Friday, December 2, 2016

Toronto in 5 Hours, A Photographic Tour

Hello, I am Raspal Singh I am a second year Digital Photography International Student at Lambton College, Sarnia. 

In our third semester at Lambton College, we needed to submit photographs for two of our subjects Journalism Photography and Pop culture. As part of our program, my photography class went on the trip to New York city, USA. I was unable to join the group on this trip as the US embassy refused to approve my visa request. 

So I was here in Sarnia completing the assignments on my own. During that same week I got an email from One of our program committee supporters and owner of Photo Tour Trekkers company, James Cowie.  James offered me a wonderful opportunity to assist the trip he is hosting from London (ON) to Toronto (ON) an offer I couldn't resist.

So I joined the group in London and the photo adventure began. I met many like-minded people on this trip who wanted to explore the city from another perspective. For some people, it was their first ever Toronto visit and I could just see the joy of the moment in their eyes. I cannot believe I took 700 RAW photographs within 2.5 hours in Toronto downtown. 

I am going to share some of the photographs and will be adding more as I edit them on my blog.
And again I would like to thank, James Cowie and Photo Tour Trekkers for the incredible trip experience. James you are very talented and easy to talk to a person. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts about photography and also gained a fabulous trick of photography on the trip. You are blessed with true soul, which is calm and full of positive vibes towards everyone's success. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Editor's Note James Cowie is a member of the Lambton College Digital Photography Program Advisory Committee representing the industry. 

The Journey, Photo by Raspal Singh
Architectural abstraction, Photo by Raspal Singh
City life, Photo by Raspal Singh
Great Sky, Photo by Raspal Singh
Photo Tour Trekker!
Photo by Raspal Singh
Photographers everywhere, Photo by Raspal Singh

James Cowie giving directions, Photo by Raspal Singh
Watching the street activity.  Photo by Raspal Singh
Phone Booth or Cell Phone? Photo by Raspal Singh
Toronto by night, Photo by Raspal Singh

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Photo Winners!

Congratulations to Lambton College Digital Photography second-year student Gina Robertson and  graduate Angela Smolders who are both winners in the Fall Foto Fest photography contest.

Gina's winning entry was awarded the Grand Prize "Best in Show" by the judging panel!  The photograph entitled "The Last Alpha" was also a winner in the College year-end student competition in April.

The Grand Prize for the Fall Foto Fest contest is a tour package on Photo Tour Trekkers Holland/Amsterdam Photo Tour in May 2017.


Fall Foto Fest, held in Bayfield is a two-day gathering of over 150 photographers from across the region drawing participants from Michigan to Ottawa.  Workshops, speakers, classes, and demonstrations, in addition to the contest fill the weekend of "learning" and social fun.

Angela Smolders entry "La Tradicion" was awarded Honorable Mention in the People Category.

Lambton Digital Photography faculty members Dave Chidley and John Densky were workshop instructors at this year's event.   Nancy McRae a Nursing Program faculty member (and photography student) was also one of the team of workshop instructors.


More on the event and the full list of winners can be viewed on the Photo Tour Trekkers website:


http://phototourtrekkers.com/tours/bayfield-fall-foto-fest-october-2016/



Congratulations!!


Grand Prize Winner - Best in Show "The Last Alpha" by Gina Robertson
"La Tradicion" by Angela Smolders - Honorable Mention in the People Category.


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The Photographers' Experience

Editor's note: The second-year Lambton College Digital Photography students have just completed a five-day work study visit to New York City. Follow our daily blog about the adventure. Each day students will share their thoughts on the experience. Please join us as we experience New York City 

Blog Day 7 by Jesse Martens and Bryce Ottewell



New York was an experience of a lifetime. The trip was full of stories and adventures.  Having to wake up the next day bright eyed and bushy tailed after a long day of walking just felt right because we were all looking forward to the next day of adventure.      

We visited landmarks like The Rockefeller Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Central Park, Times Square, Coney Island and many more. We also visited many museums including Aperture, Public Private Secret exhibition at the International Center of Photography, MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. 

These places had effects on everyone around.  Rushing ahead of others to get a photo first, getting so absorbed by a spot where a great photo would be produced, they would be left behind to catch up.  Even talking to people on the street and hearing their stories gave our pictures even more meaning.

We had a blast as we experienced the beauty of New York through the lens.  

The Photographers had this to say about New York:

Seth Meyers- New York was everything I imagined it would be.
Bryce Ottewell- New York was a great experience that helped me to practice and hone my skills.
Sarah Barry- New York was an experience that gave me the opportunity to explore, and expand my portfolio.
Christina Watts- New York was an experience I will tuck away and reminisce about for years to come.
Dana Sorenson- New York was an experience I’ll never forget
Elizabeth Hunt- New York was a captivating urban center enchanted by light and shadows.
Emily Nutson- New York was a great place to practice my street photography and attempt to emulate the greats, such as Vivian Maier.

Eric Davison-
Gina Robertson- New York was an over stimulation of all of my senses, leaving me with an adrenaline hangover.
Jesse Martens- New York was a great opportunity to practice my street photography.
Jessica Datema- New York was an incredible experience, with a ton of diversity and gorgeous sights to see.
John Hoseok Seo- New York was a huge photography studio which led me to the world of real lights and shadows.
Nicole Bowles- New York was amazing to see and to experience new things.
Nikki Gee- New York was one of the best experiences I have been on!

Nikoo- Former student Nikoo surprised the group by meeting us in her new home of NYC.
Roxanne Monterio- New York was a fantastic experience and I would do it all over again.
David Chidley- I told the students to "Go Away" and they did, and we all had a fantastic experience!
Richard Beland- New York a grand success.



Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Highlights and Memories

Editor's note: The second-year Lambton College Digital Photography students are on a five-day work study visit to New York City. Follow our daily blog about the adventure. Each day students will share their thoughts on the experience. Please join us as we experience New York City 

By Elizabeth Hunt and Christina Watts



The five days spent in the busy bustling city of New York are behind us, but the memories will live on in our hearts and in our photographs. As we return to our lives here at Lambton College, we can’t help but reminisce about our time spent in the big city.



In a city that never sleeps, we found it difficult to make it home before the street lights came on. By night we explored new and exciting locations and pushed our creative and technical limits to capture the nightlife.



Everywhere we turned, the culture of New York City surrounded us. We were engulfed by it. Subway rides presented performances by musicians and engaging conversations with locals. Walks to galleries and museums lead to witnessing street performers attempting death-defying stunts or simply playing an instrument.

Throughout our travels, we were engrossed in the architecture, some of which was over 200 years old! From the older, Georgian style of St. Paul’s Chapel to the new, modern Oculus Station, the beauty of every new building we passed was enchanting. 

As our journey becomes a fleeting memory, we will not forget the challenge of capturing the crowds amongst the twinkling lights of Times Square. We will not forget the struggle of navigating the extensive subway system. We will remember the feeling of pride in finding our way in the swarming city and in the moments captured through our viewfinders.

Today we asked each of our students to select a couple of their favorite images from our journey.


A couple walks under a Renaissance sign in Times Square, New York City on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

A man stares into his cellphone on the subway train in New York City on Sunday, October 16, 2016. (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

Signed padlocks hang from The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Thursday, September 13, 2016. (Nicole Bowles/Lambton College)


A white rose indicates the birthday of a victim at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on Friday, October 14, 2016. (Nicole Bowles/Lambton College)


Richard Beland stands on a subway platform as a train speeds by in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Roxanne Monteiro/Lambton College)

A white rose honors the birthday of a lost citizen at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on Friday, October 14, 2016. (Jessica Datema/Lambton College)
 
The moon illuminates the evening sky in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Roxanne Monteiro/Lambton College)

An arch frames a doorway in Queens, New York City on Saturday, October 15, 2016. (Roxanne Monteiro/Lambton College)

A hug on a bench in Coney Island, New York on Saturday, October 15, 2016. (Seth Meyers/Lambton College)

A groom stands with his bride in Central Park, New York City on Sunday, October 16, 2016. (Seth Meyers/Lambton College)

A couple embraces each other in New York City on Friday, October 14, 2016. (Seth Meyers/Lambton College)
The Brooklyn Bridge is silhouetted by the evening sunset in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Bryce Ottewell/Lambton College)
Three women prepare to take pictures in Time Square, New York City on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  (Sarah Barry/Lambton College)
A model takes a break during a photo-shoot in Time Square, New York City on Saturday, October 12, 2016. (Sarah Barry/Lambton College)
Unique architecture stands out against a blue sky at the top of The Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. (Nikki Gee/Lambton College)

The Brooklyn Bridge is silhouetted by the evening sunset in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Bryce Ottewell/Lambton College)

An intersection below the Roosevelt Island Tram in Manhattan, New York City on Sunday, October 16, 2016. (Jesse Martens/Lambton College)
A fan marvels at the sight of Spiderman in Times Square, New York City on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)
A young boy rides a scooter in Coney Island, New York City on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

A singer gestures to a group of students while performing Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” on a subway train in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Dana Sorensen/Lambton College)

The Skyline comes alive with lights in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Nikki Gee/Lambton College)


Clouds pass over the Statue of Liberty in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Jessica Datema/Lambton College)

Crowds rush by while walking across the Brooklynn Bridge in New York City on Thursday, September 13, 2016. (Elizabeth Hunt/Lambton College)
Musicians play their instruments in Central Park, New York City on Sunday, October 16, 2016. (Elizabeth Hunt/Lambton College)
The American flag waves in the breeze behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on Thursday, September 13, 2016. (Elizabeth Hunt/Lambton College)
Vehicles pass over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Christina Watts/Lambton College)
A building featured on the 1975 Led Zeppelin album “Physical Graffiti” stands tall in New York City on Saturday, October 15, 2016. (Emily Nutson/Lambton College

The Statue of Liberty stands out against a cloudy sky in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Dana Sorensen/Lambton College)
A man serenades tourists and locals in Central Park, New York City on Sunday, October 16, 2016. (Bryce Ottewell/Lambton College)
A recent shopper of “Color Full” looks up as something catches her eye in Manhattan, New York City, on Wednesday, Oct 12, 2016. (Jesse Martens/Lambton College)
A man happily poses for a photo on a subway in New York City on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. (Christina Watts/Lambton College)
A woman walks on a subway platform in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Christina Watts/Lambton College)