Year's End 2024 by; Gord and Greg Barker

     Christmas is over for another year. Time to take a look back at the year that was. This year my son, Greg will be contributing to this retrospective of 2024. Since purchasing his Canon RP camera in 2023, Greg has become a talented photographer in his own right as well as being a post processing wizard. I foresee more collaboration on projects in the year ahead. 

       Where to begin? The problem with doing a year end wrap up is in the editing. When one finds happiness in the celebration of beautiful light and the world illuminated by that light, it can be hard to select the best images from a whole year of shooting.

    For me, 2024 began with a walk on New Year's Day at the Hamilton harbourfront where I managed to photograph a swan. It seemed a beautiful and serene way to start the year. Winter, of course transitioned to spring with me alternating my photographic activity between small town Paris, On. and the steel city of Hamilton, On. 

                                                                                        

                                                                                          

    And, of course, spring gave way to summer.

    One of the most memorable evenings I enjoyed during the summer was a dinner of fish and chips at Hutch's On The Beach in Hamilton followed by a walk along Van Wagners Beach at sunset. You can see a few more shots from that evening here.https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/09/labour-day-2024.html

    I didn't take a really long vacation this tear but did manage to get away for a few lovely days to Pelee Island. I wrote about it in my September blog post. https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/09/september.html                                        

    The Fall colour season was beautiful this year and included a say trip to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area as well as my usual Autumn At The Dam Series. You can see a few more photos here. https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-majesty-of-autumn-by-gord-barker.html

    So that brings us to the holiday season and this, the last blog post of the year.

                                         

    That being said, I think some thanks and acknowledgements are in order for the people who help me pursue the craft that I love. First and foremost, thank you to all the people who show appreciation for, and purchase my pictures. You're appreciation and support go a long way in validating me as a photographer and image maker. Thanks to my significant other who provides the encouragement, does most of the planning for trips and adventures and is amazingly patient as she waits for me to do "Just one more shot...." I love you. Thanks to my son, Greg, for editing (and helping me to edit) my work both as a copy editor and post processing wizard. Together, we're putting out some pretty cool stuff and having a lot of fun doing it! Thanks to the gallery owners and curators for allowing me to show (and sell) my pictures in your establishments. We couldn't get the work out there without you. Thanks to the members of the Paris Photo Collective for all the helpful tips, laughter and friendship that we share on this crazy creative journey. We may be the craziest little photo group on the planet, but damn, we crank out some great pictures! Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. You are the reason I keep cranking it out.

...more later

Turns out later is now. Hi, it's his son. I wanted to follow in a similar vein as my father and showcase some of my favourite photos of 2024. This year has been big for me in photography. Taking things in a more serious manner. Going out of my way to plan. Pushing for shots I otherwise would not have gotten in my daily routine. Some from prep, others from a marriage of luck and a keen eye. Enough of intros, lets rapid fire this shit. 

I feel it's only right to start with this shot

Photographing this was surreal. I knew far before that I wouldn't get the best shot of it. I didn't care. I wanted to try. The solar eclipse was a photo that made me care more for the experience than the result. Armed with a 24-105 and my RP, I'm happy I captured a once in a lifetime experience. Regardless of who did it better.

Next up, a photo I have aptly named "First Light"

Who doesn't love a good sunrise? It's become a small tradition to engage with the dark winter morning. Seeking a sunrise shot I'm happy with. Similar concept to my father's autumn at the dam mission. Although, mine has less pretty fall colour and more freezing my ass off.

The third photo of this list may just be my personal favourite.

Does this not slap harder than an angry stepmother? When photographing the bullride a man's voice said 

"you can't be this close to the fence"

Looking up to realize it was a security guard twice my size. I told him

"Of course. No problem"

That's code for kiss my ass, I am NOT missing out on this opportunity. The Bull Riding was the event to photograph above all else to me. The rest of the ride consisted of me playing hide and seek with a security guard. This shot happened to be one of many results from the ordeal. 

"Window To The Soul"

How's that for an artsy fartsy name? This shot is special not only from the composition but from the location. A childhood place outside of Cambridge. Going back to spend time with the horses being a photographer became a meet in greet made in heaven. 

Last of the set. The Porsche. The reflections from the road, the car itself. I love it. Though, I'm picking this shot to showcase not all photos need an epic back story. This was a result of smoking a stogie and throwing back a yellow jacket with my friend. Hearing something fast approaching from the distance. I grabbed my camera, crouched down in anticipation. Lone and behold, this shot is the result of enjoying time with friends.

That's the end of that. I hope everybody had a great Christmas and has good New Year. 

                                                                From: Gregory Barker

More more Later...Even more later? I don't know. Enjoy the craft people.

The Gleaning by: Gord Barker

    To  "glean" in modern parlance means to gather bits of information from a variety of sources https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr2=p%3ads%2cv%3aomn%2cm%3asa%2cbrws%3achrome%2cpos%3a1&fr=mcafee&type=E211US885G0&p=gleani

    However, in ancient times "gleaning" occurred when wealthy landowners would allow the poor onto their fields to gather whatever crops were left after the main harvest was completed. Essentially, a first example of "trickle down economics".

    For me, from a photographic standpoint, "the gleaning" occurs in November when the vast vistas of Autumn glory are gone and all that is left are small pockets of colour. It is, quite simply, the gathering of that which is left.

    Ostensibly the concept of gleaning can seem a little sad. After the enjoyment of such abundance, I am simply trying to make the best of what is left. However anyone who has gradually worked their way through a box of chocolates will tell you that the last two or three are the most precious.

     Generally, the photos taken at this time are not filled with the richness of beautiful colour that was available just a month ago. They do, however have a narrative quality of their own. Because the photos often consist of bits of colour against a neutral toned or blue sky backdrop, they are a harbinger of the more austere winter days ahead. To that end, they can have a grace and delicate beauty all their own. From a photographic standpoint, they are a bit more of a challenge to make. Composition becomes more important when the frame no longer consists of a solid blast of colour. 

    So, as the time of the gleaning comes to an end, we enter the time of festive lights and (perhaps) vistas of white snow. The visual world, as it should be, is ever changing.

                        ...more later

As always, If you like what you see here, feel free to "like" and share to the media platform of your choice. If you keep reading them, I'll keep cranking them out!

                

    

 

    

The Majesty Of Autumn by: Gord Barker

     As I was out for my walkabout this morning I came to the realization that the fall colour season had peaked.  A lot of the trees have no leaves left and it's only going to get worse as we move into the month of November. I asked myself if, as a photographer, I had done justice to capturing the season. I came to the realization that the majesty of autumn is so immense that it precludes me from from ever sufficiently portraying it in a series of photographs. However my love of  Autumn colour and of the craft of photography will always find me trying to capture the magnificence of the season. It may be a fool's errand, but one that is pursued with joy and passion nonetheless. 

    My Autumn colour season, this year, began not so much with colour on the trees, but with colour in the form of moving lights. In what is becoming a bit of a tradition for us, the members of the Paris Photo Collective have a a night of moving light photography usually as our outdoor meetings are winding down due to the earlier onset of darkness.

       As always, the real Autumn colour season for me begins with a few tinges of colour on the trees by the river. A morning meander up to the dam near my home has become something of a regular occurrence, even more so in the fall. 

     I used to apologize for taking so many pictures of the dam near my home. Not any more. I'm fortunate to live near such a beautiful spot and, as a photographer, I'd be a fool not to take full advantage of it.

    That being said, I did post my traditional "Autumn At The Dam" photos on the Thanksgiving weekend.       

  

    On one of my little hikes to the dam, I was fortunate to get a blast of light against a stormy sky. I love that kind of light! I had to work fast. These "light blasts" have a tendency to not last very long.

     And just to prove that I can do Fall colour photography from locations other than the dam in Paris, here are some photos from a glorious morning spent at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area near Milton.  

 

    So as the Autumn colour season winds down I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for simply being able to experience the majesty of the season. I'm also grateful for the happiness I've experienced in my attempts to capture it as photographer. Most of all, I'm grateful for the family and friends with whom I get to share these images.

                             ...more later

 As always, if you like what you see here, feel free to share it on the media platform of your choice.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                  

        

September

     September. That month of suspended transition. The trees have started to change colour but have not, as yet, reached their glorious peak. Although the days can be pretty much as warm as in the summer months, the nights are cooler, a harbinger of the cooler months to come. The kids are back to school and most people have finished their summer vacations. We don't have quite the activity of summer, but the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is still a ways off.

    I had a very nice September this year. In addition to my usual photo activities in Paris and Hamilton, I managed to get away for a brief vacation to Pelee Island with my significant other.

Pelee Island Sunset

Pelee Island Lighthouse

    

                              

Trellis Pattern Leamington On.

   

Ferry Dock, Leamington, On.

 

The old Pelee Islander, Leamington, On.

 

   

     

   

Sunset at the Ferry Dock, Pelee Island, On

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Closer to home, I got out on a beautiful foggy morning to make some pictures of Paris.  I love how fog tends to mute colours and provide a plain backdrop to isolate a subject.

     Ultimately, for me, the joy of photography is found in the ability to previsualize an image and then have the knowledge and capacity to make it a reality.  Fundamentally, it's about creative choices. Sometimes these choices are made with careful deliberation, other times they are made almost instantaneously. What I said earlier about September being a month of suspended transition lends itself to this photographic philosophy. It's up to the photographer to make the necessary creative decisions in utlizing it.     

    So as September ends, I'm looking forward to October, when the fall colours are at their peak and every moment spent outside seems almost magical.  

                        ...more later

    As always, if you like what you see here, feel free to "like" and share on the media platform of you choice.