landscape Archives - Monika Life Photography

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PALACE PIER – AN URBAN ESCAPE AND OASIS

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022

On a recent stay down in Palace Pier, I bathed in light. I immersed my senses in the elements of nature. And, the sublime lines of ever-changing shadows dancing a timeless dance.

There are few places like Palace Pier in the city of Toronto. This is a place where earth and heaven meet upon the dance floor of the rich blue hues of Lake Ontario. The subtle, yet powerful lines and textures of the interior design in this beautiful home are at times understated and other times provocative. The constant shifting between the two make each room a delight to behold at different times of day.

What do you think?

Do these photos convey this experience?

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SITTING

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SUNRISE

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SITTING 2

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SITTING 4

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SITTING 3

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE LAKE ONTARIO

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE LAKE ONTARIO 2

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE SITTING GREENS

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE LAMP GOLD REFLECTION OF LIFE

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE GLASS 2

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE ABSTRACT

PALACE PIER TORONTO URBAN ESCAPE LAMP LIGHTS

animal

Samara Beach Sunsets in Costa Rica: How to Photograph…

January 15, 2022April 18, 2022

chihuaha on the beach with sunset warm haze in costa rica

Which photo belongs where? Can you tell?
Beach Sunsets are magical.

Samara Beach is the perfect place to take in a gorgeous sunset at low tide, pick up ceviche from a trolley vendor and maybe a few extra cold beers, up the street in the tuck shop…

Quiet reflection of branches, ocean and sun setting on the beach on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

beaches are the greatest story tellers and secret keepers of the tropics

Select a photo you love for purchase.
Photos for sale:

Spotlight on:
Samara Beach
Carillo Beach
Bahia de Ora – Playa Camaronal and the Wildlife Refuge for Turtles
Playa Nosara – Tropical Rural Sunshine

Price & Size Guide
Greeting Cards (sets of 5, blank inside) 5×7″ $55
Photo Print Singles
8×10″ $55
11×17″ $125
24×36″ $155

Canvas Print
12×18″ unmounted, canvas only $ 225
12×18″ mounted on a frame $300

beach umbrella on Samara beach — Classic Beach umbrella on Samara Beach, Costa Rica (Visit Samara tourist org)

BUY NOW

boulder among the lava rocks on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

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Fishing and large Driftwood arm on Camaron Beach — Fishing and large Driftwood arm on Camaronal Beach, Costa Rica

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'Dinosaur' Driftwood and Clouds landscape at Samara Beach, Costa Rica

Sunsets and Bougainvillea at Carillo Beach Lookout

Surfer heading home from enjoying the surf on Samara Beach, at Sunset, Costa Rica

Dogs playing and people walking on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

You belong here, sunset reflection on the sea of Samara Beach, Costa Rica

Looking back on the setting sun and surf at Nosara Beach, Costa Rica

You Belong Here.

Looking back on the sea, surf and sand landscape, I hear the ocean whisper sweet nothings that sound like:
‘You Belong Here’ as the surf breaks and the sea rushes foam to shore. The beauty, harmony and balance between water, earth, air and fire are enticing and soothing.
You belong here – I hear again and again.

What do you hear, when the Pacific waters talk to you?

The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and typical surf town fun. The surfers, fishermen and beach goers all get along well, with the big bay ocean swell.

Carillo Beach is quiet and ideal for families, bird watching, picnics and resting in between scenic drives up the hillsides to watch the sunrise and sunset. The rock formations offer beautiful intrigue and fascinating views. The gently sloping, white sand beach is flanked by two river beds, that generally dry up during the dry season of December to April.

Bahia the Ora – Wildlife Refuge Protected Beach is ideal for nature lovers. Come here to watch baby turtles be released into the ocean. Fish and enjoy the surf on a most magical and extensive quiet beach. Bring your own beach comfort gear, food and drinks since there is no access to vendors on the beach. And, remember to take everything you brought to the beach: back home with you.

How to Photograph beach sunsets and beach life basics:
1. Use and try photographing at different time
2. Watch for cloudy or partly cloudy days to offer contrast and intrigue to your photo
3. Allow people, animals or relatable content in the photo for depth and intrigue
4. Do go to the same area a few times to see how each day the light changes
5. Do vary up the height vantage point, when taking the photograph
6. Do look for contrasting activity: high surf, quiet beach or beach goers and flat ocean with low tide

Which scenic beach sunsets photograph is your favourite?

city living

An Arborist Paradise – Walking amongst 100 year old…

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020

A tree contains the wisdom of a thousand ages. A stand of trees can tell you stories of a peoples long gone.

Walking amongst the ancient, graceful, magical giants of the southern Florida landscape, I feel overcome. I feel teary, inspired and on the verge of discovering an ancient part of me.

I can only hope that you catch a glimpse of this magical flare, this ethereal calling these ancient trees hold in our landscape.

city living

My Florida Home – Tropical Styles Real Estate Photography

January 18, 2020January 18, 2020

Love the tropical, rich layers of old growth palms and evergreens in the South Florida Climate. Everything about this region entices visions of magic and enchantment. The lifestyle is flowing, easy, yes breezy and visually stunning.

At first glance, it is easy to be enamoured with the grandeur and design of some of the new architectural master pieces, but after several walk thrus in a neighbhourhood, the subtle, historical nuances of style, design and lush layers of life come sweeping over you.

Enjoy this first installment of

‘My Florida Home – Tropical Styles (Where the magic sways in the wind”

landscape

Dunlop Lodge an Ontario Gem – Wilderness Retreat

October 16, 2016December 18, 2016

Recently, I had the privilege of staying at a picturesque cabin in the woods, on the grounds of Dunlop Lodge Wilderness Retreat, set in the rolling forested hills of Elliott Lake. Amidst the striking fall colours of our beautiful Ontario forest, Dunlop Lodge is a getaway paradise.

All year round, this quiet, family lodge welcomes wilderness lovers to discover the vast beauty of Elliott Lake, Ontario. Right on Dunlop Lake, the lodge offers summer water sports, fall hikes and rugged trails for ATVs, mountain bikers, winter snowshoeing enthusiasts, ice fishing lodging, and spring thaw beauty to explore. Perfect for family getaways, special events and even quiet retreat times.

flowers

Kimberley Ontario

July 11, 2016December 18, 2016

Yours to discover – beauty all around, but especially out in the meadows!

landscape

Life on Pause in the Grand Canyon – Sacred…

July 5, 2015July 6, 2015

On a recent visit to Arizona, I took the tourist plunge & visited the Grand Canyon. The mountains are always calling me…and so were the canyons. They have such great spiritual power. As we walked along the viewing areas, three priests happened to pause on life.

Their presence illuminated the spirit of the canyons. Life paused, sacred moment captured.