Landscape | MiKS Media Photography

Abraham Lake with Fuji and Film

by Mac Sokulski | Feb 20, 2017 | Fuji Landscapes, Landscape, Nature

After a few times of waking up at 3 am, to be able to arrive at the famous Abraham Lake for sunrise, we got smart. We decided to find a hotel as close to the lake as possible and stay overnight. That’s what we did. The plus of this was that we were able to go to Abraham lake at night. Now that was an experience of it’s own. The sky was clear, no moon at all, and the amount of stars visible, was just staggering. Time for tripods, wide angle lenses and flash lights… oh right we forgot those. I have never been in a situation where the darkness was so complete. Taking a step or two away from the tripod, created a danger of walking right back into it, and toppling it over. Adding to the darkness were ominous sounds coming from the lake. Creaks, groans, gurgles where enough to get the imagination going wild. We did not stay very long. Managing 2 – 3 images each.

The next morning we joined the droves of photographers at the lake. This lake, because of unique methane bubble frozen in ice, is almost a pilgrimage for any landscape photographer. This is the reason why I wanted a little different look. Create at least a few photographs that were a little different. Still you cannot escape the beauty of frozen bubbles in clear ice, and a spectacular sunrise over the mountains. Choosing the images for this blog wasn’t easy either. They might look similar, but everyone is different. I know it flies in the face of convention, where seasoned landscape photographer, advice on posting 1 or 2 of the best. Problem is, both Kasia and me, really love all of them. We both have different way of shooting, and different editing style. This reflects in the images.

Enjoy!

Summer on the Prairies – Part 2

by Kasia Sokulska | Feb 17, 2017 | Landscape

Photographing flat prairies presents a challenge. It’s easy to take a good photo of mountains, since all you need is good light and the pictures take themselves. Rockies are just too beautiful and full of interesting views. Prairies, though, require a bit more of an effort, since one has to find something to catch one’s eye, to create an interesting composition. Sometimes, I just want a shot of our big beautiful sky at sunset and I don’t care much for the foreground, most of the time, however, we do make an effort to find a good spot to complement the sky. It isn’t always easy, and we have traveled more than 100km distances away from the city, on numerous occasions, to find a pleasing spot, often frustrated when we weren’t able to find something soon enough to catch the sunset colors or not getting the light or colors while waiting for it on location. It’s a good thing I don’t mind it so much, taking pleasure in being outside of the city, even if I don’t come home with very many pictures. Mind you, I don’t think I have ever came back without a shot or two. Does it make me not discriminate enough, or am I just lucky to find something to catch my eye? You be the judge of that. ;D

Kasia

Summer on the Prairies – Part 1

by Kasia Sokulska | Feb 13, 2017 | Landscape

This time of year I seem to be missing summer with all its colors and warmth. I miss the easy travel around the countryside, long days that allow for frequent trips outside the city, even in the middle of the week. And it does not matter if we bring only one picture from such a trip. The fact is, we are out in the world, under the big Alberta sky, not closed in the city. We are lucky, the both of us, that we are able to go together and share the adventures, experience the beauty of the world and capture it for everybody to see. So here they are, the snippets of summer, bits of rural Alberta for you to enjoy, just like we did..

Kasia

Winter adventures on film

by Mac Sokulski | Jan 25, 2017 | Art, Landscape, Nature

End of December last year, I had a few days to myself, to think about what I want to do with my photography. Watching videos of Thomas Heaton and his adventures really inspires me, to focus more and really take care what is in the frame of the camera. To look at the world in a different way, and find the beauty everywhere, even in simple compositions that don’t involve glorious sunrise or sunset skies. This is the reason that on this little short sunrise trip I only took a 35mm film camera, and a roll of film. Kasia is happy with her Fuji digital cameras, and she can always find something interesting. She has a keen eye to see the big vistas, and the little intimate details. I still struggle with that. So I forced myself to look around more carefully on this trip, and loaded with 18 (because I already shot a few during Christmas celebrations) frames and armed only with 2 lenses (35 and 50) I began my adventure.

We have been to this old abandoned house, a few times. Yet there is always something new to photograph. With fresh snow, there were a lot of animal tracks all around. Kasia and me separated, so we’re not in each others way, and end up with very similar images. Surprisingly I did manage to finish off the roll of film. I’m actually quite happy with the results, even though the images are very grainy for ASA400 film. I hope I can translate the experiences of shooting old film camera to the new digital, and take images with more care and purpose.

Visiting the Lake – Summer at Elk Island

by Kasia Sokulska | Jan 11, 2017 | Landscape

Astotin Lake at Elk Island National Park, here in Alberta is one of our favorite spots to visit when we need a quick fix of nature. We have been there probably hundreds of times already and every of those visits is lovely and lends a picture or two. I have been going through my older pictures and found this collection of shots only featuring the lake during summer months which will be perfect to escape this cold and windy day. A little color, a little sunshine and the feeling of peace is what the doctor ordered! Enjoy!

Kasia

Fog, cold Alberta sunset, and Fuji.

by Mac Sokulski | May 4, 2016 | Fuji X, Landscape

Before this blog is going to be over run with images of Scottish and Polish landscapes, I thought I might squeeze in a few pictures from a memorable outing not too long ago. As always on our little excursions, we just picked a back road that looked interesting and started driving. We came upon a little valley, that was covered in thick fog, even though the sky was blue, and was threatening with a very bland sunset. So we figured that maybe if we just follow the fog we can get something interesting. I think we did.

Sometimes photography is just all about getting lost, and following your heart. If we decided to stay home, because of clear blue skies, we would have missed this opportunity. So the message is pretty simple, explore because you never know what is waiting for you around the corner.