Newsletter #161: November, 2018
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
Hi everyone,
Rita and I have just returned from a wonderful tour in Quebec and Ontario where we made three presentations about our Cariboo Chilcotin region of BC, and also, where I taught two 2-day workshops on Photography as Art, titled ‘Freedom of Expression’. Here are some images and thoughts about our awesome experience.
This is my 161st consecutive monthly photographic newsletter; enjoy!
Newsletter Contents:
- The Montreal Camera Club: A homecoming!
- The Trillium Camera Club: Burlington, ON.
- Everyone is Welcome to Visit the Cariboo Chilcotin region of BC.
- Presentations and Workshops: Invite us to your area in 2019.
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The Montreal Camera Club: A homecoming!
Marcil Street, Montreal
I was born in Montreal, spent part of my youth near Montreal, and did most of my education in the Maritimes. At age 30, I was drawn to the Coast Mountains of BC, and now, almost 50 years later, I was returning home!
My father had joined the Montreal Camera Club when he retired at age 65. I was around at that time, watching and learning from him, as he learned his craft.
It was indeed a great honour to be back at the MCC with my partner Rita Giesbrecht, presenting at the Bonnie Nichol Lectures. Bonnie, who had passed unexpectedly at a relatively young age, had been a good friend of my father.
In attendance that evening were Barbara Deans and Kay Mason, both still active members whom I remembered meeting at the club back in the 1960’s. Also, in the audience was 92 year old Tom Freiman. He told me he had twice won the “Chic Harris Memorial Award” that is presented yearly to the ‘Creative’ photographer of the year. What a thrill it was to meet these members.
Presenting at the Bonnie Nichol Lectures was a lifetime event for me. A special thanks to everyone who helped make this a reality.
The Workshop:
Ann Pearson and Sylvia Rourke had so very kindly planned, organized, and hosted this workshop; and what a fun and creative time we had!
The day after Rita and I arrived and settled in to our Airb&b, I walked down to Westmount Park, an area near where the club meets and where we would probably photograph during the workshop. It was cold, windy, and pouring rain, but I photographed, trying to get a sense of the place.
Victoria Hall: impressionist
Westmount Public Library: impressionist
While walking home along Sherbrooke Street W., I continued to make a few images while trying to keep raindrops off my lens.
Cold November day: Sherbrooke St. W.
Lady with a white umbrella: Sherbrooke St W.
During my workshops, I often try to make quick images to illustrate the potential of certain techniques and subject matter.
Towering architecture: Westmount Square
Towering architecture: Saint Joseph’s Oratory
The workshop was an educational, inspirational, and enriching experience. With everyone so excited about their new ways of seeing and expressing, they decided to publish a Blurb book about their weekend experience. I can’t wait to get a copy!
Also, with three camera club judges participating, a favourite topic of conversation was how were they going to judge expressionist and abstract photographs at club competitions? I’ll be interested to hear what happens in the months ahead!
Being a tourist in Montreal:
Rita and I took five days off to enjoy some of Montreal’s finest dining and entertainment. We had a blast!
We got tickets to a Habs game at the Bell Centre! It had been 65 years since I had seen a Canadiens game at the Forum! iPhoto image.
We went to listen to Mozart’s Requiem at the Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal; a wonderful evening. iPhoto image.
This was a ‘must see’, the Leonard Cohen mural on Crescent St. As the architecture of Leonard’s favourite city is visually dominated by red brick and grey stone, I incorporated both in this image.
And finally, Shirley Brown, daughter of Dr. Brown who once worked for my father at CIL, drove Rita and I out to visit the home I was brought up in. Dad bought it the year I was born, 1939, for around $2,000. It is now over 100 years old and is designated as a heritage building. Local historian Pierre Gadbois made arrangements so we could actually go inside the house. Although renovated several times, it was the same; filled with incredible memories.
406 Richelieu Blvd., Beloeil, Quebec
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The Trillium Photographic Club: Burlington, ON
After presenting at the Scarborough Camera Club, we moved on to Burlington. Spearheaded by four club members who have attended at least one of the 7-day workshops that Dennis Ducklow and I operate in BC, Rita and I were invited to present to the Trillium Photographic Club. It was a wonderful evening in which we shared the diversity and beauty of our home region of BC.
I also taught my 2-day workshop to 10 members of the club. As Judy Boufford drove me around in the rain, looking for possible shooting locations, I would ask her to momentarily stop the windshield wipers. I made the following two images through the windshield!
Burlington cemetery
Burlington – somewhere!
During the workshop, I made the following three images to visually illustrate different techniques for different subjects.
The ceiling in a nursery.
Lasalle Park after a touch of snow
Trees above the church where the workshop was held.
It was another enriching experience where the same discussion about how to judge abstract and expressive imagery was a hot topic!
A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped plan, organize, and host both these events.
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Everyone is Welcome to Visit the Cariboo Chilcotin region of BC.
Audiences in our presentations sometimes think that the areas we access are remote, expensive and difficult to reach. Not so; in fact, all access is provided to us by tourism operators who are here to facilitate and welcome you. Particularly easy are the unique and beautiful Cariboo Chilcotin Grasslands, which are literally our backyard and right off the main highway. Here are a few images to tempt you!
Back road through the grasslands. Big sagebrush adds beautiful texture to the landscape.
Russell fences are symbolic of the region but are fast disappearing.
Drainage from the grasslands often reveal silt cliffs above the Fraser River.
These canyonlands often reveal dramatic light; especially for visiting photographers!
Lunchtime.
Lunchtime view
Approaching the Big Bar Ferry.
Big Bar Reaction Ferry. You don’t have to cross the river, but if you do, you are on a totally different adventure that could take you to the town of Lillooet!
While exploring along the shores of the Fraser River, I found tracks of 4 different little critters. It became a study in transportation routes!
There are incredible worlds to explore here in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Come visit. You won’t be disappointed!
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Presentations and Workshops: Invite us to your area in 2019.
Montreal Camera Club, 2018
In 2018, Rita and I have presented our spectacular audio-visual presentation to photographic clubs and organizations in BC, Washington State, Quebec and Ontario. I have also taught several 2-day workshops on The Freedom of Expression: A Workshop in Photography as Art.
Our presentation is based on our two documentaries titled “The Chilcotin Ark” and “The Wildfire Summer of 2017”. Both have been featured at the Williams Lake Film Festival and are part of a recently released Blu-ray disk titled “The Chilcotin Ark”. Part of the presentation is about ‘Photography as Art’ which is of interest to all visual artists. It is part of my wildfire evacuation narrative where I turned my crisis into art.
We present in a number of formats to medium and large audiences. We’d love to hear from you to discuss the options. You can call us at 250-791-6631 or email us at photography@chrisharris.com.
Your Montreal impressionist images are simply gorgeous! Excellent work Chris!
Thank you Ernie. I thought Montreal streets lent themselves to this style of image making. I’d love to go back and do more! Chris
Great newsletter, and the photography just blew me away.
Gale force winds?? Hope you are back safe; I have more to share with you!!
Good work Chris, neat to see your childhood home.
That was pretty special. Thanks.
As always Chris, spectacular photos. Ontario calls us!
Thank you!
Hi Chris,
I love the photography in this Newsletter! In fact of all the wonderful photography of yours the collection from you Montreal visit are among my favorites.
Great work, great art!
Keep well mon ami!
John
Mon ami John. Thanks buddy; great to hear from you. Keep well and hi to Judy. Chris
Your images of Montreal were a trip down memory lane for me…particulrily Westmount as I lived several blocks away from the park & library !
Wow! How cool is that!! We loved it there and had so much fun. First supper was at Chalet BBQ!!
Wow Chris!! Than you for giving us a glimpse into your freedom of expression. I love the artistic tree images. Your rainy street images help remind us that there is brilliance in wet grey weather.
Your vision is a gift to us all.
Much Love and Light on your journeys ahead. 💖☀️
With memories of the Spatsizi and much more, I love you! Thanks Adbhuta
Excellent images my friend!
Thank you Larry!
Wonderful newsletter Chris. Enjoying this one with a cuppa on Saturday morning Dec 1 reminds me how lucky I am to have you, Rita and Dennis in my life helping me to s t r e t c h my photographic boundaries and develop confidence as a wanna be artist. Merry Christmas my friend!!
Just having a Saturday morning cuppa myself! Thanks Buzz. Merry Christmas to you as well. I hear you laughing!! Keep up the great work. Chris
Hi Chris,
Just a note to let you know I love your incredible Montreal images, and well remember how much you cheered for their hockey team. I”m so glad you and Rita actually got to go to a game! And to be allowed inside your old home, that is beyond words. Montreal is such a beautiful city, I’m fortunate enough to have been there several years ago, and Ontario fall foliage is so spectacular even the rain can’t diminish it..
Sending you both all the best for the upcoming Christmas season. We won’t be making it to the Cariboo this winter, but hopefully in the spring. Would love to catch up in person one of these days..
Hugs,
Joyce
Great to hear from you Joyce and thanks for your comments. Montreal is a special place and presenting and teaching there was a very special experience. Get in touch when you come to the Cariboo! Merry Christmas to you both. Chris
Stunning, Chris. I have spent so much time in Montreal, my favourite city in Canada. Thanks so much. Welcome home. XXXOOO
Thank you Sherry. My favourite city as well!
The Montreal photos blew me away. Outstanding!
Thank you so much Norman. Appreciated. Chris
So love the impressionist brush you took of Sherbrooke St, and environs. It also reminded me of my grandmother’s St. on Berri in the Rivoli district, with trees arching over the St. You gave the city a feeling soul. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much Nicole. Giving my favourite city “a feeling soul” are powerful and meaningful words to me. I appreciate you sharing your feelings and thoughts. Chris
Enjoyed your presentation at Trillium in Burlington, Ontario. Wish I had know about the opportunity to attend the workshop. Seemed to be a best kept secret.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the presentation, but sorry you didn’t hear about the workshop. I’m not sure how that worked. Chris
I truly enjoyed your presentation at The Montreal Camera Club. I am sorry I wasn’t able;e to attend the workshops you hosted. I have seen the results from some of the attendees and you have certainly inspired them as well as myself. Your Montreal images are just beautiful.
Thank you John. The whole Montreal experience was a wonderful one. Too bad about not getting on the workshop but happy to hear that you as well as the others are inspired! Hopefully I’ll get to do another one sometime soon. Best wishes. Chris
Loved your Marcil st. photo .We owned two different homes back in the 70,s on Marcil. Guess you did not have sufficient time during your Beloeil visit ,to call on us in Mont St Hilaire., as proposed. Hopefully, on another occasion. .Recently, I was reviewing your father.s book :”QUEBEC”,co authored with Dr.Tardif ,in 1973. The photo of our mountain must have been shot from your front yard.. Season s Greetings to you and your wife.
Hello Pierre. I thought of you both while visiting Beloeil, hoping it would work out to drop by, but we couldn’t make it happen. Rita and I would have loved to visit; hopefully there will be another opportunity in the near future. I just revisited the book QUEBEC and the sister book MONTREAL. I remember Dr. Tardiff. Maybe I will return to Montreal and do more photography there. That would bring me back full circle to the place of my birth. Thank you for writing Pierre. Hello to your wife and happy memories of Marcil St! Chris
Loved the impressionist pics…reminded me a little of impressionist depictions of Paris in that era…I love all your work, so much heart and soul and gorgeous technique, especially the Cariboo photos. I lived in 100 Mile House for many years in the late 60s and 70s and explored a lot of that stunning territory during my years working at the 100 Mile House Free Press…what apps do you use to create the impressionist works? I’m asking because I would like to explore that area of expression in my work. Wish you and yours a wonderful and joyful Christmas.
Thank you for your comments and thoughts. Regarding technique, I do all my work in-canera. I use a Canon 5D MKIII. No special Apps. Minimal post editing. Every image is based on either a single or multiple exposure combined with endless combinations of camera movement. The fun part is the pleasure of visual discovery!! Chris