Picture of the Day: Week 1 in Review
Picture of the Day: Week 1 in Review Welcome to another weekly roundup of my Picture of the Day project.
Picture of the Day: Week 1 in Review
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, whether I’m exploring the neighborhood or just observing the changing light in my own backyard.
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. Sorting through nearly 75,000 photos 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 1/365 - Old Oakville Sunrise
One of the good things about winter is having the time to go through my backlog. This was an amazing sunrise in downtown Oakville back in the fall. We do have great sunrises over Lake Ontario.
Before retiring in 2023, I worked from home for a couple of years. I had to get out of the house!!! Being home every day definitely had a negative impact on my well-being. SO, I would go for a local photo walk from 6 am to 8 am in one of the local parks or lakeshores. I became better at capturing sunrises and at appreciating seeing the same location at different times of the year and under different conditions.
I need to work on my inspiration and remember the challenge to post one photo to Instagram every day for 365 days. This was back in 2017, I think?
I enjoyed how it forced me to not just wander the city I was in while living my consulting life, but to SEE where I was. The challenge really did force me to change and get better to seeing compositions.
I will try to take a photo a day, but I have so many I want to share and haven’t, so I may use those days to look over my catalog and dig up some of my favorites from my almost 90K.
Day 2/365 - Lane Farmhouse
Most of my photo walks are in the urban areas. Oakville residents have sought a balance between urban and natural areas. I feel lucky to have access to such a great nature preserve as Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
I was taking a fall walk just as the leaves were beginning to fall. This is the main path leading into the old farmhouse and barns. You can imagine the history of the Spruce Lane Farmhouse in Bronte Creek Provincial Park since 1899, when Henry and Margaret Breckon built it; it is a restored, haunted Victorian-era home representing turn-of-the-century rural life.
Built in 1899 by Henry and Margaret Breckon, the Spruce Lane Farmhouse in Bronte Creek Provincial Park is a restored, haunted Victorian-era home representing turn-of-the-century rural life. Situated in Oakville, Ontario, it features period-accurate rooms, hosts popular August ghost tours, and is rumored to be haunted by the family.
Source - Do ghostly figures still occupy an old Oakville farmhouse?
Day 3/365 - Halton Inn
There are so many great photo subjects in downtown Oakville. I remember this sign from various drives down Lakeshore as I grew up.
The historic Oakville Inn Hotel at 162 Lakeshore Road East has been a downtown fixture since opening as the Halton Hotel in the 1930s. Formerly known as the Hotel Decker, Gibson House, and Halton Inn, it had remained a central accommodation choice for decades.
This was a breakfast spot until it was recently taken over by other retailers. The sign is still visible, although it is deteriorating.
Day 4/365 - New Growth
Looking closer at the backyard trees, you never know what you will find. This new growth out of a missing branch in this old growth tree. Nature finds a way.
Nikon Z6 - 1/320 at F6.3, ISO 1250
Day 5/365 - Claude Monet’s Home in Giverny, France
In keeping with the adage, your best camera is the one you have with you, I use my iPhone 11 on longer trips. I don’t really want to take my bigger gear, mainly because of the threat of theft, but also because I'm trying to be in the moment.
This is a picture from Claude Monet’s studio and home in Giverny, France. He lived here for over 43 years and is a well-preserved site in Normandy. Back in 2023, my wife and I toured France. Both of us are Monet fans, and this stop was a highlight.
This was my favorite picture of the day. I could imagine Monet sitting in this room, looking at the gardens, being inspired as he worked on various paintings.
Caption Source: Giverny.org - Monethome
Day 6/365 -Garden Flower - Devil’s Trumpet
Spring is on its way as we head to the end of February. We have this patch of the garden that has these great Datura. The white, delicate flowers stand out so well against the green foliage.
I do enjoy each season here in Canada, but I must say that the older I get, the more I appreciate not being out in the cold. I do get out, but my photography is mainly still life and product rather than outdoor.
Winters are more about going through the year's photos, picking out the best, and editing. Working on the spring and summer images makes the winter go by a little quicker.
Day 7/365 - Coronation Park - My Bench
Coronation Park is one of Oakville’s most popular waterfront parks, and I am lucky to be able to frequently start my morning photo destinations here. It is a great local municipal park which offers a blend of recreational space and great photogenic views of Lake Ontario.
While working from home, I would often go for walks or catch one of the beautiful morning sunrises, still able to get home in time for the morning work routine. Great mindful spot. Which includes a great bench that I lovingly call “My Bench” as I would spend many a morning doing my meditation moment.
Oakville operates the Memorial Bench Sponsorship Program. It is a meaningful way to celebrate a milestone or remember a loved one. I always give thanks to those who help maintain these great spots with their donation.
