Dynamic Natural Light

As a photographer who strives  to compose  a well balanced image, one that draws you into the story I am creating, I seek that exceptional light. It gives such life, depth and emotion but must follow my compositional concepts so there is no conflict which causes the viewer to lose interest.....but to capture them, to hold them and to draw them into my scene.

Our Workshops will help you to understand how to see that light, how to learn how to manipulate it in your composition, to benefit and increase your emotional impact.....and how to control your settings, to make your camera work for you.  Also so very important is to learn how beneficial it is to shoot raw. To give you total control on the results of that file, and not what the camera has decided for you according to your settings. Take command, it really is not that complicated and be thrilled with your results.

Winter is an exciting time to be out shooting, dynamic light can be exceptional when dealing with shadows, patterns and golden hour lighting....

Algonquin Park, what a constantly ever changing palllet for the photographer.

It's always good as a photographer to go back to places with which you are familiar. The more you know a place, particularly a wild one, the more you will learn its moods but it will continue to surprise you. As much as you may think that things never change, that it's the same old swamp or beaver dam or lake, nature has a way of constantly mixing things up. Rain, high water, low water, snow, ice, wind, sun, and the lovable beavers  all change the landscape constantly. Adding ever changing light conditions and cloud formations and the chance to see and photograph wildlife to the mix  guarantee that you wont be taking the same picture two times in a row.

The most recent trips into the park provided  excellent photo opportunities, both vastly different, yet, it is impossible for me to say which one was better.

We will be conducting  photo workshops  in the Park this winter, depending on demand. Contact either Susan or myself if you're interested in joining us in capturing memorable images.

 

Christmas will soon be upon us, the forever challenge of what to buy certain members of your family or even friends.  We all want to become more proficient with our camera gear. To capture images that represents us as Artists and not just a snapshot guru.

So come and check-out our workshops or purchase a Gift Certificate for those who already have their cameras or are receiving a new one.

Composition is critical in an image, and with photography since we cannot arrange the components as we wish, it is that much more challenging. Then the "Light" factor comes into play. We all want that "Pow" in our image, to draw in the viewer's eye and to hold them there. In Nature we are at her mercy, we cannot control the elements we strive to capture, or that magical equation in an outstanding photo. So what to do?

 Get out there, in the wee hours before that magic light happens, keep a diligent eye out for shots in advance. Pre-visit the area to try and determine how the light will affect the scene, and then Hope! for the conditions that will give you the results you seek. For they may come only once in your lifetime, the magical way that golden hour light paints the scene, how the mist hangs in suspension at the exact level you want and how all the components of your scene, just fall into place. I will forever be grateful for that moment when it happened for us.

 But one of the most important factor is to have that special relationship with your gear, know how it reacts at those critical moments. Know how to manipulate it to respond and give you the image of your dreams. For this may never pass by you again! So Join us, on one of our very informative workshops, to feel in-tuned with your gear. Then seek out your dream shot!

What an amazing half day we had yesterday in Algonquin Park! After much to and fro I agreed with Susan that we should go in early. (sigh) We met at 5:30 and planned to be at one of the prime spots for sunrise on the corridor.
The forecast had called for rain coming in the afternoon so we hoped for clouds and maybe some fog at sunrise. Driving east into the park we could see clouds in the distance and kept hoping they would stick around for the dawn light. We stopped at Smoke Lake just as it began to get light and what a show we got. We got fabulous ever changing light with slowly rising fog.  It kept getting better and better as the sun rose and we just kept shooting.
After this show we were more than content but we moved on to some of our other favourite spots and continued to hit paydirt for most of the morning. An added bonus was that the air was pure and still, it was eerily quiet and, apart from a couple we encountered enroute to another destination, we were all alone.
Finally, around elevenish we called it a day. By that time, the sun was high and bright and there wasn't much in the way of attractive photo opportunities.

It was a magical day for sure and there are never any guarantees of what you're going to get when you go on a photo shoot, but you are guaranteed to get nothing if you don't go.
Come join us for a hands on photo shoot. We can accommodate from two to eight people to ensure our maximum hands on attention to enhance your photographic experience.

Wednesday October 7, 2015

After postponing our workshop twice due to the leaves still being too green in Algonquin Park, we departed for the park yesterday morning in the dark and the rain. (This despite a much more favourable forecast from our weather wizards)
Our students were enthusiastic & undaunted despite the start. We were hoping to catch sunrise on one of the many potential sites near the corridor. Unfortunately a grey dawn emerged but it still allowed for our instruction to proceed and to capture lovely muted images of a calm lake and a forest canopy in the distance  showing definite signs of fall. On one of our stops we spotted a young black bear, the highligh of the day as far as animal sightings.
As the morning wore on we visited several spots with the light going from interesting to plain dull.
Late in the morning  we decided to take a break for an early lunch at the visitors centre, hoping for an improvement in the weather. After lunch we decided to proceed on our hike to a "secret location" and within minutes of our start the sky began to clear! .By the time we got to our destination blue skies and beautiful puffy white clouds awaited us. Needless to say, the cameras were clicking happily.
We had a great day of shooting and returned to our meeting location tired but in good spirits having enjoyed a variety filled day with lots of opportunities to learn and have a laugh or two as well.

The crisp cool days of Fall, filled with misty mornings, crisp colourful leaves and sweet moments of tranquility, sadly are short. For this is our favourite time to shoot, as the forest prepares for her long winter's nap. Shortly the colourful leaves soon fall and frosty cold mornings make the trek out, a bit more uncomfortable....but our quest to capture the beauty of our natural world...makes it all bearable. We at Double Visions Muskoka know the importance of being at the right place, at the right time.

Double Visions - Muskoka are proud to announce of first workshop of the year.

Saturday, August 8th, 10:00 am to 3:00pm at the Novar Community Center, 25 Laurie St., Novar, ON.

Photography Basics: The essence of digital photography.  It's not just understanding the camera and it's functions, but on how to learn and take control of your camera's settings.

We will also guide you through the basics of lenses, varied filters and discuss raw vs jpeg imaging. Composition guidelines will also be discussed briefly with special emphasis on landscapes.

You will then put into practice what you have learned through an outing in and around town. At completion of our outing you will view your photos and together we will do a joint review of 3 images.

Cost: $60.00
Please bring your camera gear, manual and lunch.
Coffee, tea & water will be provided.

For additional information Please contact:  Susan Oling 705-789-8836 - robertso@sympatico.ca

                                                                      Bob Winter  705-788-9311 - bwhunts+gmail.com

Double Visions - Muskoka : Who We Are!

We are a team of experienced photographers who will be offering workshops aimed at giving participants maximum individual attention

Our goal is to maximize hands on learning from basic DSLR operation to " learning to see"  to shooting for maximum impact. We will also offer workshops with such topics as waterfalls, fall colours, general landscape, macro photography etc.

Workshops will have classroom time with  emphasis on time spent in the field.
Locations will vary from Muskoka and environs to Algonquin Park and beyond. 

Introducing: Susan D. Oling

They say it is not what you say to people that they remember, but how you made them feel. My passionate energy for my photography is a force driven to evoke that emotion in the viewers of my work. As an artist who works in many other media, I use my camera as another tool, to capture then create the " Art " that will stimulate the love we have for our natural world.

Basically  self-taught on the technical aspects & functions of my cameras, I also bring forth many years of experience as a  fine art painter. The important skills in teaching how to develop " the eye" for composition, balance, light and symmetry.

- Over 10 years experience with digital cameras, and 5 with film.
- 3 years experience in directing the Huntsville Photography Club, and co-directing the Muskoka Photography Club.
-First runner up in The Muskoka Conservancy  photo contest last year.
-Featured in The Muskoka View magazine.
-An avid outdoors woman, who enjoys her kayak, canoe, hiking and some ancient survival skills.

Introducing: Robert Winter

I have been interested in photography for many years, the vast majority of that time in film. I have processed my own black & white work and today still love the artistic aspects of black & white images.

My main focus over the years was auto racing photography with emphasis on Formula 1, and other high level forms of racing. Over these past years I have migrated to landscape photography, which remains my primary interest.

Before converting to digital I was using a large format film camera exclusively.


I did a solo exhibition at the Huntsville Library two years ago and have been successful in several competitions over the years.

My motivation is to help others gain a better understanding of the technical & artistic aspects of photography, and to see that understanding reflected in their pictures.

Important information concerning Workshops & Events

We are still in the process of setting up our Workshop Dates & Times. Please stand by for information on up-coming events. Thank You for your patience.

Mountain Morning
by: Robert Winter

Fall's Splendour
by: Susan Oling