Details on the Last Days of Winter

Bubbles Beneath Ice

After a week of very warm weather in south-central Ontario much of the season’s snow accumulation has melted. This thawing resulted in the drainage ditches around my home taking on a resemblance to flowing rivers. As the water level in the ditches subsided the temperatures also began to drop again. This change in the weather pattern caused the surfaces of the water in the ditch to freeze while the water flowed away beneath the ice. What remained was a paper thin, extremely fragile layer of ice that presented a multitude of patterns and designs in the frozen surface. Using my Laowa 100mm 2X Ultra-Macro Lens I spent the better part of two hours exploring these intricate designs. The day was bright with clear blue skies, therefore, I deployed my coat to cast a shadow over some of the scenes, which resulted in a blue cast from the clear skies above. On the images where I opted not to use my coat to shade the designs the images took on a natural black and white feel.

This blog post features images captured during my adventures in the roadside ditch 🙂

Ice Details

Ice Details

Ice Details

Ice Details

Ice Details

Ice Details

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New eBook Announcement: WILD PLACES

Today I am pleased to announce the release of my 3rd eBook; WILD PLACES – Exploring the Creative Process of Landscape Photography.

WILD PLACES – Exploring the Creative Process of Landscape Photography is not a book about the technical aspects of landscape photography. It is about the thoughts and decisions that were made, in-the-field, to determine what to include or exclude from the frame to convey visual beauty. Slowing down and making conscious decisions to control the visual elements within the environment will assist you in creating photography that entices the minds and emotions of viewers.

Wild Places features a collection of 110 photographs from Ontario and beyond that will inspire you on your next excursion into wild spaces, as you explore the artistry of the land. Extended captions that correspond to each image provide discussions on the composition, applicable filter selections, and many other useful tidbits of information.

I am often complimented after presenting my various programs for being  an engaging speaker who shares inspiring imagery while explaining various tips and techniques in a way that can be understood by all levels of photographers. This eBook is characteristic of attending one of my photographic presentations.

Price: $20 CAD

To purchase your copy of Wild Places please click here.

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All Good Things Come To An End

Water Lilies in Wetland, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

All good things come to an end eventually. On July 31, 2019 I bid farewell to the family cottage on Horseshoe Lake near Parry Sound, Ontario as it was sold to new owners. I will miss the area dearly as it is where my love of nature photography took hold. It is where I began to explore woodlands, beaver ponds, and wetlands to gain the knowledge that has allowed me to photograph many of my most cherished images. It is also the place where I perfected my Bullfrog-scapes

After spending a couple of weeks there prior to the closing date of the sale I was lucky enough to be graced with numerous photographic opportunities, so there will be plenty more images to share in the coming weeks. During these two weeks it felt like all the wildlife I photographed over the years had come to bid farewell as I had so many amazing close-up encounters with many of the species that inhabit the lake, and surrounding forest.

I hope to return to the area at least once a year to continue to document the wildlife in the large wetland near the cottage property and to continue my explorations of the small lakes hidden in the forest, but for now here is a selection of imagery that I created during my last two weeks at the cottage. I do have many, many more unprocessed image files from Horseshoe Lake that I will continue to share as time and temperment allow 🙂

Sadly, after 35 years, this chapter of my life has come to an end. However, as one chapter closes another will open and it only takes one step to start that journey.

Stay tuned

Bullfrog in wetland habitat, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

 

Eastern Painted Turtle, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Wetland on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Green Darner Dragonfly, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Common Loon, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Tree Swallows, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Wetland on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Over-under Bullfrog, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Common Merganser, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Milky Way over Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

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Ohio State Reformatory

Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio

On the weekend of April 13th & 14th I hosted my first photographic workshop with Sherry Butts at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. This is the prison where the Morgan Freeman movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed. The prison was built between 1886 and 1910 and ceased operation in 1990. The exterior of the building was given a Romanesque style to have a castle like appearance. The Eastern Cell Block of the prison is the largest free standing steel cell block in the world at six tiers high!

In the reformatory’s 94 year history a total of 154,00 inmates would pass through the gates. Of this number over 200 inmates died during incarceration, including two guards that were killed during escape attempts. The prison is said to be haunted by a number of ghosts and one certainly gets an eerie feeling walking among the cell blocks and other areas of the facility.

I am really looking forward to making a return visit with another photo tour group. To be added to the contact list be sure to reach out to me with your email address by clicking here.

Below is a selection of various scenes throughout the prison. To view a larger collection of photos be sure to visit my Ohio State Reformatory gallery on my website.

The Hospital, Ohio State Reformatory (Sunrays added in Luminar)

Prisoner’s Cell, Ohio State Reformatory

East Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory

Prisoner’s Cell, Ohio State Reformatory

Hospital Entrance, Ohio State Reformatory

Triangle Room, Ohio State Reformatory

Library, Ohio State Reformatory

Solitary Confinement, Ohio State Reformatory

Inside Looking Out, Ohio State Reformatory

West Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory

West Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory

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Casa Loma

About one week ago I accompanied my wonderful 11 1/2 year old autistic daughter, Ava, on one of her Girl Guides of Canada outings to Casa Loma in Toronto, Ontario. Casa Loma is North America’s only full sized castle and one of Toronto, Ontario’s premier historic attractions.

In 1911 Sir Henry Pellat hired architect E.J. Lennox to build the 200,000 square foot castle on top of a hill over-looking Toronto. The castle was built at a cost of $3,500,000 and was, at the time, the largest private residence in Canada.

During my trip to the castle with the Girl Guides I took along my Nikon D800 and the insanely wide, and razor sharp, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens to capture a few of the scenes that caught my attention. Here is a selection of those photos.

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Singh Ray Filters Pro Gallery

Georgian Bay at Sunset, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

I am pleased to announce, and honored to have been added to the Singh Ray Filters Pro Gallery. I have relied on Singh Ray filters for the last 25 years to get the job done and photograph scenes the way I see them. I never leave home with out taking them along. The above image was created at sunrise on the beautiful shores of Ontario’s Georgian Bay, near Parry Sound, Ontario. To control the dynamic range within this scene I used my Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter. I much prefer to capture scenes such as this, in the field, the way I see it in one frame. This allows me the freedom to quickly process the image file later at the computer. Sure enough you could capture a few frames and blend the exposures in the digital darkroom, but would you not prefer to be photographing moments like instead of being stuck behind a computer blending exposures?

To save 10% on your next purchase of at Singh Ray Filters use the code “Andrew 10” at checkout.

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TOP 10 of 2018

Sunrise, Amherst Island, Ontario

It is always fun to look back at this time of the year and reflect on the past year and the images that were created during my travels. In this post I am featuring my favorite photographs of 2018. All of the images featured in this blog post have been featured here over the course of the year with the exception of the opening sunrise image, which was created during a trip to Ontario’s Amherst Island a few days ago. As the sun rose the clouds took on the appearance of what resembled a blazing forest fire. It was a lovely sunrise to complete the year with 🙂

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the very best for a prosperous 2019!

Daybreak, Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario

A critically endangered Cayman Brac Iguana, British West Indies

Ice Crystal Details, Georgian Bay, Ontario

Over-Under Bullfrog, Parry Sound, Ontario

Caribbean Reef Squid, Radar Reef, Cayman Brac, British West Indies

Skeleton River in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

Spring Peeper, Parry Sound, Ontario

Southern Stingray, Grand Cayman, British West Indies

Approaching Storm Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada

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Rusty Old Wrecks – Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop

 

Join me on Saturday November 3, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a Rusty Old Wrecks Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop being held at McClean’s Auto Wreckers, near Milton, Ontario. Whether you are relatively new to photography or looking for instruction to fine tune your craft this 4 hour workshop provides excellent subject matter with acres of old dilapidated cars and trucks to chose from. You will learn everything from the basics of good composition, using filters, focusing on details, and the benefits of HDR photography. The cost of this workshop is $65 plus HST and must be paid in advance of the workshop date.

To reserve your spot and to arrange payment please contacting me by clicking here. Payment may be made by email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan. The maximum number of participants for this event is 10. This workshop will run rain, shine, or snow.

Cancellation Policy:

There are no refunds for Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops. If you are unable to attend you will receive credit in the amount paid for a future Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop.

About Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops:

Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops are inexpensive, half day sessions that give back! Just how will they give back – for every 5 Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops that you attend you will receive a $50 (Canadian currency) voucher redeemable on any future workshop that you attend.

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Ohio State Reformatory

 

Join Sherry Butts and Andrew McLachlan at The Ohio State Reformatory on Saturday, April 13, 2019 for an exclusive photographic workshop from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Originally built in 1834 the reformatory’s hauntingly beautiful architecture housed many famous and infamous criminals. It is also the same location where the Morgan Freeman movie “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed.

At the Ohio State Reformatory doors open to the public at 11:00 a.m., however, this exclusive workshop opportunity will allow early access at 7:00 a.m. That equates to 4 full hours of exploring the prison by ourselves prior to the doors opening to the public. What a fantastic opportunity to explore creative perspectives! We have also arranged the use of tripods inside the prison at no additional fee. After the workshop concludes you are welcome to remain on site until closing time at 4:00 p.m.

Maximum number of participants is 16

The workshop group will be provided with a complimentary dinner at a nearby restaurant after the Ohio State Reformatory closes.

What’s Included:

• Entrance fee to Ohio State Reformatory

• Photographic instruction

• On site LCD image review

• Complimentary dinner at nearby restaurant on April 13, 2019

What’s Not Inlcuded:

• Transportation to and from Ohio State Reformatory

• Overnight accommodation for out of town participants

• Breakfast and lunch

• Alcoholic beverages during complimentary dinner

Workshop Fee:

$275.00 CDN plus taxes is due now to register for this unique and exclusive workshop opportunity.

Payment can be made via email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan. Participants must return a signed Waiver of Liability Form prior to the workshop date. The Waiver of Liability Form will be provided to you at time of registration.

To reserve your spot for the Ohio State Reformatory Photographic Workshop please contact me by clicking here.

Cancellation Policy:

61 days prior to workshop full refund less a $25 administration fee

60 days prior to workshop No Refund.

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Ajax Photography Club Presentation

 

On Tuesday March, 27, 2018 I will be presenting my “Ontario & Beyond – Wild Places Wild Faces” program for the Ajax Photography Club at the Ajax Community Centre located at 75 Centennial Road in the HSM Room. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. Guests are welcome to attend for a $10 admission fee. Mark the date in your calendars and come on out for an enjoyable evening of nature photography and learn the secrets behind how I capture and optimize my my landscape and wildlife imagery.

Hope to see you there 🙂

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