I want to tell you all about a beautiful place, it’s the place I call home, Nova Scotia.  For those of you that do not know where Nova Scotia is, it’s a peninsula on the east coast of Canada on the Atlantic Ocean.  Nova Scotia has many natural wonders, the ocean, beaches, mountains, orchards, and has the beauties of all four seasons.  The sunny warm days in the summer, the changing colours of the foliage in autumn, the crispy fresh snow in winter and the rainy fresh air in the spring. Nova Scotia is a beautiful spot for anyone who is creative to come to paint or draw or to take pictures.

Damian Lidgard is one of those creative people, he is a photographer that calls Halifax, Nova Scotia home. By day Damian is a biologist and so he gets to travel through this beautiful province and sometimes his jobs takes him to places that many of us will never get to see in person.  One of these places is Sable Island, Nova Scotia.  Sable Island is a natural untouched landscape where wild horses roam, seals play, birds dance in the air and the wind can blow through your hair.  Doesn’t this sound like a magnificent place?  To visit, you must obtain permission from the Canadian Coast guard, so as I said before, it’s not everyone that gets to go.

I met with Damian in person and was able to get a good understanding of his photography.  I could see right away the passion he had for his masterpieces.  He spoke of each piece with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.  Each photo, had a story, a memory, a time and a place.  Like all good artists I could see the passion Damian had for all his photos.  Damian takes advantage of the places he gets to go.  He captures a moment rather than trying to create one.

Damian gave me a beautiful picture to review, a simple picture, but it says so much.  A small sparrow on awire on an early winter (nearly spring) morning.  How do I know it’s almost spring?  There is a small droplet of frozen rain on the wire just about to drip off.  Time is captured in this picture.  This is one of my favourite pieces of photography I have seen in a very long time.  So simple, and so beautiful.  The background is a crisp white which contrasts with the dark sparrow and wire.

Damian’s photos are not always your traditional 8×10 or 5×7, he takes the pictures based on what he thinks need to be in the picture.  Once again, he doesn’t create a scene, but rather lets it unfold naturally, and he captures the beauty.  The picture I received was 8×12 including the mat, I loved the panoramic look, but was nervous about finding a frame.  I went to Michael’s and to my surprise, they make frames that size and they were on sale for only $14!  This should be motivation enough to buy a picture that is not your average size. There is also an explanation of time and place on the back of each of Damian‘s photos, so you will always have a little note on the back that says a little something special about the photo.

I added this picture to my guest room which was in dire need of something on the walls.  This piece is all the room needed.  Just big enough to capture the feeling I want in the room.  My guest room is done in a soft blue and brown pallet.  My guests always say how soothing and calming the room is, this picture enhances the look and feeling we were going for.  Soft, calm, cool and simple.

Damian enjoys photography and he wants everyone to be able to enjoy his photography as well.  Many artists that travel to extravagant places charge astronomical prices for their photography.  Lidgard Photography makes his pieces affordable for everyone.  A framed matted photo for only $20 can really enhance the look in any room.  Damian also gives discounts for purchasing three or more photos.

If you are looking for something larger or perhaps a little more special, Lidgard Photography also creates pieces on canvas which are as big as 20×30 and can go larger, and limited edition work.  Damian showed me two of his limited edition pieces.  The first was of two horses printed on fine art paper that provided a strong textural quality; you can see and feel the thickness of the horses mane. The second was a photo of the ocean and skyline taken at dusk with a slow shutter speed such that the waves blur into one another; once again the texture of the fine art paper brought out the caps in the waves and the horizon.  Both were absolutely amazing.

If you are looking for something a little smaller, Lidgard Photography also has greeting cards.  Heplaces his photography inside the card and creates a border which makes the picture look matted.  The inside of the cards are blank for you to write a personal note to that special someone.  You or your special someone could then frame the card as the photography is already matted and ready to go.  What a special way to send someone a note.  I have never received a Hallmark card that makes it into a frame yet.  I can guarantee your receiver will appreciate and frame your special note.  By the way, the price of the note card is the same as a Hallmark card!

Damian Lidgard is a very talented photographer.  He enjoys his hobby and is very fortunate that his job takes him to places that many of us would like to be able to see in person.  For those of us who can’t, we can still see the beauty of those places through Dimian Lidgard’s Photography.  If you have been to Nova Scotia and want something to remember the beauty of Nova Scotia, Damian’s art will make you remember why you came here, and make you want to come back.

Buy it:

To order Damian Lidgard’s photography, visit his online store, email him at dclidgard@eastlink.ca, or visit him at the Farmers’ Market in Halifax on Saturday mornings.

Giveaway:

Damian Lidgard has offered one of My Wee View readers three photographic greeting cards.  You could frame these cards, or give them to someone special.

To Enter:

Visit Damian Lidgard’s photography and comment here what your favourite photo is.

Other ways to Enter:

- Write a little story about your favourite picture.

- Blog about this giveaway

- Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter

- Link My Wee View to your website

- Grab my button.

- Subscribe and/or follow my blog.

Contest ends March 20th 11:59pm PST. Winner will be drawn March 21st.