I took a drive this afternoon, eastward on this occasion, out of the mountains and into the foothills. I took Highway 1A, through the Stoney Reservation and then turned northward on Highway 40 into an area termed Waiparous. It was an interesting afternoon for photography, given the unsettled weather that prevailed .There was a mix of sunny weather and white cumulus clouds, bordered by more threatening weather farther east. This created some very interesting light; what more could I ask.
Today’s first picture was taken near the Village of Morley on the reservation. It features the Moreleyville Historic Mission, a church constructed in 1875 by the Reverend George McDougall, who had moved west to minister to the fur traders and the native people. The church was the heart of a thriving community, Morleyville which at the time was the largest settlement in southern Alberta. It backs onto the Bow River and a couple of kilometres beyond is the Trans Canada Highway. The white building stands out prominently against the day’s dark sky.
Traveling north, I enjoyed the rolling hills and the vibrant colours of spring. I saw many scenes like the following, offering a glimpse of the the bright green of the aspens as their leaves emerge. I saw many cattle grazing in the fields and shadows drifting across the landscape as the clouds moved through.
Following the road as it turned westward, I got the following view of the Rockies about 25 km (15 miles) to the west. The scene is dominated however by the huge, unsettled cloud bank to the east. Sunlight is coming from the west at this time of day and you can see it illuminating the middle area of the picture. The foreground is shadowed by clouds behind me. A nice mix of light.
The final picture for today shows one of many side roads I crossed on my way north. It makes a good photo subject. I like the line that the road creates in the scene, bisecting the foreground and creating two triangular areas on the sides; good, strong elements of a photograph. The sky is amazing and the mottled light on the fields is also appealing to me.
With the pleasant spring weather, I look forward to many more outings in the near future. I hope to vary my subject areas a little more. Perhaps fewer mountains and more scenery typical of other parts of Alberta.
Very nice photographs, Peter. The depth of field in the last one is eye-catching. In the 2 preceeding it, the clouds look as if they are moving as the front progresses. How did you capture that? The photgraphs demonstrate the beauty that exists in our surroundings even during the less colourful ‘shoulder seasons’.
Bob,
Regarding the apparent cloud movement, the only thing I do with the clouds is to sharpen them using an action I acquired for Photoshop. The clouds’ leading edge is very random due to the turbulence and forward motion. The sharpening accentuates the clouds’ edges and may be what contributes to this sense of motion.
I agree. I particularly appreciate the “Staight & Narrow” shot. Great composition!