The Road To Lola

Yesterday I travelled all the way out to Middlesex county to see my old friend Lola. She's now a farm girl, and she's lovin' it! I'll have some new Lola images in the new year.

See you all next year!

The Blue Forest

My white balance must have been off the day I made this image, but how cool did it turn out!?!

Light Impressions Of Yonge Street

Another image made last week during my yearly Christmas journey to the downtown core.

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres

I hope you all had a great Christmas. We sure did, especially with that snow on Christmas eve! It was like out of a movie!

This was a few days ago in front of the theatres in Toronto.

Swarovski Tree

This will probably be the last post until after Christmas. If you've never been to the Eaton Centre in Toronto, this is their giant tree that spans two stories and is covered in Swarovski crystals. It's really impressive. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Christmas Lamp

Have you ever walked through the Distillery district of Toronto around Christmas time? Talk about time travel. Marina and I went for drinks the other day with my Dad, and not only were the GAS lamps decorated in Christmas attire, but freakin' Ebenezer Scrooge walked by the restaurant's window! I'm totally serious! Top hat and side burns a-blazin'!

The Bay's Window

So Marina and I went downtown the other night to see my Dad and check out the Christmas vibes at the Eaton centre. Of course one of our stops has to be The Bay to check out their Christmas displays in the windows along Queen. This one was the elves counting down to Christmas on that giant 12 month clock.

En-route To Vancouver

Another image from the torch relay in Mississauga on Saturday. Happy winter everyone!

www.christianstepien.com | www.dagobahproject.com

Passing The Torch

So I took my Mom down to city centre to see the olympic torch as it arrived. As it turns out the spot we chose to arrive at was also the passing off spot, we got to see the guy on the right arrive, give the lady of the left a fire start, watch them run in a circle cheering, and finally see her continue along the route. It only lasted a minute, but it was great to witness.

Balcony Christmas Lights

We had a few people over last night to exchange some early gifts and celebrate my first night of Christmas vacation! These lights spent 2 years on my Mom's roof before being replaced by LED's back in October. I wanted to give them a new lease on life.

A Christmas Card Of Sorts

I received an email a few days ago from a singer/songwriter out of Sault Ste. Marie named Catherine Taddo. She had found my photographs on Flickr and wanted to use them for a digital Christmas card featuring her rendition of "Baby It's Cold Outside" that she had recorded with musician Vile Richard. Here's the finished product. Enjoy!

Dog Tracks

I remember when Holly, our old Golden, would come Christmas tree cutting with us. She loved being outside, but the cold would hurt her paws. She would start to chew them to warm up, but she never wanted the doggy shoes.

Logs At Wintersingers

My mom, brother and I went to cut down the 2009 Stepien household Christmas tree yesterday at Wintersingers tree farm. It was the first time that Marina didn't join us on the trek, but she graciously offered to stay with my grandfather so my mom could actually get out of the house and do something with us.

Melted Snow On My Classroom Window

Another image from that first snow fall. We're going to cut down my mom's Christmas tree today. I'm glad we waited for the snow.

The First Snow Storm

Today was the first official snow storm to hit the GTA. It made my commute 3 times longer, it made me slip and slide all over the road, and it got me really wet...but I love it!

www.christianstepien.com | www.dagobahproject.com

Fade To Black: Oscar Mayer

Yep, it's the wiener mobile. I've actually seen the real deal twice: Once on the 401 and once sitting in the parking lot of the mall across the street from us. This is the mini-mobile.

Fade To Black: Ball Ornament

Note to self: Dust objects off when shooting macro.

Fade To Black: Rudolf

I love those Christmas cartoons. I need to check and see when they're going to be on T.V. I have the DVD's, but I kind of like watching them with the Christmas commercials in between.

Fade To Black: Charlie Brown

Still stuck at home. Sick. But Charlie is here!

Fade To Black: Christmas Tree

Fade To Black: Christmas Tree, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

The last time I was stuck at home sick I began my "Fade To Black" series. Those were Halloween themed. Once again I'm stuck at home, sick, and seeing that it's December 1st I've decided to continue the collection with a Christmas theme.

Watching Santa

Watching Santa, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

At the Mississauga Santa Claus Parade yesterday.

Reflection After The Rain

Reflection After The Rain, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Last night Marina and I were planning on heading down to this, Mississauga's city hall, for the official "Christmas tree lighting" ceremony. Unfortunately I am once again under the weather, so we just had a couple of people come over.

A Farm House In Snow

A Farm House In Snow, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Another image from December, 2005. As a side note, I feel it's worth mentioning that the past 5 images were all made with my old 4 MP sony point and shoot (with no zoom). Expensive gear does not make a photographer.

Apple Trees, No. 6

Apple Trees, No. 6, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This is an image I've had sitting around since December, 2005. Marina and I went down to Niagara Falls (probably for New Years, I can't really remember), and I snapped this image on the way. I was always fond of it, but today when I found it sitting in the "To Post" folder, it just spoke to me.

Signs In Snow

Signs In Snow, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This is an image I made back in December of 2005 in the Grange Equestrian Village. If you know the area, it's the corner of The Grange Sideroad and Creditview. It's also an image that was featured in my book, "The Escarpment".

House & Barn In Snow

House & Barn In Snow, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This was made way back in December of 2005. It's the house right on the corner of Mississauga Road and Wanless Drive (if you know the area). Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Escarpment In Snow

Escarpment In Snow, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I found this image from 2005 of the Niagara Escarpment in a snow storm. What a great day that was. Still waiting for the snow to return.

Winter Monkey

Winter Monkey, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This was made near the end of October at Terra Greenhouses in Oakville, Ontario. Behind the giant monkey (and he was a GIANT monkey) is a Christmas tree filled with mini-monkeys. I don't see the relation between monkeys and Christmas.

Waiting For Food

Waiting For Food, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This image is the last Lucky photo I have in my "To Post" folder. It was back made back in January 2006. She was doing her usual staring at someone eating food.

Baby Pine Cone

Baby Pine Cone, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Despite the recent negative vibes that have plagued ourselves, friends, and family, I am determined to have a good Christmas. I made this "Christmassy" image a few weeks ago with my students while visiting the marsh beside our school.

Lucky In The Sun

Lucky In The Sun, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I just heard that my Mom put Lucky down today. She had seizures off and on her entire life, but they increased in frequency this past week. I was with her last night when she had one. She lived to be an old lady of 13, but it's still a sad day.

I feel this looming sense of doom approaching. We've had a few deaths hit our family and friends the past few months, and I feel this is only the beginning. I hope I'm wrong.

A Wet Flower

A Wet Flower, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I really like how this one turned out. Really vibrant.

By the way, my Polar Bear photo from September was just published in the 2009
Schmap travel guide, in the Toronto section. If you click here, you can see how it looks on an iphone.

Gourd, No. 3

Gourd, No. 3, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

The last of the 3.

Gourd, No. 2

Gourd, No. 2, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

By the way, these "Fade To Black" photos were not "Photoshopped" (e.g., cut and pasted onto a black background). I actually photographed these guys on a black shirt of mine beside our balcony window. Just a little trivia for you.

Gourd, No. 1

Gourd, No. 1, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

The second entry into my "Fade To Black" still life series.

Nero: A Triptych

Nero: A Triptych, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Yesterday was a really sad day. Our old pal Nero passed away. Despite how much it hurts to lose someone, I can't help but think how lucky he was to have a family that really cared about him. There are so many puppies out there that are never as fortunate. He had a great life, and he lived to be an old man of 12.

In honor of Nero, I went back through my old photos of him to find these 3 that I've never posted. These were all taken August 10th, 2007 in his backyard.

Pumpkin Still Life

Pumpkin Still Life, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I've had this image stuck in my head for 2 months now, and I finally got around to making it 10 minutes ago! I haven't created many still life images, but I like how this one turned out.

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN! AGAIN!

Jack-O-Lantern, 2009

Jack-O-Lantern, 2009, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This is what I was working on last night when the fire alarm went off in the building. It was my first time using a Dremel to help carve the pumpkin, and it was amazing! All these years of waiting for it, and I finally had it!

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!

Fire!

Fire!, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

We had a fire on the 10th floor of our building today. It's true what they say...the best camera is the one you have on you. This was taken with my Blackberry Pearl. Everyone was ok, by the way.

Fence & Wheat

Fence & Wheat, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This image was made back in 2007, and has been sitting in my "TO POST" folder for over 2 years now. I originally had it in monochrome, but I think the colour works better. Have you noticed I've been posting a lot of colour images lately? What's up with that? I think working on the new book is having an effect on me (it's in colour as well).

Weeping Willow Reflection

Weeping Willow Reflection, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

As much as I'm looking forward to winter and currently enjoy autumn, I'm already kind of missing summer.

Grandpa's Birthday

Grandpa's Birthday, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

A couple of weeks ago my grandfather had another birthday. Since then he fell in the backyard when he was home alone (and was found 4 hours later by my brother), and he's begun his cancer treatment. Not a very good couple of weeks.

Foggy Forest

Foggy Forest, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I came across one of my old USB keys in a box that I thought I had lost. I decided to pop it into the computer to see what files I had on it. There was only this one picture. I don't remember taking it, but I love it.

Fall Contrast

Fall Contrast, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

My last colourful autumn photo. I really liked the contrast between the pines and the yellow leaves.

Yellow Trees

Yellow Trees, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Keeping with the past autumn photos, this one was made back in October of 2005 in Caledon. I used my old Sony P43 point and shoot (I didn't have a DSLR at the time). Like yesterdays image, at the time that I made this exposure I didn't have the know how to make it look the way I thought it should. Things do change over time.

A Pond Near The Forks, Redux

A Pond Near The Forks, Redux, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

I made this image back in October of 2006 and while I liked the original version that I had made, it just lacked something. That something would be vibrant colours. I found the image again while looking through some old photos, and used my current Photoshop skills to boost the image to a new glory.

Welcome To Erin

Welcome To Erin, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This was the sight that greeted us last week as we entered one of my favourite towns.

Fall Colours

Fall Colours, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

The scene a couple of weeks ago from my condo. Most of the leaves are down now.

I'm heading up onto the roof of my Mom's house today to start setting up the Christmas lights. Yes, it's October...but I'm not going up there in the snow!

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! No...No, It's Just A Bird.

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! No...No, It's Just A Bird., originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Really freakin' low flight! His wing brushed past my head!

What Is That?

What Is That?, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

Farm animals are hazardous to photographic equipment. They eat first and ask questions later.

The Barn Owl

The Barn Owl, originally uploaded by Christian Stepien.com.

This guy did one of those full-on owl head spins and stopped right at me. With those dead, black eyes it seemed like he was looking right through me. Gave me the creeps.

www.christianstepien.com