Sometimes a photo just makes you smile....

Courtesy of Jonathan Scott's Facebook Fan Page

Sometimes you just happen upon a picture that totally makes you smile, and for me this was just one such photo.

I was looking for a picture I had seen of these gentlemen for different post, and stumbled upon this photo, and it just put a HUGE smile on my face. This image just has the right combination of elements to make it so... sort of like a perfect storm of elements.

After living in rainy BC for a couple of years, I became somewhat of a pluviophile. I'm not kidding; I actually love the rain, especially as pictured here. I know a lot of people dislike the rain, for various reasons, but I find a beauty in it. In spring, I love seeing the rain waking the world up from it's winter slumber; and in the fall, it has a sullen beauty, as it rids the world of the remnants of summer, as it prepares to hibernate. But the BEST kind of rain is when it's COMPLETELY sunny!  That is what we have in this picture. So, personally, this image speaks to me....

Even if you can't empathize with my love of rain, there is also the the juxtaposition of a sunny day and a rainy day that is completely harmonious in the image.  I love things that are a little unexpected -- it makes for a great story. Think about it, when you think sunny day, you probably don't think it was raining, and reverse is also true.

I have to admit, though, in the context of this photo, it's not the surprise element that works, but more the harmony. The subjects of this is image are the twins who (from what I can tell from social media) compliment each other very well, just as the rain and the sunshine in the image.

What perfects the image as a whole, is the softness of the image and the photographer's choice of black and white.  Because the image is not pin sharp (at least as it is pictured here), it has ethereal feel. I think this is further highlighted by the fact that the image is in black and white. This image is perfect in black and white. I don't know if the photographer shot it that way or did that in post; I love the choice. I feel that if the image was in colour, it would actually take away from the story.... the image would just not be the same.

So, yes, I know this is probably a publicity shot of some sort, but that doesn't mean it can't have a wonderful story.  What do you think? Does this image not put a smile on your face?

It's not important for the post, but these men are "The Property Brothers". From what I gather, they are total ergophiles (workaholics!), and do some really great work. If you want to know more about them, just do a search for them... they are easy to find!

Day 321 - "Yup, the water's still too cold"

Even this gull, who swims in the cold waters all the time, is testing the waters! Doesn't he look miffed?

Day 305 - Spring sunshine

I was heading home, and I looked up to see the sun shinning so bright, and I wanted to capture the warmth and beauty of the day.

Day 304 - Synapses branches

When I first got to the university for a meeting, I noticed the branches in the sky.  There is something about the branches all intertwined and messy, that grabbed my attention. As I looked for the best way to photograph them, they sort of reminded me of synapses in our brains. I think its neat that we can see the order within ourselves reflected in the world.

Day 253 - Through the window

I was looking through my pictures and found quite a few from at home that were taken from the car.  I guess I didn't realize it, but I tend to take a lot of photos from the car.  My goal for next month is to go some where and just use the time for the sole purpose of taking pictures and nothing else.

Day 242 - The sun sets on another day

I don't know why I had to take this picture, I just did.  The sun was lower in the horizon, but not quite ready to set.  My friend and I were ready to leave the trail, the quiet, and the souls that had been laid to rest.

Day 221 - Shy kitten

Finally, working through all my Morocco pictures and editing, and found this cute little guy!  I have so many pictures of cats, since they were EVERYWHERE! This little guy was at our host family's family's place.  We wanted to play with him, but he kept running away.

Day 177 - Sunset in the Park

This is from 2009, on my sister's birthday.  We had a mini picnic in the park and then wandered around taking pictures in the incredible light.

Day 176 - Early morning construction

I'm obsessed with pictures I've taken of the sun, whether they are sunsets or sunrises.  This is one I took January of last year at a Habitat for Humanity Toronto build.  I remember getting to the site when it was still a little dark.  As we got ready for the safety speech, I could see the sun rising through the homes we were framing.

I was so glad that I took this photo that day, as it was that day that I came to really and truly understand and appreciate what Habitat does.  It was FREEZING that day!  Throughout the day I had to take breaks in the volunteer trailer, since I could feel my fingers and toes; I couldn't wait to get home, take a long hot shower and just surround myself with warm! What do people who don't have a home do on days like that?

Day 155 - "...placed for you the stars...."

Really busy these days, so just added some text to the astrolabe...

Day 154 - Astrolabe

When I was in Washington, DC I spent a lot of time at the Air and Space Museum.  Though I'm not in the sciences, they do fascinate me.  Place like the Air and Space Museum are amazing displays of human ingenuity! This picture is one such display.  This is an astrolabe from early Islamic history.  An astrolabe is used to locate and predict the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, making it a useful tool for mariners (for navigation) and astronomers.  In the Islamic world, it was also used to calculate the Qibla (direction of prayer) and to find the times for prayers. Such simple (?) yet effective technology!

Day 130 - Beautiful sunsets

I have to say that I have never experienced more glorious sunsets than I have here! This looks like it could have been taken at home, but it was in Morocco, I assure you.  We were in the car and heading to the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh after spending the day in Ourika, in the mountains.  It was a perfect way to end the day!

Day 125 - Beautiful morning for prayers

Eid Mubarak!  Hope it's a wonderful day for everyone.  This is from Eid prayers this morning in Morocco!

Day 119 - ... in black and white...

I kept looking at the fountain from yesterday, and wondered how it would look in black and white.  Don't get me wrong, I love the coloured version, but I wondered if turning it into black and white would highlight the patterns and the carvings differently.  The only thing I don't really like is the shadow on the right.

Day 107 - Microscope

Another picture that I'm not sure why I like, but I do.  I took a bunch of random pictures of different artefacts at a library at Johns Hopkins University.  I think there is something about the reflecting light on the showcase.

Day 98 - Cool flare photo

Ok, I have to admit, that I had no idea what this picture would look like, since all I could see on the screen was the sun.  I actually love this photo!

Day 82 - Through the leaves

I was trying to take a picture of the sunlight through leaves. I tried to find something interesting to put in the background, but no such luck.  I did like the way the leaves look.

Day 72 - Sun Setting in 2.0 megapixels

Last night, I wanted to see if my phone camera would be a good alternative to carrying my camera, or at least I can use it when I don't have my camera on me.  This was the result of the setting sun.  I really dislike the quality of the phone pictures.... but it's better than not having the ability to take pics at all.

This picture is decent.  Not great, but decent. You can see that it's a little pixelated, but the rest of them are very pixelated.

Driving into the sun and trying to take a better picture.  This is a pretty good silhouette though!

Day 52 - Sun peaking through the clouds

This is the picture I took while I was coming home from an appointment and was stuck in traffic.  That day there was a torrential down pour;  I just made it home before the skies opened and submerged the city. Guess the sun was just fighting to be seen through the clouds -- kind of poetic.