Sheree

Zielke

A glorious winter’s day in central Alberta. Diamond frost on the trees with a bright sun peeking through.

A favourite locale in Alberta is the tiny town of Sylvan Lake. The people of the town did a fine job of redesigning this popular summer city into a year-round delight for locals and visitors alike. This walkway is built along the lake’s edge providing a great vanishing point perspective.

We were driving along country roads in Alberta, thick with fog. Although slippery, my husband managed to make a stop when I espied this pretty shot. A little trial and error put a sun star in the perfect nestled position in the branches. The splayed God’s rays and deep long shadows provided balance for this spindly group of trees.

Neon Alley in Edmonton Alberta in the Ice district. Well worth a nighttime visit to see these old reclaimed and refurbished colourful works of advertising art.

One of my favourite spots to visit anytime of the year but especially in the winter is Laurier Park in Edmonton, Alberta. I love that the iPhone can capture all the variances of light and shadow, while capturing this great depth of field.

Our new favourite getaway is Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The autumn sun goes down very quickly, so I had to put myself in the right place fast. I had seen the boat framed by the trees earlier and guessed it would make a great shot in capturing these rich golden hues.

My husband and I love ocean life but are now not able to travel to either Canadian coast. So, Sylvan Lake, in our province of Alberta, with its representative lighthouse (a tribute to the one at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia) lifts our hearts. Especially with its nighttime light show. I shot this low with the phone upside down for that long alleyway look.

Three of my photo loves in one shot: a cemetery, a skewed view, and a sun star in a deep blue sky accented with wispy white clouds. Shot in Alberta, Canada.

I call these Canadian grain elevators (a disappearing architectural form) the grand dames of the prairies. A cerulean blue sky is the perfect backdrop for these majestic beauties. I am saddened each time one is torn down.

My peonies were not abundant this year, but the bush did create this glorious pink bloom. I love the 12ProMax ability to do close-up focus. And rain drops are always a fave. Even if created with a spray bottle.

Who can resist a shot of a delicate purple petunia. Especially with a few diamond drops of rain. The iPhone “PORTRAIT” setting is tricky when trying to avoid too shallow a depth of field.

My husband and I love road trips, and coming across graveyards here in our province of Alberta. We love the textures, the history and the stillness. I also love the “portrait” feature on my iPhone 12Pro Max. This bright dandelion was the perfect foreground subject against the grey of the gravestones. The phone’s camera does a great job with selective DOF.

An unexpected heavy wet springtime snowfall here in Alberta, followed by warm afternoon sun led to this photo. I used a small hand mirror to catch water droplets from the melting snow, and to reflect light back up into the snow laden branches. . I loved the deep blue sky backdrop in the reflection.

A cold and snowy day in Edmonton, Alberta. We were driving through a local park near our city’s river. We pulled over so I could take a better look around. A short walk in and I found this magical winter pathway, well-trodden, but completely deserted that day.

I was on my way back from getting groceries when I caught a glimpse of this gorgeous Alberta autumnal light. My husband knows to slam on the brakes when I say, “I NEED that photo.” As I was framing my shots, a man drifted into the image (I learned later he was a visitor from Holland) and I took the picture. I called out to him and thanked him for giving my shot perspective. I showed him the image and told him that it was my next award winner. No editing was necessary. None. God makes great sky paintings.

My sunflowers grew amazingly well this summer. One sturdy stock held over thirty blossoms including this one. The light was so pretty, that I angled my phones to catch the effect. Then a little playtime in the iPhone editing and voila! Something I would have done before with my DSLR is now so easy with my iPhone.

Our summer was unusually hot and sunny. And while it made for some unbearable hot nights, all my flowers loved it, provided they got a good drink of water. I love the DOF provided by the Portrait option on the iPhone. So easy to accomplish this soft dreamy background.

Our odd local Alberta weather this summer was harsh on my peonies. The plant struggled, but managed to yield five blooms; this was one of them. I loved the rainy jewels adorning this valiant flower, almost in honour of its fragile strength.

Oh, my “broken beauty!” This Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, even though seemingly disabled, was going about its business gathering lilac nectar with nary a hint of a problem.

A friend gave me this Easter Lily. I had it on a dining table where it was caught up in the morning sunshine. I had to have the shot. I used black foam board to block out background clutter. And I misted with a plant spray bottle. I am glad others found this beautiful, too.