A street view in the 300 block of West Hastings Street on the edge of Vancouver’s downtown east side district.
300 block West Hasting Street, Vancouver, British Columbia 2013
All posts tagged: Photo
British Columbia Photography Archives
Looking for inspiration for my own work I’ll look at the work of contemporaries but I also like to look through collections of the work of documentary photographers who photographed in earlier eras. The British Columbia Archives is the largest collection in the province (and the most diverse) but the Vancouver Library has some interesting holdings including images from the collective the Leonard Frank Memorial …
Dominion Market, Victoria, British Columbia 2015
A classic, corner grocery store, still open and serving the local neighbourhood.
Impulse Foods, Saanich, BC 2015
This family corner grocery store closed right at the end of December 2014. It sits across from a small garage and hair stylist, a small pocket of neighbourhood commercial enterprises. When this photo was taken there was someone inside the premises cleaning and packing up. The details in the window already attest to a time in history especially the sign referring to the DVD sale …
Bay Grocery, Bay Street, Victoria, BC 2015
The Bay Grocery is one of those neighbourhood establishments, the corner store, that get get harder and harder to find each year. I enjoy how they look front the street, at either dawn or dusk, lighting up the street for the residents.
Bus Depot on Douglas Street, Victoria, BC 2014
The current bus depot, located behind the Fairmont Empress Hotel, is soon to be torn down and replaced with high end condo units. No replacement location has yet been announced for the depot. The current location is ideal for visitors as it is right downtown and a very short distance from most attractions and the Inner Harbour.
Totem and Architecture, Duncan, British Columbia 2014
Duncan, on Vancouver island, is known for the totem poles displayed around the town. Duncan is actually nicknamed The City of Totems. The very walkable downtown is a nice mix of older small town architecture and this unusual circular office building next to the courthouse. I like this view of the one pole and the office tower.
Alpine Motel, Hope, British Columbia 2014
The thing about older hotel/motels, much like independent corner grocery stores, is that they have a uniqueness and really do tie in to their surroundings, history and place. This photo was taken while standing in the parking lot of the ultimate in generic commercial property, a McDonalds but the view from there was very much a local one.
Canucks Jerseys, Coombs, BC 2011
Canucks jerseys, protected from the rain in plastic, hang outside a shop in Coombs on Vancouver Island. An image from the ongoing Salt Water & Rain series and the British Columbia photographic archive.
BCYNA Win For Feature Photo
A late post, two weeks ago, I won the feature (colour) category at the annual BCYNA Ma Murray awards. This photograph of an artist cleaning a totem pole originally appeared on the front page of the Victoria News.
Photographer Wilf Schmidt Loses Battle With Cancer
One of the more popular posts I’d done was about retired Kamloops photo teacher and photographer Wilf Schmidt who was operating a tiny photography gallery in the Interior city. I hadn’t been through Kamloops since last summer and that time was a quick stop so didn’t get to drop by the gallery. We were finally heading up that way again this past weekend and on …
Photo Books, Beer Toques And A Poster
Looking for another idea for Christmas presents, check out all the self published photobooks from the Self Publish Be Happy shop. If you’re looking for a non-photo related stocking stuffer, how about something as truly Canadian as a toque or tuque, however you like to spell it. These toques though aren’t for keeping your head warm, they’re for keeping your beer cold. Check out The …
If You’re Stuck On The Centre, You’ll Miss Everything Else
I hate making mistakes. I especially hate making mistakes that are so basic I should have stopped making them years ago. When I teach photography one point that I really try to drive home is that photographers have to pay attention to the foreground and background in their images. Our eye naturally goes to our subject and we don’t notice unfortunate details in front or …
Zine for Punk Photo Exhibition
I’ve made up a small (16 page) booklet of images from the punk show for the JEM Gallery show that opens tomorrow night. First attempt with Indesign.
Donald Weber – Workshop – Chernobyl, Russia and the VII Photo Agency
Last weekend I attended a two day workshop presented by Luz Gallery with Toronto photographer Don Weber, a member of the VII agency. We had a diverse group of twelve workshoppers (if that’s a word). There was the legally blind Anglican minister, the woman who’d had Ansel Adams drop by her house when she was a child and critique her photos, a philosophy professor who …
Creating Art Is More Than Just Technique
I mentioned a few posts back that I’d attended a show opening and artist’s talk with Thomas Bartlett at Luz Gallery. All the images posted here are from the show. Bartlett talked a bit about how he creates his images, he uses a digital camera and long exposures and focuses on common objects often in his house or in motel rooms when he travels. He …
Good Friday Walk with the Cross
For more than a decade now I’ve been trying to get out on Good Friday and photograph the annual walks with a wooden cross that some churches do. It’s a project I call Weight of Faith. It’s an event that’s great for a photo project, visually the cross is an amazing symbol. It’s also a rare example of mainstream Christians showing off their faith in …
Thomas Bartlett – Transformations
The Luz Gallery had an artist’s talk and opening for the work of Saskatchewan photographer Thomas Bartlett tonight. Bartlett works with digital cameras creating his abstract images, images that he likens to colour field paintings.
Preston Is My Paris Photo Books
I’ve been enjoying the proliferation of independent photos books being produced by a variety of photographers and promoted by sites like The Independent Photo Book and Little Brown Mushroom. One series of books that I’ve been ordering and enjoying are those produced by Adam Murray and Robert Parkinson, the two English photographers behind Preston Is My Paris. I really like their idea that you need …
Photo Work Spaces – Jenna & Tristan and Stefan’s
Here’s a couple of photos of photographer’s work spaces. First up is Tristan and Jenna’s space in Victoria and then Stefan’s in Whistler. The calendar was bought with the idea that we would have a quick reference for checking the date. It’s a 2009 calendar which I maybe looked at twice. We like the illustrations so it keeps hanging. Other wise the entire space behind …
What Does Your Photo Space Look Like?
This quote, by Magnum photographer Josef Koudelka, is probably my favourite quote that relates to photography which is why I keep it taped to my computer at work. I should stick a copy to the back of my cameras so I’d see it everytime I went to take a photograph. And yes, I know Joseph is spelled wrong on the quote, but hey I just …
Looking At Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia 2010
The old and the new. I really need to get back to Vancouver and just spend a few days wandering around capturing images not just snapping pix on a quick stroll back to other work, although that was fun too.
Days 4/5/6
Yeah, it’s been a little hectic even though Sunday was a day off. But I’ll back up a little. Saturday we were supposed to go to Whistler for the Men’s Downhill. Got up very early and was at the main press centre by 6AM in plenty of time for the 7AM bus to Whistler. My phone rang and I was informed the event had been …
Vancouver Olympic Souvenirs?, Vancouver British Columbia 2010
Saw these heads for sale just down the street from the Main Olympic Press Centre and thought they’d make a way more memorable reminder of Vancouver for someone instead of a t-shirt! Forgot to write down the name of the shop though but it’s on Cordova just east of Richards.
The Dishrags – More Images From Vancouver Punk’s Early Years
Pete Rockwell Exhibition -Sacred Spaces
Pete Rockwell was hanging his images for his new exhibition at the Collective Works gallery in Victoria’s Fernwood district this afternoon as I drove by so popped in and took a few photos. The exhibition features Rockwell’s photographs of the Jordan River area focusing on the leftover traces of industry in the area including a hydro electric power plant. The exhibition also features sculptures by …
Poet P.K. Page dies at 93
Renowned Canadian poet, novelist, artist and librettist, P. K. Page has died aged 93 at her home in Oak Bay, British Columbia. Just two days ago I’d stopped by the Cadboro Bay Book Store and asked Amber what was new in the store and she pointed out a new chapbook Cullen by P.K. Page, published by Outlaw Editions. I bought a copy and after heading …
Happy New Year 2010
Who knows what surprises the new year will bring?
Bev Davies – 13 Photographs of DOA – Exhibition & Calendar
The opening reception for Bev Davies’ latest exhibition and calendar will be at Vancouver’s Jem Cordova gallery (#36-22 East Cordova Street) on January 2, 1PM-5Pm. Show runs until January 13.
Brian Howell – Show Opening January 7
Brian Howell has a show opening at the Winsor Gallery on Thursday January 7. Reception starts at 5:30 pm.