Capturing life as it is

Happy New Year 2025!

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It has been a while since I last wrote anything in here. I guess time flies and life changes. This post will replace the post that I have had up since June 2023. Today is the 1st of January, 2025. So much has happened and there is so much to share, so if you care, please check the previous posts on the blog section occasionally. I will keep adding new stuff and share some news. Even if they are old, perhaps someone will learn something new or experience some good photography.

After many years, I was back in my hometown, which has become unaffordable, but this is another subject. On New Year’s Eve, the best I know how to greet the new year is taking fireworks photos, especially when my connection with photography has gotten lost. Since the city of Tartu no longer offers fireworks, the private citizens took the matter into their own hands and created a wonderful light show for my short photography session.

As usual, there are the so-called must photos, and then there are those photos, which are actually more interesting and offer a greater viewing pleasure and more information than just a beautiful fireworks photo. So, please allow me to share three photos I chose to present here to give you an idea of what I mean.

First photo.

Even though this is not your average dark-sky and colourful fireworks photo (I cropped some of those as well), then I still consider it now of the must photos. It was quite an accident how this photo came to be. My camera was pointed in the city direction, from where I was hoping to capture the fireworks photos, but since that didn’t happen, then after fireworks started appearing by the canal, I just turned the tripod head around and started shooting.

Second photo.

This frame created me the most joy, as I have never seen fireworks sent like that into the water. Sure the arches create interesting elements, but I as an environment lover, started thinking about the pollution and how it would have affected the life of the water creatures. The people in the front add definitely more to this frame and bring more life to it.

Third photo.

This is my favourite shot. A photo which I guess has the most meaning. Imagine the beach which was so busy and full of people and fireworks, is now stranded, but you can see two boxes of fireworks cases on fire and a lone figure, admiring the faraway fireworks in solitude by a quiet canal. I was not sure before writing these lines, which photo I would put up on the front page, but I guess this is it.

Overall, I feel like I am back in business, so if you need some photos in Estonia, please drop me a line at kerly/at/kerlyilves.ee Enjoy the new year and make the best out of it!

One year from Canada Freedom Convoy

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The other day I was going through my photos and I came across the ones from Ottawa, taken in February 2022. I actually should have posted this earlier, but February was such a busy month anyway, so I hope this still fits here just fine.

I was able to visit with a bunch of friends the historic Canada Freedom Convoy in the streets of Ottawa. I still consider it one of the most fun events I have ever been to, though no, I haven’t forgotten the crisp, but sunny day that it was. I am not a fan of -17 C, especially knowing that I have to spend the whole day outside. Oh well, I survived and was able to get even my photos published. So I lived to tell.

My photo on the right bottom corner, shows the evening festivities on the 5th of February, 2022 at Parliament Hill, Ottawa

I am still surprised that people had such bad impressions of the whole convoy. I hear you, the constant honking, and disturbance of usual peace and movement most likely was pretty annoying. But those people were taking an extra step to fight back and make themselves heard. I mean, this was a pretty bold move, especially during those freezing days!! Even if not the biggest changes were achieved and mandates were broken, it was still a very bold community action, which bought together so many strangers, who made this, at least during the weekends, a beautiful place to be.

What are your thoughts or comments on CFC? Perhaps you were one of the many to visit it?

Inspired by Sam Abell

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Recently I have been watching some videos of my favourite photographer Sam Abell. He has been explaining how he is making the photo. He used to be the National Geographic staff photographer for many years. He has been around, seen a lot and practiced a lot. His lecture about the life of a photograph is truly inspiring and the knowledge shared there, just makes you want to grab a camera and get to practicing.

I especially like his approach to the front, middle and back sections of the photo. You have to have your background set, find something in the middle part and make sure that the front pop’s with something. And then you just wait. Wait for the red umbrella, movement, expression, etc. He talked a lot about perfection and making it work. The fact is that the world is not perfect, so one should try their best, but not chase perfection.

I tried to put his teachings into this photo. I was indeed lucky to find such a spot, with a great background, popping middle level and interesting front section. The lone guy just happens to be in the middle of the poles and carrying a popping green bag. And it was snowing! I am not saying that this is perfect, but Sam Abell, you are so right. The three sections need our attention.