Newsletter No. 100: November, 2013
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
Hi everyone,
It is hard to believe, but this Newsletter represents my centenary; one hundred newsletters dating back to May, 2005. I thought I’d share a few thoughts regarding this incredible journey.
I’m also going to share a workshop experience I had earlier this month in Sarnia, Ontario.
Our goal at the Chris Harris Gallery is to share the creative process. Please share this Newsletter with friends. Thank you.
Chris
Contents:
1. Newsletters: May, 2005 to November, 2013: There was never a dull moment!
a. What the Newsletters have meant to me personally.
b. What the Newsletters have meant to my photography.
c. In appreciation.
d. Two images that speaks to that appreciation.
2. Sarnia Workshop: Participants share their photographic creations.
3. Future Workshops & Photo Tours
1. May, 2005 to November, 2013: There was never a dull moment!
I just took a brief look through my 100 newsletters; what a journey!
There are photographic adventures made by foot, by canoe, by horse, by vehicle, and by plane. The destinations are all of distinct beauty, and they are found within the interior rainforest, the grass-canyon lands, the vast volcanic plateau known as the Motherstone, the Coast Mountains, and the central coast; all within central British Columbia.
These adventures have produced five new book publications; all launched through this Newsletter.
Interspersed with these photographic and publishing events, are personal stories that vary from hip and heart operations to photographic award-receiving ceremonies in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Indeed, it has been an amazing eight year journey. It’s almost a book in itself!
What a Journey!
a. What the Newsletters have meant to me personally.
My greatest reward is that of sharing. Feedback comes in many forms, many from unexpected places and unknown people.
I remember once asking for directions from a clerk in a large shopping mall in Vancouver, when after giving me instructions, she said, “by the way, I so appreciate receiving your monthly newsletters. They are so inspirational”. I had never met this lady in my life.
Some letters come from business people who live in city cores and work in city towers. Some have told me that they will never see or experience the wilderness and that they travel with me vicariously.
Some people use my photo adventures to plan ventures of their own, while others who are unable to travel to the back country, appreciate knowing that such places can still be found.
I also hear from many teachers who use my newsletters in a variety of ways; some who teach children with autism or people with other disabilities.
Many, of course, are photographers and other artists.
Hearing from people in all walks of life, and from many parts of the world, is an enormous inspiration, and driver of both my photographic work and the writing of these newsletters.
b. What the Newsletters have meant to my photography.
While reviewing my 100 newsletters, I saw how noticeably my photography had both evolved and improved. The very activity of seriously critiquing my own imagery has had an extremely beneficial result, in seeing more astutely with ‘photographic eyes’ and thus making stronger compositions.
While in the field, I always try to do my very best. I like to try and do better every time. Writing my newsletters has really helped.
c. In appreciation.
As I mentioned at a seminar in Sarnia recently, the combination of two passions, outdoor adventure and photography, have been the two main driving forces behind my career. Along that journey I have received inspiration and knowledge from so many people.
Included are my high school students, mountaineering friends (especially my principal mentor, Fergus O’Connor, who passed away this past week), clients from my adventure tours, professional photographers and photographic students, artists of several media, close personal friends, partners in life, and, of course, my mum and dad.
All these people play an important role in these newsletters.
d. Two images that speak to the word “appreciation”.
As I have often mentioned in my newsletters, I study the work of other artists in various media to improve my own artistic endeavours.
In all probability, I would never have noticed the two compositions below if I had not studied the work of preeminent Irish painter, Tony O’Malley.
Last month, in the small coastal town of Shearwater, I wandered through an old shipyard. As I studied the enormous rotting hulls of old ships, I was intrigued by the patterns of rusting metal, peeling paint, and decaying wood. Within those patterns, I found two tiny compositions of simple shapes I had seen often in Tony’s paintings. They were deeply embedded in my sub- conscious mind. As I made these images, I visualized them as colossal paintings, hanging in the National Art Gallery in Dublin as so many of his do.

Shipscape I
Thoughts: When painting in St. Ives on the North Sea, Tony often painted primitive style ships similar to the dark green shape in the lower left. Abstract bird shapes similar to those to the right of the ship were often depicted in his Irish landscape paintings. This ‘found’ composition is therefore inspired by O’Malley abstractions. |
Shipscape II
Thoughts: The triangular black, yellow and white shape moving downward through the middle of the image, is similar to shapes that O’Malley often painted in his more abstract paintings. So again, it was this shape that drew me to making this photograph. |
Note: Coincidently, I will be travelling to Ireland in two weeks and will be visiting the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin to see one of Tony O’Malley’s centenary art exhibits. I can’t wait.
2. Sarnia Workshop: Participants share their photographic creations.
Earlier this month I presented a photographic seminar on topics that included recognizing strong compositions with ‘photographic eyes’ and techniques on how to visualize the final image.
On the following day, a group of 12 participants took part in a Masters Workshop, to put some of these techniques into practice. The workshop also included an evaluation and discussion of the images made that day.
This was a fun and creative day with a light-hearted, informative, and educational evaluation session.
I was so impressed with everyone’s willingness to step out of the box, and to try and see and express the familiar world around them by using different shooting techniques. I’d like to share our experience and some of the images made that day.
Two conversationalists
On the day we arrived, Leonard Segall (seminar organizer), Rita, and I went on a search for the workshop location in Sarnia. Jet lag can cause some creative outcomes!!
While driving back to Leonard’s home, I sat in the front seat and kept shooting. One is of the car’s dash board and one out the side window!
The day started with Rita walking down the trail (see her in the distance) as a model.
So off we go. The following are some of the creative images made that day.
As always, it was amazing to witness how differently we all saw, and interpreted the same landscape, which we all walked through.
This is the beauty of a workshop format such as this. We all learn to see through the eyes of others, to listen to what their thoughts were at that time, and to hear how they created their images as a result of those thoughts.
Congratulations to all.
3. Upcoming Workshops & Photo Tours
Langley Photo Club Workshop
The January 2014 Newsletter will contain scheduling and registration information for the coming year.
In response to many requests, I will offer a one-day beginner’s workshop in Digital Photography. Topics will include camera basics and an introduction to composition. There will also be an outdoor shoot and indoor critique session. This will provide participants with a firm ground for advancing their photography.
There will also be multi-day workshops for the more experienced DSLR image makers who wish to expand their technical skills, and communicate more effectively through creative vision and strong composition. The workshop will include both field work and indoor evaluation sessions.
I am also offering for the first time, and in response to many requests, the opportunity to accompany me and sometimes Rita and Mike along on my own shoots in the field. These are not workshops, but photo tours to unique landscapes.
I will be seriously shooting toward my next book project, not teaching. Participants can photograph alongside me, I will be a resource, not an instructor. These tours offer participants an unbelievable opportunity to photograph in truly spectacular and stunning landscapes alongside a professional.
For specifically designed workshops for your group, please contact us directly and we can tailor an event for you.
Full details will be posted on my website and released in my January, 2014 Newsletter, both at the same time.
If you are interested, or if you know of friends who might be interested, please have them subscribe to my Newsletter. Subscribe now and be the first to receive all workshop and tour details.