A Photo a Day: Changing One’s Perspective
Heading out in the early morning light, or just before sunset to photograph the people and sights of Ottawa, gave me an unexpected sense of freedom after months of lockdown this spring. With a digital camera in hand, I found myself slowing down, becoming much more present, as I searched for that unique backdrop to frame an individual whether a mural, sculpture, or window. Being new to photography, I was forced to take my time, as I worked out the correct aperture, shutter speed or ISO setting.
Each time I downloaded new images for photo editing, it felt like Christmas (both the joy and disappointment depending upon the results!). Discovering, ‘that one exceptional’ photo drove me to keep searching for new locales which in turn revealed unexpected treasures. In attempting to capture the glow of the sunset in the glass of a greenhouse at the Experimental Farm, I unexpectedly found that sun mirrored in a finger drawn image. One afternoon, crouched at the base of a bridge in the Arboretum trying to capture cyclists in motion, I heard someone exclaim, ‘look at the turtle.’ Curious, I began walking down the stream’s edge to discover not only that turtle, but a heron seemingly intent on being photographed, a wonderful gift for the novice!
Part of the Ottawa School of Art’s (OSA) diploma photography course included using a film camera and developing an image in the darkroom. I felt transported back to a time when the number of pictures on a roll of film, whether 12, 24 or 36, dictated how many pictures you could take in a day. As someone who has 6,000 images currently on her iPhone, it made me really slow down and think about what I was photographing. I questioned the subject matter, composition, time of day, correct manual settings and unique perspectives.
Photography, as with printmaking, allows me to craft extraordinary images out of even ordinary sights. I am hooked! It will be a steep learning curve, but my intent is to gain a stronger mastery of this medium and incorporate the resulting images into my future artworks.
Ten of my best images are included here for you to enjoy and comment on. Do let me know what you think and what photography means to you whether you are a professional or an amateur like myself.
