Canada Archives | For The Love Of Light

Notes on the Arrival of Autumn

It starts with a deepening of shadows as the daily path of the sun passes closer and closer to the horizon. Vivid fall shades of gold-yellow and crimson start to appear at the edges of the green late-summer leavers.

Geese and gulls pass overhead well into the evening hours, calling to each other in the settling darkness with a cold northern wind at their backs.

The garden slows, enormous summer leaves of the rhubarb parting further with each frost, revealing bowed scarlet stems as they settle toward the waiting earth. Bulbs are planted beneath a blanket of fallen twigs and foliage. Flowers go to seed and the hibernating bees choose their dens for the winter.

Light reaches into the heart of the house, the low-sitting sun filtered through the shifting curtain of tree branches and leaves that shade the windows. Forgotten textures are revealed and even as the days shorten, there are more moments of golden-hour light to enjoy.

Sunsets soften and linger in the treetops, where the last bright green leaves flutter in a cool breeze. The tree canopy transforms into an almost architectural experience. Trunks and branches are revealed through colourful patches of thinning leaves, like stained glass suspended within the cathedral framework of urban forest arching overhead

All of the photos in this post were taking in September and October of 2022 for a personal project. As I followed the beautiful light and details through the autumn season, themes of transition, loss, and regeneration emerged. Portions of the work I created during this time have become a study of a particular kind of moody fall aesthetic.

This is a season as much about colourful leaves as it is a time of deep preparations; migrations or shifts to dormancy are measures taken to survive the coming winter, while the fallen leaves are beginning the process of decaying into nutrients needed for new spring growth. Without these changes and periods of hibernation, the raucous energy of spring would not be possible. Just as necessary is the abundance of summer, providing the raw materials of fall when it arrives again.

Subscribe to my newsletter to follow along with future personal work, as this seasonal study and many other projects continue to evolve.

Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis

From California to Manitoba, I have photographed monarch butterflies in their caterpillar and adult butterfly forms over the years. I had yet to photograph a Danaus plexippus chrysalis, and was hopeful that this year I’d get the chance to do some macro nature photography of a chrysalis.

Luckily, 2023 turned out to be a banner year for butterflies in the garden. The milkweed was covered in voracious caterpillars as adult butterflies danced through the flower beds.

Finding a chrysalis can be difficult, as their jewel-like and gold-flecked forms disappear into the foliage, tucked under branches or overhanging ledges. I was lucky to spot a monarch chrysalis on an old window screen, providing an opportunity to get extra close with a macro lens.

It was very difficult to balance the focus across the textural details I wanted to photograph. The green structural “plates” of the chrysalis, raindrops, and iridescent gold spots all felt important to include in the composition. This image took several attempts, crouched in a shaded corner of the garden to take advantage of the soft, indirect light.

A couple weeks later, I noticed monarch butterflies appearing several times a day on the arching stems of the milkweed and sedum. These newly hatched adults hung upside down, turning gently in the warm breeze as their wings unfurled. Their colourful wing scales, sensory body hairs, antennae and proboscis all appear in delicate detail.

To view these images in larger detail, check out my full gallery of monarch butterfly photography. Prints available upon request.

Sunset sculpture study, Vancouver

“Increasing levels of abstraction and complexity frighten those for whom art is a means to attain a comfortable expression of calm, luxury, and delight.” – Bernar Venet

On a leisurely walk along the waterfront of Vancouver a few years ago, I noticed the sunset light illuminating the sculpture on the beach in the distance. I like the scale and resemblance of this piece to an organic form, like the rib bones of a whale. The title however refers to the precise mathematical specifications of the sculpture.

A large metal sculpture seen at sunset on the beach in Vancouver, with ships and mountains in the hazy distance.

‘217.5 Arc x 13’ by Bernar Venet, photographed in fading sunset light, Vancouver, British Columbia

I quite enjoy large, abstract sculptural works and the ways that the natural light, landscape, and details of the setting can bring new perspectives and meaning to the piece. It is wonderful to encounter an opportunity to photograph such a scene when the conditions are right for an especially atmospheric sculpture study.

Seymour Narrows & Ripple Rock | Travel Photography

On a warm May afternoon aboard a small ship I watched as deep, swirling currents formed whirlpools in the channel ahead. Little did I know, I was about to have an unforgettable Seymour Narrows travel experience.

We had been fighting the tide for a while and making slow progress. As we reached Seymour Narrows, where the current can reach 15 knots, conditions warranted a cautious approach. Our ship anchored in a sheltered cove and we went ashore for a safe view of the treacherous channel

Top: Maud Island Trail leads through dark forest to an overlook of Seymour Narrows
Bottom: Abstracted twater details of strong tidal currents

After a short zodiac trip to a small dock and a trailhead, we were welcomed by a bright grassy path leading toward a dark forest. The cool air of the shade on Maud Island Trail offered relief from the heat. As we hiked up the rocky path. a view of water gradually appeared through the trees. We had reached a mossy bluff overlooking Seymour Narrows below.

Forest trail and glimpse of Seymour Narrows, travel photography

View of strong currents in Seymour Narrows, travel photography — *Top: A mossy trail through the forest with a glimpse of Discovery Passage beyond*
*Bottom: Seymour Narrows and the surrounding mountain landscape*

Seymour Narrows & Ripple Rock History

These waterways and the surrounding landscape are the traditional territory of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation. It is noted in their background & historical information that “The regularly treacherous waterways and passages of places like Seymour Narrows, Race Point and Arran Rapids were utilized strategically in warfare to successfully defend against raids by northern tribes of the Haida and Bella Coola.” It has been fascinating to learn more about the rich regional history and modern-day presence of the Wei Wai Kum indigenous communities here.

Detail view of strong currents in Seymour Narrows, travel photography

Seymour Narrows is a short and powerful stretch of water in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Discovery Channel, along the Northeastern coast of Vancouver Island. Along with being an important shipping channel, it is known for being the site of an enormous man-made explosion. In 1958 the underwater mountain Ripple Rock was “moved” to make transiting the narrows safer. If you are curious, there is an excellent short film and more information about this bit of Ripple Rock history here.

Meditations on the Tide

We spent some time resting on cushions of deep moss along the top of the bluff, watching the rushing water below.

A boat transiting Forest trail and Seymour Narrows, travel photography

Snowy mountain peaks rose in the distance as small boats rode the tide South through the channel. Whirlpools swirled across the glittering dark blue and silvery water. An especially frothy patch of water churned where Ripple Rock lurks beneath the waves.

Ripple Rock and Forest trail and Seymour Narrows, travel photography — *Strong tidal currents flow over the site of Ripple Rock*

Returning to the ship, our skipper decided that the timing was right to catch a sunset slack tide through the narrows. Our overnight anchorage was just a little further North at Deep Bay. By the time we entered Seymour Narrows the whirlpools and rapids had calmed. A cold wind swept down from the mountains. I particularly enjoy these moments on the bow, quiet and contemplative. I had read about Seymour Narrows, but experiencing it firsthand has put into perspective just how powerful the changing tides can be in this part of the world.

POV sunset view transiting by small ship, Seymour Narrows, travel photography

This was an especially memorable afternoon and a fun travel photography challenge, as the conditions changed quickly and often. Find my Maud Island/Seymour Narrows travel gallery here, and my full expedition story here. As of the writing of this post, I still have many more photos to edit and stories from this journey to assemble, so be sure to check back or even better, subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss future updates.

Granville Island, Vancouver | Travel Photography

My favourite way to approach travel photography is as an act of discovery. Before landing in a new destination I have usually done some research about the location, but I like to arrive with no specific photos in mind. I find that I make better images when I have few preconceived ideas of what a place “is”. I am more likely to encounter an unexpected cultural or historical detail when I follow the light through a new environment. This enables me to create travel photos that are both artistic and authentic as I document an inspired experience of being there.

A photograph of morning sunlight and deep shadows in a courtyard with grey walls and yellow window trim on the surrounding building. A large sign on the building roof reads "public market" against a blue sky. A man sits alone at a long picnic table eating underneath a red and white striped awning. A pigeon and a seagull stand on tables nearby. — *Early morning in a quiet market courtyard, and sunset skies over the waterfront of Granville Island, Vancouver*

Vancouver travel photography of waterfront docks and Granville Island water taxi and aqua bus boats. The foreground is in blue hour shadow and the water is calm. The distant city skyline is illuminated in soft sunset light beneath a blue sky with passing clouds.

The drawback to this approach is that during shorter visits, the opportunities for good light are inherently more limited. What may be a dull scene on an overcast morning could be spectacular on a sunny afternoon, but by then my camera and I may be on to other sights. So it was especially nice on a recent short trip to Vancouver, Canada to have a couple of nights on Granville Island. This provided ample time to explore, walking to the market beneath dramatic views of the towering Vancouver cityscape.

Vancouver travel photography showing city skyscrapers framed by the steel structure of the Granville bridge, with aqua bus and water taxi docks in the near foreground. Morning sunlight passes beneath the bridge with a blue sky above. — *The glittering skyscrapers of False Creek overlook Granville Bridge and waterfront docks.*

Interior view of produce stalls beneath the high ceiling and lights of Granville Island market. Oranges and apples are piled in bins and shop employees stock shelves in the background. — *Granville Island market stall fruit display*

This is ancestral land to the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and remains unceded territory. Prior to industrial development, the sandbars and shallows of the tidal environment were rich with food sources. Surrounded by distant mountains and alive with abundant biodviersity, this would have been an especially beautiful place.

The present-day Granville Island is man-made, built with material dredged from the nearby waterways. What was once an inter-tidal ecosystem is now a mix of industrial enterprises, performing arts venues, and arts and crafts studios. This urban environment lends itself to a different kind of travel photography, emphasizing the buildings and dense development of a very specific neighbourhood.

My visit in late winter meant that the sightseeing crowds had not yet arrived for the busy summer season. I enjoyed capturing a sense of calmness, even in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a city port and industrial neighbourhood. In particular, the early mornings spent wandering the quiet streets offered plenty of beautiful light and photographic inspiration.

Morning light illuminates steam and equipment at the Granville Island concrete plant

Colourful Granville Island market displays and busy shoppers, in the foreground a low interior wall catches shadows cast by nearby jars and bottles. — *Beautiful light on Granville Island*

Colourful bicycle racks and a restaurant exterior beneath the Granville Island bridge. Morning light casts long shadows and the streets are quiet.

Exploring the Vancouver cityscape from Granville Island

Granville Island is a great place to explore new angles for Vancouver travel photography. The surrounding views of the city are remarkable as the light changes throughout the day. Towering buildings reflect in the water below, while bridges and trees provide unique framed perspectives of the landscape beyond.

The unique curved skyscraper known as the Vancouver House with a narrow lower half framed by trees with bare winter branches. Sunrise light illuminates the very top of the building against a bright blue sky.

One Vancouver skyscraper in particular has a very interesting shape, narrowing at the bottom than at the top. I was able to photograph Vancouver House in both early morning and late afternoon light. I like how each composition gives the building a slightly different presence within the cityscape. There is subtle context provided by other elements in each composition. Meanwhile, the angle and futuristic form of the architecture remains similar in both photos.

The unique curved skyscraper known as the Vancouver House with a narrow lower half framed by houseboat and waterfront building rooflines. The west-facing side of the building is lit with late afternoon sun with a blue sky and more tall buildings beyond.

The presence of such large buildings directly reflected in the water of False Creek is also quite striking. At sunset, the walls of glass and steel catch the sunset light. At sunrise, the light casts the Vancouver city skyline into shadow, as the angular buildings appear to extend to the distant horizon.

Golden sunset light illuminates the waterfront skyscrapers overlooking False Creek in Vancouver. The steels and glass buildings are reflected in calm water as a colourful water bus passes below.

A dramatic sunrise over False Creek, with the city skyline in the distance and harbour full of small boats in the foreground. The sun peeks beneath the dark clouds and beautiful light reflects in the water.

Visit apkphotography.com to see my full archive of Granville Island and Vancouver travel photography. Many of my travel photographs are available to license here, and select images have been released as fine art travel photo prints.

Winter Light Photography | Personal Work & Studies

As winter settles in, the sun is slipping lower and lower across the sky. During the winter solstice here in Winnipeg, Manitoba the sun barely clears the treetops. Such low-angled rays of light are magical, and to celebrate the season I’ve gathered some winter light photography snapshots from recent years…

Abstract reflection of lights in a window, with a dark sunset in the distance

Soft light falling across a deep, smooth snowdrift

I find that winter light is particularly well-suited to capturing surreal window reflections, allowing for layers of light and colour to blend with abstracted patterns. When illuminated from a low angle, snow becomes a textural wonderland of sparkling deep drifts, painted with fading light and blue shadows.

Trees and winter light

Filtering the last rays of golden hour, or catching a gilded glow in their bare branches against blue skies. Such stark winter forms are welcome whether framing sunsets or arching above city streets, as they lend shape and contrast to the winter light all day long.

Winter sunset through trees at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba

Late afternoon light in tree branches on a cold winter day

Line of trees in snow at sunset, Manitoba

Sunset seen through a window, framed by snow and tree branches

Winter afternoon light and river, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Streetlamp illuminates trees in a park on a cold winter's night

Trees lend structure to the frosty winter air, and when they are illuminated just-so they compliment the bones of the landscape or urban environment, laid bare by the season.

Winter light photography and interior spaces

Casting soft, surreal shadows in unexpected places, light filtered through old glass windows is particularly irresistible to try and capture with the camera. Something as simple as an unintentional coffee cup still life might appear on a wall for a moment, painted in shadow and quick to disappear as the light shifts.

Often the swaying of winter branches will make these patches of light dance and shift, like light through moving water as seen at the bottom of a pool.

Varied views of the same cityscape

Downtown Winnipeg features a mix of old and new buildings. As their facades catch and reflect the winter light throughout the day, the mood and feel of the cityscape changes too. With the early sunset, lights in windows twinkle while the dusky sky still holds onto the last of the sunlight. The moon rises over the city with its glow softened by the icy atmosphere.

Winter light in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba

Early evening moon over downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winter reflection and light in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba

The golden glow of the winter light is especially beautiful contrasted with the blue shadows and snow of the cityscape, and I couldn’t resist the reflection of a sunlit building in the sideview mirror on a winter’s afternoon.

Windows become magical glittering surfaces

Frosted with ice crystals or illuminated by gently shifting shadows. Abstract layers of light are caught and transformed inside and out, and even though the daylight hours are short, there seems to be no end to the beauty that winter can conjure with a bit of moisture or moving light on glass surfaces.

Winter light and glass block wall abstract

Light and shadow falling across a window screen

Iced-over windows of an old door, interior

Winter colours through fluted-glass window

The two images at the bottom left of these wintery window scenes are actually shots of frost accumulation on the inside of an old set of windows. The two images in the bottom right are of the same perspective through fluted glass at different times of day.

Of course a winter landscape is made even more beautiful by the light

Rippling sheets of icy clouds and endless shades of blue. Sunsets last longer, and the blushing glow of their colours is reflected in the snow and ice. Often the sky looks like mother-of-pearl, iridescent and luminous.

Winter clouds over a snowy prairie landscape, Manitoba, Canada

Winter sunset over bridge and water, Vancouver, Canada

Vivid winter sunset on the Canadian highway, across the prairie of Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Pink winter sunset clouds over the Manitoba prairie, Canada

I love how the winter landscape is often a study in subtlety, with fence-lines and horizons blurred by blowing snow, and the sky a soft gradient veiled in lacy clouds. When the sunsets are colourful, it is always in shades made more vivid by the coolness of the surrounding scene.

Little details of domestic life are illuminated in beautiful light and shadow, turning the long winter months of staying mostly indoors into magical journeys through familiar spaces.

Something as simple as a tissue or glass of water can be transformed by the winter light. Of course the dog loves the winter sunlight too, and can often be found basking in the glow of those fleeting, low-angled rays of warmth.

Kitchen shadows, self-portrait in winter light

Simple wooden dinosaur blocks, winter light and shadowplay

Glass jars on wooden surface, winter light shadowplay

Warm winter light on a wall, red shelf and yellow bird

Yellow stool shadowplay, winter light across a wall

Warm winter sunset light filters into a quiet bedroom

All of the photos in this post are from various phone cameras. I find that winter light photography inspires snapshots as it is such a fleeting and beautiful part of every day. To see new snapshots as I share them, just head over to @photoapk on Instagram and follow me there!

Summer Landscape Reflections

Blue summer skies and fluffy white clouds mirrored in the water of Whirlpool Lake at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. The dazzling colours of summer are fleeting in Canada, and in this scene there are vivid blues and greens. The dark forest recedes along the horizon while a breeze skims the surface of the lake, softening the reflection of trees and sky.

“After everything that’s happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.”
Margaret Atwood

Bright blue summer sky and fluffy clouds reflected in the water of Whirlpool Lake at Riding Mountain, National Park, Canada — Whirlpool Lake on a bright summer afternoon, in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba

This is Treaty 2 Territory, land of the Métis, Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux)⁠.⁠

I encountered this moment of wilderness reflection on a short summer hike last year. Exploring Riding Mountain National Park means many opportunities to view lovely small lakes like this, and I am always hoping to spot some wildlife on the opposite shore. The breeze (mostly) kept the mosquitos away, and nearby meadows were bursting with late summer wildflowers. As a photographer, a landscape reflection like this is impossible to resist. The scenery and elements allow for beautiful compositions and studies of balance, which I particularly enjoy capturing.

Abstract textural reflection of clouds and blue sky on the surface of Whirlpool Lake, rippled by wind

There is often a sense of serenity in photos of natural reflections. When I look at these images now, I am transported to a calm, breathtaking time and place. The texture of air moving across water reminds me of vintage glass windows and how their rippled texture smudges the colours in the sky. The mirror-like surface of the water makes the natural light even more magical. Whether viewed as abstract textural art or as a study in landscape reflection photography, Whirlpool Lake in Manitoba is a special spot that I hope to photograph again soon.

Tag: Canada

Notes on the Arrival of Autumn

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Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis

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Sunset sculpture study, Vancouver

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