Canada In My Pocket Photo

Photographer’s Note

Learning about a new place in which you live should include knowing about the money and the music of the area. A very popular children's singer, Michael Mitchell, wrote and performs many songs about the country of Canada, including history, geography and coinage. "Canada in my Pocket" is one of the first songs our children learned, after "O Canada" of course (the national anthem). The words of the chorus are:

"I've got Canada in my pocket, A little bit of history:
A penny, and a nickel, and a quarter and a dime
Mean a lot to you and me.
It's more than pocket money,
They're the symbols of our land.
They're pictures of important things
For which this country stands."

Here in a child's hand are: the maple leaf, the beaver, the schooner (the Bluenose), and the caribou. Not included here are the Loonie (a 1 dollar coin featuring the northern aquatic bird, the loon), and the Twoonie (a 2 dollar coin featuring the polar bear). Canada's coins also feature special issues from time to time, including tributes to the newest Canadian territory, Nunavut, or tributes to Canadian history or important events. And on the other side of the coin, you'll find our tribute to our British heritage: Queen Elizabeth II.

For more information:
About Canadian Coins
About the beaver
About the schooner, the Bluenose
TE photo of and information on the caribou
TE photo of maple leaf (with incredibly good information! thanks, Mumek!)

It's difficult to photograph a macro of very shiny coins, by the way. Comments welcome.

spence, sarju, gul791, kajenn, perryhooter, pierrefonds, Joffre, Benedict has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

spence (1679) 2006-01-18 16:04

Nice idea Michelle, and certainly informative for me - I don't think I've ever seen Canadian coins before. As a photograph I think it needs a tighter crop and also (this might sound a bit strange) I would add another coin (doesn't matter if you have to duplicate). For some reason an odd number would provide better balance I think - a bit the same way that one or three or five roses in a vase look a lot better than two or four roses in a vase. Does that make any sense to you? Anyway, thanks for showing us these - love that caribou!

RPoole5552 (1643) 2006-01-18 23:15 [Comment]

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tabora (13638) 2006-01-19 14:43

Bonsoir michelle,
Très belle macro de la monnaie canadienne,les détails sont nets,si il n'y avait pas les pièces on pourrait prédire l'avenir dans les lignes de la main.
Amitiés Joseph

Paul57 (1635) 2006-01-20 15:26

Hi Michelle,
Very interesting photo and an imaginative title. If you were not residing in Canada the title could lead to different interpretations.
Congratulations for moving to Toronto however, some days I would prefer living in Florida.
I have been to the USA on many occasions and love the 30 or so states that I have so far visited.
Thanks for sharing.

Paul

sarju (5308) 2006-01-21 11:22

Hi Michelle
I was disappointed not to see the quintessential Canadian Loonie on the hand, but I think it goes well with the song.
so have a nice day .... enjoy the sun today
cheers .... sarju
BTW .. excellent note!!

pamastro (7213) 2006-01-30 13:41 [Comment]

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kajenn (2325) 2006-02-08 22:21

For some peculiar reason I own a Canadian penny, Michelle, the one with the maple leaf. I also have coins from Australia, Singapore, India and the Dominican Repuplic - countries I haven't visited either. So coins is obviously an interest of mine. You've managed well in capturing them in this macro, where I like the square format. They're hard to shoot as they are reflecting the light, yet you want the reliefs to appear. Perhaps some kind of sidelight would do it. And for sharpness - regarding the short DOF - some kind of mounting would perhaps be better, although you got a fine result here including the child's hand. Very well done!

The Euro coins are similar to the Commonwelth coins, one side equal for all and one side special for each country. But all valid in all countries.

Other coinage? I'm about to go skiing in Switzerland again in March and will travel from Sweden, through Denmark and Germany to get there. This means I need Swedish Crowns [SEK], Danish Crowns [DKK], Euros [EUR] and Swiss Francs [CHF]. So the European monitary unity is far away... ;o)

perryhooter (2424) 2006-03-04 18:38

Hello Michelle!

I hope your adaption to your new country of adoption is not too difficuilt. The winter so far is not to severe. It certainly help you a little bit.

Nice idea , and very informative note and links. I am looking forward discovering your next photos.

Cheers!
Robert

KellEy (1224) 2006-03-30 17:43

Great photo, very creative. A nice note too!
If you need any info. on nice places to visit in Ontario, write me, I'll be happy to give directions.

djslim (552) 2006-05-22 14:02

Canadian currency. You've got to love its colour. Alot more interesting than those dull american monotoned bills. Great macro :) Tfs!

pierrefonds (26353) 2006-06-17 11:28

Hi Michele,

A good close view of the canadian coins we also have the looney ($1.00) and the tooney ($2.00). The photo is sharp and clear. It has a good composition and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Benedict (7062) 2007-04-17 8:35

very imaginative compo..simple, educational! lighting is perfect.
benedict

Leo71538 (438) 2007-08-15 9:19

I enjoy collecting coins and paper-money. Take a look at my site:
IRAN COLLECTION