Solid, well-made, a homestead house looks southwest to winter skies at dusk. Windowless, vacant and solitary now, the building did once serve as home, refuge from one’s day, shelter during one’s night, that place to regroup, rejuvenate and revive before handling tomorrow. On the crest of a hill, a farmer’s field, wind and snow blow through this former home to farmers and their families.
Listening to – Mike Plume’s Rattle the Cage; reminds of Mindy Smith’s similar song with same title.
Quote to Inspire – “My photography is a reflection, which comes to life in action and leads to meditation. Spontaneity – the suspended moment – intervenes during action, in the viewfinder.”– Abbas
The back forty is a farming phrase taken to mean the untended area of a farm, land not in public view, land not regularly or productively used by its farmer. The back forty may be difficult to navigate with farm machinery. It may contain a slough or the water table may be high enough making the work of land use unprofitable. Such land, untamed, untrammeled and unused is often best used as a place for storing farming machinery that you might need for parts in future days. North from Peace River, Alberta, this Massey-Harris sits on the steeper slope of a field, an area of land that its farmer has found difficult to use, part of what might described as the back forty.
Listening to – Snow Patrol’s Those Distant Bells, Matthew Perryman Jones’ Keep It On The Inside, Murray McLaughlin’s Hard Rock Town, Liz Longley’s Unraveling and Shawn Colvin’s All Fall Down.
Quote to Inspire – “My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” – Steve McCurry
A February photo, one of the first few shots with a Canon 70-200 mm – f/2.8 IS lens, looks northwest toward Onoway, Alberta … perhaps twenty minutes away. Rolling hills of a farmer’s field add relief to landscape reminding of larger furrows found in an unmade blanketed bed. A well-tended fence running four strands of barbed wire limits livestock straying onto this range road.
Listening to – Coldplay’s Clocks, Fix You and Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.
Quote to Inspire – “I don’t believe a person has a style. What people have is a way of photographing what is inside them. What is there comes out.” – Sebastiao Salgado
Late on a November Saturday afternoon, wraith-like, wisps of wood smoke drift over winter’s fallow field near Fort Vermilion. A homestead’s woodstove produces an intense dry heat, welcome warmth in the midst of a cold, Alberta winter. The day, a first opportunity to work with a new prime lens, a Canon 50mm – f/1.4 lens; my wife has encouraged me to begin my work with it. The image is one of the first images with the lens.
Listening to – Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto, In My Place, Major Minusand Yellow.
Quote to Inspire – “The photograph is completely abstracted from life, yet it looks like life. That is what has always excited me about photography.” – Richard Kalvar
Rivet and Girder – High Level Bridge – Edmonton Alberta
At night, light and shadow reveal girder and rivet patterning along the High Level Bridge, a bridge that connects the north bank high above the North Saskatchewan River at the Alberta Legislature ground site to the south bank – an area that becomes entrance to the University of Alberta and Edmonton’s Old Strathcona community. The scene within this image contains the light trails of two cars moving across the bridge while emphasizing perspective with foreground, middle ground and back ground elements – the riveted girders and bridge deck (near), the girder and walkway (opposite – middle ground) and the steam of the petrochemical plants along Edmonton’s baseline road in the distance. The bridge is a landmark within Edmonton and a piece of architecture I have cycled over and under most days during summer’s break between winter and spring sessions at the University of Alberta. At night, the bridge becomes vista from which to survey much of Edmonton – northeast to the legislature, east to the Muttart Conservatory and refinery row, south and southeast to the skyline of Saskatchewan Drive, southwest to the University of Alberta, northwest to a skyline that follows Jasper Avenue west and west toward Glenora’s community. On both sides, the North Saskatchewan River snakes through Edmonton – winding west, past Emily Murphy park and onto Hawrelak park; east past the Rossdale power plant, past the Edmonton Queen sternwheeler and onto Rundle park. At all times of the day and night, the bridge is active conveying people from one side of the river to the other – by foot, jogging, cycling, by truck, bus or car. Within this image, texture and sense of space attract me as do memories of former times.
Listening to – U2’s One, Walk On, Where the Streets Have No Name, Moment of Surrender and With or Without You.
Quote to Inspire – “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” – Diane Arbus
Son left at home, a summer job securely held in hand. Day two on a summer’s long-distance drive from High Level, Alberta to Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, nets a few moments driving respite in the valley beneath Mount Robson, Canada’s highest peak. With camera on tripod, I move behind the visitor’s center to find a field with yellows, purples, shapes and textures – all at hand. Everyone snapping photos – people in this place, recording their moments, here.
Quote to Inspire – “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” – Robert Capa
The matter of looking around for potential images often happens when I am driving. And, the real work of the photograph is that of stopping my vehicle, safely, and walking the scene to determine best point of view. You need to find what it was that you glimpsed while driving. In winter this might mean walking through varying depths of snow and shooting as snow falls. In summer as this photograph demanded it means descending the river bank to find the right point to capture the image. Having a good look around and doing so through the camera lens prior to the shot help one to find the best shot.
Quote to Inspire – “Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.” – Ansel Adams
Listening to – Tim Reynolds’ fretting Betrayal, a song first heard in concert with Dave Matthews.
Early morning, time to cross-off items from my ‘did-I-do-it’ list, time to muster to the morning’s endeavor – planting Saskatoon bushes in our backyard. I gather shovel, axe, wheel barrow and raise my eyes to gaze upon a dragonfly sunning itself, drinking in sun’s early morning heat. The dragonfly doesn’t move. Rapturous in sun’s warmth, it allows me time to retrieve my camera, attach macro lens and gather images. When I move to look down the fence board to the dragonfly from above, the dragonfly having had enough parts company, flying off. This intriguing moment with camera and subject was one that recalls and reinforces the joy of discovery and pursuit within photography. Taking the moment further I photographed ripening raspberries in still life.
Listening to – The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again, the Donnie Darko version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World, The Who’s Boris the Spider, Walter Trout’s Blues for the Modern Daze, Shawn Colvin’s American Jerusalem, I Don’t Know You and The Neon Lights of the Saints.
Quotes to Inspire – (1) “Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies.” – Diane Arbus; and, (2) “If I were just curious, it would be very hard to say to someone, ‘I want to come to your house and have you talk to me and tell me the story of your life.’ I mean people are going to say, ‘You’re crazy.’ Plus they’re going to keep mighty guarded. But the camera is a kind of license. A lot of people, they want to be paid that much attention and that’s a reasonable kind of attention to be paid.” – Diane Arbus – remarks made in class, 1971, Diane Arbus : An Aperture Monograph by Diane Arbus, Stan Grossfeld (3) “Beauty is the illumination of your soul.” – John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
Water Slinging 1 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 2 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 3 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 4 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 5 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 6 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 7 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 8 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 9 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 10 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 11 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 12 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 13 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 14 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 15 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 16 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Wilson Prairie Fire – Onlookers, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 17 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 18 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 19 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 20 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 21 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 22 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 23 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 24 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 25 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging 26 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 1 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 2 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 3 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 4 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 5 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 6 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 1 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 2 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 3 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 4 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 5 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 6 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 7 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 7 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 8 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Support 9 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Tanker Lead Plane 8 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 1 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 2 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 3 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 4 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 5 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 6 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 7 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 8 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 9 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 10 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 11 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 12 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 13 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 14 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 15 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 16 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 17 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 18 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 19 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Air Tanker Water Bombing 20 – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Good day, all:
Currently, our forest region has 27 fires burning – fourteen are out of control, four are being held and nine are under control. Our temperatures have been hot this week reaching +30C and higher in our corner of Northwestern Alberta. At least two smaller communities have been evacuated, threatened by fire and smoke. One fire has a 15000 hectare involvement. The photos presented are of recent water bombing and water slinging operations in the La Crete area – the state of emergency, there, has been lifted at noon today.
Listening to – Shawn Colvin’s All Fall Down and Walter Trout’s Turn Off Your TV.
Quote to Inspire – “When I shoot a scene I often shoot a hundred frames sometimes over a few hours or days, before I begin to get a real handle on what I want in the frame and how I want it there.” – David duChemin
1 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
2 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
3 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
4 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
5 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
6 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
7 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
8 Water Bomber – Wilson Prairie Fire, La Crete, Alberta
Savage Prairie Road Granaries – La Crete, Alberta
Wilson Prairie Homestead – La Crete, Alberta
Wilson Prairie Wildfire – La Crete, Alberta
2 Wilson Prairie Homestead – La Crete, Alberta
3 Wilson Prairie Homestead – La Crete, Alberta
Helicopter Arrival – Slinging Water – La Crete, Alberta
2 Helicopter Arrival – Slinging Water – La Crete, Alberta
Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
2 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
3 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
4 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
5 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
6 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
Field Opposite Wilson Prairie Wildfire – La Crete, Alberta
Looking On – Wilson Prairie Wildfire – La Crete, Alberta
7 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
8 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
9 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
10 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
11 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
12 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
13 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
14 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
15 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
Keeping Dust Down – Wilson Prairie Road – La Crete, Alberta
2 Keeping Dust Down – Wilson Prairie Road – La Crete, Alberta
16 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
17 Water Slinging from Dug-outs – La Crete, Alberta
1 Wilson Prairie Fire (from the South) – La Crete, Alberta
2 Wilson Prairie Fire (from the South) – La Crete, Alberta
3 Wilson Prairie Fire (from the South) – La Crete, Alberta
4 Wilson Prairie Fire (from the South) – La Crete, Alberta
5 Wilson Prairie Fire (from the South) – La Crete, Alberta
Day 3 of the Wilson Prairie Wildfire – Friday, July 6th, 2012. In contrast to Thursday evening in which residents were able to move freely into the fire area, Friday saw Alberta’s Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) controlling road access so that firefighting equipment could be moved around with greater ease on Wilson Prairie Road. I arrived in the early afternoon to find access to Wilson Prairie Road being controlled. I couldn’t use my vehicle on Wilson Prairie Road. But, I could walk in, staying to the ditches when equipment was being moved through. Two-and-a-half hours walking in and out allowed me to see more of what was going on and how the blaze was being controlled. Dozers were creating breaks/cut-lines and pushing piles of brush together so they’d burn more easily/quickly. Areas of intended burn and back-burn were being created. One home was in harm’s way and helicopters were being used to sling water (from local dug-outs) to saturate the area in the case that the fire’s path changed with the winds. Air tankers had been tasked to other fires within the region; but, lead planes and Martin Mars water bombers (or the like) were being used to keep a consistent supply of water on the fire. On dust-ridden, gravel roads water trucks moved slowly dribbling water to keep dust down for vehicles moving in close proximity to one another. Later, I was able to drive around behind the fire to two other points to catch the more dramatic perspective of hot, billowing smoke moving upward into the atmosphere and the water bombers flying into fire area to release water on flames below.
Listening to – Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain, a tune played throughout last year’s forest fire that consumed Slave Lake, Alberta (spring 2011).
Quote to Inspire – “I enjoy traveling and recording far-away places and people with my camera. But I also find it wonderfully rewarding to see what I can discover outside my own window. You only need to study the scene with the eyes of a photographer.” – Alfred Eisenstadt
In My Back Pocket - Photography 
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