~ 14/365 An Apple a Day ~

Today was a good old Monday, feeling tired and just wanting to get it over with.  Got home and was not sure what would be my picture of the day.  Seeing this bowl of apples just seemed perfect, nice and easy.  So I set up to shoot an HDR, shot 7 exposures for this shot.  Then edited it using photomatix pro.  Added some presets in lightroom and here is the 14th picture of 2013.

~ 13/365 Nahla Peal on a Quiet Sunday ~

Today was a tired day, sat around watching episodes of LOST on Netflix, I never watched this series and there is all 6 seasons on Netflix, so seems like a good show to watch without having to wait until next week for the next episode.  I did a lot of cuddling Nahla today, so seems fitting to make her my picture of the day. Hoping this week brings me a new energy boast!!!
-Randy

~ 12/365 Tired ~

Today I am feeling completely tired and exhausted.  Lots of naps and cuddles of cats.  Went out in the cold to snap this image.  Not really much to say, just really happy with life.  Love the new camera and the experiences that photography brings me to capture beautiful images.  Love waking up every day looking for beauty.  -Randy

~ 11/365 Shooting in Edm at Darcy Evans Photography ~

I was excited to go shoot in Edmonton with a great model, Christina.  I worked with Christina many years ago when I was just starting out as a photographer.  She is a super talented model with a lot of creativity.  When she gets in to the zone modelling you are in for a treat as a photographer, it's a pleasure to see her in action.  Darcy Evan's kindly allowed us to shoot in his studio.  Here he is in his land of creativity posing with the lovely Christina.  She has shot with Darcy a few times, you can check out more of Darcy Evan's work at: his website and see the amazing work he does with people and pets.

~ 10/365 The End of a Day in 2013, by Lazy Pond ~

Today was a long day, from a long week.  The first week back after Christmas holidays is rough for everyone.  Students and staff, we're all exhausted and our semester is about to end.  Today, I was not sure what my 10th picture would be.  I love photography because sometimes you just have to wait for the picture to happen.  Today I knew when I arrived home that the light right outside my door looked about right for today's picture.  I grabbed the wide angle lens and snapped a few shots for an HDR.  Here is today's picture, from a tired and lazy photographer that didn't want to travel anywhere.
-Randy

~ 9/365 Lost keys day, Grip arrived ~

The day started out quite stressful, lost my keys (car, house, the important kind) and had that on my mind all day.  Came home and searched and searched, thankfully I had a spot I couldn't check, because the wife had the car I wanted to search.  When she got home I found my keys, they had slipped under one of the seats.  I also saw a postal notice that a package had arrived.  I went and picked up the package and it was my new battery grip all the way from Hong Kong.  I decided my pic of the day would be of my grip on my new camera, which meant my old camera got in the mix of my 365.  I expect it to be dominated by my 5D but I think there will be times the 7D and possibly the 40D get in the fun!!! :)  Happy Hump Day!!!
-Randy

~ 8/365 Winter Sun ~

Today I was so tired at work, felt like I could just sleep for days.  Fighting off yawns constantly.  I am sure many people can relate to that feeling.  Not going to write a lot (yawn)......hehehehe....here is my picture:

~ 7/365 Orange Monday ~

7/365
Back to work today, realized I'd have limited light. Saw this yummy looking orange at work and decided to make it my subject. I thought adding the phone would show how we've changed as a society to see the world through technology. Sometimes the world gets blurred outside of our use of technology. :) Deep thoughts for day 7 of my 365. -Randy

~ 6/365 Snow shoot ~

I have loved shots of people outside when it's snowing, but when the snow is falling, it's always tough to find someone willing to model.  Today this morning it was snowing HUGE flakes and I sent a text to a local model to see if she was able to come out on short notice.  She got ready as quickly as possible and we drove to a spot, sadly Mother Nature did not cooperate and the snow was just finishing off.  That did not stop us from getting some beautiful winter pictures.  I am quite pleased with the results.  :)  Here is my 6th picture from my journey through the year 2013.

~ 5/365 Moxies ~

When we lived in Edmonton we had a date at the Moxies on Calgary Trail, it was a place we liked to go from time to time.  We ended up there tonight for an awesome meal, we're both crazy full now and home to cuddle some cats and watch movies.  Hope everyone had a great holiday, this is our last weekend of holidays before going back to work on Monday.  Here is my 5/365 picture.

~ 4/365 Mr Finny ~

Last time I did a 365 I started out with a cat picture.  This year started with a sunrise and then 2 portraits, I knew sooner or later a cat would end up in my 365.  Finny is my little dude and follows me every where I go in the house.  When I saw him laying down on this blanket by the front window, I knew what my picture was going to be today.  Last Friday for me before going back to work in 2013.  Enjoy the weekend.

~ 3/365 Rooftop ~

3/365 Brought me to Edmonton, AB, to shoot with 2 new models.  Druantia and Samantha....two very similar ladies in looks.  I did get confused at times.  It was awesome to shoot at the location we were at, a really OLD apartment building overlooking the river valley.  Samantha got us permission to shoot up on the rooftop.  My first time being on a rooftop for a shoot, I loved it.  The old building was such a classic place to shoot.  Here is the 3rd image of my 2013 adventure.

~ 2/365 Sabrina ~

A new year and with the new year a chance to work with a new model.  Sabrina's from Vegreville and works out great for us to work together and do some creative work.  She came over for a mini shoot today, I was impressed with her posing ability, she really changes poses up frequently and is able to come up with a LOT of awesome looks and expressions for the camera.  It was a lot of fun to shoot with her, I knew right away from the first set of photos that this picture would make my 2/365.  So without further babble, here is day 2 of my 365.  Looking forward to tomorrow, a location shoot in the city of Champs with 2 lovely ladies.
-Randy

~ Day 1/365 ~

In 2010 I completed a 365 project.  This year I am going to try and complete another one.  I have a beautiful new camera to start it with and I am so excited to share images from a year of my life with you.  I decided instead of a cat picture for day one, that I'd wake up early and head out to capture the sunrise.  It was worth it, I was able to watch the sun come up on a new year.  That is a first for me, to go out and shoot a new year's sunrise.  I shot this as an HDR, 7 exposures and used Photomatix to edit it, as well as LR and CS6.  Not sure every day will be as impressive as a sunrise like this, but that is the fun of a 365, you never know what a day will bring.  Happy 2013 everyone.
-Randy

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER, and Reflections on 2012

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy, I was able to pick up a new camera, the Canon 5DmIII.  It's a full frame and my first time owning a digital full frame.  I am thrilled to own such an amazing tool.  I still believe that skill of photography comes from the person using the camera.  But this camera opens some creative doors to my work that my previous cameras were limited to.  It's just a fun new experience of photography for me.  The Canon 5D series has always been one I knew I loved, but convinced myself it was out of my league price wise.  I have not shot a lot with the 5dm3 but I am loving how the full frame captures the story of a picture.  It is an amazing camera and looking forward to 2013 when I start another 365 project.  

REFLECTIONS ON 2012

I look back on 2012 and realize there was some really rough times.  It seemed like a year of stress and problems related to photography.  I started thinking today that it sort of makes sense why there is so much drama in the photography world.  I believe that art and photography has a LOT in common with romantic and intimate relationships.  Art and photography usually comes from the heart, for me it does at least.  Sharing art is exposing your feelings and emotions, it is a creation from you and when it is not respected or appreciated it can feel hurtful.  Many people get jealous of other people as well, much like a boyfriend can be jealous of his girlfriend.  I look back on 2012 and realize I had my feelings hurt by situations and people I was working with.  I look to the road ahead and realize I need to be more careful about who I work with.  The friendships can be fun, but it is a much more enjoyable road when you can travel it with people who have mutual respect with whom you can trust.  When I started out as a photographer it was my camera and I and as the new year is dawning on us, I feel excited that I am back to this, a new camera and myself.  I am going to enjoy my 365 and focus on growing my skills, I will still be helpful to others and collaborate, I am just going to be smarter about it.  It may sound mean, but honestly, the people not interested in being mutually respectful or kind to me are going to be left behind.  I have a passion for photography and being creative and I wanna travel through life with people interested in the same.  People that don't care for how I live my life or do the things I do can just please go away.  I am turning 40 this year, not interested in drama or conflict.  Let's just take our cameras and shoot the world and create beautiful things.  If you're in to bringing me down, or not wanting to enjoy photography, I'd prefer you just go away.

In closing, I'd say 2012 I learned a lot about my friendships and saw some friendships I thought were real crumble.  Rather than being depressed about it, I feel excited.  The good friends are still standing tall around me and I see the future of 2013 exciting and full of possibility.  Thanks to those that have supported me throughout the year of 2012.  Your kindness has been bigger than you can imagine.

Looking forward to 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Leaving you with some images taken with my new camera.

~ Renee Robyn ~

Renee Robyn is an outstanding model and photographer.  I have had the honor of shooting with Renee a few times and have to say she is one of the best.  She has such great artistic talent and uses it in front and behind a camera.  Those that know of Renee would agree with me that she is such a unique and talented person.  Check her out on FB and see some of the amazing work she does.

~ Holiday Family Photo Session ~

It was really really cold, but this family braved the cold weather and allowed me to shoot some pictures of their family.  It was a LOT of fun, the kids are full of energy and even with the temp dipping towards -30 it was a blast.  I couldn't feel my finger tips near the end but the results made it worth it.  I did get to warm up in the house so it was all good.  :)  Here is the animoto video I made for them from their session.
-Randy

NO HOCKEY, NHL Lockout Solution

Like many other fans of hockey, I am getting tired of really rich people fighting over a giant pile of money.  I have a fun idea for a new solution....my idea is new and I am sure it would never happen but hear me out.

Basically since the NHL and NHLPA cannot seem to want to share tons of money and the 2012-13 season looks pretty much dead, I think that Canada needs to step up.  Americans have the NFL and we have the CFL.  The CFL is a great league for Canada and the players do not make a lot of money but watch a CFL game and those guys are playing their hearts out.  So why not ignore the NHL and create a professional hockey league for Canada only and open professional hockey up to new markets?  I think it would be awesome.  Keep the NHL cities:
VANCOUVER
EDMONTON
CALGARY
WINNIPEG
TORONTO
OTTAWA
MONTREAL
and you could add places like:
HAMILTON
possibly another TORONTO team
SASKATOON
HALIFAX
REGINA
or any Canadian city able to put up a decent rink and fit the market.....

It would be awesome to have a Canadian league and if the USA wanted to start their own they could. Make it a North American league but have the regular season be played in our own countries.  No regular season play vs the other country.  Have a champion from each country and then each champion team could play for the league Championship.  So every year there would be a Canadian team play a USA team for the big trophy.  :)

I would make it so that each player no matter what their skill enters the league making a base salary.  It could be like $200,000 per player (cheap by todays NHL) this would include guys like Crosby and Ovechkin.  Now I realize in the real world they'd never take less....but who needs them?  Take who ever wants to play for that money and start a new league.  The league would have achievements  similar to xbox where you unlock achievements and get a higher gamer score.  Each player could then select an achievment to try and unlock each season based on their personal playing style.  Sample idea:

• score over 50 goals 
• penalty minutes etc..... for enforcers
• assists
• total points

The details about what the achievement would be and how much of a bonus payout would need to be worked out.  But the idea would be each player makes a GOOD salary and has potential to make more $$$ based on their performance.  It's just a silly idea but one that I wish would happen.  I am sick of where the NHL is at, it's nothing like the hockey I watched as a kid and the players are just all overpaid to the point I care nothing for them.  I used to LOVE Wayne Gretzky as an amazing player, the money he made never even was something I knew about.  When I think Crosby, Ovechkin and other elite players all I think about first is how rich they are.  Good hockey players?  YES they are, but do they deserve that much money?  I don't think so.  Just my thoughts about hockey. :)

- sad fan, Randy

Here are some new edits:

~ New Look Website and Vegreville Landscapes ~

I recently got a new logo for Randy Pond Photography.  I decided to give my website a reboot and new look.  I am looking to add some new portfolio images and excited to be going in some new directions with my photography.  I really love the new logo designed for me by a great artist friend.  I think the colours are really represented by the landscape of Alberta.  Everyone that sees a sunset or sunrise in Alberta can relate to the orange and blue.  Also love the Oiler connection there too.

I have been enjoying running around the countryside of Vegreville shooting the sun coming up before work.  Here are a few of the current shots from earlier this week.  Not much else to share on the blog today, just excited for some snow this weekend. :)  I am also hopeful hockey comes back, even if they are all a bunch of spoiled rich kids and fat cat owners.  It's nice to have a Canadian sport to watch during the winter when there is nothing else on TV! :)  The last black and white was shot with the iphone, I really love it.
-Randy

~ Thanksgiving Weekend ~

Most people take this time of the year to reflect on what they are thankful for, so I figure I will put down some things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for life, thankful for creativity....without the chance to imagine I would be a very sad human being.  I enjoy seeing the creations of my fellow humanity.  Music, movies and all the amazing images created by artists all over this planet.  Of course I am thankful for my family and friends....and the real friends that have shown their support and kindness to me.

I hope you all have a good thanksgiving weekend.

Here is an edit from a shoot with the lovely Danielle Lucier.  Short and simple blog post today. :)
-Randy