David and the Camera

Models Of Excellence: Yousef Karsh

2011-08-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today I introduce a new concept with this Blog. I have been up to my arse in alligators busy for the past year and I am still busy, but now this busyness is focusing in on building my professional identity as a photographer. As I catch up the backlog, I am devoting more time to fleshing out my website and as I do so I will keep this Blog current so that the two venues may work together.

In order to keep these sites informative and interesting I have come up with a few concepts, one of which is an on-going series of short biographical essays regarding photographers I admire. This first installment pays homage to Yousef Karsh.

YOUSUF KARSH

Yousuf Karsh was born in Armenia (Turkey) in 1908. At the age of fourteen his family moved to Syria, two years later Yousuf was sent to Canada to live with his Uncle George Nakash. George was a photographer and recognized potential in the young man, so he arranged an apprenticeship for Yousuf in Boston, Massachusetts with the photographer John Garo. After a four year apprenticeship Karsh returned to Ottawa, Canada, where he set up a portrait studio in the Chateau Laurier, a prominent hotel close to the Canadian Parliament.

MacKenzie King, then Prime Minister of Canada, who especially liked Karsh and his photographic work, commenced to arrange portraits between Karsh and visiting dignitaries. On December 30, 1941, Karsh took a photo of a defiant Winston Churchill, “The Roaring Lion” capitulated Karsh to worldwide fame, this photo in fact is claimed to be the most reproduced portrait ever photographed.

In the year 2000 edition of The International Who’s Who, which celebrated the 100 most notable people of the previous century, Yousuf Karsh was the only Canadian entry. Of the one hundred people listed, Yousuf had photographed fifty-one of them, testament to his profound success as a portrait photographer.

In the late 1990’s Yousuf, with his wife Estrellita, moved back to Boston, where he died on July 13, 2002 of complications following surgery. His body was returned to Canada and is interred at Ottawa’s Notre Dame Cemetery.

When I see a photograph taken by Karsh it is quickly recognizable, a result of his style and his distinctive personal aesthetic. Karsh was a humble man who was able to capture in the fleeting moment the person behind the public mask - his portraits capture a snippet of the sitters personality that can only be found in very brief moments, even with co-operative, willing subjects.

Most of Karsh’s work is printed at large sizes, and as portraiture displays the tonal range and contrast supremacy that one sees in Ansel Adams’ landscapes, complete mastery of light and shadow. Such excellence is never happenstance, and in Yousuf’s case it has much to do with his understanding and use of studio lighting.

The excellent photo craft of Yousuf Karsh is inspirational and if in my lifetime I can attain a consistency in negative, print, and subject such as Karsh exemplified, I will die a satisfied artist.

Yousuf Karsh examines a 10X8 negative in this famous self-portrait.

Yousuf Karsh was an amazing man and photographer, though he has passed, the official Yousuf Karsh website will enrich and inspire you. Check it out:

LINK
Click Here for http://www.karsh.org/#/home/

Mario - Courier Number One

2011-03-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

While shooting an assignment today on Vancouver's Hornby Bike Lane I had the pleasure of meeting Mario. I immediately noticed his courier license plate and was intrigued by the number - 001. While so many people around Vancouver get uptight when they see a camera Mario simply nodded and smiled. When I saw his number plate I asked if I could take his photo and he happily obliged, taking time away from his busy schedule he allowed me to make a picture and we engaged in a brief but uplifting conversation. Thank you Mario for being a positive part of a rainy day in Vancouver, you deserve to be number one.

Historic Steveston Fishing Village

2011-03-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I was on a field trip to the waterfront at Steveston, one of the many cities that together constitute the Greater Vancouver Area. Steveston was once a thriving fishery centre but is now a pleasantly quiet respite from the rest of BC's Lower Mainland, which tends to be overcrowded and hyperactive. The calm I experienced in Steveston made up for the long transit ride to get there and back. How long was the bus-train ride? Over two hours from my suite near UBC and then the same back again!

Studio Portrait - Black & White

2011-03-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Chiaroscuro. It is a word of Italian origin that literally means light and dark. It is most commonly used in the context of art where it references the interplay of light and dark without regard to colour.

The two photographs posted here were made with the intent of conveying a particular mood. Colour would not suit the moods expressed. Full, even lighting would equally fail to express the depth of thought and introspection. When one is deep in thought s/he is attempting to bring something out from the shadows within into the more lucid realm of the surface. When light and dark is the subject matter, light and dark are the tools of communication.

...

Food and Beverage Photography

2011-03-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

One of the school modules during this past term has been food and beverage photography. One of the assignments given was to style and shoot a beverage, then create and apply a mock logo along with text layout for use in advertising. I chose to simulate an assignment for Minute Maid brand (tm registered) 100% juice blends.

Granville Street Vancouver

2011-03-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Granville Street on a Saturday night. Not just any night, but on the one year anniversary of the Olympic experience.

Product Photography Final Assignment

2011-02-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

I love my cameras and I can't stand Photoshop, however I have to get involved somewhat in the post-processing nightmares. For my Product Photography final assignment I chose to utilize pure images and keep everything simple; remember that less is more? Some of my classmates are perfectly adept at Photoshopping, in other words they have the desire and inclination to take things "over-the-top." I have promised myself that I will not be one of the throng who delight in such falsehood and contrivances.

Camera Flash and My Bride

2011-01-25T13:16:00.000-08:00

OK, so I've been married for years, but she is still my bride and I love her like we are still on our honeymoon. I went home to her at Christmas time and while there she modeled for me as I worked on my Camera Flash assignment. I haven't done any post-production with these images, therefore (as with most of my images) what you are seeing is straight from the camera.

Ain't they beautiful!

NDP Leader Jack Layton Gives Town Hall Meeting In Vancouver

2011-01-23T00:22:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER: I do not subscribe to any particular political party. Honestly, I exercise my Constitutional Right to refrain from voting whatsoever. I leave politics to those who are interested in it, they know a whole lot more about those things than I do, and therefore do a better job of it. That being said,

I was strolling downtown Vancouver making photographs today and intended to stop at the library to shop its extensive selection for some reference materials. When I arrived at the VPL I encountered a peaceful demonstration for Free Democracy in Tunisia. I think that was what it was for, I couldn't understand the words being spoken any more than I could read the graphically beautiful writing on many of the placards. While photographing the event I was approached be a man who wanted me to take his picture with Jack Layton, Federal NDP Leader who apparently was having a Town Hall on the lower level of the library building*. I thought, Why not? so in I went.

The meeting would commence shortly after our entering so Ricky, for such is his name, found his way through to some people and I took a place on the media platform, Why not?

After awhile I got to feeling famished and eventually decided to slip out for a bite to eat. When I returned Jack was gone and I spotted Ricky taking the souvenir shot of a small group of party faithful using their camera. I took one more look around and decided it was time for me to go upstairs and get the books I needed. And now, after quick editing, submitting via email, and posting on the blog, it is time to take one of those books to bed with me and settle down for the night. Why not?

* It is a very beautiful building, thank you Vancouver!

A real important NDP person setting the stage for ol' Jack and other NDP VIP's enjoying themselves

Tough guy

Comedian

Tunisia Freedom Rally In Vancouver, BC

2011-01-22T23:48:00.000-08:00

Today a rally/protest for democratic freedom in Tunisia after the ousting of former ruler Ben Ali. The event was staged in front of the Vancouver Public Library.

Peaceful Protest Rally In Front Of Vancouver Public Library

Messages

Charged Connections

.

From Week 2 To Term 2

2011-01-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

OK, so I have failed miserably in my attempt to update this blog weekly - I will spare you my justifications and just get on with it. Here are three pictures from one of our early field trips. On this assignment we were to point and shoot at what interested us without taking the time to compose our image in the viewfinder.

Photography School Week Two

2010-10-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the end of week two and so far I am surviving. I think school is tougher than dealing with clients! Take for example the shoot I did at Vancouver International Airport last week. I had to submit three, and only three submissions - no opportunity for a second presentation either. In my case I over thought what to submit. I was shooting for the Photojournalism class so I decided to submit two images that 'said' Airport. I know they conveyed airport as a place but my instructor critiqued them as too contrived. Having seen other students submissions and hearing the comments I am proud of my peers, and I take nothing away from them, however I could have stood in much greater light had I chosen other images from my shoot. Alas there is no second chance. Had I been presenting to a client I could have come back with the more appropriate selection, but such is not the case in class, what I gave is what it is, no chance of redemption for that assignment. I guess this is why I am in school, to learn.

My YVR shoot has flown, so I will leave you with a few street shots I took this past week.

One of my classmates making pictures.

Whale Watching.

Freighter Watching from the Spanish Banks.

School Week One

2010-09-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

After a whirlwind of activity and application form overload I have finally made it here to Vancouver for my Professional Photographer Program. I haven't found a permanent address yet but I have found somewhere to lay my head.

Home Away From Home.

OK, I am only kidding, but if it doesn't rain out this could do in a pinch!
Actually I have been staying at Hostel International Vancouver, Jericho Beach. It has been a great place to start out, being close to school, close to the beach, and quite affordable. The hostel is kept clean and is occupied by a bunch of really decent people. The photo below is one I took while on a cycle tour of the beach walk, only moments away from HI Vancouver.

In Front of Spanish Banks Cafe

As I was typing this blog entry I received a phone call about a room for rent only five blocks from my school and no hill to climb. I am really beginning to like it here. School is revealing itself to be hard work but then again I didn't expect it to be anything other than hard work anyway. All this going on in my life makes me happy as a rose bloom (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Happy Flower

Going To School

2010-09-18T00:52:00.000-07:00

It's true, I am returning to school at 52 years old!

Frustrated from my unfruitful attempts to locate suitable employment since my injury I decided that I would see if I could obtain funded career training. I went to The Employment Place in Salmon Arm where a wonderfully helpful client counselor listened to my story then made some suggestions. In the middle of August I attended a two week self exploration career decision workshop known as Implicit Career Search, conducted by Stepping Stones Consulting in Salmon Arm. Back at The Employment Place we decided together that we could build a case to endorse preparation for a career as a professional photographer. Bowman Employment Services agreed that mine was a case they could get behind, and I start a ten month diploma program at Focal Point Academy Of Visual Arts in Vancouver this Monday!

This has been a whirlwind and many thanks are due. You know who you all are. May God bless you abundantly.

The other day I traveled around with a mandate to shoot only at 18mm. The light was lousy but I didn't care for my sole intent was to capture compositions using only the widest angle I had available to me.

My bike parked behind the library

Reflections at Salmon Arm Wharf

Looking through the railings

Kayak Adventures

2010-08-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

My wife and son have been active kayak enthusiasts for the past ten years and have tried to get me interested for as long. Well this year they finally succeeded, and all I can say is, What took me so long?

Fishing On Hidden Lake, Enderby, BC

1/15 sec. (hand-held) f5.3 230mm ISO 1250

Mallard Duck and My Son on White Lake, Salmon Arm, BC

1/400 sec f14 55mm ISO 800

Levi Performing An Eskimo Roll

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

The Ducks Like Levi!

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

Cats Afternoon

2010-07-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Kress, eight week old female Scottish Fold

George, eight week old Scottish Fold male, straight ears

Mr Chin, male with folded ears, giving George a pat on the head.

Kress soaking up the heat from my desklamp, keeping me from work.

The Kittens Are Growing

2010-07-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

The following pictures were taken about a week ago, when the kittens were seven weeks old. Today the kittens turned eight weeks and the first one to move out has found an excellent home with our son in sunny Kelowna. These cats are wonderfully socialized and will settle well in whatever home they go to.

Mother Sophie with the awesome Mr. Chin

1/60 sec f.5.6 60mm prime ISO200

Beautiful, brilliant and bursting with energy, this little lady we call Kress

1/60 sec f9 60mm ISO200

George, the Littlest Holstein. That gray between his paws is the last of his first mouse capture!

1/60 sec f8 78mm ISO800

Ems is sticking her tongue out and George is reaching out. Whatever it is it must look tasty.

1/60 sec f9 60mm ISO200

Color Valuing (Temperature) Photographs In Post Production

2010-07-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to offer three versions of the same photograph in order to illustrate a simple yet visually appealing option in post-production, color valuing.

In truth, all three images are the same photograph. The different look and feel of each image is a result of the visual / emotional impact of the color values perceived. A simple adjustment of the temperature value slider and, Voila', an entirely different photo!

The original picture is shown first. It has not been edited in any way, it has only been converted from NEF (Nikon's RAW Format) to a reduced dimension JPG.

Personal Water Craft On Shuswap Lake - Original

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 4696

PWC - Warmed Up ...emphasizes the Golden Light...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 8000

PWC - Cooled Down ...truest to the minds rendition at "Cheese" time...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 3800

Please use the comments to state which you prefer and why. Any other comments and/or feedback is also welcome.

Graduation 2010

2010-07-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

A family we are friends with celebrated the youngest daughters high school graduation the June. She has determined a solid educational path towards the profession she has chosen. She is an intelligent young lady and she will do well. As always, we pray that life continue to unfold well for her.

Balloons on the family float pulled in the Grad Parade

1/1600 sec f.8 55mm ISO400

Water Girls or Pink Mermaid

1/1250 sec f.4.8 86mm ISO400

After the Toss

1/10 sec f.5.6 200mm ISO1600

It says it all...

1 sec f.8 98mm ISO1000

Hunting the Elusive Yellow Headed Blackbird

2010-07-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Along the Salmon Arm waterfront is a rich marshland ecosystem that is recognized as important breeding habitat for several wetlands phyla and species. Amongst these breeders are Yellow Head Blackbird, which were my photographic pursuit on June 8, 2010. I weaponized the Nikon D70 with a Nikon Field Scope coupled through an SLR-Scope Adapter and set out to picture these illusive YH Blackbirds. For some unknown reason this lens, though powerful, appears to be incapable of capturing a "Money Shot," mostly because of severe Chromatic Aberration, secondarily due to a lack of ability to obtain Critical Focus, likely from the same basic optical fault that produces the Aberrations. None-the-less, I enjoyed my day and managed a few pictures I could enjoy anyway.

Yellow Headed Blackbird With Tail Fanned

The bird here is admittedly blurred, yet I quite like the tones and the pastel smoothness of the soft focus clouds.

Flying Fish? Darwin's (mythological) missing link? How does he carry the fish like that? -Look ma, no hands! (The only post processing done on this image is crop, dust removal, white point adjustment and reveal shadow detail.)

Over the years I have discovered that there is almost always a picture within a picture and along the same lines, there is usually another photo ready to be made if you take the time to look around you. My adapted scope-lens did not deliver a printable shot of this sailboat, but it did let me enjoy myself capturing compositions of this sportsman on the water.

All above shots taken with Nikon D70, Nikon Fieldscope IV (f.13) and Nikon FSA-L1 Adapter. ISO 400, Various shutter speeds.

Our New Scottish Fold Cats

2010-06-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Scottish Fold cats are a truly unique breed within the realm of the domestic cat; deeply affectionate, highly intelligent, vocally articulate yet soft-spoken, Folds have established a well deserved reputation as superb feline pets.

Years ago while living near Smithers, BC., my young family took great pleasure in a folded-ear and a straight-eared Fold that were bred in Prince Rupert, BC.. Earlier this year my wife found two Scottish Folds available to a good home, so once affairs were in order, my son and I drove to, coincidently, Prince Rupert to bring home our new friends, the queen is with my wife and I while our son has given a wonderful home to the neutered male.

By a genetic quirk Scottish Folds are bred to other breeds of cats that do not have folded ears and the result is typically half a litter with folded ears with the other half of the litter having straight ears. All the kittens retain the unique and sought after Fold personality. If both the Queen and the Tom are Scottish Fold the litter is likely to be deformed or otherwise deficient. We wanted kittens, therefore we chose to let her breed with a straight eared breed of cat in order to have a healthy brood.

The young were born on June 1, 2010. All are black with some white marking, except for the fluffy-puffy little holstein look-a-like who is white with black spotting!

Our son has chosen a dear little clone of its sweet mother and will be taking it home in another month, and then his "Bawler" will have a companion cat around the house. We haven't decided if we will keep one of these kittens or breed one more time before having our sweetheart spayed, we do agree however that we will be adding one more Scottish Fold permanently into our home, it is simply a matter of selection - and when they are all so sweet, it can be hard to choose.

REMEMBER: To view a larger image, simply mouse click over the image you wish to view.

This is our mother cat. She was previously named "Sophia," but we simply call her "Beautiful."

This is a snapshot when they were only days old.

Here they are curled up with Mom. Being so black they are difficult to photograph.

They are steadily gaining their feet under them and are sure to be a pleasant nuisance under foot within days now. Once they are more active, I will take opportunity to make some decent photographs of the little cuties as they play their way to readiness for their new homes. By the way, are you interested in a kitten? Use the comments if so...

Tea For the Tillerman

2010-05-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty busy lately but I thought I had better update the blog anyway. These two pictures were taken several years ago with a point and shoot Canon. These are International pictures - the river is in Canada but the background mountain is in the USA!

Use the comments and tell me which of the two photos you like best...

TILLERMAN: This one always makes me think of Cat Stevens' Tea For the Tillerman.'

RIVER PILOT: I like the lighting,the wind in the hair, and the mountain dividing river from sky.

Please take a moment to comment on which you like best and why...

Watoto African Children's Choir

2010-04-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Recently the church we fellowship at hosted a wonderful concert of the Watoto Children's Choir from, you guessed it, Africa. It was an inspiring evening of song, praise and dance, vibrant in the energy of its' performance and the colors of cultural dress. Safe to say, a wonderful time was had by all.

1/80 sec. f8. 300mm ISO1250 saturation reduced in iPhoto

Spring Is Sprung

2010-03-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Many 'things' have become icons of spring, symbolically heralding the glorious change of the season from the passing winter to the luxurious changes brought about by the warming sun with its' longer days. If you are not too young and you have experienced spring on the prairies, you will no doubt be always hoping to spot the ever beautiful prairie crocus.

Prairie Crocus

1/250 sec. f5.6 ISO-800 55mm

Bugs On Plants

2010-03-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

Bugs are fascinating subjects, especially when seen close up through a micro (for Nikonians) / macro lens.

1/125 sec. f4.2 ISO-800 60mm Nikkor Micro Lens

1/640 sec. f10 ISO-1000 60mm Nikkor Micro Lens

1/125 sec. f4 ISO-800 60mm Nikkor Micro Lens

Snowshoeing At Fairmont Hot Springs

2010-01-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

It is time to deviate a little from the Photo Of the Day concept and just share a few pictures. My wife works really hard and she has taken this week for a vacation, which we are taking at Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia.

Today we strapped on our snowshoes and went along on a guided trek that departed from the local ski hill. There isn't a lot of snow, the lighting was poor and I lost a lens cap, so photographically the day was a wash, but our guides, Lucas, Steph, and Britt made certain that we enjoyed ourselves anyway.

Approaching the Creek Crossing

Our Guides; Steph, Britt, and Lucas.

The Wife and I At the Turn Around Point. Photo by Stephanie

Birds Of A Feather

2010-01-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

Of course one can always get two sides of a coin by utilizing two coins, or in this case, two pieces currency.

1/125 sec. f4.5 ISO1000 60mm Tripod

Two Sides of the Coin

2010-01-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

Today for a Photo of the Day I not only get to post two photos, I indeed Must post two, for today's photo is a collector coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, and as everybody knows, there are two sides to every coin.

Year Of the Dragon Collector Coin 'Tails'

1/2000 sec. f3.8 ISO1600 60mm Tripod

Year Of the Dragon Collector Coin 'Heads'

1/4000 sec. f3.8 ISO1600 60mm Tripod

The ISO is so high because I neglected to reset the sensitivity after doing some hand held photography of wild birds while using a Nikon Fieldscope and adapter on my Nikon D70. Considering the ISO setting there is very little noise present.

Poor Man's Studio Lights

2009-12-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

Poor Man's Studio Lights, that is exactly what these are; they cost me about 50 cents a piece at a yard sale. Through rummage sales I have gathered a fair collection of cheap, usable lighting - spots, floods, blue, red, green, yellow, and some strange in-between color shifts that provide me with a pleasant versatility. Oh, and sometimes even a pleasant subject in and of themselves!

1/350 sec. f/5.6 ISO 200 300mm

On the Level

2009-12-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

OK, so I missed a few days, but here I am and I am staying on subject; studio photography, today being table top studio photography. I like to pick various objects from around me and see what happens. I didn't think much of the dull ordinariness of white lights upon this carpenters level so I brought in some colored highlights by setting up a couple of outdoor floodlights. That bit of blue is a highlight from the beam of an LED flashlight, hand held, to place an emphasis.

1/50 sec. f=? ISO 200 Nikon 70-210 "E" at Macro

Photo Of the Day - Coyote

2009-12-19T12:00:00.001-08:00

Ever tried to get to get a coyote to stand still in the studio?
It is much easier with a figurine!

122mm 1/40 sec. f6.3 ISO 200 Tripod

Studio Still Life

2009-12-19T00:45:00.000-08:00

For the next few posts I am going to try my hand at Photo Of the Day kind of postings - 1 picture a day, posted almost daily. I really enjoy studio photography so here goes...

This is not a toy. It is an actual sewing machine from the early twentieth century. It belongs to my last surviving Aunty, who has used it extensively over the years. Her daughters all learnt to sew upon this wonderful piece of machinery.

Salmon Arm Sites - Nature Trail

2009-11-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

Over the next few blog posts I expect to present a small tour along some of Salmon Arm's photogenic walks. For today I have selected three photos capturing the Salmon Arm Naturalist's Nature Trail and one shot representing the type of view one can expect while using this awesome walkway.

Early Autumn View of Trail

55mm; ISO 1600; 1/750; f8; tripod

Cyclist On Trail Near One Of Many Observation Decks

80mm; ISO 200; 1/180; f11; tripod

Cyclists Resting On A Bench Watch An Eagle Flying Low Over the Water

60mm; ISO 800; 1/2000; f8.0; handheld

Heron, Geese, and Ducks Made Their Home Here Long Before Houseboats Moved In

310mm; ISO 800; 1/8000; f5.3; handheld

Experiment and Evaluate

2009-10-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to exercise a different approach in my post, rather than displaying images I wish to share with others, I have chosen to get a wee bit technical.

As some of you already know, for me the process is as important as the final result. Utilizing quality tools is one of the pleasures that drives me through those processes. This is one reason why I continue to shoot film even though I also shoot digital. It is also why I scour ebay in search of equipment gems with which to over-stuff my gadget bag.

A short time ago I acquired a pristine Nikkor AF-D 60mm micro lens and what does one do with a new - er um, toy? Well you immediately go play with it don't you? I know I do, thus I attached the new-to-me lens onto my D70, screwed on a circular polarizing filter, and headed to the beach.

This was near the end of September and being in Canada only driftwood hunters occupy the beaches, and only anglers sail upon the waters, so I wasn't left with much subject, not to worry though, shooting digital the photographer in me could afford to experiment. What lay before me was a wonderful opportunity to improve my skills with the polarizer, so during that dreaded time of day - mid afternoon - I set out to build filter muscle. It was a good exercise.

I encourage all photographers who want self-improvement to upon occasion set out with minimal gear and a very defined objective, you will absolutely become a better photographer as a result.

All images:
Nikon D70 - Nikkor AF-D 60mm - Cokin Circular Polarizer
ISO400 (equivalent) - Aperture Priority

Note:
Only 1 minute passed from the first to last image. All lighting effects a result of filter adjustment.

click on images for larger view

1/400 sec. @ f5.0 2:40:00 pm

1/500 sec. @ f5.6 2:40:03 pm

1/250 sec. @ f8.0 2:41:02 pm

These photos were not taken as compositions but as studies in the filter effect.
My favorite effect is the last photo; I am particular to the tonal changes in the water, the sky color, cloud texture and the contrast in the forest. I also believe the color to be the most accurate.

Which is your favorite, and why?

A Wedding Slide Show

2009-10-23T23:34:00.000-07:00

It is no doubt a good thing that I do not have many followers on this blog yet because it is not easy to establish the habit of regular, frequent posting, especially in the midst of a busy life, yet at least I have somehow found my way here again. Who knows when the next post will be?

Amongst the busyness of this year I have gained two beautiful nieces through the process of weddings, and I must say that my nephews have done very well for themselves!

Though I was not the primary photographer at either wedding I did press the shutter a few thousand times between the two events and have been pleased with many of the shots from both ceremonies. The first wedding I shared here a couple of posts ago and the second wedding I have decided to share with you in the form of a video slide show set to the music the couple used as the wedding party made the march to the altar. I hope you enjoy the presentation.

Family Fun Day 2009

2009-07-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

Salmon Arm is blessed to have the Five Corners Pentecostal Church amongst its houses of fellowship. The congregation and leadership of Five Corners are exemplary in love and in caring for the community around them.

One of the outreaches this congregation practices on a regular basis is a Family Fun Day hosted in June each year. Here they share good times over fun, food and music in an open house picnic on the church grounds. As has become custom, the church was joined this year by a group from the Circle Square summer camp at Armstrong, BC, who brought along saddle horses for the kids, and the sweet lady, Joyce Marchant contributed a beautiful pair of Clydesdales which were harnessed up to a pioneer style wagon providing rides to any and all. For those who really get into the pioneering spirit the Salmon Arm Metis Association brought along a Red River Cart that was pulled around by a quad ( Oxen are hard to come by in the Shuswap. ). Fortunately this cart has bearings and doesn't squeal like in the olden days!

Popular amongt the teenagers were the all-terrain mountain boards that the Circle Square crew brought along. The kids would put on safety gear, ride down the hill and get towed back up by a quad that was on hand for the purpose. Meanwhile many of the pre-teens entertained themselves on the BMX track with either their own bikes or on loaners that again the Circle Square group so graciously provided. A particular favorite for the younger crowd was the fishin' pond, where lures had clips rather than hooks and toys rather than fish were the catch of the day.

The sounds of pleasure were constantly erupting out of the inflatable fun house and the bouncing room that were rented for the occasion. Mingling with laughter and glee, the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of free barbeque and the sweet sounds of music from the variety of entertainers present. All in all it was a exceptional day, and although it sounds cliche, a wonderful time was had by all.

The Fun House Was Quite the Rush.

Make Up Anyone?

Food and Fun All At the Same Time...

Candy Anyone?

Everyone Loves Horses...

And Some Just Want Horsepower.

One Of the Guest Musicians.

The Circle Square Gang Demonstrate A Campfire Sing-A-Long.

Abstracts From A Wedding

2009-06-26T10:21:00.001-07:00

People do not have to feature in every picture made at a wedding, as I wondered around the location with my mind on the people and the ceremony my photographic eye continued to scout about for frames of interest. In doing so, I couldn't resist the texture of the cobblestone flooring nor those wonderfully changing perspective lines forming from out the identically laid tiling pictured above. Neither could I prevent myself from popping the Lens Baby 2.0 onto the D70 to capture the chairs posted below. In hindsight though I would have placed a single flower on the featured seat, providing a spot of color further defining my chosen focal point. ( I know I could PS one in but for me the art is photography, not post process graphic manipulation. ) Another lesson learned.

I wouldn't be true to my heritage if I failed to be inspired by a kilt, and there in the background is once again that fabulous stone floor.

And yes, this is a people picture, but you must admit that it does have an element of abstract to it, and that really is my point - for the photographer who looks around, there is always another photo ready to be captured.

A Wedding Shoot

2009-06-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

The Bride Is the Star...

As much as I enjoyed shooting the float planes at Sandy Point in Salmon Arm I was excited to leave the event early in order to shoot at my nephews wedding. Things at the wedding did not turn out quite as expected but I liked being there anyway and feel that I took a lot away in the experience.

It turned out that although I thought I was being recognized as an event photographer, shooting second to a pro brought in from afar, nobody else recognized me as any else than just another bystander with a fancy camera (including the pro!)! Combine the lack of recognition with a lack of confidence and what do you get? Just another bystander with a fancy camera!

For all of that I gained more lessons than good photographs but I am ok with it because I wasn't being paid and therefore can not be guilty of letting anybody down, and I am ok with it because I did get a few shots I am happy with as well as receiving those valuable life lessons which I shall carry with me wherever I go.

The bride signing papers at the rehearsal...

Together as man and wife.

The groom with his brother and best man.

I didn't lose a nephew - I gained a niece! Best wishes to you Raymond and Amanda and I pray your life together will be as blessed as my own marriage to your Aunt has been.

Shuswap Lake Float Plane Fly In 2009, Pt III

2009-06-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Well the nine day fly in is over for this spring and though I personally was only able to attend three days I know it was a wonderful event. Fortunately the Grindrod Airforce and the Shuswap Lake Aero Modellers host a Fall Fly In, the Fall Classic, an eight day event that occurs in September. My calendar is marked.

I know that this is a lot of photos for a blog but it is not nearly as many as this great event, with its awesome planes and pilots deserves. It is my intent to upload photography of ALL the wonderful planes I shot - not here, but elsewhere - so follow this Blog or check back once in awhile because when I have found venue I will post the information.

Speaking of information, if any of you fine viewers can identify any planes or pilots shown here please leave me a comment and I will revise titles so we all can know. The same goes if you spot anything that needs correction.

On The Apron. OS2 Kingfisher in training colors, DHC-6 Twin Otter, 1/4 scale Piper Cub, 1/3 scale Piper Cub

Wish I had seen this one fly!

I didn't see this one fly either, but I bet is goes "like stink".

A Piper Cub taxis out while a Maule and a Beaver stand by.
Notice the clear blue sky? It was like that the whole time.

Fairchild 91 ???

DHC-6 Twin Otter

A magnificent 1/3 scale Piper Cub

Ker Sploosh!!!

Same crash, spun around the float and nosing in !!!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Yellow-Cub-Tub.
Res-Q-One, the Airforce's retreaval craft earning its keep.

Maule C-FKNA patiently awaiting its turn, which I believe was its maiden flight!

C-FKNA rolling by the pilot before taxi for take-off...

...and a successful take off is witnessed by a Common Loon, another great flyer that prefers taking off and landing on the water.

Shuswap Lake Float Plane Fly In 2009, Part II

2009-06-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

I must admit that I am really enjoying the Grindrod Airforce Spring Fly In, 2009. Today's blog is a tough selection from Tuesday, June 2. I showed up when the afternoon light was right on Sunday but by then the flyers had finished for the day (Don't these people know that morning light from a western shoreline and high noon sunshine makes for poor photography?). A surprise visitor kept me away from Monday's fly, howwever I did manage to hang out all day yesterday and over three hundred photos have survived the first round of the delete key!

After I post this entry I am on my way back to Sandy Point Campground for another afternoon of picture making in the Okanagan - Shuswap sun ( I think I'll put sunblock on this time!).

"Hello tower, request permission to take off"

Piper Cub lifting off.

Canadair water bomber taking off.

Canadair in flight.

Is this where it all began?

I like how this Cessna 195 'Floats'.

Is it live or is it ...." Beautifully realistic DeHavallind Beaver.

Today's blog may be over but the flying continues...

Grindrod Air Force - Shuswap Spring Float Fly - 2009

2009-05-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

In opening this blog entry let me establish one thing - I have been slow posting mainly because I like continuity but I often don't like to sit and carry on from where I left off, so beginning today I will simply blog post what ever is current and part 2's and 3's can fall wherever they may - that being said...

While taking a Photoshop course this past winter one of my fellow students tuned me in to the fact of an Annual Remote Control Float Plane Event which occurs here in the Shuswap region of beautiful British Columbia. The event is hosted by the Grindrod Air Force RC Club and is the longest running float event in BC, 2009 being its 33rd consecutive year. The Airforce also stages a float event in September but for that one we will have to wait a few more months, today being sufficient for the present. Both of these float flys take place at the wonderful Sandy Point Campgrounds, Salmon Arm, BC.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I am enjoying the event. It is my hope to attend a few more days of this 9 day event and post fresh photos from each visit. Happy flying!

A beautiful day for flying open cockpit...

Friendship amongst flyers is tantamount.

This Piper Cub is 1/3 scale, sporting a 12 foot winspan!

The sky was uncharacteristically gray when this flying boat was in the air. I am hoping for some blue beyond when I return so I can post an inspiring photo of it in flight. That beautiful plane to the left encountered a troublesome wave whilst taking off for a flight a little later on...

...and this is what happened as a result!

Repairable at least. The irony is that I had earlier been taken by its symmetry!

Wasn't it pretty? (It will be again)

Yellow Taxi!!!

and landed.

Beyond The Ranch, Part 1

2009-04-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

So...
...with my interest in photography rekindled I set out with a point and shoot Canon in hand when I moved deeply into the wilderness where I managed a fly-in camp. The camp was intended for helicopter access fishing excursions but the proximity of mineral exploration and its related activity filled our camp with scientists, surveyors and support personnel instead; which proved to be good for the owner of the camp, who profited greatly while failing to keep his promise of recompensing me according to the increased work load. Life is like that though and when like a fool I returned for the second season I at least brought with me a Nikon D70 D-SLR that I had purchased during the winter off-season.

Today I will post some photographs I made with the Canon A70 point-and-shoot.

Approaching camp in a Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter...

Bronson Creek Camp On Iskut River

Here I am with my Canon A70 at a small lake we fished...

Greetings

Here is a visiting friend with a "Fish On!" while angling a shallow river...

Angling Success

And here is the boss with a worthy catch in the same small river...

Lugging The Lunker (King Salmon)

You never know what you will see when flying around in a chopper...

Swimming Moose

We had some pretty fine scenery while hiking as well...

Twin Glacier

Life On The Ranch

2009-03-18T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you have read my previous posts you are aware that I unplugged and moved onto a semi Wilderness Guest Ranch and then gradually plugged back in. Here in the hinterlands I started making photographs with a Canon point & shoot and thus my life as a photographer was rekindled.

This is the house I lived in for three years. It was built in about 1908 and in 1950 was moved 100 meters to its current location. I chose the over-the-shoulder shot because I like the emphasis on its situation with the lake and mountain view. I also like the band of light highlighting the house and illuminating the lake while the cloud shadow obscures the mountain, preventing the hills from overpowering the viewers attention away from the dwelling.

O.K., this one is a film scan, but I thought you might like an extended view.

Though we were a guest ranch I didn't bother taking pictures of many of our clients, but who could resist our wildlife friends?

Our cat and one of the beggarly foxes that made daily visits...

I am looking straight up at this noisome little fellow. To hear him go on you would think he owned the place!

I tried everything I could think of (short of violence) to get this pest to leave one of the guest cabins. Nothing was working so I decided to take his mug shot. Who would have thunk it, I soon as the strobe went off he disappeared, well, in a flash!

This photo was taken in our bedroom, where we would enjoy our morning coffee in bed with the windows open so the Stellar's Jays could fly on in for the morning peanut rations. Notice the kerosene lamp, I told you we were unplugged!

Once the birds are fed it is time to feed the weasel.

Pine Marten were also frequent guests throughout the winter months.

The lake always seemed to manage to freeze up around November's full moon, seen here as sunset alpenglow bathes Hudson Bay Mountain in the days waning light.

And so after so many opportunities I just had to get a DSLR, unfortunately I couldn't afford one until after we had left this paradise, but that will have to be covered in another post.

And Now

2009-03-13T05:14:00.000-07:00

Resurrection. During my unplugged years in the backwoods it was as though I had died to my past, and then I rebirthed. I had lain in the grave for a time but then the trumpet sounded and I was called forth, back into life, into aspirations and ambitions, into renewed hope and fresh vision. I have emerged from my dark ages a new man.

I do not see death itself as a permanent state and observation of the order of nature itself tells me that life springs forth from death...

What has this to do with photography? Well, in this case it is a roundabout way of introducing my first digital presentation on this photography blog-

Scenes From A Cemetery.
For many people a graveyard is a place to avoid, yet within the courts of a cemetery I have discovered many things, including not only sorrow and loss but also hope, life, promise and yes, even beauty. I am in the midst of a long term project to produce a book depicting these moods that can be found in such a place, and here today I would like to begin my digital photography blog with scenes from Mount Ida Cemetery, Salmon Arm, BC., Canada, for my old life has died, my old photographic ways have passed and life and art forge forward together, alive and renewed yet connected to the past.

Field Of Stones

ISO 800, 1/80, f5.6

I 've found John Doe!

ISO 1600, 1/60, f5.6

Masonic Symbol

ISO 1600, 1/60, f6.7

Tragedy, notice the dates...

ISO 800, 1/250, f4.8

Silk Flowers

ISO 400, 1/80, f5.6

Reflecting...

ISO 1600, 1/15, f5.6

2009-03-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

I continued to sporadically take more than make photographs over the next decade with the venerable box camera as film budget allowed, but the budget too was sporadic.

At this point in my life my big priority was to spend as much time as possible trekking, fishing and primitive camping in the Rocky mountains and foothills of my native Alberta, Canada. I wanted to take photo's for personal record on these outings and the ultralight Kodak Tele-Instamatic (110 film) seemed to fill the bill. It pretended to work at the time but the negatives have faded into detail-less strips of meaninglessness and that is almost more than I can say for the Woolco prints that consumed a teenagers hard come by earnings. That 110 cartridge fiasco did however quicken a desire in my heart to do better, and so I saved up for and purchased an early Canon AE-1, along with a Vivitar 70-210 macro zoom.

On the way home from the Woolco photo department I stopped by my friends house and took a blurry, hand held picture of the moon through the basement window, after which I made the following double exposure, representing to me a group of friends sitting around playing games and listening to music (probably Pink Floyd, or something similar).

Here is another image from that first roll of 35mm Kodak...

AND THEN, for a short while...

... I had the pleasure and privilege of owning a Mamiya 645 with pistol grip and a fabulous Vivitar strobe kit. Alas, due to an unfortunate incident I only had this dream machine for a few short months and then it was gone. While I was getting used to it I did manage to pull off what I consider to be one of my first self-portraits. Here is the portrait, scanned from the original print (notice the Rhinoplasty courtesy of Kodak)...

...and so it was back to using the Canon AE-1. Over the years I have owned 3 AE-1's, a Mamiya 35mm, 2 Konica 35mm's, a manual Minolta 35mm, 2 Minolta Maxxum 7000's and a Canon EOS-630.

In the year 2000 I sold off almost everything I owned, payed off my debts and moved deep into the wilds of northern British Columbia where my wife and I took care of a semi-wilderness guest ranch. After a year or so I bought my first of several Canon digital point-and-shoot cameras before plunging into the world of Nikon Digital-SLR. I currently own a D70, a D50, an FM, an F3HP and a plethora of lens, all Nikon except for my LensBaby 2.0. I dream of one day owning a Nikon D3, but then again, who doesn't?

The Beginning

2009-03-13T02:47:00.000-07:00

Every photographer has a beginning and though I didn't realize it for many years my interest in photography began very early when as a child a favorite pastime was pouring through the family photo albums occupying space on the bookshelf in our spartan living room.

It was the early sixties and though our family was rather poor (financially speaking) we had two Brownie Hawkeye cameras complete with flashes - I still remember the 'pop' and the wonderful smell that filled the air when the bulbs went off, even the touch of the swollen blue bulb seemed somewhat, shall I say, erotic? An uncle of mine had a wonderful Leica rangefinder with which he shot beautiful slides that he would share on a screen in his basement during the long Canadian winters. I used to love to handle that camera and look through its finder, hoping one day to have one of my own.

During my fifth winter I snapped my first photographs, little knowing the hold photography would one day have upon me. Here is a scan of that first picture I can remember making, an image of a snowman my sister and I had made in our front yard.