Tag Archives: #GMGPhotography

Abandoned

The above photos were taken near a storm management pond in Northwest Waterloo. The unnamed area is a small oasis of engineered nature tucked into the suburban landscape that cradles it.

As I walked the trail with my camera the signs of abandonment were evident. The milkweed seeds have long flown, mature enough to leave their summer womb behind. An empty nest that sheltered a new generation once hidden in the dense foliage now barren and exposed. The small white seed globes are all that remain where the flowers of a Canadian Horseweed plant once bloomed, its remaining leaves black and shrivelled from an early frost.

The chlorophyll-laden hues of summer and the fiery shades of early autumn have long since faded, replaced by muted tones and subdued colour as this place waits for the snowy white of winter’s grip. For now, there is still plenty of beauty to be found in that which has been left behind and abandoned.

Images were captured in November 2022, in Northwestern Waterloo, Ontario.

Photo Details (left to right):
1) Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM | 200mm, 1/400 sec. at ƒ/2.8, ISO100
2) Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM | 130mm, 1/60 sec. at ƒ/4.5, ISO100
3) Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM | 200mm, 1/13 sec. at ƒ/11, ISO100
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Credits and Additional Information

Inland Sea

Leave a reply

Abigail’s students gathered along the escarpment edge.

“I can see my home,” one student said pointing.

“Everything below, including your home, was once at the bottom of a great inland sea,” Abigail replied. “This outcropping was one point along a thalassic shoreline, nine times longer than today’s remnant lakes combined.

Credits and Additional Information

Milkweed Blizzard

This late blooming Milkweed, well maybe bloomer isn’t the right terminology as we are talking seeds and not flowers, is just releasing its payload now in November. In early fall the pods of this Monarch butterfly favorite split open to reveal silky tufted seeds. Most have already blown away on the autumn wind but as I walked along the edge of the Grand River I happened upon this stubborn plant just getting to it. I took the opportunity to capture some images of the mini blizzard spilling from the dried pods. When I was done Nate helped the seeds on their journey by grabbing them in handfuls and throwing them up over his head and into the breeze.

Images were captured in November 2022, Claude Dubrick Trail along the Grand River, Waterloo, Ontario.

Photo Details (Clockwise from top left):
1) Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM | 200mm, 1/400 sec. at ƒ/3.2, ISO100
2) Canon EOS 60D, EF-S18-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS | 135mm, 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6, ISO200
3) Canon EOS 60D, EF-S18-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS | 135mm, 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6, ISO200
4) Canon EOS 60D, EF-S18-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS | 135mm, 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6, ISO200
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Credits and Additional Information

Backlit Maple

Image was captured in October 2022, Snyder’s Flats Conservation Area, Woolwich, Ontario.
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6.8 IS.
Settings: 106mm | 1/160 sec. at ƒ/5.6 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Queens of the Diamond: Pride and Joy

“Pride and Joy” marks the final week of the “Queens of the Diamond” summer photo series. The four images above depict my daughter both in the field and at the plate. She is a phenomenal young woman and as her Dad, I couldn’t be prouder.

Sports photography is not my forte but when the softball season began I set out in an effort to expand my photographic range and to capture a few magical moments for my daughter’s fastpitch team. These four final image mark the end of this creative journey for me and although I know I am only starting to push the boundaries I am pleased with my growth and the results of my efforts. I hope you have enjoyed this summer series and hope you will check back often to see what new adventures I may chronicle at Greg’s Blog. Please take a moment to let me know what you thought of the series, I look forward to any feedback you may have to offer. Thank for following along.

Image Details (Clockwise from top left):

Image 1
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 102mm | 1/1250 sec. at ƒ/2.8 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Image 2
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 200mm | 1/8000 sec. at ƒ/2.8 | ISO1600.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Image 3
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 200mm | 1/1600 sec. at ƒ/3.2 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Image 4
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 200mm | 1/1600 sec. at ƒ/3.2 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Images 1, 3, 4 captured in June 2022 at the Dundalk Baseball Diamond, Dundalk, Southgate, Ontario.
Image 2 captured in May 2022 at the Steve Brown Sports Complex, Brantford, Ontario.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Previous:
<< Batterymates

Queens of the Diamond
Pride and Joy

Start Again:
Pre-game Ritual >>

Queens of the Diamond: Batterymates

This week features two images, the pitcher and catcher also known as “Batterymates“. They represent the twelfth and thirteenth images in the “Queens of the Diamond” summer photo series. In fastpitch or any similar game such as baseball the term ‘battery’ refers to the pitcher/catcher tandem. This weeks images depict both halves of the battery, one showing the pitch moments after it has left the pitcher’s hand, the other shows the catcher receiving the pitch and framing it for the umpire as they await the call.

There was going to be a third image showing the batterymates celebrating an inning-ending strikeout as they ran off the field however as is often the case the images did not turn out.

Sports photography is not my forte but I have set out to capture some special moments for my daughter’s fastpitch team. I will post some of the best images here on Greg’s Blog throughout the summer. I hope you decide to follow along as I chronicle the girls’ journey while expanding my photographic range. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Please leave feedback in the comment section below.

Pitcher
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6.8 IS.
Settings: 55mm | 1/500 sec. at ƒ/5.6 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Catcher
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 200mm | 1/1250 sec. at ƒ/2.8 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Images captured in June 2022 at the Dundalk Baseball Diamond, Dundalk, Southgate, Ontario.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Previous:
<< RIP-IT

Queens of the Diamond
Batterymates

Next:
Pride and Joy >>

Queens of the Diamond: Rip-It!

“RIP-IT!” is the eleventh image in the “Queens of the Diamond” summer photo series. Just as it says on her helmet the batter looks out at the pitcher from the home plate, fully loaded and ready to RIP-IT, the pitch, back through the box.

As I have stated throughout the series, I am attempting to expand my photographic chops beyond my usual subject matter. This is an example of that growth. Although I am satisfied with the overall quality of the image I believe the composition would benefit greatly if the batter’s hands and the entire length of the bat had been captured in the initial picture. I should have used a shorter focal length (or step back from the subject) to include the missing elements and more of the background. You can always crop out extraneous bits in post-production but details that are not captured can never be recovered.

Sports photography is not my forte but I have set out to capture some special moments for my daughter’s fastpitch team. I will post some of the best images here on Greg’s Blog throughout the summer. I hope you decide to follow along as I chronicle the girls’ journey while expanding my photographic range. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Please leave feedback in the comment section below.

Image captured in June 2022 at the Dundalk Baseball Diamond, Dundalk, Southgate, Ontario.
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: 200mm | 1/640 sec. at ƒ/2.8 | ISO100.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Previous:
<< Pre-game Sprint

Queens of the Diamond
RIP-IT

Next:
Batterymates >>

Hibiscus Syriacus (Rose of Sharon)

With the unofficial middle of the Canadian summer just days away the blooms from three Rose of Sharon bushes that line the right boundary of my backyard are bursting to life with stunning colour and beauty. It is early days for the flowering plants that will continue to bloom and dazzle into the fall.

It is fascinating to watch as hundreds of tightly wound buds push their way through the green pods that have guarded and nurtured their beautiful secret since beginning to form in early spring. Now they fill the yard with the flowers of purple, pink, and creamy white pictured above.

Even the spent pods are beautiful in their own way. See the surviving remnants of last year’s pods at Greg’s Blog post, New and Old from spring of this year.

Images were captured in July 2022 in my backyard in Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Setting (Clockwise from top left): 1) 190mm, 1/8000 sec. at ƒ/2.8, ISO100 | 2) 200mm, 1/1250 sec. at ƒ/2.8, ISO100 | 3) 190mm, 1/8000 sec. at ƒ/2.8, ISO100 | 4) 182mm, 1/350 sec. at ƒ/8, ISO100 | 5) 110mm, 1/60 sec. at ƒ/8, ISO100
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Queens of the Diamond: Pre-game Sprint

“Pre-game Sprint!” is the tenth image in the “Queens of the Diamond” summer photo series. The image was captured during warmups. It is customary for teams to run as part of their pre-game routine. Sometimes it’s a jog from foul pole to foul pole along the warning track/outfield fence. Other times, as in this picture, the girls sprint from the dugout to the foul pole and back. This image was captured on the return trip and the young woman pictured played to the camera that she knew was fixed on her.

With the assistance of digital editing software, I was able to take a rather pedestrian image and turn it into something special. First, I cropped the image to center focus on a single subject. I then applied a duo-tone effect to create something dramatic with a modern edge missing from the original.

Sports photography is not my forte but I have set out to capture some special moments for my daughter’s fastpitch team. I will post some of the best images here on Greg’s Blog throughout the summer. I hope you decide to follow along as I chronicle the girls’ journey while expanding my photographic range. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Please leave feedback in the comment section below.

Image captured in June 2022 at the Dundalk Baseball Diamond, Dundalk, Southgate, Ontario.
Equipment: Canon EOS 60D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
Settings: ISO125, 190mm, f2.8, 1/1250 sec.
Additional processing via Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop.

Copyright 2022 Greg Glazebrook @ GMG Photography, All Rights Reserved.

Previous:
<< “I Got It!”

Queens of the Diamond
Pre-game Sprint

Next:
RIP-IT >>

As Local As It Gets

1 Reply

As Local As It Gets

With summer has come a lot more time outside and less spent on the computer blogging or organizing and editing my photo archive. I am certain as the seasons turn I will return to the screen again to find a treasure trove of great content posted by all of those I follow. Until then I will be in the garden, at the diamonds, fields, and swimming pools watching the kids, or riding my bike around town and along the riverside trails. I will drop the occasional post when the mood strikes (like today) and both my photo series Backyard Beautiful and Queens of the Diamond will continue to update.

When you live in the Great White North summer is fleeting and the growing season too short to maintain a year-round garden. Most of the fresh food we consume comes from far-off places like California, Mexico, and South America. Of course, the war in Russia and government pandemic spending practices have sent fuel prices sky high and driven inflation upwards at a pace not seen in decades. The cost of food has not been immune to these upward pressures and is becoming unaffordable for many around the world.

Continue reading →