Bill Smith's Photography

I confess I am a gearhead when it comes to cameras, one system I vow to shoot more with is the Mamyia C220f, a medium format twin lens reflex camera. Unlike Rolleiflexes which has fixed lenses, the C220f and the C330 series have interchangeable lenses with leaf shutters. Last week I was hanging out with my friend Lindsay and had an opportunity to grab a fresh portrait, I like this way better than the professional head shot I did for her back in the fall. Comes down the right focal length, 105mm is more flattering than 80mm in medium format. I also prefer black and white for portraits. The Mamyia C220f I think is going to come with me to Algonquin Park this year. The big question is which lenses come along for the ride, this is not a light system.

A few years back I did a photography project and my first exhibition with two friends called "In the Shadow of the GTA Greenbelt." Long after that was put to bed I still shoot within the Green Belt on a regular basis, part of it due to the fact Greater Toronto is a sprawling region and what was farmland 15 years ago is now a subdivision. It is my hope the Greenbelt is protected over the long haul regardless who is in power at the provincial level. Camera: Nikon FM2, Nikkor Ais 35 f2 lens. Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B,

Winter took it's time to show up this year, we had rain and a thunderstorm Christmas Eve, that should say it all right there. We now have a little bit of snow on the ground but I would not call it a dump like last year. Unfortunately the cold temperatures returned as well but unlike last year, that may not last, one can hope for average winter temperatures for a change. The top photos were taken along McLaren Side Road in Caledon,  one of my favourite drives and it started snowing while I was taking the pictures. The others were shot along the West Credit River near Brimstone and the hairpin turn on Forks of the Credit Road that same afternoon after skiing. Camera: Olympus OM-1MD, Zuiko lenses, Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.

Long time readers know I'm a ski bum, been skiing for 40 years first learning how when I was six years old north of Montreal. This year, it has been a green holiday season and the local hill I go to got things up and running through the magic of snowmaking. It was also quiet because people psychologically didn't think it was winter but just very late November over the Christmas season and stayed away. That meant no line ups which for dedicated skiers and snowboarders meant more time on the slopes. While I'm thankful for the more seasonably cold temperatures, it's just not winter without about 30cm of snow on the ground, just feels weird. Camera: Olympus OM-1md, Zuiko lenses. Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.