Over the summer I was introduced, quite unexpectedly, to photography. The camera had always been a means of creativity reserved for others, never myself, and I approached it at first with tentative and humble sentiments.
Lake Kennisis in the Haliburton Highlands is a place I am altogether unfamiliar with, living a few hours south and rarely venturing far from home (much to my chagrin). I was staying with a friend and, as we hadn't done our homework beforehand, found ourselves inside staring out at a storm-tossed Lake Kennisis. Our plans of wakeboarding and waterskiing would have to wait. My friend quickly found himself sleeping the weather out, leaving me to entertain myself.
After fishing to no avail I began a tour of the small peninsula which our cottage was situated on. Having just rained and being a very moist environment I found the area to be covered in fungi. The range of species was incredible. I happen to have a certain fondness for mushrooms, and upon entering the cottage I exclaimed, "I wish I had a camera!" My friends father simply looked at me and said, "well use mine." A few moments later he returned with a Nikon DSLR, a contraption wholly unfamiliar to me. I was quite careful receiving it, but within minutes it felt like an extension of myself.
The rest of the day was spent wading through muck and wet underbrush searching for perfect specimen to capture. It was exhilerating and extremely satisfying. I felt closer to my surroundings, somehow afforded the justification for crawling through the wilderness like an animal. There was also a certain sense of adventure; in searching for subjects to shoot I would often find myself in places I wouldn't normally venture, at least not with a warm cottage nearby.
After fishing to no avail I began a tour of the small peninsula which our cottage was situated on. Having just rained and being a very moist environment I found the area to be covered in fungi. The range of species was incredible. I happen to have a certain fondness for mushrooms, and upon entering the cottage I exclaimed, "I wish I had a camera!" My friends father simply looked at me and said, "well use mine." A few moments later he returned with a Nikon DSLR, a contraption wholly unfamiliar to me. I was quite careful receiving it, but within minutes it felt like an extension of myself.
The rest of the day was spent wading through muck and wet underbrush searching for perfect specimen to capture. It was exhilerating and extremely satisfying. I felt closer to my surroundings, somehow afforded the justification for crawling through the wilderness like an animal. There was also a certain sense of adventure; in searching for subjects to shoot I would often find myself in places I wouldn't normally venture, at least not with a warm cottage nearby.
Naturally it was only a few weeks before I picked up a Canon from the local Futureshop. Here are some pictures I've taken thus far.
