Day 2 ~ Mel’s Photo Workshop
That Red Squirrel was so fast, I only had 10 pictures in focus out of 160
Day 2
It turned out to be a fantastic day. We woke early enough to see the mirrored reflection in the Oxtongue Lake. This never gets old; I have been coming here for over thirty-five years and welcome each sunrise and sunset.
Melanie was a fantastic student; she brought out her big camera and was eager to learn. Our wildlife opportunity happened at the cottage when a Red Squirrel was gathering seeds. He kept coming back to the same spot for seeds. This allowed us to try to take pictures of the little guy. He was too fast, so we deployed a new tactic. We knew his route and changed our camera position to capture him in a specific spot. We had more success but also had a teaching moment. We will have way more discards than portfolio shots in any photoshoot like this one. I still don’t have the perfect shot, but I have a few good ones. We learned not to get frustrated at that ratio of bad to good. We also learned to take in the special moment.
I am such a passionate photographer that I could set out to take a certain shot and, while working at getting “The Shot,” look at my watch and realize that three hours had just passed. You know, it is a passion when you think that was a great three hours and do not think of it as a waste of time.
Maria made sandwiches for the day’s outing. They were delicious.
We intended to visit Algonquin Park and see some of its highlights. I had several stops that have been repeat favourites over the years. The first time I took pictures in the one rock outcrop was in 1977 on the Algonquin part of our honeymoon. I have been returning to the same spot for forty-seven years, and it also never gets old for me.
Our first stop was the park office to get a guide for the ladies. Then, we needed to take pictures at the Algonquin Park sign. Next was the bridge at the start of the Uplands Backpacking Trail. We were not intending on doing the seventy-kilometre loop, but the bridge provided an excellent backdrop for the pictures.
Our next stop is one of my favourite spots in the park for several reasons. It provides numerous spots for portraits and has an amazing backdrop. Its rocky terrain provides a really interesting base for the tree roots, which have been polished over time by people crossing over them. Another interesting discovery is that most amateurs will literally bypass the most beautiful part, the root system, which provides framing for the picture and an inviting route for the eye to follow. Admittedly, I am biased.
However, photography is a perfect opportunity to express oneself; there is no right or wrong, no one way that works, and the others don’t. This is all subjective. There are basic rules, but breaking those rules is not an issue.
My Favourite spot for photography, I have been taking pictures of this rock outcrop since 1977.
Our next-to-last stop was at the Algonquin Outfitters, where it is said that you can show up in a suit, and they will equip you with everything needed for a park interior, including a Canoe, food, a trip, complete with clothes. It is also the place for a great ice cream stop. While we did not need park interior camping gear, we did partake in the most delicious ice cream with the most significant single scoop I have ever seen.
It's all about the way you greet the server. I want to think it was our charm; the generous scooper likely did the same for everyone else.
Big scoops of ice cream at the Algonquin Outfitters.
The last stop before we returned to the cottage was Ragged Falls, another favourite stop. The rapids above the falls provided a beautiful backdrop for some more fun shots. We returned to the cottage for the tradtional steak and Ceasar salad dineer after that.
Ragged Falls and the rapids above the falls provided a beautiful setting for portraits.
One more extra surprise awaited us for the night. It was not only a Super moon—it was called the Harvest Moon—but also a partial lunar eclipse to boot.
Septembers Harvest Moon was also a Supermoon and was a partial lunar eclipse.