TRYING NEW THINGS
SEPTEMBER 2016



TORONTO RAVINES 2016  
Michael G.O'Brien 
platinum series

Exploring Toronto's Ravines 
and the NIK Software Collection
After living in Toronto for half my life, I confess to having never really explored Toronto's ravines! Of course that's my loss; however, this summer it came time to try something new, so I went for a walk through one of those ravines - with camera equipment of course. After a walk of mere minutes there was a nice tree canopy overhead with beautiful light pouring through. It was so hot that it felt like the trees were sweating with me. 

Inspired by seeing some platinum prints, I processed my images from that day (above) using NIK Software's Analog Efex Pro 2 - the results remind me of prints made with the platinum process, an historical  printmaking  process.

Four images from that afternoon spoke to me. Click on the picture above to see them. It will require more time to fill out and complete this series, but it feels like I really connected with something special. Gratitude for discovering a new place.

The entire NIK Software Collection is available as a free download click here to get it. Don't let the price fool you, this is beautiful image editing software when used properly.
Third Beach Overlook, Vancouver, BC
Black and White Digital Photography Workshop

Join us for the Black and White Digital Photography Workshop happening this Saturday and Sunday. Sept. 24 - 25th. Learn to make strong B&W photos with your digital camera. For full description and details

photo by Nick Brandt
Artist of Note
Nick Brandt


In 2001, Brandt embarked upon his ambitious photographic project: a trilogy of books to memorialize the vanishing natural grandeur of East Africa  His photography from 2001 to 2012 bore little relation to the colour documentary-style wildlife photography that is the norm. He photographed on medium-format black and white film without telephoto or zoom lenses. 
Brandt did not use telephoto lenses because he believes that being close to the animals makes a huge difference in his ability to reveal their personality. He writes: "You wouldn't take a portrait of a human being from a hundred feet away and expect to capture their spirit; you'd move in close."
The majestic results prove that his approach was worth it. There is a power in his work that is rarely seen in photographs of animals in nature.
His work is often exhibited using the platinum printing process mentioned above. To see more of Nick Brandt's work CLICK HERE.
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Michael O'Brien photographer| 416 778 6521| m [email protected]  www.michaelobrienphoto.com