NDP Leader Jack Layton Gives Town Hall Meeting In Vancouver

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

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

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From Week 2 To Term 2

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

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

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

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

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