~ Sigma 150 - 600 C Shots in Elk Island National Park ~

 ELK ISLAND ADVENTURES

Got to go to the beautiful Elk Island Park with my new lens. There was TONS of humanity there and I think the animals and birds all went into hiding from all the people. I drove the Bison Loop and just saw other vehicles. Jen and I walked around a bit and I did manage to catch some photos. I am really excited how this lens opens up new doors for me in my photography. It's so much fun to be able to get ZOOMY with my camera!!!!Stay tuned for more images.

~ Summer 2022 Update ~

A Moment of Growth

I was having a summer where I was praying a lot to God for some inspiration and direction to take my talents and creativity. Within a day or so of praying I got a message from a very good friend, more about this message later. This friend visited me when I was sick, brought me food when I was in the hospital and most importantly kept me in his prayers. Not only did he pray for my health and healing, he got his church prayer group to lift me up in their prayers. I came out of cancer and was faced with a pandemic....my photography was mainly portrait based for so many years. I always love nature, landscapes and seeing it around me was always beautiful. When I started my photography the lenses I wanted to shoot animals and nature were so expensive as they were massive zoom lenses with a LOT of glass. Ok, that backstory is over, back to the message. My friend was able to purchase a Sigma 150-600 lens, which was on sale. He shared this with me and after discussion with my wife, we decided this would help me get going in a new direction with my photography. I called Vistek in Edmonton and turns out they only had 1 lens left and I was able to pick it up. I have always been happy with Vistek and their customer service and was glad I could support a business local to me.

 This image was the first thing I shot when I got home from Edmonton yesterday. I want to share more on my BLOG how this lens and I will work together to showcase how God has gifted us on earth a taste of heaven. Teasers of heaven are all around us, we just got to be open to seeing them and realizing that our Creator loves us and all these things we find beautiful are gifts from Him.

Thanks for reading this and I hope it inspires you to pick up a camera and look for those gifts. God is the ultimate artist and creator. I give Him all the praise for the gifts he gives me and the beauty around for me to capture with my camera.

-Randy

~ Destiny Spring 2015 ~

It's been a LONG time since I blogged so I am getting to it.  It's spring now and May long weekend is coming to a close this evening.  I got to see the new Mad Max movie with a good teacher friend, did some attacking weeds in the yard.  Didn't do much for photography so this blog post is about it for tonight.  Awhile back I shot with the lovely Destiny.  She met me in Edmonton and we explored the river valley on a warm spring day.  These are some of the shots we captured.

I was using the Sigma 35mm 1.4 art lens I added to my gear list.  I am loving this lens, it's ability to create mind blowing bokeh is something I adore.  I also love the sharpness and reliability it has.  Most photographers can admit that when shooting at apertures like 1.4 you're bound to get some soft shots as it is a VERY shallow DOF.  I have beyond happy with the results from the shoots I've done with this lens so far and I cannot wait to shoot more with it this summer.  I will try my best to keep more images flowing on the blog and excited to share my outdoor adventures this summer.
-Randy

~ 244/365 Crazy Lights in the Sky ~

244/365
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Driving home I saw I could get my 244th pic of the year by pulling off and shooting some Northern Lights.  Thankfully I had a tripod with me.  Going to be nice sleeping in and waking up knowing my 365 is done for the day. -Randy

~ 235/365 Leaving the Badlands ~

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Packed up the camp and headed for home.  Stopped to take this shot at a lookout not far from where the campground was.  Great few days of adventuring around the badlands snapping photos. -Randy

~ 217/365 Cherry Tree ~

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A small cherry tree we planted a few years ago....had to make it a 365 pic.  Finally looking like a real tree even though it is still little. :) -Randy

~ 195/365 Stormy Day ~

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Went out to try and shoot some lightning last night and failed. :)  So ummm, what you get is a cheesy edited image of what I wished I had seen.  Didn't do much editing of any kind yesterday.  Was too busy cleaning out some stuff in the basement.  Still not done that job.  -Randy

~ 187/365 Crazy Sky Lights ~

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Driving home late tonight I saw there were these crazy lights in the sky, so stopped to shoot them.  Enough said, now off to sleep I go. :) Easy pic of the day done before the day has even started. :) -Randy

~ 184/365 Summer Day ~

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A beautiful day, not too hot, great summer weather.  Went to the gym tonight and had a great workout.  Looking forward to more days like today this summer.
-Randy

~ 155/365 Purple Haze ~

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A Tuesday, in a week I am feeling kind of stressed.  Seems like so little time left and TONS of things to get wrapped up.  Shot this at sunset and feel pretty happy with the results. :) -Randy

~ 150/365 ~

Rainy evening, so shot some blossoms, they are almost done for the year.  Such a limited time but so purdy!!! -Randy

~ 146/365 More Blossoms ~

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Went to another fiddle concert today, came home and worked in the yard, had to take a picture of these lovely blossoms as they are in full bloom and look awesome. -Randy

~ 145/365 Blossoms ~

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Got to go to a Calvin Vollrath concert with my wife, it was really cool, he was sharing the stage with Natalie Macmaster....she is pretty amazing.  Good music and really talented musicians.  Inspired me to do some new work with my camera and get my creativity going. -Randy

~ 140/365 Flowers ~

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A good long weekend, finished off with some work and cleaning.  Had a lot of fun....really don't wanna go back to work tomorrow. :)  But the real world is calling and I'll be there tomorrow to answer the call. :)  Have a great week people. -Randy

~ 135/365 DOG!!!! ~

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Went to Edmonton today after school with Jenn, she went to a fiddle Jam and I went to Best Buy to look after some computer stuff.  After I was done I stopped by to visit my friend Candace VanStryland and shot some pics of her super dog Disco!!! As my photo of the day, it was sure tough to get a decent shot as the light was fading quick and this dog moves QUICK!!! -Randy

~ 134/365 Spring Flowers ~

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Long day today, was feeling pretty wicked tired tonight.  Shot this just before the sunset.  Hope everyone has a good week.  Hoping a good night sleep will give me some energy for tomorrow. -Randy

~ 132/365 Mothers Day 2013 ~

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MOTHERS DAY and a HOT one, some leaves are appearing on our apple tree.  Was a beautiful weekend for Mothers to go out and enjoy some warm weather.  I love my Mom and was happy to talk to her on the phone and wish her a happy Mother's day. -Randy

~ 129/365 Spring Day ~

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The day was beautiful, it was starting to get windy and cool when I snapped this.  Wanted to show there is signs of spring and summer. :)  Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! -Randy

~ 125/365 Flowers on a Spring, errr Summer day ~

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HOT day today, drove to BP's to have supper and found out we had a flat tire on the Matrix.  Thankfully we were able to change the tire in the shade.  Went from winter to summer weather, I think spring decided to skip us this year. -Randy

~ 120/365 Morning Snow on a lovely Spring Day ~

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I don't understand the hate of snow and winter.  I have lived around it all my life.  It's a season and I happen to love seasons.  The transition between winter and spring is not gradual.  Like this morning when I walked out the door I was greeted with this.  On the weekend it'll be double digits.  Love the seasons and love the place on planet earth I call my home. -Randy