A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Mud Lake

The Nature Group of the RA Photo Club organized an outing to nearby Mud Lake and surrounding area. Mud Lake, also called the Britannia Conservation Area, is one of the things that makes Ottawa such a nice place to live. It is surrounded on three sides by Ottawa residential neighbourhoods and is separated from the Ottawa river to the North by a narrow strip of land. On the day we went the outdoor temperature was approximately -20 Celsius, so it was essential to dress for the cold, which I was. In fact, as the morning wore on and the temperature rose slightly, I found the need to delayer my clothing a bit, so as not to overheat. I arrived a bit before 8 am and set out on the trail that follows the perimeter of the lake. To be honest, I didn’t find much of interest to photograph on this trail, although I enjoyed the walk in the quiet forest. For me, photography is more than just taking photos – it is also an incentive to explore my world, and in this case to soak up the serenity of Nature. But I did take a few photos on my walk, and I ventured out onto the surface of the frozen lake to take some photos there as well. As I completed my loop around the lake, I finally encountered other members of the photo club, having passed only a single bird watcher on the trail, and was directed to other photo opportunities along the nearby Ottawa river. This is where I found more interesting subjects, and I spent considerable time there, being mindful of the proximity of the open water. As the morning drew to a close, I joined the group for lunch at a nearby restaurant, where I could enjoy the warmth of the surroundings and the camaraderie of my fellow photographers.

I found the pattern in this decaying trunk interesting and sought to contrast it with the healthy trees surrounding it.
I found the pattern in this decaying trunk interesting and sought to contrast it with the healthy trees surrounding it.
Minimalism and simplicity. I took other shots with larger subjects in the frame, but I prefer this one for the shape of the twig and the larger amount of negative space.
Minimalism and simplicity. I took other shots with larger subjects in the frame, but I prefer this one for the shape of the twig and the larger amount of negative space.
This graffiti covered boulder with facial features is incongruous in the otherwise natural setting and prompted me to document its presence.
This graffiti covered boulder with facial features is incongruous in the otherwise natural setting and prompted me to document its presence.
The horizontal arc formed by the ice in the foreground attracted me to this shot. The trunks in the middle ground form complementary vertical arcs.
The horizontal arc formed by the ice in the foreground attracted me to this shot. The trunks in the middle ground form complementary vertical arcs.
The sweeping shape formed by this trunk, with three branches like fingers reaching to the ice, drew me to this shot. I composed it tightly to emphasize these features.
The sweeping shape formed by this trunk, with three branches like fingers reaching to the ice, drew me to this shot. I composed it tightly to emphasize these features.
It always pays to look everywhere, including straight down, or else I might have missed these ice crystals. I took several shots to explore different compositions.
It always pays to look everywhere, including straight down, or else I might have missed these ice crystals. I took several shots to explore different compositions.
In this case, I sought to use the foreground reeds as an element to anchor the composition, with the bent over reed stalks as lines pointing to the middle ground tree that is the subject of the photo.
In this case, I sought to use the foreground reeds as an element to anchor the composition, with the bent over reed stalks as lines pointing to the middle ground tree that is the subject of the photo.
The shape of the foreground indentation in the ice intrigued me, and I positioned it to point to, and balance with, the tree on the island in the middle ground.
The shape of the foreground indentation in the ice intrigued me, and I positioned it to point to, and balance with, the tree on the island in the middle ground.
A classical landscape composition, with foreground ice, middle ground islands, and the farther shore in the background. The arc of the foreground ice directs the eye to the subject middle ground.
A classical landscape composition, with foreground ice, middle ground islands, and the farther shore in the background. The arc of the foreground ice directs the eye to the subject middle ground.
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