CONTENTS:
1. Flyover: Official Book Launch to be September, 29th, 2012
2. Back Yard Artist: Our Straw Bale Home
3. Raft Trip with a Difference; Part II: Birding, Natural History & Spectacular Scenery
4. Williams Lake Stampede: Barrel Racing Expressed with Feeling
5. Fraser River Canyon: My Photo Workshop Begins this Week. Can’t Wait!
6. Fly Fishing on the Blackwater River: A Fisher’s Nirvana; a Photographer’s Challenge.
7. Upcoming Gallery Events: Inner and Outer Beauty
1. Flyover: Official Book Launch to be September, 29th, 2012
We are pleased and excited to announce the official release date and place for the launch of Flyover: British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.
The event will be part of Airport Appreciation Days hosted by Nick Christianson and the 108 Airport on September 29th.
You are cordially invited to join me, Sage Birchwater, Nick and many of the aviators who have been the core of this project, and Rita for the celebration, and have the first opportunity to see the presentation we have prepared, hear the stories, and have your copy of the book personalized. The slide show and presentation will follow a grand supper; served in the 108 hangar. With pilots flying in from around the province, it should be a night to remember.
For the full day of Airport Appreciation Festivities, including the book launch, watch the local newspapers, read the September Newsletter, or contact the 108 Airport at 250-791-1908.
2. Back Yard Artist: Our Straw Bale Home
I have rarely photographed our home, but one morning during the last week of June, I woke up to see mist drifting across our property. I was up like a shot, and with camera in hand, I ran for the only colour I could see; the iris patch.
Aspenhouse
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: As the iris patch was the first and only touch of colour in the garden, I was drawn there first. It didn’t take long before I realized how the corner of the Gallery and the greenhouse provided an informative framework through which to view the house. The coloured lava pathways also provide balance and direction, all leading our eye toward the house.
EOS 5D Mk III; iso 100; f-16; 1/25 sec.; focal length: 24mm. On a tripod. |
Rita and I built our home in 2003. Our intent was to create a quiet and organic-feeling home with the softest footprint possible. We chose straw bale construction. Our naturalized grassland landscaping, often referred to as xeriscaping, requires no artificial watering, and best of all, no mowing! The lava driveway and paths provide an added touch of colour.
3. Raft Trip with a Difference; Part II: Birding, Natural History & Spectacular Scenery
As a lover of ‘the land’, I am always drawn to the landscape through which I am travelling. When I do include people or an activity, they are usually rendered small compared to the grandiosity of the planet’s landforms.
Black Canyon
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: Photographing from a separate raft, I was able to enter into an eddy behind a cliff and capture the raft as it appeared. I elected not to include any sky, to emphasize the impressive black walls. The biggest compositional decision was placement of the raft within the picture space. Now, of course, I can second-guess my decision. ‘Where to have the raft’ would make an interesting debate. What do you think?
EOS 5D Mk III; iso 1000; f-8; 1/800 sec.; focal length: 99mm. Handheld. |
Just south of Ashcroft where the Kumsheen rafting trip began, the Thompson River descends into Black Canyon, a fascinating part of the river where ancient carboniferous black cliffs rise 200 metres above the river.
Open Grasslands; Big Sky
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: In contrast to narrow canyon walls, I also wanted to capture the openness and big sky of the central plateau through which the Thompson also flows. I placed the small mountain on the far left to provide space for the open sky; a very important ingredient to the feeling which provoked me to make this image. EOS 5D Mk III; iso 1000; f-9; focal length: 99mm. Handheld. |
Because of the cloud cover, I attempted to shoot this image as an HDR, even though I was in a moving raft. By doing this I was able to capture greater detail in the sandy cliffs and the clouds.
White Canyon
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: Looking back upstream, I was captivated by the different tonal and colour values of the four main shapes. Because the main cliff wall was far more powerful and interesting than the river, I gave that shape dominance.
EOS 50D; iso 1600; f-9; 1/2000 sec.; focal length: 105mm. Handheld. |
4. Williams Lake Stampede: Barrel Racing Expressed with Feeling
Barrel Racing
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: This image was made by panning the camera at roughly the same speed as the horse and rider, allowing the slow shutter speed to generate the slight blur and thus the sense of speed. The other important ingredient is the barrel. It is well behind the rider, to not interfere with the main centre of interest, yet it provides context to the image and the sport.
EOS 50D; iso 200; f-13; 1/50 sec.; focal length: 150mm. Handheld. |
I haven’t photographed a rodeo for years, and I felt rusty shooting fast action subjects after months of portraying the land. It is challenging, however, in this instance, I captured the exact feeling I was looking for. All four of the horses feet are off the ground and slightly blurred expressing speed, the position of the rider with extended arms shows extreme intent, and the tail is extended.
I realize there is a good deal of luck involved in making such an image, but as they say, the harder you work at what you do, the luckier you become!
5. Fraser River Canyon: My Photo Workshop Begins this Week. Can’t Wait!
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: I made this image at 9:30 p.m. during evening light. By giving the base shape of green sage a minor role, I placed the emphasis on the intricacy of the canyon cliffs, with the tent in the left third of the image. The composition would have worked very well without the tree on the right, but I don’t think it distracts from the overall design. It actually creates an implied triangle with the tent and the cliffs, helping to keep your eyes within the picture space.
EOS 5D Mk III; iso 100; f-22; 4 sec.; focal length: 99mm. On a tripod. |
We will see this landscape on our photo workshop and tour down the Fraser River later this week, but Mike Duffy and I saw it in 35 degree heat near the end of May.
After two weeks of shooting glacial ice, I’m ready and pumped for 5 days on the river from Williams Lake to Lillooet.
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: Because there was very low light and I wanted maximum depth of field, I asked Mike if he would maintain his shooting position as steadily as he could. This enabled me to make this image at .6 sec. This, of course is where a tripod is invaluable. I could not have made this image without one.
EOS 5D Mk III; iso 100; f-23; .6 sec.; focal length: 20mm. On a tripod. |
Up before dawn, we explored the canyon wall. Mike with his G-12 camera was dressed appropriately. Blue shirt, red gators, and a fancy hat. Way to go Mike!
6. Fly Fishing on the Blackwater River: A Fisher’s Nirvana; a Photographer’s Challenge.
Last month I had the pleasure of joining Doug Mooring, owner of Cariboo Rivers Trout & Wilderness Adventures, for a 220 km dry fly fishing float trip down the Blackwater River, west of Quesnel, BC.
I quickly discovered that photographing fly fishers is no easy task. Firstly, I am shooting two subjects in a moving inflatable, from a moving inflatable. Secondly, the two subjects need to both be involved in their passion with intent and purpose; as well as be separated from each other. And finally, the background to the subjects is the real image breaker. A darkish background without bright ‘hotspots’ which would compete with the two subjects is of significant importance. Having a forest background on a sunny day certainly made this a challenge.
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: Considering all that I just mentioned above, I feel I was fairly successful with this image. The two gentlemen are well separated, and both are intent and highly involved in their sport. There is action, and they are well highlighted against a relatively uncompetitive background. The fact that one fisherman is standing and is against the darker background, added greatly to the dynamic.
The technical information below tells me that I must have moved very quickly from a totally different situation to capture this shot. There was no need to make this image at iso 3200, nor at 1/8000 sec. Iso 400 at 1/1000 sec. would have been sufficient. EOS 50D; iso 3200; f-9; 1/8000 sec.; focal length: 285mm. Handheld. |
Throughout this trip I had two camera bodies strapped around my neck, each hanging at my hip ready for action. One body had a 100-400mm lens usually set at iso 400 or 800. The other body had a 24-105mm lens set at iso 200 or 400. I made adjustments from there as required.
© Chris Harris
Notes on Composition: With Doug standing in the water holding the inflatable against the current, I was able to ask assistant guide, Josh Mackenzie, to position my inflatable to best capture the wonderful art of fly casting. Having coloured lines, and waiting for the exact moment to press the shutter, play a huge role in this capture.
EOS 5D Mk III; iso 800; f-8; 1/400 sec.; focal length: 35mm. Handheld. |
This was an amazing trip down a most beautiful and gentle river. The section of the Blackwater River on which we travelled is considered the best dry fly fishing river in North America with approximately 1500-2000 fish per mile.
As I learned;
The swing is the thing, and the tug is the drug! More next month!
7. Upcoming Gallery Events: Inner and Outer Beauty
Rita has a slate of friends lined up to join us at the Gallery in presenting their art and artisanship over the fall and winter. These are always special evenings for us here at the Gallery. We take pride and pleasure in sharing our space with our talented and skilled artist and artisan friends and community, and in creating a warm and hospitable surrounding for them and attendant guests.
September 22: 7:30 p.m.
We welcome Krista Reich of Foliate Face Design; and Kathy Provost of Herbalistkathy.
Krista has presented her original clothing designs here at the Gallery previously, and is well known for her signature historical inspiration and impeccable craftsmanship. Models will be showing them to advantage (including Rita in her latest Krista design).
Kathy has recently launched her herbalist consultant practice and has developed a superb line of personal care and health products that are outstanding, and well ahead of the curve in the movement toward biological, non-chemical cosmetic and care products; as well as providing individual consultation.
We hope you can join us; this promises to be a wonderful evening.
September 22: 7:30 p.m.
at the Chris Harris Gallery; 5577 Back Valley Road at the 105 Ranch.
The Gallery will be set up ‘Bistro’ style, with tables for four, and refreshments will be served.
Tickets are $10; to reserve, phone 250 791 6631. Seating is limited so book ahead!
Both Krista and Kathy will show and present their designs and have their products for sale, or book a consultation.
Please call if you have questions.