Title: Summer Skies on the Big Rideau Lake – Breathtaking Vibrant Colors
Author: Chris DeMaria
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781503593428
Pages: 30
Genre: Photography

Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin

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Intrinsically, all humans love the mind-expanding stimulation of seeing beautiful summer sunsets, in particular over a spectacular lake. While one witnesses the fiery torch of the sun sinking as it glows with the power adorned by the Greek God Helios, the sun seemingly becomes extinguished by the lake in an elemental battle of galactic proportions with the Earth vs. water vs. fire. One imagines the water boiling from the heat as clouds of steam bellow; the distant apocalyptic doom of the powerful yellow, orange and red light being overcome to soft hues of blues and purples as the twilight of the evening begins to form, revealing the stars as distant beacons of life’s navigational lights. So sets the foundation for the visual imagery of this photographic work by Chis DeMaria in his book titled, Summer Skies on the Big Rideau Lake – Breathtaking Vibrant Colors.

If there is truth to the saying, “A picture is worth 1,000 words,” then DeMaria allows the story to be heard in any language, with each reader becoming an observer to the images captured during the summer months at this pristine Canadian lake, Big Rideau Lake, a popular resort area in Eastern Ontario Canada and a part of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The popular location is close to civilization yet still remote and secluded. DeMaria has collected scores of sunset photographs in which he has assembled in a way to tell a story, undistracted by words, allowing for each reader to open themselves to the colors and vibrancy of this beautifully picturesque area.

The photographs vary in details, however they all represent landscapes of nature. Perhaps in future works DeMaria may consider adding more of a diverse range of subject matter to include people, pets or movement. His premier work has the elements of color, which seems to be his objective, to the best of the technical ability of his photographic camera used for these photos. A brief introduction or preface, albeit a bit in need of editing, offers his thoughts of his quest to portray to others what no doubt has inspired him so often in viewing spectacular evening sunsets in this pristine place of natural beauty. One can see by the date and time stamp on the photographs DeMaria has visited Big Rideau Lake during the summer months of multiple years.

The book is an ardent attempt to capture inspiring sunsets, however it is very difficult for the technology of any photograph to capture the entire spectrum of the many bandwidths of light one can perceive by actually being there, along with the sensory elements of the breeze over a Canadian lake during the long evenings of summer months. For those that have been to Big Rideau Lake, it will surely remind them of the beauty of the area, and for others this book will likely have them place the lake on their personal “Bucket list” for wishing to go there at least once in their lives.

When anyone gazes at the Canadian sunset on the Big Rideau Lake, they see the Greek sun god Helios in the sky. The Greek god Helios races his chariot of fire across the entire skyline ending another summer’s day. Helios leaves behind his personal gift of various colors for the people to see. Helios unique style of artwork is impossible to duplicate. A famous quote backs this up by stating “there’s never one skyline the same nor one sunset the same.” Sunsets are not just sunsets at the lake. They are magical to each individual. Each sunset’s serves as an unforgettable moment in time. It can bring family members together or to seize the once in a lifetime moment on film. This is when Helios true colors shine. Anyone can see a sunset at any time, but seeing a sunset over a Canadian lake is hard to beat. Here’s the story.
Chris DeMaria grew up in the Chicagoland suburbs. Every summer, Chris and his family would vacation at their summer cottage on the Rideau Lake in Portland Ontario, Canada. When Chris got his first camera, he began taking pictures of everything. But what really caught his eye was the Canadian scenery. Since then, dozens of pictures of sunsets on the Big Rideau Lake were taken along with everything nature has to offer. Current Chris lives with his daughter Alexandria in the Chicago suburbs and is still taking pictures of whatever catches his eye.