Morrie Portnoff Photography/Nunavik Graphics

Icicles

2011-02-21T07:30:00.001-05:00

Here today... gone tomorrow...

By a nose

2011-02-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

Farley is an ex-racer. I can see how he could have won many a races by "a nose".

This way

2011-02-16T07:30:00.001-05:00

We're going this way... I see my friend down the road... Do you see him, do you see him?

A Well Deserved Rest

2011-02-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

After a nice walk in the snow Farley relaxes on his fouton. It is a "dog's life".

Happy Birthday Farley

2011-02-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

Many of you have met Farley in person or virtually on the world wide web. Farley recently celebrated his 11th birthday. Although Farley can not speak "human" in words, he speaks volumes with his big brown eyes and energy. In fact he refuses to grow up and still acts like a silly puppy at times. Always ready and willing to go for a walk, especially if it is snowing. How he can sniff out a bone in a mound of snow is amazing... and how he tries to sneak it past me is even more so. It is his way of eating out. So this week I will be honouring my best friend Farley... Happy birthday buddy!

Snow-Snow-Everywhere

2011-02-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Gota love the white stuff...

Icy Reflections

2011-02-10T07:54:00.003-05:00

Look up... look down... sometimes the image merges to one.

Flow into the Abyss

2011-02-09T07:30:00.001-05:00

It is a cold night, so it is a good excuse to get creative in Photoshop CS5. This may not be for everyone's tastes but I had fun creating it... and that is basis of my photographic philosophy.

Wispy Birds

2011-02-08T07:59:00.000-05:00

When I saw this as I walked outside my house I was drawn to it by its shape and how it stood out from the snow. After "playing" with it in Photoshop CS5 it started to remind me of birds flying.

The Bench

2011-02-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

On Saturday the snow was melting. Went to bed when it was snowing and woke up to fresh white blanket covering the ground. Mother Nature was busy working her magic...

Day 5 of Pin Hole Week-Fargo

2011-02-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

Revisited on old friend, Fargo. The final pin hole image of the week. Who knows what next week will bring...

Day 4 of Pin Hole Week-Ice Fishing Huts

2011-02-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today's Pin Hole image is "Ice Fishing Huts"

Day 3 of Pin Hole Week-The Gate

2011-02-02T07:30:00.001-05:00

Today I present to The Gate.

Day 2 of Pin Hole Week-The Forest

2011-02-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today I present to you The Forest...

The Cemetary-Pinhole Photo #1

2011-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

This week I will be posting images taken with a pin hole adapter on my Canaon 7D. What is pin hole photography you may ask? Basically it is the most basic form of photography.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinhole_camera
It is a "pin-hole" that lets light into the camera. No fancy lens. In the predigital days a pin hole camera could be easily built with any light proof container to expose either film or light sensitive photographic paper. I used to use toilet paper tubes as I liked the effect of the curve of the tube.

Country Fence

2011-01-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

The country fence or is it? Actually it is just around the block from my office. The texture is courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/moosebite/sets/72157614012140342/

Frost Worms

2011-01-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

A not so rare species that happily shows up when it is bloody cold outside.

The blur

2011-01-26T07:30:00.002-05:00

Around and around they go... only to be a blur in their passing.

The Race

2011-01-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

Ventured out to The Maurice Richard Arena to take in the Canadian Open Short Track Championships. Once again managed to wrangle a media pass. If you ask nicely you will succeed (sometimes). The media pass allowed us (my brother) to be rink side. But once again no lobster buffet for the media.

Frosty Map

2011-01-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

It was bit cool on Sunday... okay it was bloody freezing. But with this lovely weather came nature's creations. When I saw this it immediately reminded me of a map. Perhaps it is because of my cartographic background.

Up Up and Away

2011-01-21T07:30:00.001-05:00

Its a bird... its a plane... its a...

Future Champ

2011-01-20T07:30:00.001-05:00

Let me introduce you to a future Olympian champ.

The Spoils of Victory

2011-01-19T07:30:00.001-05:00

With any competition there are winners and there are losers... and with winning comes the "spoils of victory"

Abandoned

2011-01-18T07:30:00.003-05:00

Came across this forgotten friend. The roads it had traveled, sites it had seen... now to lie alone on the frigid side of the road... perhaps waiting for the warmth of spring which will bring new roads to explore.

Aerial Freestyle Sking

2011-01-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

Ventured out to Mont Gabriel to take in the aerial event of the Canada Post Freestyle Grandprix. Thanks to my brother we had some media passes.

The Doorway

2011-01-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

What is lurking behind this door?

Urban Flow

2011-01-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

While walking in the antique store section of Notre Dame Street (near the Atwater Market) you pass many things which you would not give a second look or thought... that is unless you are a photographer. Then the whole world is your canvas.

Texture

2011-01-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

To some this would be viewed as a weed, but to me it is a study of texture in nature.

Serpent Fence

2011-01-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

While walking I came across these two serpents guarding their lair.

Sunny Side Up

2011-01-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning is a time for two cups of coffee with a leisurely breakfast with the newspaper.

Park Bench

2011-01-07T07:30:00.001-05:00

A park bench in winter evokes a feeling of loneliness.

Snow Holders

2011-01-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I decided to take a short walk over the lunch break and came back with this image. Once again a simple assortment of objects we all pass by everyday.

Here is an adjusted version of the image above. Notice the greater amount of detail in the snow. This is thanks to Ness of my camera club. She pointed this fault in the original. This is one of the many benefits of belonging to a camera club (specifically the Lakeshore Camera Club). To all you fellow photographers out there who keep hearing from friends and family how great your photos are, in order to really improve you need to get feedback from fellow photographers who are photographically honest will not spare your ego or feelings. Yes you will put yourself out there for all to see and comment, but if you want to improve that is the only way. Don't despair or give up just grab your camera (no matter what type) and keep on taking images that appeal to you.

Ice Coral

2011-01-05T07:30:00.001-05:00

Look up... Look down... Look Way Down... Do you see what I see?

Snow Puppy

2011-01-04T07:30:00.001-05:00

In continuing with my on-going theme of observing everyday objects as objects of beauty, I present a friendly looking fellow I noticed lurking on the branches of a tree in my front yard.

Happy New Years

2011-01-03T07:30:00.001-05:00

Well after way to much eating over the holidays I am slowly getting back into the routine... starting with the daily posting of The Photo of the Day. I hope everyone had a good holiday and got to enjoy themselves with family and friends.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T07:30:00.002-05:00

The time is a clickin away and the holidays have all but arrived
So let me wish you all, in blogland a
Happy and Safe Holiday…

The Loner

2010-12-23T07:30:00.002-05:00

There is always one in every group that just wants to hang around...

The Hedges

2010-12-22T07:30:00.001-05:00

Snow covered cedar hedges. For me I I was drawn to the contrast on colours and tones as well as the various textures.

New Toy

2010-12-21T07:30:00.001-05:00

The older we get, we still like our toys... but they just get more expensive.

Always a Canadian

2010-12-20T07:30:00.001-05:00

This license plate belongs to one of my oldest friends. We go back 34 years (Yikes and he is still talking to me ;-)) and Dawson College. He used to live in Montreal but now lives in Rhode Island. You can take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy.

Follow the...

2010-12-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

As always I am just following the leader of the pack...

Winter Time Colour

2010-12-16T07:30:00.001-05:00

Whom says winter has to be dull and bland...

Foot Steps

2010-12-15T07:30:00.002-05:00

There is nothing like a walk during a snow storm... Warm (unfashionable boots) $100, hat and gloves $50... simple walk in the snow... priceless!

Where

2010-12-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

Where have all the children gone?

All Smiles

2010-12-13T07:30:00.001-05:00

Naturally with the snow yesterday I had to get out and enjoy the fine weather. I was not the only happy camper outside... found this dude all smiles.

Winter Time Berries

2010-12-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Drive-By-View

2010-12-09T07:30:00.001-05:00

Having some photographic fun on the drive home.

Nightime Glow

2010-12-08T07:30:00.001-05:00

This was taken during a pleasant snowy walk.

Rush Hour Traffic

2010-12-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

This was taken during the drive home.

Snowy Grasses

2010-12-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

A study in implied shapes, patterns and textures.

Do you see it?

2010-12-03T07:30:00.002-05:00

Sometimes an everyday item that we pass and step on becomes an object of interest… all it takes is a new set of eyes.

Early Snow

2010-12-02T07:30:00.002-05:00

Again taken on one of my many walks.

Kensington Market-The Video

2010-12-01T07:30:00.002-05:00

Lights, camera, action… well not exactly… but I did make a video show of my recent visit to Kensignton Market in Toronto in September. The inspiration for this came from the CBC show, The King of Kensington starring the late Al Waxman as the King which aired from 1975 to 1980.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Kensington

The video can be seen at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YME8YtewePo

The world premier was held Monday night at the Lakeshore Camera Club's Member's Night where myself and fellow photographers are given the opportunity to show off our creative works in a fun filled evening.

Enjoy the show!

Snow Grid

2010-11-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

Well we had a bit of a snow fall on Saturday, so naturally I had to get out and capture a few images (in the olden days we would say a few frames). This just caught my attention due to its simplicity.

Grey Cup Champs

2010-11-29T07:30:00.003-05:00

Montreal Al's No. 1! What more can you say…

Seed Pods

2010-11-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Looking this I almost see a cartoon alien like creature... do you also see it or am I going... As you can see I have been having fun playing with textures by superimposing them on my images (today's and yesterday's).

The Graves

2010-11-25T08:02:00.000-05:00

See any lost souls?

Farley

2010-11-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

Yep this is Farley in action. Notice the movement between the two shots. These were taken while he was watching the Al's football game Sunday afternoon.

Tractor Engine No.165

2010-11-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Can a engine from a tractor be beautiful? I think so...

The Beach Band

2010-11-22T07:30:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday I was asked to take photos of The Lakeshore Kiwanis fundraiser featuring "The Beach Band" (a Beach Boys cover band). It is always my pleasure to help support local causes.

Bat Leaves

2010-11-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

You ask what are "Bat Leaves"? When I saw these dead leaves still hang from their branches they reminded me of bats hanging by their legs. So I present to you "Bat Leaves"

Drive By Sex

2010-11-18T07:30:00.001-05:00

OK… I bet the title line got your attention ;-) Noticed this on the road during a walk. One can only guess what…

Milkweed

2010-11-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

Another simple from around my neighbourhood.

A Magical Mushroom

2010-11-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Another magical find on one of my walks.

Purple in Fall

2010-11-15T07:43:00.000-05:00

While walking about the local high school grounds I noticed some interesting fall colours happening. So, the moral of the story is that you do not have to travel far to see beauty… you just need to open yours eyes, mind and heart.

165

2010-11-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Another from Quinn's Farm. There is something about tractors and mud that make grown men into little boys… some may say we never grow up,

Remembrance Day

2010-11-11T07:30:00.001-05:00

In 2007 I had the honour to attend a Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Field of Honour in Beaconsfield. Men and women whom had given so much so that we today may enjoy life with all its freedoms that we take for granted. I dedicate this posting to all our veterans including those returning from Afghanistan and other current missions... particularly to my son Bruce whom is a medic in the US Navy (stationed with the Marines) and is currently on his second deployment.

Click on the following youtube link for a slide show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMzvDjfbsUU

Tractor Tire

2010-11-10T07:30:00.001-05:00

While at Quinn's Farm we got a ride on the back of a tractor to the back section of the farm. No matter how old you are, a tractor ride is always a fun time... especially when it is muddy.

My New Friend

2010-11-09T07:30:00.002-05:00

This past weekend I paid a visit to Quinn's Farm on Île-Perrot. Over the next few days I will share some of the sites I saw. The locals were very friendly as you can see from my new friend.

A texture was added to the image. This texture is from Ava Verino - Soft-burlap texture on www.flikr.com

Ghosts

2010-11-08T07:29:00.000-05:00

Ghosts of Halloween Past

Litter

2010-11-05T07:30:00.001-04:00

One of my "pet peeves" is the lack of respect kids have for our neighborhood and streets. They treat them like it is a garbage can. They eat and just dump their garbage where ever they are. I guess they figure it will disappear by itself. I have seen everything from beer cans, liquor bottles, numerous plastic water bottles, Tim Horton cups, umbrellas, even pairs of pants and socks as today's photo shows. This photo is one of many which will make up a poster project I am working on (a personal project).

Lunch

2010-11-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

Here is a little something since it is getting close to lunch time.

Red Maple Leaf

2010-11-03T07:30:00.001-04:00

While walking in Centennial Park in Dollard I was enjoying nature's fall colours.

First Snow

2010-11-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

Not to rush it but the first walk with the snow falling was great. Yep I love snow and BIG snowstorms. This comes from living in Montreal and northern Quebec all my life.

That1Guy Part2

2010-11-01T07:30:00.004-04:00

Once again I am pleased to present That1Guy from his memorable performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2009. So let me put some of the images taken to music.... enjoy

Click on the following Youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUfW356Huo

Relaxing

2010-10-29T07:30:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you just have to your feet up and relax...

That1Guy

2010-10-28T07:30:00.002-04:00

For the Montreal Jazz Festival. To hear some samples of That1Guy go to
http://www.that1guy.com/

Blues

2010-10-27T07:30:00.001-04:00

From the West Island Blues Festival this past summer.

Lets Rock n'Roll

2010-10-26T07:30:00.001-04:00

The following photo of Mark Green was taken at Pete's Smoke Meat this past summer. Last night it placed in the top 10 in a photo contest at the Lakeshore Camera Club. The competition's theme was music.

Monday Morning Coffee

2010-10-25T07:30:00.001-04:00

Good Morning Blogworld.... Enjoy your morning cappuccino.

My Past

2010-10-22T09:09:00.000-04:00

Time to have a good laugh at my expense. Hey it is the least I could do on a Friday. These are from (oh my god) about 30 years ago. My friend Brian F. sent these to me a few days ago (one of my faithful blog followers). We go way back to our Dawson College days. Notice I had hair and ubber cool glasses and hat (I still have the hat, I don't have the hair). Even in those days I was domestically well trained. Have a great weekend.

Elixir of the Gods

2010-10-21T07:30:00.001-04:00

Here is something to jump start your morning. Enjoy...

Listen

2010-10-20T07:30:00.001-04:00

Besides photography another of my hobbies is amateur and shortwave radio. Here is one of my shortwave receivers... probably from the 60's, a Trio AGS 9r-59. The Trio Corporation of Japan latter become part of Kenwood Electronics. These old tube radios have a certain personality in their sound and tone.

Farley

2010-10-19T08:04:00.000-04:00

As many of you have noticed a lot of my images lately have come from my Motorola XT720 Cel phone. "The best camera is the one you have with you", Chase Jarvis.
Photography does not have to be about "lugging" tons of expensive camera equipment around to create fun images. With the "new" smart phones such as this one which runs on the Android system or the IPhone you can have a lot of fun creating images. You can even enhance them with Adobe Photoshop Express which is an app or application for your phone, and its FREE. This is how I created the "nifty" frame. So go grab your cel phone... ooppps I mean camera and create some photographic magic.

The Fallen Warrior

2010-10-18T07:30:00.002-04:00

After last Friday's rain and wind storm, I came across this casualty of the day.

Sunrays...

2010-10-15T07:30:00.001-04:00

Sometimes it is good to break some rules, like shooting into the sun. So, to end this week I leave you with sunrays to bring us into a sunny weekend. Have a good one!

Nuts & Bolts

2010-10-14T07:30:00.001-04:00

Shapes and shadows... enjoy!

Rusty Love

2010-10-13T07:30:00.001-04:00

One can only wonder who were these two young lovers (ML & SC) and what ever happened to them. Were they caught for defacing school property? What ever their story was, will remain untold and left to our imagination.

Lamp Post or Alien

2010-10-12T07:30:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog entry (http://morrieportnoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/lamp-post-teaser.html), I must have walked past this lamp post 100's of times while walking Farley (my best friend whom happens to be a dog). Well yesterday I noticed it with a new set of eyes and decided to photograph it today. This is very much a Freeman Patterson (a Canadian photographer, http://www.freemanpatterson.com) exercise where you place yourself in an area or next to an object and examine it at all different angles.

Over the next few days I will share my view of this everyday object that we would normally ignore and see no beauty in it.

The Lamp Post _ A Teaser

2010-10-11T12:24:00.000-04:00

I must have walked past this lamp post 100's of times while walking Farley (my best friend whom happens to be a dog). Well yesterday I noticed it with a new set of eyes and decided to photograph it today. This is very much a Freeman Patterson (a Canadian photographer, http://www.freemanpatterson.com) exercise where you place yourself in an area or next to an object and examine it at all different angles.

Today's image is just a teaser putting the next few day's images in context.

Simple but delicious

2010-10-08T07:30:00.001-04:00

What can I say but sometimes the simple things in life bring inspiration.

Grid Lock

2010-10-07T07:30:00.001-04:00

In continuing with an unofficial theme that I started of examining everyday objects in our lives. Today I present to you "Grid Lock".

Trends Fashion Show @ Salon M'Toi

2010-10-06T07:30:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday I had the good fortune to be the "House Photographer" for the Trends Fashion Show produced by Valerie Meades of Salon M'Toi. Staged in a tent, event was full of energy and very fashionable people. Attending the show was the famous burlesque dancer, Scarlett James (http://www.myspace.com/scarlettjames). Needless to say, a job like this makes work lots of fun!

Scarlett James

One of the models showing the talented works of the M'Toi Team

The Models

The Abyss

2010-10-05T07:30:00.000-04:00

Just the unknown of the evening and what lurks...

Your Morning Coffee

2010-10-04T07:30:00.002-04:00

Good morning... enjoy your morning coffee!

A Tool of the Trade

2010-10-01T07:30:00.001-04:00

I am out of control of the use of the cel phone camera. This is addictive... and fun :-) and having fun is what it is all about!

Peeling Paint

2010-09-30T07:30:00.001-04:00

There is a saying in the photographic world, when asked what is the best camera... the answer is, the one you have with you. Well the one I had with me was my "new" cel phone.

Blowing in the Wind

2010-09-29T07:30:00.004-04:00

One has to be observant when doing street photography as there is so much visual stimulants to feed one's creativity.

Analogue

2010-09-27T07:30:00.003-04:00

Analogue

The King of Kensington

2010-09-24T07:30:00.001-04:00

Could this be the modern day King of Kensington? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Kensington

The King of Kensington