Newsletter No. 31: February 2008

CONTENTS

1. What I See and How I Photograph
2. A Trip to Town
3. Upcoming Event at the Gallery with Harold Rhenisch and Anna Wärje
4. The next Book. What will it be?? Take a Guess!!

Hi everyone,

We can sense spring in the air here in the Cariboo, and although the odd snow storm still sweeps through, the first red-winged blackbirds have just arrived two weeks early.

Photography, upcoming events, and news about my next book project are all here in this months Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, and that you pass it on to interested friends.

Our goal here at the Gallery is to share the creative process, and promote the arts; thus strengthening our artistic community. Thank you.

1. What I See and How I Photograph

In September, 2006, I was driving west of Osoyoos, B.C., when I spotted this peculiar-looking lake. Even from a distance, I recognized at once that this array of coloured circular-like shapes had huge photographic potential.

One of the most exciting aspects of photography is the inner excitement when you see a subject that you immediately recognize as having unlimited potential to make extraordinary images. This was one of those moments.

The above image was made to record my discovery and, as with most record shots, this image did nothing to express my inner excitement.

The importance of a tripod:

With tripod and all of my lenses, I headed off to explore. I hiked all around the lake and even ventured out into the somewhat dangerously soft interior of the lake. I felt completely energized as I made image after image. With each different lens, came fresh and different perspectives.

By using a tripod, I am able to steady my enthusiasm (as well as my camera), and concentrate on each shape, deliberately deciding how many and how much of each to include. I searched deeper and deeper into my vision. I was becoming more and more abstract as I brought the many elements of this composition into a single image that spoke to me. In the end, expressing myself visually was nothing more than simply being myself – intensely myself.

2. A Trip to Town

I awoke early on February 8th, and seeing a snow storm out my window sparked a reaction. FANTASTIC I thought. I love driving in snow storms, so I got my camera gear and headed out to shoot the action. So these shots are for those of you who live in the far corners of the globe. I can almost hear you saying "thank God we don’t live there"; or "Gee, that looks like fun – let’s move to Central British Columbia";!

While warming up the engine, I prepared my camera. I chose a medium focal length lens, set the ISO to 800 (it was low light), and chose manual focus so that the snowflakes on the windshield couldn’t cause havoc with the auto focus. Then, off I went to my home town of 100 Mile House.

100 Mile House – A Story Within a Story

© Chris Harris
Canon EOS-1D Mark II; Lens:28-70mm;
Focal length: 70mm; ISO: 800; Exp. Comp. +2/3
Exp. Mode: Av; Shutter speed: 1/200 sec; Aperture: 13

Fortunately everyone was driving slowly, allowing me to shoot while driving and steer with my knees pressed against the steering wheel. Every image has a story. Here it is this elderly gentleman with a cane in one hand and a gas can in the other.

I felt this was such a typical Canadian winter scene – everyone going to where they had to get to, even under the most trying conditions. Don’t you all wish you lived here?

3. Upcoming Event at the Gallery with Harold Rhenisch and Anna Wärje

Poetry Reading Evening at the Gallery

© Chris Harris
Canon EOS-1D Mark II; Lens:14mm;
ISO: 800; Exp. Comp. -2/3
Exp. Mode: Av; Shutter speed: 1sec; Aperture: 14

We’re thrilled to present an evening with our two most loved poets; our good friend Harold Rhenisch and Rita’s daughter Anna Wärje will read their work here at the gallery on Feb. 25th at 7:30pm.

Like most things in life there’s a story here, and it starts at the little 108 Elementary School when Anna was writing stories and Harold was offering his time to mentor young students of promise, helping them find their voice as only he can. He was a home Dad to two little girls of his own then, and in the breaks becoming more well-known as ‘one of Canada’s best, most original, and most mercurial poets’

Now it’s a long time later and Anna is a brilliant emerging poet and Harold is still a valued friend and mentor, and brilliant established poet.

Harold’s most recent book is called Return to Open Water; poems new and selected which he will share with us; but we’re told there will also be a surprise. For a preview, tune into CBC on Thursday 21, at 11.30 a.m. and listen to a special show hosted by Eleanor Wachtel.

Anna will present published and unpublished work; her published work can currently be found in ‘Room’ and ‘Event’ magazines and she recently placed second in the Vancouver International Writers Festival poetry contest.

To join us for this very special evening, please call us for details, and to reserve your seat; 250-791-6631.

4. The next Book. What will it be?? Take a Guess!!

Almost daily I am asked, what are you planning for your next book?

Well, two months ago, as soon as my hip replacement operation was over, I felt a huge inner shift. My mind quickly went from 1st gear to overdrive as I weighed all the possible options. I discussed ideas with close friends and continued to decide, undecided and re-decide! I have made the final decision many times only to change my mind, but with each change of mind, I came a little closer to the right decision.

But, hold on! I can’t tell you quite yet. Although I am 99.9% sure, I am sitting on it for four more weeks. I will post the subject of my next book in the March Newsletter. Meanwhile, my hip is strengthening. It is almost two months now and I am snowshoeing with a pack on. In a month’s time, I will not only announce the subject of my new book, I will be ready to head out and start shooting in earnest . . . I can’t wait!