Newsletter #145: August, 2017
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
In Honour of Those Who Lost
In the fires of 2017
Hi everyone,
This is my 145th monthly photographic Newsletter; the beginning of my 13th 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.
The story behind this Newsletter
As a photographer, I have always admired those photo-journalists who choose to do their work on the front lines of war, or who cover natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods in order to remind us of our human condition and fragility. In this newsletter I find myself as a photographer covering such a disaster.
As a result of sharing my personal wildfire evacuation story in my photographic Newsletter # 144, I received a Facebook invitation from a local gentleman named John Forman, who invited me to photograph his home that he had just lost to the wildfire. It was in that home that he and his wife Linda had spent 26 years bringing up their family. I felt honoured and somewhat humbled. I accepted and communicated with John to get directions to his property.
This is the story of my experience; of first photographing their home, and then having the pleasure of meeting the very warm, friendly, and welcoming Forman family in person.
The journey along the Forman’s driveway
With directions and camera gear, I drove to the Formans’ property. Accustomed as I am to searching for the beauty in the natural landscape, I had no idea how I would respond to this assignment.
I felt emotionally charged as I slowly drove up their driveway, thinking of how they must have felt when they first drove to their home after hearing it had burned. The scarred landscape evoked deep thought.
How I approached my assignment, photographically
At first, I entered without a camera
Without my camera, I entered the property respectfully. My approach to photographing this story was important to me. As I walked about the property, I listened to my emotional response, making notes as I went.
The heaping remains of the main house, which I thought was the main story, was pulling me toward it. I quickly realized, however, that the main story was a human story, not the house.
In preparation for a family gathering
John later told me he put this wood here a few days before the wildfire. It never burned.
Children’s swing
Child’s bicycle
Family garden patch
Linda’s favourite place to sit in the garden
Not knowing the Formans, my walk around the property provided me with an insight into their family life; children, possibly grandchildren, family activities, and hobbies. Small details such as a fork, a pop can, a melted garden hose, and a pair of plyers provided smaller paragraphs to the unfolding family story. The smell of smoke added to the emotional journey I was on.
Eventually, I began to photograph
The Forman home
After an hour of contemplation, I was ready to photograph. I went to the home where the basement had become the ‘catch-all’ for a million stories of family life. It was a small story within the universe, but a very large story within the Forman family.
Family vehicles
Remnant
The firefighters arrive
While I was photographing, firefighters arrived on their continuous job of putting out hot spots, which were still popping up everywhere. I asked if I could photograph them and they said “feel free”.
They swung into action
Hot spots were still everywhere. They located them in seconds
Thoroughly, they extinguished them
In over 30° temperatures, it was not an easy job
These firefighters were a friendly and professional group of young men from Edmonton. It was wonderful to photograph them at work.
Linda Forman arrives unexpectedly
While I continued to photograph, Linda arrived with some family friends. It was the first time we had met, so we introduced ourselves and had a chat. I was immediately taken by how upbeat, and accepting she was of her situation.
Linda and Tailynn look into the basement of debris
Muffin tin
Family treasure
At first I let them explore the remains alone, but when I heard them chatting, laughing, and telling stories, I joined them, photographing as I listened.
Artistic expression
Feeling Linda’s positive attitude, I felt more upbeat myself. My mood changed. I felt freer to express myself and take my photography to a different place. I had documented everything and now I wanted to become more expressive, creative, and artistic.
This time I used my photographic tools in ways to express inscapes; images based on a combination of imagination and years of working on my craft.
Linda’s bench – artistic rendition
Kids bicycle – artistic rendition
House remains – artistic rendition
Family cars – artistic rendition
Looking inside – artistic rendition
Rear wheel & gas tank – artistic rendition
Abstraction
Abstract photographs are non-representational because they don’t represent anything. There is no context. The compositions are comprised of line, form, colour and texture in and of themselves. Any form of reality is not recognizable. For myself, they represent art that I would enjoy hanging in my home. The following three abstracts are the result of fire and extreme heat.
Abstract I
Abstract II
Abstract III
Reflecting back
When I first walked around their property I saw and felt what was special to each and every member of the Forman family. I heard their laughter and I felt the plethora of emotions that went into their life there.
When I later made arrangements to meet the Forman family, I discovered that I had previously met John (some 25 years ago) when he worked in Bowron Lake Park where I guided canoe tours. We met again eleven years ago when he was managing a controlled grasslands fire and I was photographing it for my book Spirit in the Grass. Our get together was like a reunion.
If I ever lose my home, I will remember this experience, especially the resilience of the entire Forman family. They had already placed an offer on a new home and were excitedly preparing for a new adventure together. They were an inspiration.
It was a privilege to be invited to photograph the Formans’ home. Thank you John and Linda, and the members of your family, Alexis, Kelly, Ricky, Nicole, Charity and Tyson.
I recorded your property as a photographer, I felt moved by your situation as a human, and I expressed how I responded as an artist.
Chris
You always deliver, Chris, but it must have been especially difficult to get into this assignment without being completely overwhelmed by emotion. As always, your images are wonderful, expressing the reality and the abstract in perfect harmony.
Thank you Rosemary. It was a privilege to do this work.
Chris, this is so moving I am teary. Thank-you for sharing.
Susan Williams (Dennis Ducklows sister)
Hi Susan. Thank you for commenting. As always I look forward to teaching with your brother in a few days.
Wow! Just devastating.
Thanks for commenting.
Well done Chris …. I would have found that assignment rather overwhelming!
Thank you Larry. I just felt privileged.
This is so sad. I live in an area that has been under Evacuation Order for six weeks. I left at first, but am now home and staying here under lockdown – if I leave I will not be able to return and water my garden, and it will die. In an area where organic food is very hard to obtain, I rely heavily on my produce. When the winds rage and the pyrocumuli tower into the sky I have been terrified, ready to go in a moment. I still think my place will survive so have hung in there. Today I found several blackened leaves on the ground. I have no insurance – too expensive where there are no fire support systems. Your pictures bring home how easily I could lose everything.
Hello Chris, I met you once and I wish to send you some positive energy and thoughts during these trying time. May your house and garden survive the current fires burning in BC. Stay safe and may the fires stay away from your. Love & Hugs … Jane Murray, Pine Hills Ranch, Sheridan Lake, BC.
Thank you Jane…much appreciated.
Heartfelt.
Thank you Lise
These are wonderful, yet terrifying, photos of the home I grew up in. So many memories ranging from family gatherings (Charity was married by moms bench) to just being a kid in the middle of the woods with endless possibilities of adventure. It was hard to take in at first when mom told me the house was gone. I had spoke to her on the phone the night before, making sure they were ok. Thank you for taking the time to make the story heard.
Thank you Rick for sharing your memories. It was an honour to meet the family.
Nice job Chris. As a member of the Forman family ( John’s sister) I thank you
Thank you Jacquie. I was honoured to do this and re-unite with John.
You did a great job of expressing this emotional time I give my love to John and Linda and hope the new place gives you happiness and love Darlene
Thank you Darlene.
Everything can be distilled into the single image of the two women reacting to the devastation.
Thanks Frank. I don’t often photograph people, but I am proud of that image for sure. It expresses exactly what I wanted to communicate. Such wonderful people.
Thank you for sharing your talent and emotions, Chris. You, and we by extension, are blessed.
Thank you Wendie.
Wow, Chris. This summer has been a truly emotional journey for all of us, and your photographs are touch points for all that we feel.
And how generous of the Foreman family to share their loss with you. It must have been an amazing privilege.
It was a privilege indeed, a heartfelt one. Thanks.
Wow truly amazing, beautiful and a heartfelt experience!
Thank you Kathy; a meaningful experience indeed.
Thank you Kathy. It was indeed a heartfelt experience.
Outstanding photography. The devastation as well as the impermanence of “things” is so well captured. Glad to hear the family is adjusting so well. Thanks for sharing your work with us.
Thank you Erin.
You have used this unique opportunity to accomplish what few ever could. Beauty out of the ashes, that’s Biblical, there’s a Joyce Myers book about it, the // is reclaiming a life from abuse. Your images each tell vast amounts of story. I extend my immense respect and appreciation for your vision
Reclaiming a life from abuse…I agree with Joyce Myers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for your respect and your talent. An assignment well done! My sister lost her home in the fires at Riske Creek and I too am amazed at the resilience 💜
I have traveled out that way and it is amazing to see what fire does. Some homes were spared by inches, and others not so lucky. Sorry about your sister. Thanks Sherril.
Thank you for such a beautiful article about my sister and family’s home. It was hard to read without tears, but well-done… <3
Your sister is a treasure. It was an honour. Thanks Earnie
Thank you for sharing Chris , what must have been a very
emotional & heart wrenching photo journey for you ……..
well done as usual …👍👍❤️❤️😂😂🔥🔥…Reta Seibert
Thank you kindly Reta.
I love how, as a photographer, you enter into a project with so much more than your very capable photographer’s eyes. You also fully bring and are aware of your emotional side along with great respect for the subject. All of these combined give us such a strong story.
Appreciated Dennis. The emotional side of this project could not be denied. It was powerful.
Thank you Chris for sharing this experience. To share someones loss is a great gift. You have shared this experience with great compassion and have given us insight into the sadness of loss and how lucky we are not to be effected by the worst of the fires.
The whole photographic experience was a gift. Thank you Jane.
What a beautiful tribute to the family – your gift to them is priceless
Thank you as always Joan.
Thank you Joan.
Very, well done Chris,being a car buff I feel for the owner for his loss as well for all the others.
People need to see this as a reminder as well as being enjoyed as an Art form
Bill
thank you Bill. Appreciated.
you did an awesome job on this peace Linda and John are family to me and i can feel the devastation they must have felt from you excellent photography of the after math thanks for this wonderful story you have told it very well
Hi Marilyn. That’s wonderful to hear. It was an assignment like no other I have ever done, so I appreciate your support.
Finding some beauty in such a devastating situation isn’t easy but you have done a beautiful job of it Chris……I wish the Foreman family all the best and all those affected.
Thank you so much Kim. They will appreciate reading your words of good wishes.
Very moving. I sat for a long while and pondered a word that could express what I saw, felt and experienced when I viewed your newsletter. The word, for me is – ‘Namaste’ which actually means, ” the acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another”.
Namaste to you too Karen. I so appreciate your heart felt thoughts and feelings.