Photo Stories: Week 9 In Review
Summary of my Photos Of The Day Week 9 (POD)
Welcome to another weekly roundup of my Picture of the Day project.
Before retirement, most of my photo shoots were family walks or trips, where it was more Shoot-and-Go. This Picture-Of-The-Day project is pushing me to be a more deliberate and thoughtful photographer.
When the weather is good, I aim to capture one meaningful image each day. This project also lets me revisit my catalog for my favorite images. I also have a project to sort through my nearly 75,000 photos, which has been a rewarding exercise in slowing down and being purposeful.
Each photo tells its own story. This weekly digest steps back to highlight broader visual themes from the past seven days and provides a bit of behind-the-scenes context.
Day 57/365 - Nature’s Leading Line
This is part of my “Just Look Down” project. As fall turns to winter, I love how urban architecture creates minimalist subjects. This was in a busy Oakville area with few roadside trees, yet a maple leaf sat on the sidewalk.
The straight lines of the broken sidewalk create a pleasing angle, guiding the eye first to the stem and then to the decaying leaf. These lines, combined with items lodged in the crack, testify to the ever-changing traffic.
I love the colors fall provides, as they offer a chance to find really nice scenes if we just look down.
Nature’s Leading Line- iPhone 11 - 1/320 sec at F1.8, ISO 50
Day 58/365 - Orange Daylily
As I eagerly anticipate the return of spring, I’m finally digging into some edits from last summer. This Orange Daylily is a standout from our garden. I love the radiating architecture of the six petals and the way they flare out from that deep, orange core to create a perfect geometric star. The variety of plants in our garden that make a structural impact throughout the year is what makes garden photography so rewarding. It is a great example of my constant effort to find new frames in familiar places.
Orange Daylily- Nikon Z6 24-70mm 1/2500 sec at F4, ISO 800
Day 59/365 - Annabelle Hydrangea
One of the highlights of the summer garden is the ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea. Visually, it acts as a massive light reflector in the landscape. I’ve always been drawn to the architectural quality of these blooms—the way the light catches the edges of the individual petals to define the overall curve of the ‘snowball.’
Digging into these summer files is a great reminder of the vibrant textures and bold geometries that are just around the corner as the seasons finally start to shift.
Annabelle Hydrangea - Nikon Z6 24-70mm 1/250 sec at F6.3, ISO 250
Day 60/365 - Garden Inukshuk
In my ‘Just Look Down’ and garden walks, I’m always drawn to structures that tell a story of intent. This Inukshuk stands as a quiet sentinel among the flowers. Originally designed as landmarks to help travelers find their way across the Arctic. Visually, it’s a clever exercise in finding stability and form using nothing but the raw materials at hand.
Garden Inukshuk - Nikon D40 18-55 1/320 sec at F4, ISO 400
Day 61/365 - Nova Scotia Workhorses
Great design is always rooted in purpose. These two dories in Nova Scotia illustrate practical maritime architecture. Specialized bow rollers and rugged bumpers are each built for a clear function.
Shooting from a low angle highlights the contrast between the rigid, weathered boats and the shifting harbor reflections. The image quietly marks the work that happens just offshore.
Nova Scotia Workhorses - Nikon D40 55-200 1/500 sec at F5.6, ISO 450
Nova Scotia Workhorses - Nikon D40 55-200 1/500 sec at F5.6, ISO 450
Day 62/365 - Charles Hotel Niagara-on-the-Lake
Spent an amazing few days here in a charming 1832 manor house. The Charles Hotel is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, with its towering white columns and expansive verandas creating a grand, structured silhouette against the NOTL greenery.
I always like how Niagara-on-the-Lake immerses me in its historic charm and hospitality. For photographers, its Victorian architecture and manicured gardens provide endless inspiration and effortless framing opportunities.
Charles Hotel Niagara-on-the-Lake - iPhone 11 - 1/320 sec at F1.8, ISO 40
Day 63/365 - The Soft-Box Morning
A quiet moment of transition in the harbor. As the morning fog lifted, the local fishing fleet slowly began to emerge from the white-out. While the water has cleared, the far shore remains shrouded in a heavy highland mist, providing a beautifully diffused light that feels both ethereal and grounded. The Bay Star II stands out as an anchor against the soft, disappearing weather. A perfect example of how the elements of a scene can completely redefine a familiar landscape.
The Soft-Box Morning - Nikon D40 18-55mm 1/400 sec at F10, ISO 200
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Steve