About Karen

193 Comments

Photography and Art by Karen McRae
Ottawa, Canada
email: karenmcrae(at)gmail.com
Website:  karenmcrae.photoshelter.com

I am a photographer and an artist.

I enamoured with images. Nature. Architecture. Good design. Words. Words all strung together. Shadows.
The things in the shadows. The earth. The people moving over it. The past. My camera(s). The smell of oil paint. Texture. Colour ranks up there too. And light.
Light is magical.

Sometimes I try to bring a few of these things together and you might find them here, a little bit of my world pressed regularly.
Hey, Thanks for stopping by.

All images on this site unless otherwise stated are © of Karen McRae

193 thoughts on “About Karen”

  1. Karen, I have just spent a very enjoyable morning going through your images. I like them, I don’t just like them, I like them a whole lot. I really like how you show multiples of the same subject as it is like watch your mind at work. Well done and I look forward to more of your work.

    Reply

  2. Hey Karen – Thanks for the ‘like’ for my Grangemouth Docks Photo Blog. Hope you had a chance to look at the few other few blogs I have done (I’m a newbie). I have enjoyed having a look through your blogs and really like your work, particularly ‘Abstract Friday’ for the effect, colours and textures – they look almost like paintings, and also Moth Orchids – they are lovely flowers and from the way you have taken the photos it is easy to see why they call them this! Regards, John

    Reply

    • Hi John,
      Your blog is off to a great start! The Falkirk wheel is very cool also. I’m always intrigued by industrial architecture. Thanks for the kind comments.
      cheers, Karen

      Reply

  5. It started with me looking at people that subscribed to the blogs of people that subscribed to other blogs by people that …ad infinitum… and it lead me to this delightful gig. Being as nosy as I am I had to see what the “most versatile” blog is and I can say I hope you win! Thanks for sharing wonderful words and imagery.

    Peace

    Reply

  7. Hello Karen! Thanks a lot for stopping by my blog.

    I really like your photography. I take a lot of nature shots as well, mostly in fact, but only if I spot something that looks particularly interesting or that could be captured in an interesting way.

    You have a real knack for that very thing, and I like how you use depth of field. Like someone mentioned above, I also found it great how you’ll post several shots of the same subject, allowing us, as that commenter said, to watch your mind at work.

    Very cool, and I look forward to following your blog.

    Reply

  9. I might have clicked on the same spot, same angle if I were there.
    ( If I search all of my photos, I can find almost identical one
    for each of your photo )
    —– It’s a strange feeling. —– ? ? ?

    Reply

  10. I love the name of your blog.

    Kind of sums some of the rest of us up as well.

    It has been a long time since we have had the frozen rain. It is so gorgeous and so destructive as well. I do love your photos.

    Reply

  11. I LoVe your gravtar pic and blurb! You have such a beautiful face – you look like an actress but I can’t get who …. normally, I’m great at this … a bit like Jacqueline Bisset or, no, I can’t quite get it. Oh, I so know what you mean about light. Once you see it, you can’t not, can you? It’s divine:)

    Reply

  14. I’m so glad you stopped-by my blog today, Karen…so glad you let me know you were there by sharing a comment with me. I had seen your name or icon somewhere in the past, but didn’t take the time that I should have to investigate more. I know you’re here now, and truthfully, I find your work inspiring. I have taken some similar photos and wondered if the people who look at my posts might be getting tired of the snow and ice and branches and sticks and ice crystals and fence posts, etc…and have found so many of the same, but more beautiful items on your blog. I am only a novice’s novice at photography, and have much to learn, but it is heartening to see your work…truly beautiful photos. Thank you, Scott.

    Reply

  18. Beautiful Photos. I can imagine what beautiful photos you’d take here in the North Cape, with ice and amazing light. I’m an artist living in Norway and getting ready to open a gallery. I’m also inspired by the amazing beauty in nature, as well as light and color. Looking forward to following your blog and being inspired. Erica

    Reply

  24. I’ve added a link to your blog on the side of mine – February blogs I recommend,. I’ll be rotating recommendations as there are so many good ones out there. Yours, however, is definitely exceptional.
    Jane

    Reply

  25. Thanks for your visit to my blog, and your support, much appreciated. Your work is very serene and beautiful. I feel admiration for your talent. It is always my great pleasure to see your photos.

    Reply

  26. I met anna yesterday – she is wonderful sweet thoughtful woman. I looked at my box that I made yesterday and will try to photograph it like your buildings. I think it can stand up all by itself as a nice architectural piece – maybe a prayer box or sculpture.Thank you for the idea.

    Reply

  27. This is to inform you that you have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award and the Liebster Award! The awards are being made in the following post on my blog – ‘John’s Mega Award Ceremony’! The post will be published this afternoon – 21-02-2012! Congratulations on receiving this recognition and appreciation of who you are and how you affect the lives of people through your blog!

    Hi Karen – I think your blog is absolute magic! I know that you have received these awards before, but sometimes people just want to give more than words, and that includes me! Sorry about the formality of this notification but I sometimes think a ‘touch’ of formality adds weight to an award!

    Cheers

    John

    Reply

  30. Hi Karen! I just nominated you for the ABC Award (Awesome blog award). I’m not sure this is something you want to do, and I’m not even sure I did it correctly, but the main reason I mentioned your site was with the hope of bringing more viewers your way. Your photos are meant to be seen by as many people as possible.

    Reply

  32. Hey Karen, howdy?
    Your artwork is brilliant, Canada is such a beautiful place.
    Thanks for sharing your vision with usPLease, keep it up.

    Cheers from Brazil
    Chicquero

    Reply

  33. I also like how your posts show series…similar yet different aspects of the subject. Yes, you are an Artist! I look forward to seeing more of your work.

    Reply

  34. Your blog is wonderful! I was honored to receive The Liebster Blog Award, and now I want to passing it on to you.

    If you need information about this, you can read in my blog

    Reply

  35. Karen, where do you sell your work online? I am not currently in the market, but I keep a list of artists for when I am ready for a new piece. I love the work you have been posting.

    Cheers.

    Reply

    • Christine, hi! I don’t actually have anything set up online…but I’m working on it, so I’ll keep you posted okay.
      Thank you so much for your interest! :)
      Karen

      Reply

  38. Congratulation, I found you are selected one of Great Blogger of Earth Day
    by WordPress. Whether you are shy to participate or not, you deserve it.
    ( I was so lucky to became your subscriber :-) )
    All the Best.
    ___/\___

    Reply

  39. Congratulations on being one of eight selected by WordPress for their Earth Day 2012 best bloggers!! World wide recognition is a great way to get more than just me clamoring (nagging) for a whole book of your photos.

    Reply

  45. Hi Karen,
    You know how much I love your pictures !
    I do not know if you like or not these awards things but I’m using them to show people some magnificent pictures (like yours) … this is why I gave you the Genuine Blogger Award.
    Hope it’s fine for you !
    Cheers
    Mathias

    Reply

    • Mathias, thank you very much, that is kind of you!
      Sorry for the delayed reply, I’ve been out of town for awhile, and still am, actually.
      Cheers, Karen

      Reply

    • Hi Ben,
      I was hoping to make it to Vancouver Island this trip but there just wasn’t time. It’s still on my must see list!
      I have several film cameras but mostly I am using a Nikon D 7000 these days.
      Thanks for your kind comment,
      Karen

      Reply

      • Oh well, another time. The Island will still be here! Great camera, I use an old D-80 and would love to upgrade to one of those. Also tons of film (you should post some film ones!)

  54. So very nice to “meet” you, Karen! My goodness, what a beautiful blog you have here! So happy that I stumbled upon it – and looking so forward to coming again!
    anne

    Reply

  58. Beautiful images! I looked around, enjoyed myself very much and it’s a pleasure to follow you. Inspiring, stunning, sober.

    All the best to you, look forward to read you again soon.

    Greetings
    DIna

    Reply

  62. you take very strange pictures…….you have your own very different unique way of percieving and seeing things which ive never come across before…..i cannot see for myself what your pictures show me……..i like.

    Reply

  75. I nominated you for a R.E.A.L.I.T.Y Award
    http://rosecoloredphoto.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/r-e-a-l-i-t-y/

    So, like other blogger-to-blogger awards, there is a short q&a and a pay-it-forward element (for this award, there are 8 nominees):

    1) If you could change something what would you change?

    2) If you could repeat an age, what age would it be?

    3) What one thing really scares you?

    4) What one dream have you not completed yet and do you think you will be able to complete it?

    5) If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?

    Reply

  77. Pingback: Reflection On Reflections:A Collaboration « Elenacaravela's Blog

  78. Karen, I found your pages thanks to Elena Caravela. I am envious of her talent for drawing and am happy to hear that both of you are collaborating. Your own work is original and inspiring. Your biography is telling (oh, not so much about places, occupations, and other dull details–but about the conceptualization of beauty and enchantment), and, by looking at your images, I can see how overtures of the mind are reified in stark images.

    Reply

    • Hi there Exiled Prospero,
      Elena’s work is amazing isn’t it? It was a joy to collaborate with her. Thanks for your very kind comments, they are most appreciated.
      Your island of exile looks intriguing…
      Karen

      Reply

  89. Hi Karen, I am inspired and look forward to seeing your posts. I added you to my blogroll– long overdue! Thanks again for your comments and for creating such wonderful work.

    Reply

  93. Hi Karen, I don’t know why, after enjoying your blog for so long, I neglected to look at your website. It is stunning! I can’t wait to go back and peruse more images. Thanks.

    Reply

  100. Hi Karen! I’ve been seeing your icon on posts for ages but never got over to see your blog – I saw you on Freshly Pressed just now and the top picture caught my eye. You’ve got a very impressive collection of pictures here, the sorts of things that get to me, and so I’m now following your blog – I look forward to seeing more of your images! Adrian

    Reply

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