SOTC 86/365

"When the snow reflects pink, you know it's going to be a good show."

Despite having west-facing windows, I can't actually see what the sky is doing in the evening unless I'm standing right in front of the glass. The windows are at just the right (wrong?) height that if I am standing back from them by any distance, all I see are the houses across the street and their front lawns.

I once almost missed a full technicolor sunset sky with double rainbow simply because I was sitting on the wrong couch.

Suffice it to say that if I glance out any window in my house and I notice that the ground is reflecting a pinkish hue, I've learned to stop whatever I'm doing, and get right up to the living room window to watch the sky as the sun goes down. Occasionally I am compelled to photograph the colors. With the recent warm temperatures, and still testing just what exactly my new camera is capable of, this was one of those evenings where simply standing at the window was not enough. I'm not even sure I zipped up my jacket as I burst through the front door. Down the stairs, across the street. Lean against the tree, and tip my head back towards the sky. Am I reflecting pink, too?

The Penthouse (SOTC 85/365)

The Penthouse (SOTC 85/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

Ruffles (SOTC 84/365)

*

* The natural window light rendered this image far more on the pink/purple end of the spectrum, when in reality this ruffle scarf is more of an earthy burnt red and burgundy. It's interesting how the light plays with things.

SOT(New!)C 83/365

Nothing like buying a new camera in the winter to feel like you haven't bought a new camera.

As I have often mentioned, my rate of photography drops significantly in the winter months. As one who is drawn to subjects rich in colour and vibrance and sunshine, you can understand why. Last year, I intentionally purchased an annual pass to the Muttart Conservatory, in part to remedy that. I am also trying to remember that winter is a perfect time to practice still life and night photography. Still, most evenings I would just rather curl up under a blanket with a good book.

It just so happened that I found myself at the Muttart after work today. I meant to stay for about an hour, with the intention of working with my tripod in the waning winter light. About half an hour into it, though, I heard a 'snap' as I was repositioning the tripod, and suddenly one of its legs was in my hand. I had suspected something was amiss recently--the legs had seemed increasingly wobbly, and whenever I folded it up, there was an odd clicking sound. At roughly 40 years old, mind you, this tripod has lived a good long life (I just wish it wasn't going to be so expensive to replace!).

Being pod-less meant I now had only two lenses that would work well hand-held in the lower light. So I took a couple more shots for the sake of practice, and called it an early afternoon.

But, as I have read several times on fridge magnets and Facebook, "the time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time," and I still came away with some good images,* including my first one Straight Off The New Camera.**

* Admittedly, the imperfection on the petal drives me a bit nuts, but I was determined to have this shot be SOTC. I'm pulling the 'Wabi-Sabi card.' ;)

** Interesting fact: it may be the first SOTC image, but it is the 332nd photo I have taken with my new camera. Despite winter, clearly, I have been working the new technology.