Vital Imagery Blog

Animations are fun. They add a little personality to emails, some humour and interest to PowerPoints and web designs.

In looking at sites such as AnimationFactory, I've been pleasantly surprised at the diversity of images available.  No matter what topic is being covered, what mood is being conveyed,  there are generally options that appeal to my taste, the style and the tone of the project. It's been my experience, that whether your goal is to achieve something cutesy or businesslike, it doesn't take long to find the right animation.

However, when it came to searching for landscape animations, I wasn't sure what the results might be. With the exception of a waterfall or babbling brook, Mother Nature's artwork tends to be relatively static. Yet, there are times, particularly if you are looking for something inspirational, when these types of images are what would suit the best.

So I set myself to the task and though the search results weren't as abundant as  t…

Walking through the woods on my daughter's country property recently was a big sigh in the middle of a busy life. There's nothing like getting away from all things technological and taking in 'natural' entertainment to rejuvenate and refresh.

Strolling the winding trail back through open fields provided an open view of rolling pasture and distant trees. Once we came to the wooded area, we were enclosed in a landscape of flora and fauna, where amidst the tall trees and saplings,  tiny brooks and dense scrub provided comfort and security for skittish little wildlife.

Later, over dinner on the patio in the early twilight hours we were treated to the emerging crimson glow of  what was to become a glorious sunset. Then with darkness upon us, we circled 'round the campfire. With stars twinkling above, we looked across wide open spaces to the sparkling lights of the nearby city.

Landscapes are nature's works of art, equal to anything in a gallery and most certainly …

When it comes to grabbing my camera and taking pictures it's typically because one of my kids or grandchildren are in the vicinity. Those much-loved faces are my favourite subjects and there are few moments of their life, when in my company, that I don't want to capture for posterity.

Every once in a while though, I find myself looking towards a sunset or across the countryside and am compelled to add a landscape photo to my collection. One true source of inspiration, after visiting the area a few years ago for our daughter's wedding, is the beautiful French River in Northern Ontario, Canada.

Since then, our annual vacations there have produced some of the most amazing photographs. I say this with the utmost humility as  I take little credit.  With azure skies, verdant foliage and miles of clear waters, if I couldn't get a good picture I believe it would be time to turn my head towards a different hobby. However,  to be honest, while I'm  quite pleased with the res…

When you look for the perfect backdrop for text a landscape will often fit the bill just perfectly. From sunsets to mountains and lakes, Mother Nature has provided us with some impressive subjects. Whether it's for inspiration or impact,  these types of images can set the mood by conveying a sense of power or freedom.

Though real-life depictions through photography are perhaps the most often used, illustrations of landscapes can set a completely different tone. And, unlike running out to grab a picture, creating your own project in an image editing program allows you to take on the role of Mother Nature. After all, why go looking for the perfect setting when you can do it yourself? 

Cast sunlight down on snow-capped mountains. Plant daisies in a meadow. Float ducks in a pond. Cover a country lane with the shade of lush maple trees.

It gives new meaning to 'landscape designer'.  Here then are some great tutorials to get you started, including some that let you put your p…

Saturday was one of those perfect days, full of accomplished tasks, yet somehow incredibly relaxing.  My time was spent in the kitchen but with no commitments otherwise, all of the baking, cooking and cleaning up were worthy, but mindless activities.

The afternoon ended with a cupboard full of yummy stuff and a quiet drink with my hubby. One of our favourite things in pleasant weather is to sit on our deck and enjoy the view from our backyard. Though we live in an urban area, we are fortunate to have a relatively unobstructed view of the neighbouring countryside. It is green grass and blue sky, nights of sunsets and starry skies.

From our backyard we can see all of the changes that come with each season. Windblown drifts of fluffy white give rise and fall to the landscape in winter. In storms we watch, protected in the warmth of our home, as the snow flies across the expanse of field, carried on gusts of chilled winds. 

Spring brings the greening of the grass and cavorting of little …