Night Stock Photo
November 2010

Dear Photography Friends,

  

Winter is a great season for photography. Yeah, I know it's bloody cold out there, but this is when snow reflects light into the sky, and we can do night photography right after dinner. You know what they say about Alberta weather, if you wait for good weather, you're going to wait for a long time.

So, I'm encouraging you to put on your mukluks  and get out there with your camera.

Shot of the Night

Old Fort Point Bridge
This shot was a family effort...

Every night photo shoot is an adventure. This image of Old Fort Point Bridge in Jasper was created during waxing crescent moon in November of 2010. It was fall break for the children in Strathcona County, so while many other families travelled to Mexico...I dragged my children along on a night shoot. 

 

This shot was captured with my Nikon D3s. It was a five minute exposure, set to f/8 with 1600 ISO. The clouds were being backlit by the crescent moon, and the orange light on the clouds was caused by city glow from Jasper.

 

This image was a family effort. I set up the camera and framed the shot. My little guy used a flashlight to paint the bridge and trees. My hubby contributed  by driving the truck across the bridge; and my daughter, well, she waved at us as they drove by.


Moments after the photo was completed, we had a visit from the park warden. My son was concerned because he thought we were in trouble.   Chatting with the park wardens in national parks has become part of my nightly routine. Illuminating wildlife is a common technique used by poachers, so whenever they see strange light, the wardens come to check it out.  

 

On this night, while we were having a friendly conversation with the park warden, we didn't realize that the crescent moon was dropping behind the mountain.  By the time the warden left, the moon had set, the light faded, and the dramatic sky was gone. Oh darn!  That's just the way it goes.

Night Photo News

Elbow Falls at Night
Elbow Falls at Night Received a Bronze Award in the 2010 International Aperture Awards


I have news!

 

One of challenges of teaching photography is that you have to practice what you preach. I often encourage photography students to submit their photographs to competitions, yet I often have difficulty submitting  my own images.

 

This year, I followed my own advice,  and entered 10 night photographs into the International Aperture Awards.  The 2010 competition had representation from 91 countries, 1000 photographers participated, and over 3500 photographs were judged. I didn't get any of the big prizes, but I did receive a Bronze award for seven out of the ten images that I submitted.

 

What's the teachable lesson here? You can't win anything if you don't submit! I encourage all of you to search the Internet for photography competitions that interest you and send in your photographs.

 

Bronze Award
7 out of the 10 images received a Bronze Award

 

 

   Take a Night Class

Take a Night Class
Jeff Lewis and Chantal Thorlakson, Image by Brian Ruzycki
What's Chantal teaching in January with Metro Continuing Education?

Fundamentals of Digital Cameras, Saturday January 11 to Saturday February 1, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Fundamentals of Digital Camera - Monday, January 17 to Monday, February 7, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Understanding Light - Tuesday, January 11 to Tuesday February 1st, 2011, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

For more information on the photography courses offered through Metro, or to register on line, please go to  www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca .

Night Photography Workshop 2011:

Book the dates in your calendar for the 2011 Night Photography Workshop. It will be held at Tekarra Lodge in Jasper National Park, from Friday August 12 to Monday August 15, 2011. Full registration information to follow, if you are interested in attending, please send me an email at [email protected] .

Upcoming Event:

Exposure Photography Symposium through Professional Photographers of Canada Alberta. This fantastic photography conference will be held at NAIT from Friday January 28, 2011 to Sunday January 30, 2011. For more information check out the website at www.ppoc-alberta.ca .

All Night Cafe
All Night Cafe
I've shared my news, now I want to hear from you!

This section is for you.  I'd like to see your  "shot of the night" and hear your stories. Each newsletter will feature the work of a different photographer.  Share your photography adventure,  your inspiration, and your favorite image.  What's new with you?  Say hi, and let's talk.  Leave me a message at [email protected] .

Thanks for visiting.  Please pass on this newsletter to friends and family.

 

Take care, and see you soon.

 

Chantal

 

Contact Information
Website: www.nightstockphoto.com 
Phone: 780-417-1919

 

View my profile on LinkedIn
Find me on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List