Sheree

Zielke

Wandering through the back roads is always fun. I couldn’t resist this old truck all dolled up for Halloween.

Sometimes a photo finds you. I had left a glass on my bathroom countertop just in front of a nightlight. A pair of my earrings looked perfect in the light rays. My old harlequin clock provided a backdrop. The pattern proved a nice contrast to the wedges of shadow and light.

Near Sylvan Lake in our province of Alberta affords many photo opportunities, especially at sunset. But I had to chase this one to find a dramatic foreground subject. We found this ditch with its watery tree reflections down a gravel road. Perfect.

A day trip into a park near our North Saskatchewan River. I was looking for what I call a “laneway to nowhere.” I found this rutted path. I took a first shot, but then took this one 20 minutes later after the sun broke through the clouds. I love the variety of textures and autumnal colors.

A dramatic summer thunderstorm cell passing over our neighbourhood. The string colours ended in about 15 minutes. It always pays to wait out a sunset.

A little creative use of flowers from my garden, an old bird bath, a black card (with a husband to hold it) and pretty natural side lighting.

A gorgeous vista on a sunny day in Fairmont Hot Springs. These towering hoodoos can be found just down the highway from the hot springs. I love the contrast of the tall tree against the even taller rocky background.

A country drive nets old churches, cemeteries, and ramshackle buildings like this old outhouse. Three holes (for aeration) served as perfect portals for bright sunshine. And the flowers (I suspect from the nearby cemetery) were handy. I staged them and took the shot. I loved the brightness on the rugged old boards.

I find the macro on the new iPhones is quite capable. I make jewelry and decided to play with this necklace with a dusty clock face as a backdrop. The clarity in the gemstone is amazing.

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.