A Season of Successes

As all great things come to an end, so too must the 2009 / 2010 season for the Photo clubs of Toronto.

I have to admit, it was a great season in deed with many accomplishments and kudo's notched in the PC bed post. The most notable of these are:

Toronto Camera Club

Founded in 1888, the Toronto Camera Club was the first camera club in Canada and among the first in North America. A member of The Greater Toronto Council of Camera Clubs, associated with The Photographic Society of America and the National Association for Photographic Art and a patron of the Canadian Association of Photographic Arts.

• 2009 / 2010 3M Trophy - Best Human Portrait or Character Study, Projected Image


• 2009 / 2010 David John Wright Creative Trophy


• Best In Show / Top Image, October 2009 Project Image Division

The Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA)

The Canadian Association for Photographic Art was born in 1998 as a result of a merger between the National Association for Photographic Art (NAPA) and the Colour Photographic Association of Canada (CPAC).

• Bronze Medal - Spring 2010 Individual Digital Open


• Gold Metal - Spring 2010 Group - Altered Reality

The Beach Photo Club

The Beach Photo Club is a local community interest club, which is volunteer-driven to promote members interest and knowledge of photography. Formed in 1997, the first meeting was held at the Beach Arts Centre on Queen Street near Woodbine (now condos). A thriving local community club, which has seen over 28% growth in new memberships over the first 4 years of its existence.

• Best In Show - November 2009 Digital Open Division

A very healthy list of accomplishments in deed. But it doesn't stop there. The season also saw three (3) top Image placements, four (4) 2nd place merit awards, three (3) 3rd place merit awards and thirteen (13) honourable mentions.

WOW!

Venus Adrift

Venus Adrift
Originally uploaded by Toni Wallachy

Disparate layers emerge, an undercurrent infiltered with strands, approaches, understandings, memories, hopes, desires,
the way the sensual mind composes.

We create ourselves through each other. It's more complete,
who I am with you.

An exert from "Venus Poem" - by Words Across Worlds

www.jamendo.com/en/track/580654

Voices In My Head

Untitled
Originally uploaded by Toni Wallachy

I just recently returned from a four day trip to Long Point Provincial Park. Every May long weekend, we have an infield mentoring session for members of my photo club. Although we preach many landscape shooting techniques, we also mentor members on how to conceptualize idea's .

I'm pretty diligent in spending time daily to do visual research. This is simply done by exposing yourself to many different selections of art. Lately, I have been admiring some great texturize pieces on flickr.

(Check out some of Azazelle's pieces, http://www.flickr.com/photos/azazelle/ ... her work is very inspiring).

It's from these amazing piece that I had formed a mental vision of a majestic tree in a field. I already knew exactly how I wanted to post process the final image, so no surprise when I magically happened to land on this one, by simply turning down a random road.

This particular image is comprised of the base image, two enhancement images (the birds and clouds) and three texture images. By using the layering properties in Photoshop, various blend modes and techniques, I was able to construct this master piece. There may be a few additional versions in the near future, but not straying too far from the original conceptualize idea that once only lived in my head.

Mr. W

Mr. W
Originally uploaded by Toni Wallachy

You got to keep shooting. Even when you're not always feeling in the zone.

I haven't had the chance to get out and shoot landscapes, or work on my personal projects that I'm so passionate about. This alone I found was starting to tug heavily on mind, body and spirit. I know I need to get out and shoot, but how can I when daily obligations are fighting for your immediate attention?

Some of those obligations would include house hold chores - like laundry. which my neighbour has so kindly offered up his machine. So twice weekly, I head across the hall to do the deed. And every time, I am met with the cutest and most endearing set of puppy dog eyes and a wagging tail.

Let me introduce you to Mr. Winston, my neighbours pug. Day after day he will patiently wait on his favourite chair, waiting for Mike to come home from work. Refusing to move as any devoted dog I know would do.

And that's when it hit me. Inspiration of the furry kind. I slipped the tripod in on my 1st visit, and left it for him to get use to. Then I would focus and spend time with him on the second visit. By the time it came to placing the second load of laundry in the dryer, I was ready to shoot away. That's how I was able to capture the longing that you see in his eyes. A loving puppy who misses his master dearly and can't wait for his next meal.