Our trip through Iceland, August 2011

Iceland is probably the coolest place on the planet (no offence to everywhere else). For us, it felt like home, meaning everything we desire is reality there. For tree-hugging vegetarians, it's a dream, believe it or not. Reykjavik, especially, was amazing for its selection of vegetarian and raw food restaurants, and the countryside is just so otherworldly, it's hard to not want to stay.

We rented two cars (the first was a disaster and had to be returned, but I'm not going to name names; suffice to say, rent from a reputable national or international rental agency). With our second car, a VW Golf, we toured the southern coast as far as Vik, and returned to Reykjavik en route to the Blue Lagoon. Lots of gorgeous landscape, including the geyser at Geysir, the waterfalls at Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss (great town for camping), the black sand beach at Dyrhólaey, and the famous volcano at Eyjafjallajökull (which caused air travel chaos in 2010). We didn't get very far due to losing a day with the first car, but we made the most of it.

Soundtrack track "Tornado" by the fantastic Icelandic musician jónsi (with permission as per http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/faq.php#13).

In from the cold

After getting rained out on Saturday, Anna and I shot Sunday in dry but cool weather, which forced us inside for much of our shoot. A native of Russia, Anna is a student at Harris Manchester College, which is for mature students pursuing an undergraduate degree; in Anna's case, she is studying PPE, or Philosophy, Politics and Economics. It's basically a power degree, and apparently most British politicians studied PPE at Oxford (as evidenced on Wikipedia's page devoted to the course). Family and friends can ask Anna for a password to see more in Anna's private gallery

Oxford: Wadham College matriculation

Angela is officially a student at Oxford after participating in the matriculation Saturday. It was quite cool today, and I had to stand outside while she was crammed into the Examination Schools like a sardine. Apparently the guy beside her kept her in stitches by making snide comments about the process. "This is sooo stuuupid," he kept saying. Just imagine this audibly with a posh English accent. Regardless, Angela enjoyed the event and felt pretty special being there. We're pretty lucky to be here at all, that's for sure. Quite the place. This post dedicated to Sharlene Kapp.

Oxford, England - Angela after the Wadham College matriculation ceremony

Oxford: Blue sky over the Radcliffe Camera

Dedicated to Lea James, who will be attending the Port Franks Camera Club meeting tonight, I'm sure. This is the Radcliffe Camera, a library that houses English Literature and other books. Here's a great video about Oxford (look for Oxford Today), and the Radcliffe Camera is discussed as part of the Bodleian Library at 15:42. It's also the site of some scenes from The Golden Compass.

Oxford: Vintage Keble

Dedicated to "A Former Student", who responded to my survey.

Keble College was the first college I visited when I came to Oxford last week, and it's a beauty. That said, it's much different than the other colleges in terms of its architecture; it was very controversial for its break from tradition when it was built. It was once considered by those in Oxford "the ugliest building in the world". The chapel, however, is a huge attraction because it houses a famous painting called The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt, also the source of some controversy. According to my tour leader, when he discovered that the college was charging to see the painting (he himself was asked to buy a ticket), he was so furious that he painted another, bigger version that now hangs at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. I can't find a source to verify this story (some say he believed the college was hiding it from the public), so don't take it as the final word.

Oxford: Hertford's Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs at Hertford College, with the Sheldonian Theatre and Museum of the History of Science in the background.

Dedicated to Karen Brown, who wanted to see some architecture.

Oxford: South Park fans

This is the iconic view of Oxford's skyline. Charlee and his friend live nearby, and he never has his camera when he comes to this park, so he asked me to send him a photo. It's just a few minutes walk from where I'm staying, but in the opposite direction from the city centre. Dedicated to Isaac Moore, who responded to my survey a while ago.

Oxford: Magdalen punts

I'm staying at a Magdalen College residence above the Cherwell River, which I can see from my window. These punts are across the river, just below Magdalen College's main building, but sometimes they can be seen from my window as well.

St. Joseph: Eddington's swimwear

Photos from my second swimsuit shoot for the Grand Bend Strip swimsuit edition. James is the owner of Eddington's of Exeter, a fine dining restaurant, and writes a food column for the Strip. He lives with Alynn in St. Joseph. James Eddington and Alynn Kowalczyk. Apparel courtesy Big Red's in Exeter. Hair by Rachel Gray of Beauty and the Beach. Makeup by Jessica Michielsen. Shot on location at the home of Mike Veri.

June 28, 2010

Grand Bend, Ontario - Here are a couple photos from my first shoot for the final issue of the Grand Bend Strip, a swimsuit edition. More to come!

Carlyn Murray and Caroline Eineke. Clothing from Splash, hair by Amy Michielsen of The Cutting Edge salon in Thedford and makeup by Kristyn Van Elswyk of Explore Elegance.

June 18, 2010

Grand Bend, Ontario - Angela at the south beach

June 11, 2010

Prostate cancer survivor Harry Dougall at the Relay for Life

June 5, 2010

Head of the class Katey Potter and Joe Pavkeje were named students of the year at the SHDHS prom Friday night.

June 4, 2010

Sweet Cynthia Actress Cynthia Dale is Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity at Huron Country Playhouse from June 9 to 26. For tickets, visit http://www.huroncountryplayhouse.com.

April 10, 2010

Slim

Country musician Slim Gordon. Also known as Murray Lewis, he once performed at the Grand Ole Opry. He is now dying of kidney cancer.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 Light: Existing ISO: 500 Exposure: f2 @ 1/500 sec.

April 2, 2010

Hot, hot heat

The temperature hit the mid-twenties on Good Friday, April 2, 2010. That's beach weather.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 100mm f2 Light: Existing ISO: 200 Exposure: f5.6 @ 1/800 sec.

March 27, 2010

He shoots, he scores

In this co-ed game, one of the men on Team Unwin scores against the London Devilettes women's team. The two teams play an annual game in honour of Jolene Unwin, killed three years ago in a car crash.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 100 mm f2 Light: Existing ISO: 1000 Exposure: f2 @ 1/125 sec.

March 25, 2010

A FINE Evening

Men serve the women at a cancer fundraiser at FINE A Restaurant in Grand Bend.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 Light: Speedlite with ambient ISO: 1000 Exposure: f2 @ 1/125 sec.

March 1, 2010

The Patriots

Skaters at the Parkhill Silver Blades skating carnival.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 100mm f2 Light: Existing ISO: 1000 Exposure: f2 @ 1/125 sec.

February 28, 2010

The Dreaded Cut

Jessica Michielsen cut her dreads to raise money for The House that Jack Built.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 Light: Existing ISO: 1250 Exposure: f2 @ 1/160 sec. and f1.8 @ 1/320 sec.`