Beautiful scenes from Christian Island will be on display in
Penetanguishene Ontario later this month. Landscape photographer Sharon Lisa
Monague is hosting a show at ‘Le Matre D’ Restaurant at 106 Main Street between
4 – 6:30 p.m. on Sunday August 23. It will be a first for the talented
photographer and she is looking forward to a positive response.
“People have been pushing me to do a show and I am excited
now that it is in the works,” said Monague whose work has become well known to
Beausoleil First Nation members that also appreciate the beauty of their island
home.
“I have had some die-hard fans since I started posting my pictures
on Facebook – their enthusiasm has inspired me.”
Monague picked up photography as a hobby after her children
left home and she became bored wanting something more to do with her time.
Walking her dogs along the trails and beaches of Christian Island she began to
appreciate the beauty and landscape she once took for granted – especially the fantastic
sunrises and sunsets. Now the 52 year old shutterbug never leaves home without
her Canon Rebel and has captured some truly remarkable images around the island.
Monague says she believes in herself when she is taking
pictures and believes that each shot she takes will be a good one. Through personal
experience, trial and error and taking lessons at ‘Henry’s School of Imaging’
she has developed an eye and the skills it takes to become a great
photographer.
“I couldn’t believe how I took to photography – I love it. I
believe in myself that I will get a good picture and I do. I take my camera
everywhere with me now and hate to miss a sunrise or sunset – they are all so different.
I am always racing to catch a sunset,” said Monague.
“A tip I would like to share is it’s not always about
catching the sun as it is rising or setting, but the colours before and after that
are gorgeous – especially if there are lots of clouds.”
Over the past three years Monague has managed to gather
quite a collection of beautiful images but when she looks back at the some of
the first ones she took she notices that some are over exposed. Shooting on the
auto setting did not allow her to be creative like using the manual setting
which is what she uses nearly all the time now. At first Monague says she was
confused by all the settings on the camera but since taking classes and reading
tips at Digital School Photography ( DSP) online she has learned a great deal
about composition, how to hold a camera, shutter speed and more.
“I prefer learning in class and hands-on with an instructor
instead of using manuals. Some people are a bit nervous about all the things the
new cameras will do – I was like that at first too but now I am using the dials
and buttons to see what I can do,” said Monague.
“I recommend people go to the online site to learn a bit
more about their camera. It worked for me and I love to share tips to help
people.”
Some tips Monague has for photographers who are just starting
out include ‘focusing’ on how to hold a camera properly so that blurry images can
be avoided. A steady hand works wonders. Also do not always expect the subject
of a picture to be right in the middle – have it off to the side a little,
because you get too much exposure if you shoot directly at them.
Monague started out giving her pictures away as gifts and
raffled them off at community events but people began expressing interest in
buying them. Lately she has bigger plans in the works for her photography. She
is currently working on a business plan for ‘The Sunset Dreamer’ - her business,
and has a web site which she hopes will be up and running by the end of August.
The upcoming photography show will feature about ten
landscape images of Christian Island and a portfolio filled with other pictures
for people to view or purchase.
In the future Monague aspires to travel the world and take
pictures of her adventures. Iceland is first on her wish list. She has gotten a
lot of experience shooting beautiful wintery images on the frozen waters
surrounding her home. In the meantime she has visited Toronto and Montreal
where she has shot some interesting pictures and she continues to explore
Christian Island during her morning and evening walks with her dogs – which
have become attractive models for some of her work. Currently Monague is
working on improving her night time photography since she sees plenty of
opportunity for this around the island.
“Christian Island has so many opportunities for good photography. The beaches, skies and waters here always look so fresh and beautiful. I never get tired of taking pictures on the island and consider myself very lucky to live here now that I recognize its beauty and uniqueness,” said Monague.
To inquire about an image, the new website or get in touch
with Sharon Monague about her business ‘The Sunset Dreamer’ email her at: shar_monague@hotmail.com
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