Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis, High Level, Alberta 1Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis, High Level, Alberta 2Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis, High Level, Alberta 3
A successful capture and rendering of the Aurora Borealis on an evening’s walk a month ago – surprised to find that my Olympus camera is this forgiving with a handheld shot – ISO 8000, f/4 and 1/3 of a second.
Words to Inspire / Consider – “The more ridiculous you look while taking a photo, the better that photo will probably be. Photographers can’t be afraid to get into strange and awkward positions to get the shot they’re after.” — Pei Ketron
Listening to: Junip’s ‘Line of Fire,’ The Tragically Hip’s ‘Poets’ and ‘Scared’ and Springsteen’s ‘American Skin (41 Shots)’ done by Jen Chapin & Rosetta Trio.
High Level Bridge – EdmontonAlberta Legislature Building – 1Alberta Legislature Building – 2Alberta Legislature Building – 3Edmonton Sunrise – 1Edmonton Sunrise – 2
Christmas, in the first year of my second degree at the University of Alberta, saw the fall term close. The first evening of break found me riding my mountain bike out to a friend’s home in Edmonton’s west end. And, on a snowy, Friday evening we cycled back to this bridge, the High Level bridge, crossing it, then stopping for refreshment down below in the Kinsmen park.
These are night shots, from two different sojourns in Edmonton this fall.
The second is a photograph intended, first found in a year ago winter drive across Edmonton to my brother’s home at Christmas. A clear view to the Alberta Legislature building looking across the fountain walkway, a photograph taken near 99 Avenue where it intersects with 108 Street. The construction of the Alberta Legislature and the High Level bridge occurs along a common timeline – the Legislature between 1907 and 1913 and the bridge between 1910 and 1913.
I’ve seen photographs of the bridge construction that coincide with the legislature’s construction from the South bank of the North Saskatchewan River, from a point that might be close to where the University’s Humanities building now resides; I would like to find an equivalent shot, but much of the landscape is obscured by vegetation – you’d, perhaps, get the dome of the legislature building looking across the top of the High Level bridge; you’d have to work to find elements for a photo.
There are also shots of an Edmonton sunrise from the south side of the Groat Road bridge.
Listening to: U2’s ‘Songs of Experience’ album, Rhiannon Giddens album – ‘Freedom Highway,’ Ezio Bosso’s ‘Music for Weather Elements,’ Stuart McLean’s ‘Vinyl Café – the Unreleased Stories’ and Carrie Newcomer’s ‘The Beautiful Not Yet.’ Barbara Brown Taylor’s ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark’ has had some insights – a good listen. Sebastion Barry’s ‘The Secret Scripture’ has found its way into my listening – a story of Lives and memory; it contains a poignant quote -‘There is seldom a difficulty with religion where there is friendship.’
Quotes to Inspire / Consider: “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso; “Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Pencilled – Early Morning Walk, High Level, Ab – Canada 1Pencilled – Early Morning Walk, High Level, Ab – Canada 2Pencilled – Early Morning Walk, High Level, Ab – Canada 3Pencilled – Early Morning Walk, High Level, Ab – Canada 4
I like this look of pencilled shadow and light as one means of rendering photographs. The week has allowed me to replace failing office equipment, to clear things that have been on my desk far too long and to remove former prints from my walls (decluttering toward what’s next, physically and inspirationally). I have had time for reading Dave Brosha’s e-book, ‘Illuminated;’ it contains thought process and the practical considerations along the way in creating each photograph within the book. Yesterday, I got my truck stuck in snow and need to be pulled out – a gift in many ways and humbling. This, after a friend disclosed that he has cancer. In our discussion, yesterday, he concluded with ‘Give our love to my wife and kids,’ and ‘The Lord bless you.’ He’s been one who by his example has helped me navigate through rough times. Now, he’s got treatments once a week in Edmonton, 700km away.
Listening to – Leem Lubany’s rendering of ‘Wild World,’ ‘Peace Train’ and ‘Trouble;’ Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.’
Quote to Consider – “Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” – Yousef Karsh
Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 1Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 2Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 3Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 4Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 7Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 8Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 9Perpendicularity – High Level, Ab – Canada 10
A quieter hour, long before winter’s sunrise in a landscape usually populated by students in daylight hours, in spring, summer and fall. Liking the interplay of shadow and light, perpendicularity and depth within these images.
Listening to – Edie Brickell’s ‘What I am,’ Concrete Blonde’s ‘Joey,’ Alanis Morissette ‘You Learn,’ Depeche Mode’s ‘Policy of Truth’ and The Dream Academy’s ‘Life in a Northern Town.’
Quote to Consider – “It is more important to click with people than to click with the shutter.” – Alfred Eisenstadt
Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 1Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 2Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 2aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 3aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 4High Level Hospital – High Level, Ab – CanadaHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 6Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 6aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 6bHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 7Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 7aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 8Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 9Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 10Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 10aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 10bHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 10cHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11bHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11cHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11dHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11dHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 11fHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 13Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 13aHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 13bHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 13cHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 13dHoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 14Hoar Frost Morning – High Level, Ab – Canada 15
Our weather has been warm for January. In a portion of the year when we are accustomed to -40C and colder, last night rain fell upon our world. A thick slippery mat of ice coated all – vehicles moved with success while our biped selves slipped, slid, stumbled and tumbled. This set of images holds more meandering with a camera. Walking before school, white hoar frost dazzles. We may not see this weather outcome again this winter.
Listening to – Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs’ ‘Beg, Steal or Borrow,’ David Gray’s ‘Fugitive’ and ‘Kathleen,’ John Mayer’s ‘Queen of California’ and the Avett Brothers’ ‘Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise.’
Quote to Consider – “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever … It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” – Aaron Siskind
Christmas Lights – Town Hall, High Level 1Christmas Lights – Town Hall, High Level 2High Level Public School – Gym EntranceHigh Level Public School WalkwayLattice Work of Trees – High Level, AlbertaREW Memorial Pool – High Level, AlbertaSenior’s Centre – High Level, Alberta – 1Senior’s Centre – High Level, Alberta – 2
I have been intrigued to find success in creating night time images from handheld shots using wide open aperture and ISO 6400; stabilization must have been accounted for and become the forgiveness factor in this camera. Good!
Listening to – liking Martyn Joseph’s new album, ‘Sanctuary;’ enjoying the tribute to Robert F. Kennedy in ‘Bobby’ and the instrumental work in ‘Sanctuary’ that reminds of songs from Martyn’s album ‘Thunder and Rainbows.’
Quote to Consider – “You’ve got to push yourself harder. You’ve got to start looking for pictures nobody else could take. You’ve got to take the tools you have and probe deeper.” – William Albert Allard
Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 1Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 2Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 3Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 4Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 5Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 6Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 7Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 8Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 9Morning Walk – High Level, Alberta – Canada 10
It is a colder time of year in January; often we’ll have two or three weeks where northern cold from the arctic pushes down over us and us into -40C temperatures. Many people who exercise like to be outdoors; but, colder temperatures anchor them to a gym or within their basements with activity involving free weights and a treadmill. Some will make it outside at regular hours when there are others around, perhaps after work or in the evening. Their endeavor may be no more than a walk, a solitary effort or a discrete, moveable meeting place for two friends to discuss their worlds. At this time of year, what’s common, regardless of the time of day, is that you’re usually walking outside, beyond your work hours in darkness. For me, I favour an early morning walk, to be outside listening to a podcast or music prior to the day’s priorities becoming priorities for the day. Included here are early morning images gathered while walking (in the dark).
Listening to – Dream Academy’s ‘Life in a Northern Town,’ The Cranberries ‘Dreams,’ Aerosmith’s ‘Walk this Way’ and the Steep Canyon Rangers’ ‘More Bad Weather On the Way.’
Quote to Consider – “Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.” – Paul Strand
Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 1Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 2Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 3Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 4Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 5Hoar Frost – High Level, Ab – Canada 5
A friend, keenly interested in photography, always relishes and longs for the kind of weather this week has held, a kind of weather that changes our landscape causing it to become a photographic marvel. Hoar frost, the grayish-white crystalline deposit of frozen water vapor that forms in clear, still and cold weather, has attached itself to everything. Texture, depth, light and shadow all change with hoar frost’s whitening – our corner of the world becomes delight for photographers.
Quote to Consider – “I wish that all of nature’s magnificence, the emotion of the land, the living energy of place could be photographed.” – Annie Liebovitz
Listening to – Carrie Newcomer’s ‘Abide,’ ‘The Gathering of Spirits,’ ‘Room at the Table,’ ‘Betty’s Diner,’ ‘If not Now’ and ‘Every Little Bit of It.’
Banff from Sulfur Mountain – Banff, Alberta – CanadaGondola Sunset – Banff, Alberta – Canada iGondola Sunset – Banff, Alberta – Canada iiSulfur Mountain looking West – Banff, Alberta – CanadaSulfur Mountain Walkway – Banff, Alberta – Canada
August, up behind Banff, on Sulfur Mountain, a Gondola ride ferries me, skyward, high above to a prominent mountain peak, a culling point for a cross-section of travelers and wanderlust. The sun, glimpsed behind clouds … sets – a time for a photo, a time to share with fellow mountain-top travelers what my camera captures; encouragement comes in broken, best effort English … “ten more minutes” and “beautiful [sunset].”
Quote to Consider – “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before taking a walk.” – Edward Weston
Listening to – Of Monsters and Men’s ‘King and Lionheart,’ ‘Dirty Paws’ and ‘Slow and Steady.’
In My Back Pocket - Photography 
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