This evening as it was raining I had the urge to get out and take some photos. A great opportunity to get out my Canon 5DMIII + 180mm f3.5L lens, its a big and beautiful combo. Perhaps a little nudge, little reminder of the benefits of strength training! I haven’t had the urge yet and if I have learned anything about life, when I am in resistance, thats ok, its more than ok actually, its the time to be patient, to not push and to trust. Until I am ready to go back to my heavy lenses, I am quite happy with the RF collection I now have!
When the wind and rain truly work for you… check this out!
When I first read the challenge theme yesterday I was initially disappointed. The previous challenges I have been a part of over the past month, have been images I already had within my collection.
Ease, we all need a bit more ease in our life.
I could feel the frustration, doors!? What doors would I take photos of?
Then it hit me…
Our town is full of churches, I asked my husband if he wanted to go for a drive, he was in! He drove me, while I jumped out and in taking photos of the doors of the local churches. Then I rememered a couple more doors in town that I, from my own childhood, will always remember. Plus… I could test out my new 15-30mm lens!
The old town hall and the library. As well as a couple close by older buildings.
This week, Sofia leads and takes us back to Challenge #20. You can see her post here. The doors, lines, patterns are so unique and beautifully artistic.
In the next one, you can’t actually see the doors, however you can see the door step, with the older building, so timeless, peaceful.
My most favourite door <3 ours!
We completely updated our home, including the front door. It was previously a single door with two side lights. I love how the simple shift in changing the door and colour, is such a dramatic change! We also added the peak as I like textures and depth.
If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists challenge, please click here.
Testing out the Canon RF Macro 85mm f2.0 STM lens and I am extremely impressed at the macro capabilities, sharpness and creamy background.
This image taken at f5
Image below and above both shot at f4
All photos taken with the Canon R6MII + RF 85mm f2.0 Macro STM lens. As a mom, who is a passionate hobbyist photographer I highly recommend this lens. This lens has a real quality feel to it, there is a some weight to it, close to the EF L version, however still less than the EF 100mm f2.8L. If you currently have the EF L version of the macro lens – it IS a fantastic lens. This is a lighter version to use, especially for travel as I do not need to use the EF to RF adapter, which adds extra length and weight. See the comparison between the EF 100L and RF 85 f2.0 Here! If you are curious the difference between the RF 100mm f2.8L and the RF 85mm f2.0 STM, check that out here. I personally opted for the 85 STM because I have the 100L in the EF version and, given that, I couldn’t justify the more than double the cost for the RF L version, especially with results like this above! The weight is also 1.5 times as heavy as the 85.
My husband and I have decided to explore Ontario more and Canada as a whole, weight for a travel kit is key and I am feeling incredibly confident in the RF lenses and even more grateful to have my adapter and EF lenses that also still work with my R6MII and my RP as well as my 5DMIII!
If you are looking to add a macro lens to your Canon mirrorless set up, I highly recommend the Canon RF 85mm f2.0 STM in combination with the Canon RF 35mm f1.8.
With an upcoming trip to Eastern Canada, I had my eye on the Canon RF 15-30mm lens. I even found it used through Henrys, yet something was holding me back. I kept hearing wait. I was truthfully becoming more anxious as once a used lens is gone, its gone.
Sunday evening, as we were getting ready for bed, before I knew what I was doing, I had grabbed my phone, opened Henrys webpage to the used Canon RF search and there it was… the sale!
The used lens that I had been eyeing up, on sale! I was elated, I added it to my cart. As I was about to check out, directly below this one, was the other one I had my eye on and was going to wait until next year to buy. Also used, and on sale.
Of course.
When we listen to our intuition we are never led astray!
This is a few examples of the 15-30mm
These are some of the 28-70mm f2.8 STM lens.
This one was taken in my den, where the lighting on this shelf is not ideal at all, that side of the room is darker and its behind the door, I put the ISO to auto and most times I would have lowered the shutter speed, I was doing tests so it was at 250.
I am LOVING this lens as well! Check out the sharpness of the image below! Incredible!!!
The 2 images – one above and one below – were both shot on my Canon RP + 28-70mm f2.8 STM
And then, because I love macro and saw some dew drops on the grass… love it! Shot with the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 lens.
I also have the RF 24-105 “kit lens” that is variable aperture as well so I thought lets get some test shots on it.
Its a variable aperture lens 4-7.1 and this is shot at f7.1
Needless to say, I am VERY impressed with the RF Lens line for Canon mirrorless camera’s. Having all EF L lenses, it was a mind warp wrapping my head around the new lens format and trusting the quality. As a passionate hobbyist photographer, dropping literally multiple thousands into new RF L lenses just isn’t reasonable or something I want or need to do at this time of my life. These lenses in a short time have demonstrated their capability and I am excited to explore the world with them more.
You may notice that I do have the EF 16-35mm f2.8L lens already and be questioning why I would want a “double”, fact of the matter is, as I showed my husband last night, the EF L lens with the adapter is twice the size of the RF 15-30 and much heavier, so from a traveling perspective, which we plan to do more, the RF set up is ideal!!!
For the August long weekend we were off line away at a family cottage. It was exactly the reset I needed, in such a deep way. To re-align with my heart and soul on the journey that we are on.
Being, in the moment. Whatever that moment was.
To choose to just be, and enjoy the beautiful silence or company around us.
To appreciate nature and all its glory.
To know that when my body feels’ this immense peace, its growth beyond measure.
This was a shift, I honestly had been trying to do for a while, to come home to me, truly, regardless of anyone else, to detach from societal pressures or the illusion that social media provides and come home to my truth.
Empty relationships powered by social media, is very much in my past. My soul strength has pulled me back to my blog with a vindication of, but Pam WHO are you? What fills up and fulfills your heart. Where do you feel most supported outside of the noise, as an introvert, who is also a projector (in human design) “the noise” of the world is something that can shift a person into someone who they are not. When we take that away, and you are allowed the permission to just be, who you are, in your space. Its beautiful, so truly beautiful.
Even more beautiful is listening to my soul, learning more about me and the importance that my energy has over my soul. Its all one. When my energy is at peace, my soul is at peace, when my soul and energy are at peace, my entire being is at peace.
If you have ventured over to my blog from one of my social media channels, welcome. This is my home and where you will find me and my creativity <3
If you enjoy nature, I highly recommend getting yourself out INTO the forest to truly experience the magic of Forest Bathing!
“Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is the practice of spending time in nature, particularly forests, to enhance well-being through sensory engagement. It’s not just about physical exercise; it’s a mindful experience where you immerse yourself in the forest atmosphere using your senses.”
Is there such thing as crop bathing… its nature still ;) Following the path through the field was a very cool experience, especially as a photographer!
When we went out I had my Canon R6MII and my Canon RF 24-240mm zoom lens. Weight is a key factor when I know I will be half hanging out the window taking photos – the camera and my arm that is, while holding onto it firmly in my hand with my other hand tightly around the neck strap. As I am transitioning with EF L and RF lenses, I am continually blown away at the quality of the RF lenses in comparison to my EF L lenses. If you are considering entering the mirrorless photography world, I highly recommend this lens as an “all in one”, you have wider + incredible zoom capabilities.
It is a very fun experience to visually see what I want to photograph, or pass by something and have that instant feeling of regret that I didn’t have my camera out, and then, be reminded that when I listen to my intuition, she speaks so clear to me.
What is meant for us, will always be, we do not need to rush or push. <3
Ann-Christine from Leya is our host this week! Check our her post here Found at the Fair or Market!
This took be back to when our kids were young, back then when they were 4-8 I took a lot of photos within our community and provided the photos to the township and county for promotional pieces. The coolest moment was my aunt calling me from the GO Station in Toronto where she saw my kids faces on the pamphlets for our local festivals! Having my children truly brought my passion for photography to the forefront, I could be engaged with them and snapping pictures as we went. My camera truly became a natural extension of my arm.
The first I am sharing is photos of the promotional materials my babies were in!
When we were in Nashville in April 2024 we came across this great market… Beautiful leather belts, my husband bought one and loves it! We had breakfast at Biscuit Love in Franklin, Tennessee and then walked the Main Street Festival – the colours, people and merchandise were awesome!
Port Elgin Pumpkinfest is more than just pumpkins they have a car show and rides too!
More from back in the day with my little’s at the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival!
Mascot race many years ago at the Fireworks Festival!
Their faces… this truly is what my photography is ALL about! Capturing the moment to create a memory forever tangible in a photograph!
Teaching them young to volunteer!
Doors Open, in 2014 I took photos for an event that included a variety of stops. See the album of those shots here.
If you feel compelled or drawn to take a photo of something, a deep desire that is bubbling within, take it, go where you feel drawn to and experience and capture the memory. This challenge has not only introduced me to some other fantastic photographers, it also has me remembering some awesome shots and great times!
If you are also interested in joining in this weekly challenge, check out this post for more information!
I am continually amazed at these little birds, they are tiny and yet when they zoom past you, they are loud! A feeder that size you’d think they could all gather, however no, they spend more of their time warding off each other from the feeder and flitting around!
Patience! That is key. Once they are used to you sitting where ever you are sitting, it wont take long for them to get back to flying around again. I sit about 10 feet from the feeder in a chair and just wait. I do not change lenses while sitting there, I have my camera and lens ready and get ready to capture. They move quickly so a high shutter speed is key. I should have bumped mine a bit more to get more of their wings in focus when flying, above all though I am very happy with my results. Take lots – the joy of digital is we can delete what doesn’t turn out! Don’t be afraid to shoot through your card :)
Of course, I had to look up their spiritual meaning online.
“Hummingbirds hold deep spiritual meaning across various cultures, often symbolizing joy, love, healing, and adaptability. They are seen as messengers of love, both earthly and spiritual, and can represent a connection to loved ones who have passed away. Additionally, hummingbirds embody qualities like resilience, agility, and the ability to find joy in the present moment.“
So blessed to be literally feet away from them and enjoy their antics back and forth!
I love looking up the spiritual meaning of animals and birds,
“In a spiritual context, seagulls often symbolize freedom, adaptability, and guidance. They can represent a connection to both the physical and spiritual realms, and may appear as spirit animals to offer messages of resourcefulness and opportunity. Seagulls can also symbolize navigating life’s challenges with clarity and intuition.”
Taken with my Canon R6MII + my FAV travel lens Canon RF 24-240mm
If you could travel and photograph anywhere in Ontario, where would it be and why?
The above photo was taken an early morning on Methuen Lake
As part of an 8 week course that I am participating in, its truly about being here and now, within our own energy, no expectations and really learning to be in tune with ourselves.
This week, it is to begin conversation, not just, ‘Hi how are you’, or how is the weather, go deeper. I knew, with how my week was unfolding and the desires on my heart, just where my question would lead.
So I am curious…
If you could travel and photograph anywhere in Ontario, where would it be and why?
