Newsletter #128: March, 2016
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
Contents:
1. Going on a Road Trip: a commitment to photograph.
2. Another Road Trip: another commitment to photograph!
3. I Had the Urge: I grabbed my camera and went to town.
4. Behind the Scenes: the making of my new book.
5. My New Website: take a look
Hi everyone,
It’s been a full and exciting month; and there is still a week left!
Firstly, my new website has finally been published. Yes, it is online, so please take a look. It’s more interactive; you can actually leave comments…whooo…that’s scary!
Secondly, my new book is now quickly becoming a reality. It’s that wonderful time in the process when I visit my friend Bill Horne and actually lay out the book. This is so exciting I’d like to take you ‘behind the scenes’ and share our experience.
So here we go; the 128th consecutive monthly Newsletter! Enjoy.
Our goal at the Chris Harris Gallery is to share photographic adventures and inspire others in the creative process. Please share this Newsletter with friends. We appreciate your interest and continued support for my work.
Chris
1. Going on a Road Trip: a commitment to photograph.
Last December, just before Christmas, I drove to Vancouver. It was dark and cold at 5am, but when I went outside to start the truck, I realized my good fortune; it had snowed overnight. What must be a remnant of my early driving days in Quebec winters, I just love the ‘high’ of driving through the beauty of a fresh winter wonderland.
I ran back into the house, grabbed my camera gear, and set it out on the passenger seat beside me. As I drove down the driveway, I committed myself to a photographic assignment. Then after filling up with fuel, I put on Enya’s new CD album, turned up the volume, and headed down the highway in ‘creative-mind’ overdrive.
I decided to take the more remote and rugged Duffy Lake Road through the Coast Mountains. With any luck I would get there before the snow ploughs get to work. I had committed to not being in a rush. I was going to stop and make images whenever and wherever. I was pumped!
Fraser River just east of Lillooet
Thoughts, feelings & information: As I approached Lillooet and the Coast Mountains, the entire landscape had a dusting of fresh snow. The lead in lines of the river and road made for a composition I couldn’t resist.
I made this image with my lens at 35mm, at f-11, and on a tripod. |
On this narrow and winding road, it was not easy to pull over wherever I wanted. I must admit though, I did take a few chances as there was hardly any traffic!
mountainside texture
Thoughts, feelings & information: The mountains are steep and rugged here. By looking directly into them, I noticed how the dark trees, beige rock, and white snow provided a textural look I had never seen before.
I made this image with my lens at 65mm, at f-8, and on a tripod. |
Duffy Lake Road
Thoughts, feelings & information: Into the mountains I go! As it turned out, I’m glad the snow ploughs had been through before me. With more contrast, the road became a stronger line which helps lead our eye into the picture space.
I made this image with my lens at 84mm, at f-8, and on a tripod. |
Duffy Lake Road
Thoughts, feelings & information: It seemed to get ever more beautiful as I gained altitude.
I made the image with my lens at 82mm, at f-8, and on a tripod. |
The next day, on my way home to the Cariboo, I decided to drive back via the Fraser and Thompson River Canyons. Once again, I committed to making photographs, even though I would be travelling through the night.
homeward bound, near Lytton, BC
Thoughts, feelings & information: As I made this image I wished for a southbound train (from the lower right of the image) to light up the canyon rail line. This would have contrasted beautifully with the highway which was lit up by automobiles in the upper left.
I made the image with my lens at 35mm, at f-5.6, for 113 sec.; on a tripod. |
Thompson River
Thoughts, feelings & information: To record the highway traffic lights, I had to wait until I had the right number of vehicles moving north and south along the highway. With not much traffic during the night, this took a while!
I made the image with my lens at 24mm, at f-8, for 138 sec.; on a tripod. |
By taking my time, reducing my speed, and keenly observing the beautiful landscape I was travelling through, I truly enjoyed my two drives, felt more relaxed on arrival, and psychologically at least, I got to my destinations quicker.
2. Another Road Trip: another commitment to photograph!
In February of this year I made another trip to Vancouver and once again I made a personal commitment to make photographs. I’m going to share three I made on my way home.
Thompson River Canyon
Thoughts, feelings & information: How many times have I said to myself, I must stop here and make a photograph? This time I did!
I made the image with my lens at 105mm, at f-8, for 1/60 sec.; on a tripod. |
All the while I was photographing, I was wishing for a train to come by. No such luck, so I packed up and headed north, homeward bound. Five minutes up the highway, however, I spotted a southbound train. I immediately did a highway U-turn (I know…!), and roared back to my chosen spot.
freight train I, Thompson River Canyon
Thoughts, feelings & information: By the time I got there the engine had already entered the far tunnel. First, I made my documentary image.
I made the image with my lens at 105mm, at f-8, for 1/60sec; on a tripod |
freight train II, Thompson River Canyon
Thoughts, feelings & information: Then I wanted to make a longer exposure. Due to the light of the day, I added a 6-stop ND filter and made my second image.
I made this image with my lens at 80mm, at f-11, for 20 sec.; on a tripod. |
I just had enough time to made the second image before the train passed out of sight. My good fortune had me driving home in high spirits.
3. I Had the Urge: I grabbed my camera and went to town.
On Friday mornings I usually go to 100 Mile House for an early cup of coffee with friend Mike Duffy. We usually park in front of this beautiful birch tree without much fanfare, however, one day I said to Mike, I am going to photograph that tree; it’s a beauty.
After too many hours on the computer one day, I got the urge! I explained my plan to my dog Duggan, grabbed my camera bag, and off we headed for town.
birch tree: documentary
Thoughts, feelings & information: Compositionally, note the 8 diagonal shapes, the 4 vertical tree lines, and the tonal contrast between them. There is a sense of balance amongst them all.
I made the image at f-8, for 1/60 sec.; on a tripod. |
birch tree: abstract
Thoughts, feelings & information: Wishing for a more expressive image, I made a multiple exposure of 2; one in focus and sharp, the other in focus but at a slower shutter speed with intentional camera movement.
I made many more which I may share at a later date! |
Next I headed to Centennial Park to see what stage of break-up Bridge Creek was at. Here are three of my favourite images I made that day.
Bridge Creek I
Thoughts, feelings & information: Compositionally, note how I used the dark water as a lead in line to the water falls. I was most interested in the strength of the shapes, the contrast, and foreground narrative, so I cut most of the waterfalls off.
I made the image at f-16, for 1/10 sec.; on a tripod. |
Bridge Creek II
Thoughts, feelings & information: Compositionally, I was very excited about tonal contrast; the high contrast provided by the almost black water, and the low contrast shadows that brought out the gentle undulation’s in the snow. The implied diagonal line of the three water holes is most important.
I made the image at f-13, for 1/20 sec.; on a tripod. |
Bridge Creek III
Thoughts, feelings & information: The compositional element of contrast once again drew my attention to this implied vertical line of snow covered rocks. I also enjoy the comparison between the textured water and the almost textureless snow.
I made the image at f-16, for 1/200 sec.; on a tripod. |
4. Behind the Scenes: the making of my new book.
After two or more years of photographing, and one or more years of writing and editing, the time finally arrives when I’m ready to head north to Wells, BC to visit my good friend and book designer, Bill Horne. This is always a very exciting time for me.
Bill and his partner Claire Kujundzic are both artists who live in an old retired church, now known as the Amazing Space Studio & Gallery. It’s there that they put me up in their home and feed me delicious food while Bill and I create a living book made up of images and words.
Bill and I at work
This is the 8th book that Bill has designed for me. We work like ice cream and maple syrup, laughing and telling stories as we insert and lay out text, choose, insert, and arrange images around the text, choose fonts, and a hundred other detailed items that I will never understand. He is a genius, and without him, my books would not live the life they do.
Harold reading one of his poems at a poetry reading in our Gallery
I can also say the same thing about my editor, Harold Rhenisch. Harold is a poet and a true guide when it comes to the landscape of words. As I might compose images, Harold orders my thoughts and moulds my words; bringing them alive in book form. As this is the fourth book we have worked on together, he knows me well, and as such he is the interpreter of my dreams.
I have heard dozens of horror stories over the years from photographer friends who have used mainstream publishers. They have none, or very little say with image selection, text editing, the title, the book’s design, and the marketing. As an independent publisher, working with my editor and designer, I have complete control over every aspect of my book. This whole process is a thrilling and creative endeavor; from the moment I choose my own book subject, produce the entire book content, and bring it into living form.
I am also blessed to have an amazing team of friends who support me in so many different ways throughout the entire creative process. Without all of them these books would never materialize. I thank them all.
Next Newsletter I will talk about the book’s cover and its title!
5. My New Website: take a look!
Our new website has been launched and we are quite excited about it. It had its challenges along the way, but we are now mobile device friendly along with several other improvements.
Newsletters from the past 10 years are now easily accessible, book and print orders will be easier to process, and portfolio images have more viewing options and are easy to share.
And guess what? Viewers can now make ‘comments’ on Newsletter and blog posts; or on images seen in the various portfolio’s. Yikes! I guess I’ll soon find out if I enjoy that feature or not.
If by chance your Newsletter subscription email address was corrupted or lost during transfer procedures, please re-subscribe. You can also help by forwarding this Newsletter to friends you feel would be interested in receiving it. They can then subscribe or re-subscribe. There are lots of great articles coming soon, along with all the news on our new book to be released later this year.
Have a look. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!
I always look forward to your newsletter and images. Outstanding, as usual. Thanks.
Thank YOU!
I like the new style, Chris, on top of your usual great content. It’s kind of like maple syrup over ice cream. 🙂 Have a great spring season of photography, and I look forward to your next newsletter!
Jane
Thanks! Anything with maple syrup is fabulous!!
Hi Chris,
Liz and I will never forget our experience with you during the workshop last summer. Life gets complicated and photographing get pushed to the margins, but the inspiration you provided remains. Looking forward to shooting again and in the meantime love the newsletter.
Cheers,
Chris
Thanks kindly. Sometimes it only takes 10 minutes out on a walk with your camera to get inspired again. Good luck!
Your photography and newsletters inspire me do get out with my camera and to try to see everything around me with an artistic eye It’s not alway easy but on occassion I actually have some images I am very proud off. Thank you Chris!
You are right! I will look into that. Thanks!
Step one: get out there and bring along your camera…the rest follows!! Have fun!
Wow, I love the new newsletter and website format! One little glitch that came up for me though is that in the navigation menu at the top, the dropdown menus under Home, Workshops and Publications don’t work on my phone or tablet, just on the full website on my laptop. Other than that the whole site is seamless! Congrats on all your hard work not to mention all the gorgeous photos in this month’s newsletter. 🙂
Thanks…I’ll look into that!
Enjoyed all of your images in this newsletter but especially the Duffy Lake Road winter ones.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks…enjoy!
Chris, I got behind on your newsletters (being on a long trip myself) but I’m really glad I finally went back and read this one. It’s an inspiring set of images illustrating the importance of forcing ourselves to be creative even while doing things we’ve done many times before! Now to check out your new website…
Thanks Pat. Welcome home!