Sunday Morning in Mendoza

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 95mm, f7, 1/200sec, ISO 200

 We are preparing our departure for Mendoza, if everything goes to plan, we should be there by the end of Summer, I mean our summer "August", that will be early spring in Mendoza.

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 58mm, f8, 1/320sec, ISO 200

I took these shots a long time ago on a beautiful Sunday morning, walking the path inside The General San Martín Park the oldest and principal park of Mendoza,
"In 1861, during the process of rebuilding the city following the devastating earthquake of the same year, the then Minister of Public Works and Services, Dr. Emilio Civit, took the initiative to populate the western sector of the capital city through afforestation, by placing a “particular” lung that would simultaneously serve as an atmospheric purifier and alluvial defense against flooding in the city. The law was approved on December 6, 1896 and Dr. Civit’s project, together with the architectural diagram and French landscaper Carlos Thays’ design, gives birth to this park, which is not a park but a paradise.

For over one hundred years, San Martín Park has been one of the most important urban green spaces of Argentina, not only for of its size, but because of its proximity to the city.

It covers a surface of 759 cultivated acres (307 hectares), 11 miles (17 kms) of roads and interior streets lined with different types of trees that give them their names: Los Plátanos Avenue; Los Tilos Avenue; Palmeras Avenue and Tipas Avenue, among others. Also, 213 acres (86 hectares) were added and the number of species (more than 50,000 trees) that compose its varietal patrimony is surprising (including species from North America, Asia, Europe and Australia).

A wide variety of rose bushes greet each day in the Rose Garden, a French style promenade (1919) situated in front of the Park Lake (1906) where rowing is practiced and across from the Mendoza Regatta Club, which thanks to its location is always bustling with activity. The outdoor activities increase its appeal; symphonic concerts on the island of the lake, gym classes, aerobics, cycling….all within a space free of vehicles that circles the lake, permitting roller skaters, skateboarders and athletes to enjoy practicing their favorite sports.

This green orb, filled with roads that lead you to gardens, sculptures (over 34 works of art), clubs, restaurants, universities, among many other wonders, is a tourist attraction difficult to match. The tourists can choose to hire private transportation and take guided tours in comfortable mini-buses or decide to participate in this multi-colored universe and enjoy walking, riding a bike or horseback riding down its streets; simply take part of everything this unique, incredible and incomparable place offers.

The Park Gates (1909), with its doors permanently open inviting you to explore its interior, define the main entrance and beyond this point ensure an encounter with the “magic” to be found in every corner. " info found in http://www.mondoexplorer.com, 
 

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 58mm, f8, 1/80sec, ISO 200

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 105mm, f8, 1/200sec, ISO 200

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 24mm, f8, 1/60sec, ISO 200

Even if Mendoza, had that big earthquake in 1861 a 7.2, I am not too concern, the building code was change, like many other place they were not ready for this magnitude, today  the new constructions, which incorporated modern architectural tendencies, are markedly different from the old colonial buildings.

Our place in Mendoza is very close to  General San Martín Park a 10 min. walk, I cannot wait to go back.

To get Perfect Effect 4 for Free click on the link on the right of the page

Challenging on location work, with two extremely busy subjects

This one wasn't part of the job but I kept it, I like how natural they were before posing, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 16-35 at 35mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO200

Working on location can be a real challenge especially when you got no flexibility at all, it happens to me many times, but one particular job prove to be more challenging.

I was hired to shoot, two priests at the new Catholic church in Okotoks Alberta, I had a restrict few hours to do so, not knowing if the principal subjects, will be available for more than few minutes.

I was lucky the weather was great that day, I wanted to do some outside shots, I got there few hours early, to find out that the church was rented by the school board for meetings, I spoke with the responsible and agree to use some part of the church for my own work.

I did a walk around inside and outside to determine the light and were to place my 2 subjects, labelling my chosen spot with tape, I knew that my shooting time was going to be restricted as these 2 priests were extremely busy, they were not my client, they were only the subject, not an easy situation as they didn’t care too much about the result.

Catholic priests don’t have it easy, they don’t decide on their schedule, they serve their community, and I wanted to do my best to make it easy and fast to let them go back to their busy agenda.

The first priest arrived on time and was very relax,

Father Steve posing in front of his church, low angle shot, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 24-105 at 47mm, f11, 1/125 sec, ISO 200

30 minutes later the second priest arrived, he had no time, he allow me 30 minutes to finish the shooting.  It was very challenging and stressful, I was glad that the weather was playing alone and that I had the time to get organize before the shooting started.

I was far enough that even with f2, I was able to get a clear image, this was the kind of image that was requested, Father Frank and Father Steve taking the perfect pose,  Canon 5D Markii, Canon 85 prime lens, f2, 1/125 sec, ISO 200

The result was ok, what I mean by that is that it pleased the client, this was exactly what the client asked for, when on a job this is the priority, if you are successful with the request that’s all that count, you have to put your preference on the side.  Even if I was restricted during this shooting some of the image that I took when they were relax and not posing were pretty good, and I am glad I accepted that challenge.

After the shooting session, mine to keep, Canon 5D Markii, Canon70-200 at 105mm, f3.2, 1/30 sec, ISO 200

F3.2 help to isolate the subject, I should of cranked the ISO to 400 to get a faster shooter speed, but I didn't had the time to change the setting and didn't want to miss the shot  , Canon 5D Markii, Canon70-200 at 105mm, f3.2, 1/30 sec, ISO 200

Relaxing and chatting after the photo session, before getting back to their busy schedules, Canon 5D Markii, Canon70-200 at 105mm, f3.2, 1/30 sec, ISO 200

Location shooting is never easy, especially when your are restricted by time, it’s really hard to predict what will happen, but I enjoy it, like these wedding photographer that I admire, shooting this kind of on location work is not easy but the experience is a real learning opportunity.

To get Perfect Effect 4 for Free click on the link on the right of the page

The best bread ever “COBS” Fresh Bread Okotoks

Cobs Okotoks just won best bakery in Alberta second place in the Regional Bakery Competition May 2/2014, also second place for their French Baguette and first as the most improved bakery in Alberta.

All the Okotoks folks are happy to have them here, they are a great asset to our community!
“Conveniently located on Southridge Drive, COBS Bread prides itself in being our Local Baker. Each morning their dedicated bakers are up early making bread from scratch for us to enjoy. their breads contains no added sugar, colour or preservatives and are made from 100% whole grain flour. At the end of each day, all their leftover is donated to local charities.”

What a wonderful idea, amazing products and helping the local charities,
 Their commitment,
 COBS Bread is committed to providing healthy and fresh breads for you and your family. All of our breads…
• Are baked fresh daily
• Use quality ingredients
• Are made from scratch
• Contain no added sugar, dairy, colour or preservatives
• Are locally made
• Are made with 100% Canadian Wheat
All of our Whole Wheat Breads use 100% Whole Grain Whole Wheat Flour.

I enjoy going to Cobs, my favorite loafs are,
Cape Seed loaf made with 100% whole grain flour, this loaf is packed with the goodness of nine grains and seeds. Very high in dietary fibre and preservative free,  

CHIA Fruit Loaf is delicious and full of goodness; a source of omega-3 ALA, high in fibre, no added sugar, no preservatives and a source of magnesium, iron and thiamin it’s my favorite breakfast slice, it’s almost an addiction,   

German Rye Loaf has a distinctive rye flavour and colour great for a different tasted lunch, and finally,

Wheat Spelt Sour Dough Vienna hard to describe that amazing tasty loaf, all their loafs are amazing, and their scone and croissant OMG I can go on and on, if you want great taste, great healthy products amazing customer and friendly services, this is it, Cobs is the best!

I took all the shots with my little Panasonic Lumix Fz200.

Calgary Zoo Safari Using Canon 100-400 Hand Hold

Taking a bath, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 400mm, f5.6, 1/400sec, ISO200

 I wanted to try out my IS "Image Stabilization" for my Canon 100-400 super zoom, I used it a lot in the past always on a tripod, it's a big lens, quite heavy 48oz,   IS estimate on this lens is 2 stops of shutter speed it means if I handhold the lens at 1/100sec,  I can shoot handhold up to the max range of the lens 400mm keeping a sharp image. I choose a sunny day to be able to keep the shutter speed higher, when inside I up the ISO, It work very well even when I added the Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DGX AF 1.4x Teleconverter bringing the range up to 560mm

Love the argument, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 235mm, f5.6, 1/250sec, ISO200

I was able to capture great image, without the use of my tripod, not that I will leave my tripod at home, but the option of using this lens handhold is a big plus.

Welcome to the zoo, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 160mm, f5.6, 1/160sec, ISO200

The Grizzle, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 400mm, f5.6, 1/160sec, ISO200

The Grizzle, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 400mm, f5.6, 1/400sec, ISO200

The elephants were a bit nervous, that was their last day at the Calgary Zoo, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 160mm, f5.6, 1/800sec, ISO200

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 330mm, f5.6, 1/400sec, ISO200

Love the tigers, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 560mm with Kenko 1.4 teleconverter, f8, 1/250sec, ISO200
 

Playing with the ball, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 490mm, with Kenko 1.4 teleconverter f8, 1/250sec, ISO200

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 490mm, with Kenko 1.4 teleconverter f8, 1/320sec, ISO200

Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 490mm, with Kenko 1.4 teleconverter f8, 1/400sec, ISO200

Double shift, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 150mm, f5, 1/1250sec, ISO200 

Under water, I had to up the ISO to 800, Canon 5D Markii, Canon 100-400 at 105mm, f4.5, 1/400sec, ISO800

To get Perfect Effect 4 for Free click on the link on the right of the page