Newsletter No. 7: January 2006
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
CONTENTS
Churn Creek |
Churn Creek Canyon |
On another grasslands exploratory expedition with Mike Duffy last fall, we found ourselves hiking out along a ridge-like spur overlooking Churn Creek Canyon. The view was overwhelming. I couldn’t take more than a few steps without stopping to once again set up my tripod. I would look left, then right. I would put on a wide-angle lens and then a telephoto. I was totally pumped and I was clicking through 1GB flash cards like nothing! Mike too was pumped as he continued to hike every spur possible for a fresh vista. I’d hear him call "look over here" and then I’d answer, "yea, but look over here"!
Find Mike in this Photograph! |
Rabbitbrush on Red Rock |
Eventually we stopped for lunch overlooking the myriad of colours, shapes and textures. Nothing had to be said. We both knew we had to come back and somehow descend to explore the creek far below us. Stay tuned – we’ll take you there next newsletter!
2. The Bowron Lakes: The End of an Era, Part IIAs promised in Part I of this article, I thought I’d share with you a few abstract images made on this trip.
As this was in part a photographic tour, I tried to show everyone some of the techniques I use in creating abstract imagery with a digital camera. Unlike a film camera in which one has more options (such as making multiple exposures), we are often reduced to more simplistic techniques such as camera movement with slow shutter speeds. The key to success is to pre-visualize an effect you wish to create according to your subject matter. For example, to create "Blowing Cottonwood Tree" I moved my camera in such a way as to imply a windstorm (it was a still night). You can see what camera movement I used by examining the streaks in the branches below.
Blowing Cottonwood Tree |
Trail to Cariboo Falls |
If you remember, on our way back from seeing the Cariboo Falls, I stopped the whole group to show you (as best I could on my 2" LCD camera screen) the possibilities of shooting this beautiful trail through the Lodgepole pine forest. The black tree trunks, the brown pine needle covered trail and the green moss on the forest floor provided an exquisite opportunity. With this scene I would normally move my camera vertically up and down to emphasize the vertical tree trunks but because the path represented an oblique line, I compromised between the two. The result is shown above.
In "Autumn Reflection" (below left) I relied more on the movement of the water than any I might have created with my camera.
During a pit-stop near the end of Lanezi Lake, I ran into the forest and created "Forest Light" (below right). In this case I did move my camera up and down several times during a slow exposure to create this effect.
Autumn Reflection |
Forest Light |
The key to creating imagery like this is not being afraid to try something totally new – after all, we’ve been told all our lives to use a tripod so as to make our images tack sharp. The more you experiment, the better you will be able to pre-visualize the results. Remember, with digital, it costs you nothing to experiment. If your experiment fails, just delete it before anyone sees it!! But try, you may get a pleasant surprise.
3. What it’s like to do a professional photo shoot? Part II
My last newsletter ended with us playing at a beaver dam in cloudy and stormy weather. We left the beaver dam and paddled on to Sandy Lake where I knew I had access to grand scenics with mountains and fall colours should the sun ever break through. I woke up on day 4 knowing that this was my last chance – tomorrow I would have to paddle all the way out and then drive home in order to catch my plane to Alaska.
Afternoon Break |
Cloud Reflection on Sandy Lake |
Although it was cloudy when I peered out of the tent, I got everyone up, had breakfast and paddled to a sandy spit to wait – just in case the weather broke. By this time I think I was praying. Then . . . it all began to happen. The clouds lifted and blue sky began to appear. After setting up a camping theme, I grabbed the second canoe and paddled out onto the lake to start photographing (above left). After shooting dozens of variations on this theme, we quickly dismantled and headed off toward a spot where I could place a greater emphasis on fall colours. We all paddled as I shouted directions and photographed as fast as I could. Within 5 hours it was all over. The clouds returned and the rain once again began to fall. I must say, this shoot would not have been nearly so successful if it hadn’t of been for my friends who were excellent paddlers and light hearted with my modeling instructions.
Toward Unna Lake |
Heading Home in the Rain |
It was a fantastic experience – a little stressful but lots of fun, and in the end, as we paddled home in the rain, I felt ecstatic at what we had accomplished. Deep down I felt I had some beautiful ‘wow’ images of Super Natural British Columbia – all made within 5 hours in 5 days.
4. What’s New at the Gallery: Book LaunchVibrational Vitality by Ron Polack
We are pleased to announce that our good friend Ron Polack will celebrate the release of his first book here at the Gallery. For those of us who know Ron well and have benefited from his skill in vibrational healing and his generous friendship, this is a wonderful occasion to congratulate both him and his wife June. For anyone seeking non-conventional paths to wellness, there are very few people who have worked in this field longer than Ron Polack.
To join us for this book launch, come to the Chris Harris Studio Gallery at 5577 Back Valley Road at 105 Mile Ranch on January 19th at 7:30 pm. You can also drop by Higher Ground Health Food Store on January 20th after 12 noon; Ron will be there for a book signing. To order a book, you can contact Ron personally in Vancouver at 604-264-7713.