Playing with Motion 1

DSC02863, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I've been taking a photography course and this week's assignment has to do with capturing motion. Two different exercices - one to keep the background in focus and show the motion, the other to try and pan as you take the picture to show the background going by.

With longer shutter speeds, I seemed to be creating ghosts. Can you see all the skaters?


My panning shots give a very different feel.


Not sure I'll want to use these techniques a lot, but it was an interesting exercice. Freezing fingers seems to be part of this course as the exercice requires multiple images at different shutter speeds. Oh - the pain as the fingers thaw. I need to find a pair of hunter's mitts (they are gloves with a mitten top that can flip off).

Rideau Canal

Rideau Canal, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A couple of very mild days have passed and winter has taken hold again. Not much snow for snowshoeing, but the Rideau Canal in Ottawa is full of skaters. Young and old enjoy the rink which stretches almost 8km through Ottawa. You can stop and buy refreshments, warm up by a fire and just enjoy the fresh air.



I'm not a skater, but a walk near the canal was most enjoyable. I was working on action shots - for my photography class homework. Using various shutter speeds to try and capture motion. Not as easy as it sounds to get all the camera settings right. Here's one of my better attempts.

Skating

Skating, originally uploaded by susanvg.

These are hardy souls - it was cold (though they didn't have to take their gloves off to skate - photography was brutal). The lights around the rink were just coming on and the African music helped to heat up the atmosphere.

Cleaning the Rink

Cleaning the Rink, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A few years ago, the city installed refrigeration equipment under the plaza near the chalet at Beaver Lake. This means even when the weather goes a bit above 0°C the ice stays hard. The rink is well maintained with plows and zambonis along with shovellers and sweepers so it is a popular spot for skaters. The nearby chalet provides rental skates and more importantly a cafeteria where you can get hot drinks.



One part of the rink is reserved for beginners, with cones and metal devices which can be pushed while those less steady on their feet learn how to skate. I've never been comfortable on skates, but love to watch as others glide around.

Day 52: Nathan Phillips Square

Day 52: Nathan Phillips Square, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I love it when official places are also public spaces. Toronto's City Hall is a great example of this - with a skating rink in front which is open to all. I do like the architecture of the building - the curved lines surrounding the central council chambre. Across the street is the old city hall building. It wasn't big enough to accomodate the needs of the city government. Fortunately, it still stands - put to another use. It is interesting to contrast the clean lines of the newer structure (1965) with the older building, a detail of which can be seen below.

There was a lot of detail put into buildings of the past, with symbols telling the story of the building and its occupants. We no longer have many of the artisans who can do the kind of carving shown here. I guess in every era we gain something and have to give something up.