Digital, 2022.
A row of swans swim across a partially frozen Lake Ontario during golden hour on a chilly, winter evening.
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Digital, 2022.
If you read my previous post, I mentioned that my next would contain the sunset from that same evening. What I was expecting was definitely not a sunset this vibrant. I ended up shooting these photos at another spot a little ways off. To get down to the shore to achieve that, I had to go down a steep and snowy hill. I’m so glad I wasn’t alone as that made the trek easier lest I fall on my face into the snow.
When I looked up at the landscape before me, I felt like the main character in a movie. It was so unreal, I couldn’t believe it. I was also really relieved I had this vantage point, as I wouldn’t have been able to see the sunset in its entirety like this had I stayed in my original spot. Shout out to my brother who found this area while I stayed to take photos in the other one!
When the swans came out to play, I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. A vibrant sunset and two swans playing around in the lake? How lucky was I? I really wanted to get a photo of the both of them above the water but it’s almost as if they were teasing me. When one would resurface, the other would lower its head into the water. After a while, the sunset faded enough that there was no point in waiting any longer. But even so, I was far from disappointed!
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Digital, 2022.
A trio of another few of my favourite images. This frozen landscape felt so quiet and serene that I almost felt like an intruder being there. I found a spot to sit and observe the beauty around me since these aren’t sights you can experience year round. In the back of my mind, I was hoping be treated to a sunset but I didn’t want to ask for too much, either. Truthfully, with the current cloud cover, I wasn’t expecting a memorable sunset at all. But since I was already there, I figured might as well wait. Even if I got some blue hour photos, I wouldn’t have been disappointed. You won’t see it in these images but in the next just how vibrant the sunset turned out to be. The glowing horizon only added to this landscape but honestly, with ice textures like this, any time of day would yield beautiful results.
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Digital, 2022.
A frozen and icy landscape during a deep freeze in Toronto. It was around -20°C on this evening and it didn’t take long for exposed skin to turn pink. Observing this landscape, I felt so calm and at peace. All I could hear was the gentle lapping of the water in the distance, restless birds, and the sounds of the ice cracking from one side of the shore to the other. I thought it was super interesting how the ice resembled water lapping up the shore. Obviously, this was the way the water froze but the jaggedness of the ice was fascinating to me as other frozen areas of the lake consisted of smooth ice. When we visited after a few “warmer” days, the ice had melted a bit, so I’m very glad I got these shots when I did.
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Digital, 2022.
When it comes to getting the right photograph, sometimes you have to be at the right place at the right time. This was one of those instances. The sun was starting to set and I was so excited at the possibility of seeing a beautiful sunset while here. The lighting began to turn a lovely purple-pink colour and with the reflections on the blue ice, the scene looked magical. When I looked off to the side, I noticed a group of four swans swimming to the icy shore. They kept coming closer and I kept taking photos. Eventually, they swam off to the side but I was extremely happy and eager to get home to see the outcome of my shots.
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Digital, 2022.
This just might be one of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken. We found this secluded spot on a whim and I could not believe the views from here. Not only was everything beautifully frozen, but we had a nice view of the sky and sunset as well. There were tree branches everywhere and I thought they added some natural framing to the shot.
Most people would spend days like this indoors but many photographers love venturing out to see what frozen landscapes they can find. It was around -20°C on this day and I was for sure freezing my butt and fingers off. Even so, I enjoyed sitting on one of the rocks to relax and enjoy the view. If I listened closely, I could hear the sounds of ice cracking from one side of the shore to the other.
After taking a bunch of photos, I was reluctant to leave but it was very cold and the chill was starting to set in. I’m curious to see what this place looks like in the summer.
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Digital, 2022.
Birds glide peacefully along Lake Ontario during a quiet, orange sunset.
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Digital, 2022.
A shot of swans and ducks enjoying a peaceful swim on the lake during sunset.
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Digital, 2022.
I never associated bright and vivid sunsets with winter but I’ve been proven wrong this season. My past thinking was mostly due to the sunset happening earlier in the day. This meant I was more likely to miss it. Since our sunsets here happen around 4:30pm at the earliest, it’s more difficult to venture out at that time. Compared to summer, when sunsets are around 9pm at the latest, it becomes quite obvious that the extra time makes quite a difference. Even if there’s no spectacular sunset in the summer, one can still enjoy the warm summer evening instead of trekking home in the cold winter weather.
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Digital, 2022.
A snow covered Cherry Beach during winter. I know that it’s always colder by the lake and yet I’m always shocked when it is. I’m so glad I brought my tripod with me as I could warm my hands instead of constantly holding onto my camera.
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Gina Staios Photography 