What unusual times we are experiencing! Uncertainty and fear are such prevalent feelings. Other than the polio epidemic that ended in 1955 with the introduction of the Salk vaccine nothing in my lifetime really compares.
Social isolation that now governs our lives leaves us with much time to attack the forever full ‘to-do’ list, to read, to work on projects and of course to think about new projects and ideas. I’ve read lots, ‘who-dun-its’ for the most part. And I’ve lost a bunch of weight. No booze or restaurant food and excellent home cooked meals have paid off.
The two projects I have underway are progressing slowly but well. So far the design aspect to my website revision is almost complete. I’ve identified the images that will appear in my first book. It will be about the critters in the Fascieux Creek Wetland. In the background, ideas for my blog are always percolating.
This article arose from my desire to include online sales through my website. Logistically speaking, it should relatively easy to do. But previous experiences with commerce and my photography actually led me to give up on photography for awhile. “Is this what I really want to do?”
Like many photographers there are two chapters to my involvement with photography, film and digital. The chapter about film began at a very early age. Over time the creative possibilities of black and white photography captured my imagination. I even had the opportunity to exhibit my prints in a few art shows. Then the idea of earning money through my photography crept in and became a serious consideration. Sadly, this motivation took me away from the creative aspect of photography. In the end, I lost my desire to make photographs just for the fun of it. I sold all my gear!
The growth of digital image making in the intervening years led me back back to photography. There was no need for darkroom equipment, chemicals and all the other necessary paraphernalia related to film photography. Results were immediate.
My interests today parallel those of my years with film photography. Family photography was and still is very important to me. Back then I loved to photography events such as the Williams Lake Stampede, Kelowna’s Snow Fest and the spring River Race on Mission Creek sponsored by radio station CKIQ. Now, I enjoy photographing events such as Versaiki here in Kelowna and the Northwest Duces Auto Show in Victoria. Most of all, I love to photograph landscapes, wildlife and other subjects that I can artistically represent with my camera.
The images included in this article were made in the mid 1970’s. My photography today reflects similar interests. The image of the old wagon axel was made on my aunt and uncle’s ranch on Dragon Lake near Quesnel, B.C. The first rodeo image was made at the Williams Lake Stampede and the last image was made at the Calgary Stampede.
Again, I am making photographs for the love of it. Should an image sell my hope would be that the purchaser was moved by an inner feeling created by that image. That’s what is most important to me.