Refractive Reasoning
A blog about photography and life behind the camera.
Saturday, 26 April 2025
The Blog
Saturday, 5 April 2025
Spring
I saw a heron this morning. Although I know that robins are the traditional birds of Spring, for me, it's the heron. I think that it has something to do with the heron being a bit of a totem creature for me. It is a bird from which I learned a lesson many years ago. Perhaps I will tell the full story in a future post. Ultimately the lesson is patience. Wait until the time is right and then strike like lightening!
As a sign of Spring, the heron needs open water to catch fish. It signifies an end to temperatures cold enough to freeze over a river or pond.
I went out for a walk this morning. The river is running dangerously high from several consecutive days of rain, snow and snow melt. The weather today is cold grey and rainy.
South of the border, a narcissistic lunatic is threatening the sovereignty of my homeland as well as the economic well being of the entire world. But, later, I was walking on a street downtown.
A couple was walking in front of me. The lady opened an umbrella and moved a little closer to her partner to hold it over both of their heads. It was a simple act perhaps. But one that proves that love, caring and kindness still exists in a cold, grey, rainy world.
And I saw a heron this morning.
more later
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
What I Want From A Photograph
What I'm doing when I look at a photograph is basically a feat of reverse engineering. I want to look at the picture and be able to look into the lens, through the camera out the eyepiece or screen and into the eye and mind of the photographer when he or she took it.
It was American photographer Dorothea Lange who said, "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." That quote implies a certain emotional investment in the creation of the image. For a photograph to be successful, it is not enough to simply create an image of the subject or scene in front of the camera. Essentially, what I am trying to do when I make a photograph, is not simply make an image of the subject but portray my reaction to it or experience of it.
Doing that involves a bit of self examination. How do I feel about the subject? What about the subject appeals to me? After answering these questions either literally or instinctively, the next question is, "What visual elements, line, shape, colour, form etc. can I use to emphasize the aspect of the image or scene that appeals to me?" This is where shooting with intent comes into play.
An architectural shot of a building is a collection of shapes and lines. A photograph of an Autumn scene is a pallette of warm toned colours. A portrait can consist of the abstract shapes of facial features or simply a warm inviting smile.
For the viewer to like a photograph, it has to appeal at a visceral level. Achieving that requires an emotional investment on the part of the photographer and a level of skill in bringing it out. Anything less is not a photograph, but just another picture.
...more later
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Coffeeshop Philosophy
There's a fine line every that photographer walks. It's the subtle line of simultaneously being in the moment enough to appreciate it, while having enough presence of mind to capture it and do it well.
This duality of mind can be a bit of a burden in that sometimes the urge to capture a moment overwhelms the joy of simply experiencing the moment. The urge to be a photographer capturing life can overpower the urge to be a human just experiencing it.
One very real aspect of being a photographer is recognizing the need to step away from the camera long enough to experience the moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfjkiTB1fHQ
However, one of the greatest joys of being a photographer is having the camera as an excuse to experience any given moment in the first place!
Case in point; The Mulberry Coffehouse https://www.mulberrycoffeehouse.com/ (one of my favourite coffee shops in Hamilton) has a counter at the front windows that face on to James St. N. It's a great place to relax, sip a great coffee and just watch passersby on the street. While passing by the window, I was struck by the line of faces as I walked by on the street. I wanted a photo of it!
However I didn't want to intrude on the patrons sitting there who were just there to have a cup of coffee. I did what to some street photographers is the unthinkable. I went inside and talked to my subjects. I walked down the line of people at the counter and explained who I was and exactly what I wanted to do. Maybe the Fujifilm X-T1 camera (Thanks Tom) slung around my neck leant me a little street cred, but, to my surprise, everyone I talked to was agreeable to the photo. "What do you want us to do?" Answer, "Nothing. Enjoy your coffee. Chat with each other. Whatever you were doing before I got here."
I initially tried to shoot the photo using the panoramic setting on the X-T1 but that didn't work out very well. Eventually I did a quick lens change (from 35mm f2 to 16mm f2.8 wide angle) to get all of the front windows into the frame.
Here's the result.
Not exactly the shot I had in mind. (I might try shooting it again.) But It's a pretty cool shot nonetheless.
For the record, this isn't the first time I've made a photo at the Mulberry Coffeehouse. I don't know. Street photography and coffeeshops just seem to go together!
I guess that what I'm saying is that being a photographer has allowed me to live my life with an intensity I would have otherwise not thought possible. Let's face it, the camera is the ultimate tool to capture the moment. But, sometimes it's best to put the camera down and just live in the moment.
...more later
Thursday, 23 January 2025
New Year by: Gord Barker
Monday, 30 December 2024
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.
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
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
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"
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.
Saturday, 30 November 2024
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!