Newsletter #134: September, 2016
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
The Countdown to the Book Launch Continues!
Hi everyone,
In my last Newsletter we shared the excitement of receiving the book proofs; this time we are sharing the arrival of the REAL thing! The advance copies of the book have just arrived – and it looks FANTASTIC! We can’t wait for the October 22nd book launch and upcoming book promotional tour to share it with you.
A few images and thoughts from our amazing Fall Photo Workshop round out the Newsletter.
This is the 134th consecutive monthly Newsletter; the start of my TWELTH YEAR without missing a single month! Enjoy!
Our goal at the Chris Harris Gallery is to share photographic adventures and inspire others in the creative process. Please share this Newsletter with friends. We appreciate your interest and continued support for my work.
Contents:
- The New Book: the advance copies arrive
- The Book Launch: October 22, 2016
- The Book Tour: an audio-visual extravaganza!
- Workshop Warmup: my drive to Bella Coola
- Workshop Images: proud to show participant’s work
1. The New Book: the advance copies arrive
Mr. Fed. Ex delivers!
After some 25 years of exploring and photographing from the sky, mountains, lakes, and rivers; and months of image editing, writing on the computer, and working with team members Harold Rhenisch and Bill Horne, the day finally arrived when Rita and I would finally put our eyes on the actual book – the real living book! The advance copies had arrived.
we celebrated
Over the years, the conservatory has been our favourite spot (where the light is best) to view, make a toast, and celebrate the advance copies of each book we have published. Mike Duffy, who has accompanied Rita and I on almost every photographic adventure, joined us in the celebration. The book looked beautiful.
time for a toast!
Slowly, page by page, I examined the photographs first. At page 272, I felt a sigh of relief. The greatest challenge for me in processing my images is visualizing the final output on the printed page as compared to what I see on the monitor. Fortunately, I feel this was my best job ever; the images were not over-saturated and not over-sharpened, and the printer, Everbest Printing, did a masterful job of printing. I was over-joyed and it was time to make a toast.
2. The Book Launch: October 22, 2016
We always launch each book in our home town, and this is no exception. On October 22nd, at the 108 Mile Ranch community hall, invited guests, and subscribers to this Newsletter are invited to the launch.
This launch is going to be a special event; not only is it my last publication of this genre, but it will be an audio-visual extravaganza.
ORIGINAL MUSIC BY KEN MARSHALL
“In this multi-media presentation you will experience the breath-taking imagery of British Columbia as seen through the lens of Chris Harris, with musical settings by Ken Marshall. This is the premier presentation of this creative partnership featuring Ken’s compositions inspired by and composed for Chris’ images. Experience this unique collaboration and come away transformed by beauty”.
Ken, Rita, and I are extremely excited about this production which we feel will display the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of British Columbia in a way never experienced before.
We hope you will join us in celebration.
3. The Book Tour: an audio-visual extravaganza! Bring your friends
Once the book is launched, Rita and I will tour British Columbia and Alberta with books and the audio-visual presentation.
A number of dates have already been confirmed, and you can see them on my webpage under ‘Appearances’.
Some venues are for small clubs or organizations, but others are larger public events. Venues open to the public include Prince George on November 9th; Port Moody on November 12th; Salt Spring on November 17th; Vancouver on November 24th; Langley on November 25th; and Kamloops on December 2nd.
Further presentations are being added weekly. Please check back to the website frequently to catch the presentation nearest you.
If your area or organization is interested in hosting a presentation, please contact Rita at the office; 250-791-6631.
4. Workshop Warm-up: my drive to Bella Coola
On August 24th, after loading up my truck with photo gear and a mattress, I headed west across the vast Chilcotin Plateau toward Bella Coola and the beginning of my fall photographic workshop.
my favourite drive
I just love this drive. I have explored and photographed deep into the mountains on both sides of the highway for the past 20 years; everywhere I looked brought back memories of campfire laughter, unforgettable characters, and mountain beauty beyond belief. Experiencing a very deep sense of place, I drove slowly and dropped in to visit many friends along the way.
…through Tweedsmuir Park
A few years ago a wild forest fire tore through Tweedsmuir Park, and where it jumped the highway, I always stop to make images.
the burn I
The verticality of the dead trees always draws me in, and to emphasize this, I panned vertically at a slow shutter speed. It was my first overall image to get the ‘feel’ of the landscape before delving deeper with visual acuteness.
the burn II
Becoming ever more aware of the subtle tonal contrast between different tree trunks and the overcast sky, I singled out a lone black charcoaled tree, placed it in the one-third position, simplified the composition by aiming my camera higher toward the tree tops, and then made the above composition.
down ‘the hill’
a grizzly bear gives me directions!
I always enjoy driving the 1,400 metre (4,880 ft.) descent down ‘the hill’ from the Plateau to the Bella Coola valley. The descent includes a 9 km (5.6 mi) section with grades up to 19%. Apart from the scenery, there is often wildlife such as black and grizzly bears which also use the highway. Both are good reasons to travel slowly and take in the sights.
Eventually I made it to Bella Coola where I met my teaching partner, Dennis, who had flown in from Vancouver. Our workshop was about to begin!
3. Workshop Images: proud to show participant’s work
In early September Dennis Ducklow and I ran an intensive 7-day photographic workshop at the Tallheo Cannery, just across the inlet from the Bella Coola harbour. The cannery is a rustic retreat tucked up against the mountains at the end of a giant fjord, a historic place where one acquires a sense of authentic British Columbia coastal history. It is the ideal place to immerse ourselves in creative thought, learning and sharing, and innovative photography.
“Develop your Creative Vision” was the emphasis of this workshop. Here are some of the images made by workshop participants. I chose them based mostly on diversity of subject, artistic vision, and creative technique. I took the liberty of resizing and preparing the images for this Newsletter format.
Enjoy this celebration of imagery; an interpretation of each photographer’s vision during a moment in time on British Columbia’s central coast; 2016.
Student testimonials:
- “One week of photographic immersion is extremely valuable. This is a 5-star course with so much inspiration every day”. BC
- “…it changed my life”. GB
- “An unforgettable experience to transform you into the artistic photographer you always wanted to be”. TJ
- “It was the best, most instructive, most fun, most enriching, most enjoyable week of photography I have ever had’. JL
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2017 Workshop dates: May 28 – June 4; August 27 – September 3
Registration: The opening date for registration will be announced in my October Newsletter and Dennis’ October blog post. Stay tuned!
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www.chrisharris.com
When October 22 comes, we’ll all be able to join you in raising a glass to celebrate this wonderful new book. Congratulations that it has come together so well. Can’t wait for the extravaganza!
Thanks Dennis. Can’t wait to share another toast. It’s been a few weeks since Tallheo!
Congratulations on the book! And, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. I always look forward to it’s appearance every month.
Thanks Joan. It’s always such a pleasure to hear from you. I’m shooting a lot these days…really exciting imagery!!! Hope you are too.
Congratulations, Chris. The sample shots look stunning! Can hardly wait for the book launch. Hopefully there is a presentation planned for Courtenay or somewhere close on Vancouver Island????
Thanks Dawn. At present we are presenting in Nanaimo, Victoria, and Salt Spring. Please check my Appearances page on my website. Hope to see you at one of them!
So awesome! Thrilled for you and Rita. So happy to be able to be a part of the celebration and witness your wild and amazing accomplishment!! xoxo
Seems like your students are catching the vibe alright – sign of an amazing teacher!
Thank you Karen. We look forward to having you at the book launch…it will\be a BLAST!!!!