Newsletter No. 68: March 2011
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CONTENTS
- Two New Books. Two New Websites: Join the Journey of Discovery!
- Excited to be Creative: Again!
- Upcoming Gallery Exhibits: Toronto
1. Two New Books. Two New Websites. Join the Journey of Discovery!The Two New Books
Fly-Over
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s Notes: Canon EOS-1Ds Mk.III. This image was made freehand with settings of ISO 400; f-10; 1/640 sec; with a focal length set at 28mm. In this image, I used the compositional rule of ‘thirds’, placing the plane in the left 1/3 position. This provided space for the plane and our imagination to fly into. For the same reason, the rectangular shape of sky is greater than the combined rectangular shapes of land and water below. Fly-Over: The Aviation legacy of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Sage Birchwater is the co-author of this book. His story-telling prowess will draw on the memories and experiences of bush pilot pioneers, uncovering their stories of intrigue, romance, humour and tragedy. They will offer a breathtaking glimpse into the aviation legacy of the region. Visit this website for further details.
Chilcotin Ark – where the air is pure and the water is clear
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s Notes: Canon EOS-1Ds Mk.III. This image was made on a tripod with settings of ISO 100; f-23; 1/6sec; with a focal length set at 24mm. Because the water was so amazingly clear, I decided to use a wide angle lens aimed down toward my feet so as to emphasize that observation and feeling. For the same reason, little emphasis was placed on the sky. Chilcotin Ark – A Planetary Refuge
Dave Neads is the co-author of this book. For more than two decades Dave has been involved in the creation of the Chilcotin Ark, the largest contiguous and most diverse wilderness refuge in the Northern temperate latitudes. He will bring this world to life with writing that is both expository and lyrical. Supporting 10 of B.C.’s 14 bioclimatic zones, this book offers a most amazing opportunity to learn about the natural world as it exists within hours of where we live here in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Visit this website for further details.
The Websites and Respective Blogs
This month we are launching two new websites which will enable the world to follow the creative journey of producing and publishing the above two books.
This means you can follow the photographic adventures of discovery as I fly, hike, and paddle throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin region of British Columbia.
I’ll be posting images and sharing my photographic experiences on each of the two website blogs, as well as in future editions of this Newsletter. I will continually discuss my entire creative process for the interest of both photographers and the overall knowledge-seeking audience.
With their stimulating narratives, Sage and Dave will also be contributing to the blogs, sharing their journeys of research and discovery.
This journey is about research and learning; of interest to teachers and students, photographers and painters, hikers, paddlers and explorers, as well as all those interested in expanding their knowledge about this incredible part of the world – the Cariboo Chilcotin region of British Columbia.
We invite you to join us and share these same experiences with your friends. You will find links to Facebook and Twitter when you visit the new sites.
2. Excited to be Creative: Again!Back in the days of film, I had little trouble pre-visualizing the results of multiple exposures. I used this technique frequently in my last film-based publication, The Bowron Lakes. Below is one of those images, the portage trail between Kibbee and Indianpoint Lake. By exposing it 16 times without advancing the film, I tried to express the meditative experiences I often experienced while hiking through this magical forest.
Forest Trail
© Chris Harris
When I switched to digital capture, however, I felt I lost a large part of my creative self. My digital Canon camera did not provide the features necessary to use a wide variety of expressive techniques. I was reduced once again to being a documentary photographer.
Riparian Area – Early Spring
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s Notes: Canon EOS-1Ds Mk.III. This documentary image was made on a tripod with settings of ISO 100; f-14; 1/10 sec; with a focal length set at 190mm. In this composition I found a sense of balance by arranging the three vertical rectangular shapes. I also tried placing the two central aspen trees in the lower 1/3 of the picture space but it didn’t work for me. I ended up placing them in the centre. The above image was made looking into a rather dreary early spring riparian area tangled with alder and red-osier dogwood shrubs. What caught my eye, however, was the beautiful contrast provided by the white bark of the Aspen trees. My challenge was to recognize the shapes of tonal and colour contrast and arrange them in a way that spoke to me.
Riparian Area – A More Expressive Perspective
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s Notes: Nikon D700. This image was made with Multiple Exposure set at 10, hand-held, with slight camera movement. Last month I finally gave in and purchased a camera body that included the ‘multiple exposure’ feature. After much research I bought a Nikon D700 body, and as none of my Canon lenses work within the Nikon system, I also purchased a single lens, the 28-300mm.
So last week I headed out to the grasslands, excited at the possibility of being able to express myself in new ways. The above image was my first attempt. Using the riparian area captured as a documentary image above, I created my first series of multiple exposures. The one above was my favourite.
I hadn’t felt so excited about photography in several years! This single feature will enable me to use several dozen new techniques. I can’t wait to try them all and then share the results with you. Stay tuned!
3. Upcoming Gallery Exhibits in TorontoOn April 4 – 23, 2011, a new and exciting destination gallery will open its doors in Toronto. White Wall North will focus on the work of mid-career artists from coast to coast and I will be one of the featured artists, representing British Columbia.
Following the opening, WWN will host a solo exhibition of my work. This work was also chosen as part of the Contact photographic festival; more about that below.
White Wall North Gallery – Group Exhibit:
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s Notes: Canon EOS 50D. This is an aerial image looking down on a dried-up alkaline lake in the Cariboo. It was made at ISO 400 with settings of f-5.6 @ 1/400sec.; with a focal length set at 200mm. The images above and below are the two prints I have chosen for the group exhibit.
© Chris Harris
Photographer’s notes: Canon EOS-1Ds-MKIII. This image was made on a tripod following a forest fire with settings of ISO 200; f-20; 1/20sec; with a focal length set at 14mm. The centre of interest was obvious, however, its placement was dictated by the placement of trees in the background – both those lying on the ground and the ones standing. White Wall North Gallery – Solo Exhibit:
On April 25 – May 28, 2011 White Wall North will feature my Eastern Canada premiere, which is part of Contact, the world’s largest photographic exhibition.
The Opening Exhibit Reception and launch of my latest book, Motherstone, will be on Wednesday, April 27th at 5pm – 9pm. I will be making a feature slide presentation at 7pm.
Would You Like An Official Invitation?
If you reside in the Toronto area and would like an official invitation to the opening reception/launch and presentation, please email Rita here at our office and we will make sure you receive a special invitation. Rita and I would love to meet our Toronto area friends and Newsletter subscribers.At a speaking engagement last week in Williams Lake, British Columbia, I promised my audience I would show which images I had chosen as prints for this Exhibit. I will do that in upcoming Newsletters.
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