Grasslands Protected Area

This shot was taken in the South Okanagan in an area that has been proposed as a National Park. It is an emotional and hotly debated topic in our community, personally I have been on both sides of the proposal. Which is probably why the community is so divided about the park, both options have positive and negative points to be considered. National Parks can be very restrictive conversely unprotected this beautiful area may slowly disappear. When I look at this picture I wish to protect this unique and fragile ecosystem. My travels south of the border visiting many of the National and State parks has shown me what a positive effect they can have on the habitat and wildlife within these protected areas. Communities exist solely due to the Parks and patrons they service, clean sustainable stewardship their role.

For our area the valley bottom with its lakes and rivers surrounded with fertile orchards and vineyards giving way to a vast desert grassland crowned with snow capped Mountains, utopia I think. Realistic likely not, communities are much more complex than that, industry and economic diversity are only a few of the pieces in the mosaic that we live and work in.  

The vision of this jewel in the South Okanagan can be very compelling but whatever the final outcome we are about to turn a page which will profoundly change our Valley and many of the people and animals who call it home. Look to the future for answers to the questions of today.

Death Valley

If you would like to experience what it might be like to walk on another planet and maybe Richard Branson isn't your best bud, you could go to Death Valley in the summer. Spectacular landscape opportunities abound.  

Retro Petrol Station

When I was young my parents and grandparents ran a small service station. It was a kind of hang out for many of the locals as it also had a burger joint that my mom and grandmother operated. Outdoor dance floor and bingo a cool place for a young guy. That may be why this shot has an emotional component to me. Many Locals I'm sure will remember the "Oasis" north of town on Hwy 97.

Tallheo

Tallheo Cannery is one of those magical places from the past that if you travel there it will never leave you're thoughts. Occasionally I'm drawn back to my folder of memories, I always find another shot that pulls me back to that place that time.

Grace Cathedral

There is a power and majesty that even if you are not religious is irrefutable when you enter into Grace Cathedral. ​The cool granite floor grounds you to the earth, the silence stuns you and the columns tug at your soul and lifts you heavenly. You are drawn through  the vestibule toward the antechamber, you can hear the whispers of departed souls and mumbling priests. If all this was not enough, light suddenly streams through the stained glass windows, sharp and bright on the multi coloured glass. The rays softly lights and warms the towering granite pillars. Two words cross my mind Jesus Christ!   

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​Grace Cathedral Nob Hill San Francisco 

McIntyre Bluff

If you live in the Okanagan Valley I'm sure you'll recognize this iconic bluff. It has been photographed and painted by nearly every artist in the area, including myself many times from lots of different perspectives and vantage points. This is one I haven't seen yet and has some added interest in the foreground with the stack off decaying fruit tree props.   ​

Black and White with bite

I really enjoy shooting B&W, you have to look at the world a little differently to get a successful shot. If you are to succeed I believe you have to use shape or design, texture and light all only using black and White and of course all the shades of gray between. Make a statement, tell a story or create mood, all this using tonality and composition.  ​I had this in mind when I took this shot on Saturday, my second visit to this location. Previously it was raining and the feel was more dramatic but I failed to pull it off technically. This time I improved on my technique but I still think this location has a better shot for me. The first shot is stronger as far as telling a story but the second has a more visceral mysterious atmosphere in my opinion. Let me know what you think.

More Soul bearing

Its hard not to be influenced by those around you, especially if you admire and respect them. That said if we all were of the same opinion and taste then I think we would live in a very dull artless world. One of my biggest insecurities is related to the opinion that photography is somewhat less of an art than say painting or any art form created on a two dimension surface. I happen to not think this is the case, probably because that is my medium of choice and more likely because I hear the whispers, feel the condescension.    ​

I have dabbled in other mediums over the years and appreciate creativeness and talent in any artistic discipline. Nothing is more inspirational  and pleasing than fresh new perspective produced by a master of your art. All this I can rationalize but  what I find the most difficult is not the snobbery of some individuals but the fear of being branded or pigeon holed by those who create art and in my case, photography. Oh look I found some lint in my navel......​

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Yes I understand that some may think that any manipulation of your captured digits (image) might be offensive and that is your choice. But I am of the opinion that what ever is required to produce your vision is your vision and should be judged only on the merits of taste, skill and creativeness. ​Soooo, along that vein I strained a vision though a number of digital tools. More by way of exploration rather than pre planned vision. Which when you think about it, it is only when you play, explore and fail can you really move forward. I massaged this shot with Light Room, Photo Shop, Nik Silver Effects Pro and Snap Seed.

Your feedback pro or con is always greatly appreciated.​

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Something a little more edgy/ bubbles from the past

Had the opportunity to tour the Gorman Brothers Mill in West Kelowna, they were very gracious and gave us a tour and guide. In a past life I was employed in the production side of  ​the forest industry but it has been many years since I have been inside a saw mill. I ended my career in the industry as a certified Benchman which was related too set up and maintenance of all things that cut or should be sharp. 

What first struck me as I entered the filing room was the smell. It catapulted me into the past and all sorts of memories flooded my mind.  Most were fond recollections and I was very excited to be there.  ​I remembered the first morning I walked into a sawmill that I was "loaned out to" another sawmill required temporary replacement and I was volunteered as they say. I was young and very nervous and relatively new to the trade, the door I chose to use that morning happened to be right at the head rig. For those of you who do not know what a head rig is and I didn't at that time either, it has a band saw like the picture above 12 inches wide and 37 feet long! And when the carriage goes by with a 5 foot wide log the entire mill and I'm sure the earth roars, rumbles and shakes. The sawdust and noise nearly caused me to turn and run, I thought what have I done! 

I got over it and turned my temp position eventually into a full time job, another story. We were at the mill to take pictures but I had a tough time focusing on the photographic opportunities. Instead I chatted with the men and  yes women, which were very rare when I plied the trade. The technological changes and the minimal number of people that are required to run the mill was impressive.

Sawmills are very  gritty, rough and raw places with lots of photo ops. I did capture a few shots and I chose to explore the graphic geometric spaces when I wasn"t daydreaming of the past. Sorry for the trip down memory lane this post never started out that way, it just bubble up from the past. I think I should change the post title.​

Hanging with the homies

Sunday and the call goes out, photo walk, I can hear the camera bags being zipped up and car doors slamming. One of the enjoyable aspects of photography are camera clubs and for me the Penticton Photography Club. Our club is a rag tag group of enthusiasts from the novice to talented expert and all are there for the fun of it. You should think of joining if you would like to learn and share your vision.   

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Photo walks are one of the many activities that most clubs promote and offer a number of opportunities. ​For me aside from "hangin with the homies" you get the chance to shoot with a group and then later share their perspective of the shoot. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse the captured images are when we all use the same light and environment. Much can be gained through the eyes of others.

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One of the other advantages and there are many, that stands out for me is the opportunity to visit places that you might not be able to see normally. Clubs and the members within can open many doors, or share that secret photo location.​

James Creek is a favorite with our club and no matter how many times you visit, there is always something new to shoot.  So if you enjoy photography and wish to learn more about the craft, share your view and experience, think about a club near you. Or start one if you don't have one close by. All you need is one camera, two people, and a shared passion to experience the world around you and capture a moment through a lens. 

I captured these images up James Creek on our Sunday photo walk. If you would like to see other shoots taken by the photo club members here is the link.​ ​James Creek

Play time and model shoot

One or the aspects of photography that I would like to explore is portrait photography. Partly because I don't take a lot of pictures of people and family. Some of my family actually falls under the people category as well as family.   

That aside, the relationship between the camera and the subject intrigues me. One still picture must tell a story, define a character. Creativity is paramount but lighting, whether in a studio or as a environmental portrait are critical aspects. The technical side must be in place to allow the creativity to happen. The relationship between the photographer and the subject must I'm sure also be respectful, trustworthy. Above all it is the responsibility of the photographer to allow and encourage the personality of the subject to be captured. You must be sensitive to understand who you are trying to photograph.  ​

All this was difficult with the model that I photographed here because she was a bit of a dummy, well actually she's a mannequin. ​I tried to tell her story, how she missed the feel of rain on her face and capture the incredible patience she must have to stare out that window all day. I think that this might be a good time to say if you would like to have a portrait taken and you want to play a bit let me know. 

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Raven about this shot

Sometimes an opportunity comes along, you see the shot and every thing is against you. The lighting is extreme and the dynamic range is off the scale. You can shoot for the shadows and blow the high lights or viceversa  and block the shadows. But all this is purely academic because the shot is there only for a second and in this case the subject flew away. All the analyzing hopefully is happening but time to act on it just isn't. Shoot and pray, I think I probably do to much of that. I have the vision and internalize it but fail to bring it home technically.     ​

Now here is the thing, and probably every photographer has an opinion about this as well as a lot of the people who view your art. I used the word art specifically to make the point, is photography the capture of a scene and the only artistic parameters allowed framing, position, light and location etc.? Or is it the artistic interpretation of the shot by what ever means to express your vision. I tend to the broader less restricted approach to my craft, but also realize that capturing a shot that expresses your vision and requires no "manipulation" is very fulfilling and rewarding.     ​

The debate of the purity of your craft, regardless of the medium of choice or combinations of mediums has many degrees, layers and points of view. Please yourself and follow your vision is where I stand. I have a particular shot that I have been trying to take for as long as I can remember and I it still eludes me, that is part of the quest for me.       ​

The shot below is an example and the reason for this blog. This photo says something to me and has a feel that I can't quite place, but I took that feeling and my technically ​challenged shot stirred in a healthy does of "creativity"and here it is.

Mystery Solved

Last night I solved a mystery that started 3 years ago near the Salton Sea at Salvation Mountain. First a little bit about Salvation Mountain, as the name might imply, it is a religious monument. Built by what some might call an eccentric, although most agree is a delightful old man who took on the task of covering a mountain in the desert with paint hay and clay. Leonard Knight would greet you and give a tour of his creation and if you where lucky play a tune or two on his guitar.

Salvation Mountain is the first thing you will see if you camp at "the slabs" and abandoned WW II military base (Camp Dunlap) and home to hundreds of "snowbirds" and an eclectic collection of misfits, hippies, anarchists and anybody who wishes to disappear into the desert. Not a campsite for the feint of heart but teaming with a rawness that is truly exciting and free! Salvation Mountain has been used as a back drop in movies, Easy Rider, Into The Wild, documentaries, novels and music videos.  

Which brings me back to the mystery. While camped at the slabs there was a bit of a buzz about that a music video was being filmed and this required further investigation. A small production company was setting up at Salvation Mountain, I had befriended a young lad that was a protege of Leonard's and camera in hand drifted over to see what was going on. Two very pretty young girls where being videoed and it looked like an opportunity to get a few shots. While clicking away my friend came over and asked if I had seen the large menacing man staring at me. Since I was focused on the girls and had not, he explained that if I didn't stop taking pictures he was going to do unmentionable things to me and my camera.  This was a public place and it is "the slabs" where there are no rules, but he was a large fellow and I didn't want to find out if my camera would fit where he planned to put it, so I chose to leave.

The issue it seems was that they didn't want pictures to show up on the internet before the video was released. They would not even tell who the artist's were. I had done some digging on line trying to find these girls but to no avail. Fast forward to last night, some down time in front of the TV, a couple of young girl country singers got me thinking. A few Google searches on my IPad and bingo, Coldwater Jane, a sister group from Mississippi doing a video at you guessed it Salvation Mountain.  

This is a shot from the shoot as it were and I will upload some more pictures taken in and around the Salton Sea in the near future. If by chance you want to sample boon docking as they call it or dry camping with a twist to the bizarre then The Slabs is for you. I truly enjoyed the place and plan to return and maybe meet my old friend "shit Lips", but that as they say is another story.

Porn

Ok relax, this probably isn't going where you think it is. Porn is arguably one of the biggest drivers of internet traffic. One of the missions after building a web page is to generate traffic, get your "stuff" out there as it were. Being a newby how do you do this? Google is my master, how do I please Mr. Google, how can I get my ranking to improve? These are all questions that I have been mulling over, along with why bother at all, but that's a whole another post. I googled my name and what comes up is a picture of John a member of our camera club "Penticton Photo Club", I have a problem!

Rankings and the algorithms that generate them, hash tags, and links, but what about content? I'm certain that a bot or algorithm doesn't know the difference between a good site or a poor site.  Usability and the site design and the ability to read and navigate with ease are paramount to your site. But they don't generate search hits. Search Engine Optimization is a whole new science that deals with the visibility of your site. You have to deal with "crawlers" meta tags, cloaking, analytic's, conversion rates, bla bla bla bla, my head is about to explode. 

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So stick with me here, I'm thinking skip to one of the biggest drivers on the internet, you knew I would get back to porn sooner or later. I took this shot a number of years ago and its one of my wife's favorite pictures. See where I'm going with this, # hash tag "wife's favorite beaver shot". I'm a genius, skip all the internet marketing strategy and let porn do the work.    

I'm sure my traffic count is going to sky rocket. Wait there is more, the next shot I took on Saturday. I don't even have to give you the tag on this one. I can hear the hits right now on my web page.

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Imput from my best fan

My best fan (daughter) feels that I'm neglecting my blog and frittering my time away on less worthy endeavors. It started out subtle enough "cough cough.. journal cough" escalating too "now instead of going out for coffee with your friends update your damn journal!". If only my life was that simple. So today its Saturday, I have a chance to go to Ken Helms farm. Sure I have a ton of things I should do, but with Amanda's urging's in the back of my mind, I'm off on an adventure to Cawston.

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I'm sure glad I went, this is one of many pictures that I took at ken's farm. I can't wait to go through them, I knew this was a keeper the minute I clicked the shutter. The day was very overcast and dull, tough light to shoot. Occasionally the sun would peep out and shine through the holes in the barn roof. I set up and waited, just brief rays of light then gone. The sun would light the left wall for a minute which was better but not great, then I reached down and grabbed a handful of dust and tossed it into the air as a ray of light pierced into the dim barn. Bingo! patience is truly a virtue and a touch of luck sure helps. Thanks To Ken Helms for letting us shoot on his farm, it is truly a wonderland for photographers and to Amanda for getting me to pick up my camera bag. On top of that we stopped and had a coffee as well.

Self Promotion/snatch the pebble from my hand grasshopper

The purpose of this blog is not to heap praise upon myself but it does feel good when it happens. This site is very new and I've received lots of very encouraging comments and I thank you all. I received this from Carl whom I don't know and asked his permission to use:

"My name is Carl, and I work with your daughter, Amanda. She has shown me your pictures and I have to let you know that I am nothing less than astounded by the level of sophistication and technique in your photography. Normally I could see a train and I'd think nothing of it. Your photographs of that one train in the dark of the night, all lit up, is everything that the word incredible entails. I am truly fascinated at your skills and I look forward to one day soon, possibly hanging a picture or two of yours in my living room."

The point of discussion frequently among photographers is why take pictures. They used to be stuffed into dusty old albums and are now lost in the dark digital corners of your hard drive waiting for it to crash, never to be seen other than by the photographer. Carl of course gives one of the answers, but it is much more than that. Money, yes for the dedicated, talented few. For the majority of us it is a creative exploration and journey, no matter what medium you choose. Sharing that vision with Carl is what its about, I saw that train endeavored to capture the light, mood and tell a story. I felt it and Carl saw it, fleeting thought it is, its worth it.

The other point I wish to mention is the discussion that a picture can generate and there is no better place to start than with fellow photographers. Penticton has a great photo club, growing with leaps and bounds.

Here's the link  http://www.pentictonphotoclub.com/ 
 

This is but a couple of the reasons that we reach for that camera, brush or musical instrument or which ever tool you use to share your vision.  Feel free to share your thoughts.......



First Post

As I mentioned, in my "about page" this site is in the build stage, I'm a complete newbie to all aspects of my online presence so bear with me. Any and all suggestions are encouraged and welcome! Please use my contact page to send me feedback 

My vision for this page is a place where I can share ideas, visions and pictures. I will use this blog to:

expand,explore,explain my shots and thoughts

Hmm, I like the sound of that, so here goes my first post. Right now it feels like I'm giving a speech to an empty room. That's probably because it is empty, what I need is a couple of comfy chairs some soft music, perhaps a bottle of our excellent local wine.