December 2009

Well, it's the last blog for '09. Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. And I hope everyone has a great new year! These two are our new editions: Beckey and Miley.

November 2009

I had mentioned previously that I wanted this month to discuss a book, that, although it was published ten years ago I believe it to be just as relevant today. Perhaps, even more so in light of our current economic conditions. Essentially the book is a concise discussion about Canada's social conscience, and tackles head-on many myths surrounding the poor, and working poor in this country. And how we as Canadians are all responsible for one another. Because that IS what makes us Canadian.
I encourage any and all reading this blog to pick it up and give it a read.

... and finally, some sights from the trip my wife Tracey and I took. Visiting the Midland, Ontario region.

October 2009

... and a fall wedding.

October 2009

This month's blogs will be dedicated to the sights of the Fall season, as my wife and I will be travelling to several places in Ontario. And I say "blogs", plural, because I wasn't mindful and completely skipped over September. Next month's blog will be singular, and will profile a book. Which although it was published a few years ago, I believe it to be just as relevant today. Take care!

August 2009

Well, I figured better late than never for this month's blog. It's been kind of a reflective month for some reason, and in turn, I've been flip-flopping on which topic I was going to go with for August? Anyways, enough rambling...

I'd like to share a unique set of experiences I had (in keeping with the theme of reflection), which all tie into one, and break them up into parts. Part one now, with other parts to come, later. And as I write each part, there will be an image of pertinence.

Pt. 1

During the fall of 1994, my first year at Humber College if my math is correct, I thought of a personal project to pursue outside of my photographic studies. I would load up my 35mm camera, a few rolls of Kodak TMAX P32000, and in the dead of winter and blustery cold go to the heart of downtown Toronto and wander around until my fingers or my camera was frozen. Whichever happened first. As a matter of truth, it was always my fingers, and never my camera. Gotta love those Nikons!

I would intentionally rate my film at 3200, and sometimes on rare occasions I would push it one stop to ISO 6400, to create a high contrast and purposefully grainy image. And when flash was needed, it was always on camera and direct; the antithesis of beauty lighting. All because I wanted to use these tools to interpret what I felt were parallel conditions: cold, harsh, and a bit bleak. The experience and the pursuant images opened up a world foreign to me. And the experiences still resonate. My hope is that the people I met those two winters have gone on to better lives - a step up if you will - but I doubt that has been the case for most. Some were gracious enough to let me photograph them, while others were content with some conversation. In only rare instances, much to my surprise, would they not want to be bothered. The image contained in this blog most likely fell into the latter category. It was one of the first images I snapped in the winter of '94.

July 2009

So, with my first topical blog, I thought I would write about the artist who without a doubt has been the most influential to me: Diane Arbus.
Diane Arbus was a photographer who documented the contemporary culture of the 1950's and '60's, and who's work was gritty, poetic, and often brutally honest.
So why do I find her portraits so spellbinding? It's not a simple answer.
I think you have to begin by taking into account the time period she was working and creating in. Her images were of the forgotten, and neglected. Those who eked their way through life. Or, in the case of her images from nudist resorts, persons who simply lived life... differently. Her work was in stark contrast to the popular culture of the time.
The collection of images I do find myself pulling out and viewing on occasion, is a book entitled "Untitled". And it is the only published collection which I am aware of that is devoted to a singular project of hers. The photographs in the book were taken between 1969 and 1971 at residences for the mentally retarded. It was published posthumously, as Diane took her own life in 1971, unfortunately.
For anyone reading this who may be more interested in finding out more about Diane's life, I highly recommend the biographical book entitled "Diane Arbus, A Biography", by Patricia Bosworth. Or for that matter, any collection containing her works.

B.Q.