A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Ottawa River

COVID-19 infection rates in Canada are now quite modest. As such, I am comfortable having (socially distant) photo outings with friends. For the first such outing, one of my longtime friends suggested that we shoot along the Ottawa River. I had recently shot heading in one direction, so we agreed to walk the opposite way. Our meeting point was the rock sculptures at Remic Rapids, and from there we walked East. The rock sculptures are the work of John Felice Ceprano and are justifiably famous. Ottawa residents and visitors to our city marvel at these precariously balanced creations. I have shot these sculptures before, so only took a few shots before we began our walk. This was an evening shoot featuring golden evening light. The weather was perfect: moderate temperatures and scattered clouds for an interesting sky. While the nominal goal was photography, I really enjoyed reconnecting with my friend. We reached as far as Lemieux Island before the light faded too much for handheld photography.

An inukshuk sculpture in the river. Turbulent water at the top of the frame, along with the wake of the sculpture, give a sense of the speed of the water.
An inukshuk sculpture in the river. Turbulent water at the top of the frame, along with the wake of the sculpture, give a sense of the speed of the water.
More sculptures. The precarious way the stones are balanced is quite impressive, and typical of the work of the artist.
More sculptures. The precarious way the stones are balanced is quite impressive, and typical of the work of the artist.
A lone kayaker with the Champlain Bridge in the background. I'm contrasting the tiny kayaker with the immense sky that fills most of the frame.
A lone kayaker with the Champlain Bridge in the background. I'm contrasting the tiny kayaker with the immense sky that fills most of the frame.
Beautiful light on a peaceful scene. I was seeking balance between the nicely lit island and the bank of clouds at the upper right.
Beautiful light on a peaceful scene. I was seeking balance between the nicely lit island and the bank of clouds at the upper right.
A tight shot with a nearly wide open aperture to isolate the flower against a soft blurry background.
A tight shot with a nearly wide open aperture to isolate the flower against a soft blurry background.
I'm drawn to backlighting for the etherial glow it gives to subjects, as in the case of these thistles. The trick is to find an angle where the background is not distracting.
I'm drawn to backlighting for the etherial glow it gives to subjects, as in the case of these thistles. The trick is to find an angle where the background is not distracting.
Sunset light on the bridges leading to Lemieux Island.
Sunset light on the bridges leading to Lemieux Island.
A view of downtown Ottawa from the bridges leading to Lemieux Island. The sunset light draws attention to the buildings and is repeated on the leading edge of the clouds.
A view of downtown Ottawa from the bridges leading to Lemieux Island. The sunset light draws attention to the buildings and is repeated on the leading edge of the clouds.
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