Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: January 6, 2023

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I am not afraid…
I was born to do this.

~ Joan of Arc
French – Saint January 6, 1412 – May 30, 1431

Porte Ponderings:

Just like birds are born to fly, people are born to follow their own paths. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for following hers’, but she wouldn’t deny her faith.

Today is my step-son’s birthday. As he edges closer to 50, it makes me feel older as well. Always full of energy, able to make us smile, almost on command, he is enjoying driving truck and living in West Lorne. Although I think he will never be completely satisfied and will always looking for that one thing better. Always striving for that extra bit. A quality driving him forward.

Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: November 16, 2022

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I don’t want to achieve immortality by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
I want to achieve immortality by not dying.

~ William De Morgan
British – Artist November 16, 1839 – January 15, 1917

Porte Ponderings:

Bookings for Christmas Minis are starting to fill in. Surprisingly December 3rd is the most popular date. I though people would want them earlier. But with modern technology I guess Christmas Cards are becoming a thing of the past.

Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: November 3, 2022

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We don’t make movies for critics,
since they don’t pay to see them anyhow.

~ Charles Bronson
American – Actor November 3, 1920 – August 30, 2003

Porte Ponderings:

Foggy mornings with a very slight breeze. Walks on these mornings have a surreal feel to them. The sounds are attenuated and the fog closes in around you. I was hoping to capture some sun beams this morning, but the fog may not lift until noon. The local school bus routes were cancelled before dawn even appeared.

So who do we take pictures for? Ourselves? Our customers? or our Peers? It depends on the situation. We take pictures for ourselves to learn new techniques and improve. We take pictures for our customers to get paid and justify our business for taxes. We take pictures for our peers so we can get feedback on our work.

Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: November 1, 2021

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The dreadful burden
of having nothing to do.

~ Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux
French – Poet November 1, 1636 – March 13, 1711

Porte Ponderings:

Last night I was saying how I was retired as my family was having supper and getting ready to go out for trick or treating. My grandson spoke up and said “You’re not retired. You take pictures for other people.” Bless his soul. Yes, I keep busy and have the time to follow my passions. He also thinks I’m an artist because I paint.

Yes, I think it would be a dreadful burden to have nothing to do. I also think it would be a dreadful shame not to be able to do the things I love to do.

My youngest son and his family took me to Toronto on the weekend to help with their 2 youngest sons so his wife and he could see a comedy show. They thought I was helping them. LOL I loved spending time at the Science Centre. And staying on the 28th floor of the Delta Inn was something I would never choose, but it was amazing to look out over Lake Ontario. My son’s oldest son couldn’t go with us. When we were discussing it at the supper table I reminded him of all the things he got to do with grandma and his Mom that his brother’s were too young to do. My grandson had to spend the weekend with this biological Mother, but they did things were didn’t do. And he got to go Kayaking with Grandma. Yes, we should rejoice in what others are able to do and not envy their trips.

Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: October14, 2022

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I look at ordinary objects,
and I see things that other people don’t see.
That’s why I’m a photographer.

~ Ruth Bernhard
German – Photographer October 14, 1905 – December 18, 2006

Porte Photos:

Beautiful misteaks.

Kayaking and a blue heron suddenly takes flight directly towards me. Snap. Snap. Darn the shutter speed was too slow. Instead of a heron in flight I have a ghost in the trees. Longer shutter speeds cause the blur, exaggerate the lines of flight and create a unique perspective a different painting with light effect.

I was once asked what I like better in a shot, a blurred bicycle with the background in focus or a bicycle in focus with a blurred background. I couldn’t decide. Each is unique and it depends on which shot you wanted to use. If I wanted the photo for an article on the cyclist I would keep the cyclist in focus. If I wanted one of the event I would use the blurred cyclist.

Yes, I see things differently from others. That is why I too am a photographer and an artist.

Porte Photos’ Daily Quote: October 7, 2022

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As I get older,
I have a different look on life.
I just try to be a little more tolerant and a little bit more centered about what’s going on around me and not so emotional.

~ John Mellencamp
American – Musician Born: October 7, 1951

Porte Musings:

October Kayaking with my sister we came upon a cormorant sitting on a log cleaning itself. There was absolute silence around us. Then she blew a bubble and smacked it. The sound was like a gunshot as it echoed on the channel. The cormorant immediately hung her wings up looking bigger and more fierce. Snap went the camera. As soon as she determined it was safe he flew off. After all she thought she had found the perfect sanctuary during hunting season in the Provincial Park. Stop the hunt. https://euc.yorku.ca/research-spotlight/ontarios-cormorant-hunt-and-what-it-means-for-its-future/

Growing older does permit you to sit back and be more patient. Thank goodness the mood swings have slowed to a stop and time can be savoured.

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving. A time to get together with family and friends. A time to be thankful for everything we have. Lift up a toast: Live long and prosper.