Prerequisite Tree

The certificate program I am taking at Algonquin College does not provide a prerequisite tree, but I have created one as I do not want to get myself down a path of having to wait for a certain course to be offered to be able to proceed with my studies - I also just like doing things like this.

grey = not taken, blue = enrolled/currently taking, purple = completed

As you can see, there is really only one bottle-neck and I have started going down that path as much as I can. I plan on venturing down the bottle-necked path once I have completed my upcoming photography based course as with the exception of PHO5599, this prerequisite path is heavily computer based and will bore me to death if I try to complete them all in one go.

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A Bird Itch

There are numerous birds at the Montreal Biodome but this little guy caught my eye as he gracefully scratched an itch.

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PHO5597

I have enrolled in my fourth Photography night course at Algonquin College - Composition and Design. It starts at the very end of August and will run until near the end of December - Monday night classes from 7 til 10. I am glad to be back to one night a week as two was just ridiculous. It of course didn't help that I wasn't too pleased with the course I took in the summer, but I think even with a course I loved, twice a week would be too much for me as I work full-time and all.

The course description is as follows:
"Students are introduced to the basic elements of composition and their practical applications in improving their photography projects. Assignments relating to the various elements of composition are completed. The history of photography, along with visual composition is discussed and demonstrated in this class. Students visit local museums (Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography and National Gallery of Canada) to study exhibitions."

I am excited to be in a photography based course again as the computer based ones were really starting to bore me. I am also excited about the field trip to a museum in the City. I have a pretty strong feeling that is will be the National Gallery of Canada as my company is doing work for the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography based on future construction work therein, but I could be wrong. I do however, have a pretty strong feeling that this course, like the first I took, will hold only minutes of new information within the 3 hours long weekly classes, but will be useful information that will help me be better at what I love.

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Otter

I have learned throughout my many trips to the zoo that otters are very hard to photograph. I was however pretty lucky while at the Montreal Biodome.

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Notre Dame Basilica

Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal.

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Exposed Cross

One of the many gorgeous tombstones within Mont Royal Cemetery in Montreal.

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Night Photography

I have taken a couple night shots in the past, but nothing really turned out that well. While in Montreal I had the opportunity to take several night shots and am more than pleased with the outcome. The above shot was taken from the quays of old port in Montreal, as were the two previous night shots I have posted. I took them all on bulb setting with my Slik tripod at f-stop 11. I can't wait to get chances to take shots like these.

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Religion at Night

Not entirely sure what this building is, but it right on the Montreal Harbour in Vieux Port. I took it directly after the international fireworks competition.

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Le Grande Chapiteau

Le Grande Chapiteau - the Big Top, Montreal.
Another attempt at night photography that I think turned out pretty darn well.

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Lemur

A lemur posing beautifully for me at the Biodome in Montreal.

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Temporary Hiatus

You may have noticed that lately my photo blog has not been as active as it usually is. I have a few excuses for this and a few explanations as well. First the excuses, I have been really busy with work and working so many extra hours that I haven't had the time to dedicate to my photography or any post-production of photos I have taken over the last few months. Now onto the actual legitimate explanations.
I recently finished my third course as part of my Photography Techniques Certificate at Algonquin College. I was not thrilled by this third course and unlike previous ones, it did not let a fire under me to really get moving with my art. I have two months off from Photography courses and unconsciously decided to take a slight break from avid photography in an attempt to allow myself to see it as a hobby that I love and not schoolwork that I must complete to get a grade. I knew this latter viewpoint would be a side effect of taking courses at the college level, but also knew that the benefits far outweighed it.
In about a week I will be registering for my fourth course at Algonquin and am planning on taking one of the actual photography based courses rather than the computer based ones that I have taken in the past. My hope is that I will learn something in my next photography based course that I can start using my art as a way of income in some fashion, but that is not up for discussion right now as it would confuse me and weigh heavy on both my heart and mind.
I have a few events in the near future that will result in a great deal of photos and therefore more regular posting here again, but until then, I apologize for the lag.

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Meerkat Lookout

Meerkats are such photographic creatures - constantly posing. He enjoyed the show we put on for him while we attempted to get Dave's iron ring out from behind the posts.

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Stripes

This zebra was very cooperative when I was photographing it, just stood there munching on the grass. Must have been some really good grass.

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DeviantArt

I feel a massive thank you is in order to those who visit my DeviantArt site - particularly those who comment or fav my photographs. So for those of you who go there from here or got here from there, thank you. I really do appreciate any and all comments and suggestions about my work - I feel it will make me a better photographer in the end.

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