Faces, Places and Things – Photography Blog

As many of you know, I am in the software business and have been for almost 18 years. My photography is my outlet, and FPT is my side business. Recently, this last year has had me working in Vancouver, BC.  My time there finally ended on Feb 26th as I said goodbye to my team and came back to Seattle for new adventures in the life of a technical professional. On my way out I took a few pictures. These next three are my final images from Canada.

183 Squared

Down the Alley

I guess its time to go find some new shots. I really havent taken anything since these. My thanks to the great people of Vancouver. I had a wonderful time in this fantastic city. Living in downtown for a year was a blast and the scenery around Vancouver is amazing. If you have never been there I highly recommend it.

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This Christmas, my son got his first camera. He had expressed an interest sometime ago and I felt it was time to get him a more serious camera and see how he took to the art. He has done real well. Hes not afraid to experiment nor use the camera. He has had to learn how to use the camera, RAW files, Photoshop and more. Its been a ton to learn, but he is a natural. (I like to think that he gets it from his old man).

Today was the second time he and I had been out since getting the camera. While he does go take a few pictures on his own, he and I enjoy the time together to talk, answer questions and see the world around us from a more artistic perspective. On this outing we went to Mt. Rainier National Park near Crystal Mountain and took some deep forest shots. The shot below is one of mine from the outing. I have a thing for Birch trees and how they look in deep contrast. The detail of the bark along with their bright bark coloring make them really nice against the dark forest.

Time with my son

I used to get picked on about my tree shots. Apparently I take a bunch of them. But, when you live in the Pacific Northwest its hard not to take a picture with trees in it.

As with all of my shots, I encourage you all to leave comments and or Feedback.

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Taken in late 2009 from the balcony of my place in downtown Vancouver. To the left is a parking garage and car dealership. To the right a grass lot ready for something new to be built on it. The walls in between the two houses are actually finished and painted (how, I have no idea). These are the only 2 houses on the entire block. The houses themselves were built in the 1940’s as was many of the structures in this general part of town. The old Architecture of Vancouver is very interesting. The new Architecture ALL looks the same. Glass and concrete. These older structures offer more texture and personality.

2 Close 4 Comfort

The intimacy of these two homes is what really caught my eye.

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This Christmas my son got a new Nikon Camera. Much like religion, the age old favorite tool of photograph has been passed down. On the 28th my son and I went out to the Seattle International Airport and shot the new mass transit station and the SeaTac parking garage. We were out, shooting at night and loving every second of it.

The following are the two pictures I took while out.

The SeaTac Parking Garage Ramps

The SeaTac Parking Garage Ramps

And two from my son

The SeaTac Parking Garage

SeaTac Sky Bridge

All in all this was a great night. We had a blast (FROZE!!) but it was fun. I am really looking forward to what it is he is going to take next.

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I was recently commissioned to shoot an architectural shot of the Vancouver City Hall Building in BC. Designed by Architect, Fred Townley, the building was started (and finished) in 1936.  From an Architectural style perspective this building is very “Art Deco” with hints of the Modern Architectural movement that Corbusier founded seen throughout the structure.

I was real happy to be commissioned for this shot. Had my clients not asked I would have never seen this excellent example of Architecture from this era.

Vancouver City Hall

The shot itself was hard to get. The building is on a very populated corner with a great deal of construction going on. Naturally, anytime you shoot a public structure (during your lunch hour) there are people that will wonder in and out of the frame. The building is nicely situated on its site and offers many interesting views. However, there is a great deal of signage, cars in front and sculpture in front of the building. Since editing these items out would take a LONG time, I decided at the last minuet (well… once it started raining really) to get a close shot. So, I walked back 15 feet from the main entrance and laid flat on my back with a 17mm lens and shot virtually straight up. The goal was to capture the essence of the Architecture and let the trees frame the image to compensate for what was a blown out sky.

I think it works…. what do you think..?

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This last week the good folks at Harbour Center in Vancouver, BC gave me roof level access to shoot some panoramic photography. Now… let me start off by saying I AM SCARED TO DEATH OF HEIGHTS… but this isn’t the first time I have attempted to conquer my fear and go some place ridiculous to get a good shot.

This shot was taken from the roof of the building. I used a 400 mm lens, so the full height of the tower isn’t fully appreciated in this shot, but the view and unobstructed access over the tops of many other buildings is what makes this shot work.

Harbour Centre - Man what a view !

Vancouver really is a beautiful city. The people are great, the country is fantastic and there is some absolutely beautiful scenery to take in while there. As always, comments on my work are SINCERELY appreciated.

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Another shot taken out on the coast of Canada in Vancouver, BC. This is the complete image which was a five second exposure.

The Coast of Canada - 2009

The Red and White of Canada

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So… I finally got out to take some pictures (its been over a month) and this is the first shot I felt was good enough to upload. While I am on the road, I dont have access to my normal post software and hardware, so I will re-edit this one when I get home.

Comments are always welcome.

Taken near UBC in Vancouver -  Nikon D700 28-70mm

Personally the much larger image looks better. I think this looks terrible reduced as its too small. There is a lot of detail that is lost in the reduction.

This is a 5 second eposure behind a ND filter (8) and a Graduated ND filter (Cokin System Sandwhiched). This allows the water to move and to give it the milky white appearance.

The Canadian Coast - 2009

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My Favorite shots of the Murray Hotel in downtown Vancouver, BC. The textures and the tone are what get it for me in this very simplistic Architectural shot.

I was walking home from work and noticed this small space between the two segments of the buildings. The operable windows are large enough that if opened from each side they would hit each other. With only a meter of space between the two sides (hey… its a metric country… when in Rome) you can literally reach across and touch someones hand on the other side.

The other thing that was odd/fascinating was that the space between the windows is made up of metal flashing instead of the stucco or exterior concrete finish. This made it stand out quite a bit and give the building a rustic appearance. This was the side that had a building right next to it as the exact opposite side of the building is clad in brick. I just liked the textures and the tones as well as the shadows cast on the building from the trees behind me.

The Murry Hotel, Vancouver, BC - 2009

The Murry Hotel, Vancouver, BC - 2009

The Murry Hotel, vancouver, BC - 2009

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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been trying to get out and shoot more. This is generally done while I walk to work and home from work in Vancouver. On 8/29 I was downtown and went up a street under construction and found the Vogue Theater featured below. This old 1920’s style movie house still has some appealing character. My post production on this image is reminiscent of the time and has a Holga/Pin-Hole camera feel to it.

The Vogue Theater. Vancouver, BC

Because of my background in Architecture, I really enjoy photographing old buildings like this. I am going to have to re-visit it when there is a more dynamic sky and colors to bring out the textures of the buildings facade. While not a normal look for one of my B&W images, I was pleased with how this turned out.

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