Fuji Landscapes | MiKS Media Photography

A Pretty Sunset

by Kasia Sokulska | Sep 21, 2021 | Fuji Landscapes

Landscape photography is always dependent on weather conditions. That’s why it requires a lot of work and expense to produce truly captivating shot (unless someone is using a computer generated sky cloning, that is). Personally I prefer waiting for the perfect sky and visit places over and over again to capture them. Then, the picture becomes really a work of art. Otherwise it is only a production line result. Yes, it is difficult to get up well before dawn every time we go to shoot a sunrise, never knowing if the conditions will be preferable or not. Driving long hours just to get to a place for sunset, to then not get the clouds, or the colors may be annoying and frustrating. I find it rather relaxing and always find something to capture, regardless the conditions. To me photography is rather an escape and means of maintaining sanity, when the stress gets to me. If I get lucky and visit a place with lovely sky and colors at sunset it is only a bonus. The experience is really what draws me to the mountains time and time again. Even if I was to bring only one shot from an expedition to the Rockies (now, we all know that that has never happened to me ;D), I would still be happy to escape the city and the stress. Especially during last year and a half, the ability to escape was truly priceless to me. Especially when we did happen to encounter a lovely sky at sunset that time 😉

Kasia

From Sunrise to the Dark of Night

by Kasia Sokulska | Aug 29, 2021 | Fuji Landscapes

April in Banff National Park can mean lots of snow, heavy skies, sunshine and no snow what-so-ever.. One never knows what one will find when travelling Rockies in spring. This particular time, the weather was sunny and relatively warm. Not much snow anywhere, either, except on higher elevations. Perfect condition for explorations as well as braving sunrises and sunsets and night photo sessions. We took full advantage of this as well as many other people (sometimes it is not a blessing..). All the beautiful places with an easy access, like Vermilion Lakes are becoming overcrowded with armature photographers. It would not be a bad thing if it wasn’t for the fact that some of them don’t seem to be minding the etiquette, walking in front of your camera, just when you’re in the middle of shooting star trails and any long exposure shots really. I truly believe that we all should be allowed to take a photo, however, if someone is already there, the newcomers should mind their manners.. But, enough ranting. Time to check out all those lovely little bits of Alberta Rockies I was able to capture while, generally, avoiding people ;).

Kasia

One Cold February Day

by Kasia Sokulska | Jan 18, 2020 | Fuji Landscapes

Yes, winter can be very cold around these parts and one, usually, wishes to stay home and spend the weekend under a blanket with a hot cup of coco and a good movie or a book instead of wandering around in wilderness. However, such excursions can be very rewarding, providing they are short ;D. We have done such trips outside the city in bitter cold quite often over the years. And yes, you could say we have masochistic tendencies ;D, but the reward is in being able to experience beautiful places in extraordinary conditions. The air is crystal clear, the light quality completely different than during other times of year, the sunset colors – different as well. Sometimes there is a bit of fog associated with freezing cold as well. Such was the case one cold February day, last year, when we decided to head out to Elk Island, when temperatures were dipping below -30oC and wind chills were even colder. Even our dog, usually very happy to wander around wherever you take him, was not impressed with the conditions and was very eager to come back to the warm car after only few minutes. I admit, by the time I took my last photo I could not feel my fingers. It was well worth it, in my opinion, because it was quite beautiful. But, you should judge for yourself ;D

Kasia

Spring Visit to Jasper NP

by Kasia Sokulska | Sep 1, 2019 | Fuji Landscapes

Summer is slowly winding up. Fall colors are starting to show up here and there and it makes me reflect on what has been happening this year so far. One of the pleasures of warmer weather, for me, is the ease of traveling. It is so good to take a trip to the mountains. Especially in spring, when most of the snow is melted away and wild flowers are starting to show up, new leaves are sprinkling the trees and the sun is shining bright in the sky. Here is a few pictures from one such trip we are lucky to have been able to make this year. Enjoy!

Kasia

April Sunset at Elk Island

by Kasia Sokulska | Jul 7, 2019 | Fuji Landscapes

The summer is in full swing now. We are all enjoying wonderful colors surrounding us wherever we go. I still remember, though, all the spring months, when I was impatiently awaiting this to happen. Being short of time, I really appreciated the rare moments when we could escape the city for a couple of hours and visit Elk Island National Park, here in Alberta, conveniently located about 40km east of Edmonton. It is always a pleasure to go and see what’s new. Especially in early spring, I go looking for first signs of new growth, even knowing that, most likely, there won’t be anything showing just yet. Still, if the weather is nice, one can enjoy the peace and quiet, without being eaten alive by mosquitoes (always a bonus, if you ask me). Here is a few shots I took during one such trip in April. There was still quite a lot of ice on Astotin Lake and some trees were covered by pussy willows, mostly though, the nature was still asleep. But the light was lovely and the sunset was pretty. All in all a lovely trip.

Kasia

A Morning in Banff National Park – Part 2

by Kasia Sokulska | May 26, 2019 | Fuji Landscapes

As I have mentioned in the previous post, any trip to the Rockies leaves me with a lot of pictures. It takes a while to go through them and chose the best and fix them up a bit in post processing. Because I have very limited time for that part of the process I find myself doing only the basics in Light Room and not bother with using anything more, unless I am forced to do that or had a specific goal in mind when taking the shot. What I cannot stop myself from, is taking all of these pictures… But, honestly, can you blame me?! When you are surrounded by such beauty and encounter Vikings on your trip, you try and don’t take pictures! Good luck with that! ;p

Any way, here is part 2 of our short spring visit to the mountains. Enjoy!

Kasia

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