Let's Make Some Art, Dammit

Countdown to U2 , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . One day to go and the excitement is palpable.

Moncton , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . Typical Moncton house, about a half block from mine (which is very similar, but not as well done).

U2 Stage Moncton , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . The stage for U2 taking shape, July 17. Still working on HDR processing (but getting better).

Moncton July 16, 2011 , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . This is one of my favourite houses in the city, on Weldon Street across from Victoria Park. I love that wrap-around balcny.

Boutouche 2011 , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . It was a nice day today so we went out to the beach. This time, we went up to the Irving Nature Conservatory at the Bouctouche Sandbar. Miles of beautiful beach, without all the crowding. Sadly, the wind kicked up so it was hard to take photos. But I got a few worth keeping. I had processed the photos into deep hues, but I didn't like the effect and it didn't look right. Going to the beach feels like a 1970s thing, so I pulled back the colour. The scene is of what's left of the shoreline marsh walkway after last winter's storms. It reminded me (as everything seems to these days) how temporary it all is. Like this is a moment in time that we can capture in faded 70s photos and when the oceans are barren and the wind hot and acid we'll wonder what we all did wrong, when in fact we know now, but do it anyway. But it was a nice day on the beach, it was quiet, I listened to the ball game, and it was all good. ...

Moncton Canada Day 2011 , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . Moncton house. I have been taking photos from around Moncton this Canada Day weekend. Today, working with a new 2X Teleplus, and with Photomatix, I was playing around to try to draw something more out of the images. I know some of these are over the top, but I'm experimenting. Here's the slidehsow of the set . It's interesting that it took more time to work with these photos than it did to go out walking and to take them. I'm thinking, as I edit these, that I'm not just creating art, but I'm also telling a story. What story is that? Not just "I walked around the city today" but something more like "this is where I live, this is what's cool about being here, this is what I see." Straight photorealism isn't sufficient for that, because that's not what I see. I want people to see what I see, and that's why I try to pull the effect out of the picture. #ds106

Castle Manor , originally uploaded by Stephen Downes . We went out walking on Canada Day and I thought, with the light and the clouds and all, it might be a chance to finally get a good photo of Castle Manor. It's still not perfect by any stretch, but after bracketing and messing around in Photomax, got this. The quest continues - maybe I'll try with a tripod next time, and get the light better - but this is my best shot of Castle Manor thus far.