was being an overly excited pup (as most puppies are). It was because he wanted to go back into his bed and chew his bone. Taking photos of him was surprisingly easy (at least when he had a bone in his mouth and was lying down happily chewing away).

I loved his demeanour. Although he was one very relaxed dude I could already see his he has personality. That was also evident when he decided to pull the alpha male part by walking on my back as I was lying down on my stomach to get his picture. I will not be letting him do that to me when he reaches his supposedly 160+ lbs. Than again, this might be just what I need for my never ending achy back.

One of my goals was to try and have his personality shine through. I am pretty sure I achieved this.

Thanks to Robin for allowing me this great opportunity to take pictures of her pup. And, for letting me move her furniture around to accomodate my photographic demands. I hope to get another chance in a few months to get some more pics of him and I am sure this time I will have to bring my wide angle lens just to be able to fit him into the entire picture.

Off-road Women Riders are Sassy

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I could bore you with the details of my recent photoshoot but I will let pictures speak for themselves this time around.

I will simply say that this past weekend I had an absolute hoot photographing my team mates and friends Melanie and Jaime. Our photos will be used to help promote our team for this years Paris to Dacre (P2D) Dual Sport Challenge by Rally Connex. To date we still do not have a team name but what we do have is spirit.

A while ago I found an abandoned warehouse and knew this would be the perfect place for the shoot. I wanted the graffii to be a focal point yet it had to be a part of us as well. Lively, fun, loud and colourful – a perfect fit to showcase our team. Melanie is feisty and sassy while Jaime is reserved but spunky.

I decided to use one flash set up on a softbox. I wanted an ‘edgy’ look. The single light casted a long, dramatic shadow which worked well as I felt it made us look stronger. The shadow also mimicked that of the written words. Too cool! Theme found and kept throughout the entire shoot.

Both Jaime and Melanie were keen on the location even when I told them we may need to hop a fence. Lucky for us, we found a hole and we walked right in motocross boots and all. It was cold, dark, damp, smelly and was littered with garbage. But what a fun place to shoot. I can not really say where it was because I am pretty sure we were trespassing. Thanks to Jaime and Melanie for being cool with this.

Our ride in P2D will hopefully be historical as we will most likely be the first all women team. Our goal is to finish and to finish strong. I believe our biggest asset is our friendship. Between the three of us we have tons of riding experience. P2D though is all about team effort and I know our friendship will go a long way to helping us achieve our goal.

Cecile – both a sinus infection and an eye infection made for a very red nose that day!

 

 

Transforming Gary and his Hercules into a Digital Painting

Posted on by cecile

This is my friend Gary. He’s the coolest guy I know – he rides all sorts of bikes from pushies to motorised. He also plays in a rock band, runs, skiis, snowboards and travels just to name a few. So I thought a digital painting of him and his very cool Hercules would be a good way of showing him off.

I took this picture of him last fall while he was showing Melanie and myself his backyard trails just outside Barrie, Ontario. I decided on this picture for some digital painting as I liked the colours, the leaves and the ‘low rider’ action. For a larger view of the painting…simply click on it.

Digital Painting is just what it sounds like. I move pixels around on the computer instead of using actual paints, brushes and various cleaners. I love how I can make a ‘virtual mess’ of a painting than hit the ‘back’ button or delete the painting entirely and start all over. Plus, there’s no mess – no sticky fingers, no turpentine, no oils, and no spills. However, my eyes eventually become strained from starting at the monitor for too long.

The process of taking a picture and transforming it into a painting is not that difficult. The trick is to start off with a good picture. And that itself can be challenging. What makes a good photograph does not necessarily translate into a good painting. I have also found that certain colours and backgrounds lend themselves better to being ‘digitised’. Once I have found a suitable photograph I play around with it in either Lightroom or Photoshop using levels, saturation, brightness, dodging and burning. Those are usually my main edits. Than I open up the picture in Corel Painter, choose my brushes, senstivity and a host of other things before I begin ‘painting’.

The next part is the hardest for me. I really should leave the painting alone for a few days…not to dry but to see whether or not I am pleased with the results. However, I am such an impatient person that sometimes I skip this last step. My impatience has sometimes gotten me in trouble. This is also another reason why I do not play golf. In fact I have only played twice in my life (not counting driving ranges and mini-golf). The last time I played I ran in between holes as I was getting ‘ancy’ and just had to ‘de-energise’ a bit. Ok…I am so off topic right now.

I hope you like the painting. Please feel free to send me your thoughts!

Cecile

 

WEC Parry Sound

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I am procrastinating. I was reviewing potential Georgian Bay photos in Lightroom for two upcoming art shows I have when I got side tracked by the WEC Parry Sound race pictures that took place a few years ago. David and I had primo spots along the shoreline. It helped that we were volunteers and were miracurously placed there to help the poor souls that fell in the drink. Luckily there weren’t too many and I was able to take a few pictures.

At the time I had my Nikon D70 with a wide angle lens. Knee deep in the water, unable to see the rocky bottom due to wavy conditions that day I was already taking a chance myself not falling into Georgian Bay. I have to chuckle at how long it has taken me to upgrade to a pro level camera that is more water resistant than the D70/80/90 all of which I have owned and all of which have been put through some pretty risky situations. That is, two were ok with water and the other certainly was not.

I marveled at the skill and expertise the riders had working their bike along the slippery and rocky shoreline. It was hard enough walking along it. The number one rider at the time, David Knight, mayed it look easy and schooled everybody in that section. It was also mind boggling at how small his bike looked underneath him and how much clearance between his crotch and the seat he had to work with. Made me jealous. Than again…there’s the saying ‘the taller you are the harder you fall’. Except David Knight does not fall (very much).

Our Canadian boys did us proud that day and I believe the Canadian hero was  Cory Gruffunder (sp?). David and I worked both days over the weekend proudly volunteering our services. We even got a cool Nexco jacket out of it. It was fun, met a lot of people. I wished I could have tried riding the shoreline (the endless rocks and slippery sections reminded me of a few of my downhill races I had in Quebec – most notably ‘The Flintstones’ in Bromont). I am pretty sure I could have mayed it half way before I would have fallen in.

Thanks to Parry Sound for having hosted the event. It was so well organised and the people of Parry Sound were amazingly cooperative lending their services with grace and enthusiasm. While a few of us take our Canadian Shield and fresh water for granted many realise it’s beauty and importance (we truly live in a beautiful country). I can only imagine how the Europeans felt upon seeing our rugged beauty. I believe a few went for a boat tour on the Seguin. I think they left with smiles on their faces.

My only beef that weekend was the lack of money spent in Parry Sound by our very own spectators. Perhaps it is a bit harsh and unfair of me to suggest this but if a town/city is willing to host an event they are outdoubtly also hoping that records crowds will filter through and provide business for their commerces i.e. restaurants, hotels, bars etc. Our job as spectators is to spend a bit and help out the town’s economy. Not much needs to be spent…just as long as everybody can chip in.

Well, I really should get back to painting a few pictures. My first show in this spring and I only have 2 out of the 6 ready.

Prepping for 2012

Posted on by cecile

Hello…I hope everyone had a happy and restful holiday.

Although slow for me in terms of taking pictures I am busy creating digital paintings for my spring exhibition (Toronto Public Library) and for my artshow at the annual Ojibway Art Show this summer. I also have tons of ideas for my event and action side of my photography…which hopefully I’ll be able to make heads and tails out of and turn my ideas into reality. Right now my head is just crammed full of ideas (can’t divulge them just yet). I am starting to see a nicely paved path that I need to take which hopefully will lead to bigger and better endeavours.

Finally I am also enjoying family time with my 3 boys – through skiing, gymnastics and good ‘ol family time at home!

Les deux maringouins

Posted on by cecile

I was originally supposed to be in Barrie, Ontario this morning but I had to cancel my trip last night. The idea was to visit my friend Gary so that I could take some pictures of myself and his bike for an upcoming ‘Traction’ article I am writing. Somehow, I ended up on Toronto’s best beach, with my two children, my mother and my camera.

It was a cool, sunny and blustery day. The waves were rolling in and the sand was wet under our feet. Quite a different feel compared to last week’s photo session with Dan’s kids. I called my mother in the early afternoon and asked her if she would be willing to help me keep an eye on the kids while I had my eye behind the camera. Conditions were perfect and I had to take advantage of it. I have been waiting a long time to take pictures of ‘mes deux maringouins’ (mosquito in Quebec as I affectionately call them) and was excited to finally have the opportunity.

When Luc first stepped onto the sand his head and eyes immediately went down. It was almost as if he was in a trance. Sand everywhere. He has seen sand but not this much and it was mesmerising. I focused my attention on him as I found it harder to take pictures of him. His brother Sebastien lends himself easier to the camera. Luc, on the other hand, is more evasive and quickly turns away or charges full steam ahead onto my lens. Today however, his head was down and he was not listening to any cues my mother or myself gave him. Luckily, the waves caught his attention. They also caught his shoes and by the time we left his feet and the bottom of his jeans were soaked. It was just plain fun to see him stomp on the water as it rolled in to greet his tiny feet.

On the flip side Sebastien was busy creating sand castles and sand art. It was fun watching them play and I consider myself so lucky having been able to record them with my camera. Too quickly though the sun lost power and my golden light was beginning to fade. I would soon need a flash to brighten up their faces. I decided to pack it in..already satisfied at the natural light pictures I was able to get.

Thanks to my mom for helping out and for my two beautiful children for being kids. I am super happy at the pictures I was able to get. When I look at the photos from today I see my children in all their splendour – happy, surprised or lost in deep thought…the pictures reflect their personalities. I will definitely be hanging up a few.

 

The 4M Family

Posted on by cecile

Meet the M Family: Graydon 4, Twins Robbie and Callum 2, and Harrison 6 months. Last weekend I had the opportunity to, finally, take their pictures and what a hoot it was.

I met up with my friend Aija on the shores of Woodbine Beach Park. While waiting for her I took the opportunity to cruise around on my longboard. I figured I should get a bit of ride time in before I have to put the board away for winter. They don’t tend to ride too well on snow packed trails.

I chose this location as I had previously taken some pictures here and I knew it wouldn’t be crowded early on a Saturday morning. I wanted a monotone and quiet background where I could let the children play and be themselves. Once the beach scene was exhausted I also knew that I could fall back on a really cool playground scene.

I had asked Aija if she could dress her children appropriately for the weather but somehow making sure they were wearing similiar colours. She did not disappoint and I loved how the four of them were sporting the same colour of red, browns and beige. Perfect against the sand. I was not trying to re-create a summer photoshoot and found that entire scene lent itself really well for a late fall session.

My main challenge was trying to get a group picture of the children. Although the littlest one couldn’t yet move on his own the other three were perpetual movers. Especially, Robbie (or was it Callum – the other twin) who would consistently smile at me than quickly turn and run. I caught on fast though and anticipated. I managed to get quite a few pictures of him much to his unknowing.

I am really happy with the pictures I produced. Aija felt that I captured each child very well and was happy that I was able to show their individual sides. Really though, I must thank the children for that part. They played, and were naturals in front of the camera. Especially Graydon and Robbie. It is amazing to see how different the twins are from each other. But what amazed me the most is how much respect and love there was. Graydon, being the eldest, really showed support and respect for his younger brothers and I believed that just gets passed on down. I need to have my two hang around more with this family so they can pick up on their good habits.

I must admit though, Aija puts me to shame. I do not know where she finds the time or energy to get everyone ready for a walk in the park. The kicker is that she manages to do this by herself and take out the family’s two big dogs at the same time. She is one seriously organised mother!

If you have ever been around young children you know and understand that it can be downright challenging. Sometimes enough to make you pull out your hair and scream helter skelter. I really do not know how both Aija and Dan do it. Especially Aija (sorry Dan – you are good but Aija kicks your butt here and I have the upmost admiration for her). Nursing, constant diaper changes, running around, mediating, prepping food, food shopping, taking out the dogs, laundry (and there must be a ton as I know my two give me a ton), playing, being a doctor, sleepless nights, reading, teaching, arts & crafts, cleaning house, banking. The list goes on. One wonders…how do you do it? Kudos to the both of you. I know your parents both help out. Kudos to them too. You have a beautiful family.

Thanks for the opportunity Dan and Aija. It was a blast!

 

Extra, extra…read all about it!

Posted on by cecile

November’s issue of eRag Traction is out and looking good!!! Find your copy here, read it, enjoy the pictures and subscribe. It’s even FREE. What more can you ask for?? Off-road Ontario doesn’t get any better than this!

Thanks to Dallas (editor) for selecting some of my pictures from the 2011 Corduroy Enduro. I am glad to be a part and make off-roading look good in Ontario!!

To subscribe click here. It’s easy and it’s quick and did I mention it’s FREE and fully loaded with amazing off-road motorcycle content?

4 of my pictures featured in ‘Inside MotoX & Offroad Magazine’

Posted on by cecile

The November/December issue of Canada’s ‘Inside MotoX & Offroad Magazine’ is a special one for me as four of my pictures from this years ‘Corduroy Enduro’ have been printed. Including a double truck!

To say the least I am super stoked. This was my first time out in the field using my new camera – the almighty Nikon D3S. Actually, it was my first time period as I had just bought it that Thursday and was shooting The Cord on Sunday. I didn’t even have lots of play time with it as I was busy with family obligations prior to the event. Luckily, I have been shooting Nikon for the past 8 years so I am familiar with their terminology and menus. Compared to my D90 the buttons on the D3S were in different locations but I adapted quickly (I really didn’t have a choice if I wanted to pull off some keepers).

On an off-shoot – it felt different being a spectator at The Cord. I have competed in the women’s category twice in previous years and I know it is a very difficult and demanding two days for both the bike and for the rider. This time around, I could enjoy the beauty of The Cord. Jealous in areas that I would have loved to ride and understanding of the riders frustration when fatigue set in.

Thank you to Jeff Morgan at Inside MotoX & Offroad for publishing my images.