OLD and NEW

Looking north on 5 Street - Old Post Card - Courtesy of Galt Museum and Archives

Looking north on 5 Street - Unedited capture

Final Image

So to keep the skills up I saw an image in an article on my iPad one night where a person took an old photo and held it up and took a picture of the same building and somehow matched it up.  Seeing as Lethbridge is full of historical buildings and events around these buildings I have decided to take on a project to combine old photos with the new ones of today.  I have posted several already and found it to be a great way to improve basic camera and editing skills.  It really teaches a person to 1. slow down to think on how the original person composed the image and where a bouts the image was taken and 2.  blend the original into the new to make it look ascetically pleasing to the eye.  Editing these pictures really hammers home the basic functions of photoshop ex masking, perspective, colour correction etc.


This project is, and turning out to be, a great way to look back and to think what were these people doing during that day.  The above image was my first kick at it.  I like the scene of the people bustling about doing their business.  It brings a bit of warmness back to 5 Street; friendly even, like everyone knew each other.  


As I work on the pictures I will post them within the Old and New Album.  

On May 12, 2012, I have a great opportunity to photograph my friends, Dave and Karly, wedding.  I have to say it was one of the most well planned and fun weddings I have ever been too.  The setting was prefect at the Lethbridge Lodge with the big bay windows and the natural light flowing in.    Even though I was a guest at the actual ceremony I was still was able to get a few great shots of them during the vows.  I did not use a flash as they already had a photographer present and just used the natural light from the windows.  Shutter speed was still an issue but I think with the time and the opportunity I was able to capture some of the great moments.  


The reception was interesting as it was in the same place as the ceremony.  The lighting was totally different but I was able to fully use and play with my flash.  I used my 35mm lens for the whole reception and was able to again get the shots I needed.  


Post production was a lot of fun.  I used a few new techniques in the pictures which is always great to keep the PS skills up.   All in all this was a great shoot as it broke up the whole "wedding" shoot into a manageable section to work on the finer points of photography.  


Thank you to Dave and Karly for letting me shoot such an awesome moment in their relationship and lives.  

On April 27, 2012, I had another awesome opportunity to photography one of Lethbridge's local bands; The Coal Creek Boys, on location at Bellevue Mine, Alberta.  Growing up in the East Kootney's of British Columbia I never took the opportunity to see this amazing attraction in my own back yard.  I never knew how vast this mine was until today.   It was awesome to get into this attraction before the official opening day and have staff welcome us like family.  A special thanks to Diane Peterson and John Kinnear for taking time on their Friday to show us around.  You guys are have a wealth of knowledge and stories about the mine and its history which were greatly appreciated.

The shot went well.  I brought along 2 portable light sets, which had a set of LED spot lights in each.  The light these light put out was amazing.  Camera wise I shot the pictures in manual mode at iso 800 with a 1 second shutter to help gather all the light I needed.   Post production proved there was a little bit of lens flare and a shake in some photos.  It was interesting to use these settings but with only the lights from the light packs it still was not enough for a normal shutter release.

I was able to get a few pictures to JohnPaul Smith right away and with his help in correcting the sharpness was able to produce some printable versions for the Coal Creek Boys upcoming BC cd release party at the Art Station in Fernie, British Columbia on April 28, 2012.

For those who like local history you can view it at:

http://www.crowsnestguide.com/bellevuemine/history.htm

PETE

My hat is off to my friend Pete.  Pete is a personal trainer and has been training himself and others for 10 years.  It amazing the level of dedication his guy has.  As it was coming of on his 10 year mark for working out and training he approached me with the ideal about taking some gym pictures to prove down the road when he got old that he was once fit.  (we both laughed)  

I thought the shoot went well.  It was the first time for me to truck a bunch of gear and get to a location, gym, Platinum Fitness (THANK YOU TO YOU AS WELL), set up and start shooting.  Pete did an awesome job and I was told by him it was harder than an actual workout.  

The lighting kit worked wonders and all I kept thinking was a youtube video about an egg and how the egg changes when you move the light around it.  I was able, with some tweaking, get the lighting to where I needed it to go.  The shoot was just shy of 2 hours, but it was nice, no rushing, we would take a few shots and Pete would have to lift again, then a few more.  This gave me plenty of time to see / visualize the shot I was taking and move things accordingly.  

Post Production - WOW! Tougher than I originally planned.  My back drop even though its large was not large enough and I really had to concentrate on removing the unwanted equipment.  In the end, the pictures turned out great and Pete was more than happy.  

Congratulation Pete on your awesome accomplishment!

I recently pickup a lighting kit from a friend at work.  I have to say it has opened the creative door for me. Its amazing to use light to create and actually learn its advantages.  My first subjects were Kellie's nephews.  Seeing it was my first kick at posed lighting shoot, I thought it went pretty well.  I basically shot till the kids were sick of me and the flash going off; they were troopers.  Then of course we hit the park and again the lighting from the over cast sky was ideal, so more pictures and a promise of McDonalds and the shoot was over.  


I can't wait to start using this kit for more shoots.  Practice, practice, practice.  

Coal Creek Boys - Studio

Today I had another great opportunity to photography a great local band from Lethbridge, Alberta, The Coal Creek Boys.   Their music is thoughtful and draws the listener into the lyrics, which I might add, music now a day lacks.  I am honored to be John Paul Smith and Dino Scavo friend.  They impress me every time I get together.  I encourage everyone who is reading this to check this band out.   You can purchase their recently released CD on iTunes. 

Or check them out on FaceBook at      https://www.facebook.com/coalcreekboys

and

www.coalcreekboys.com

I would like to include a little research The Coal Creek Boys conducted for their album.  

"The name Coal Creek was picked because, if you’re truly going to sing, write and preform country music, it MUST be true, and come from a place that is real"  - Coal Creek Boys

Coal Creek is a ghost town near Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Everybody left the town in the 1950s due to the closure of a huge mine.  There is still some historic places left in Coal Creek.  There was a big mine disaster on May 22, 1902 (the worst mine disaster in British Columbia).  Above the old mine you can see that the coal seam that exploded is still burning. Smoke and steam can be seen coming out of the top of the mountain.

(Some say, when you drive up there following the Dirt and gravel road, and look around, after you get back in your truck, you can see the hand prints in the dust on your vehicle from the “ghosts” of all the Coal Creek Creek Children)

**TAKEN FROM THE CRANBROOK PAPER MAY 9TH, 1902**

At 7:30 that night nearly 200 men were labouring in No. 2 shaft of the mine, unmindful of the near approach of danger.  Two minutes later a thunderous roar was heard, the mountains about Fernie trembled, and more than 150 human lives were snuffed out like the snuffing of a candle. There was no warning of danger; the first intimation was a silent but remorseless death. There was no opportunity for escape, no chance to fight for one's life, no time to plea for mercy or make peace with God. Death came quickly. 

There was no torture, either mental or physical, to the great majority. With picks in their grasp, or hands on their drills, the men dropped unconscious, and death came with the concussion or the after damp without a wail of sorrow or cry of pain.

But a disaster of that kind means sorrow and suffering for the living. It means many widows, many fatherless children, many homes bereft of their mainstay and support. And that is the case in Fernie today. There are few doors in the long rows of miners' cottages that are not darkened by folds of crepe, and few eyes in these homes that are not be-dimmed with tears shed for loved ones buried in the chaos and darkness of the wrecked tunnel.

And such a misfortune carries with it responsibilities that the people must not shirk. 

It brings to the surface the strongest feelings of humanity, and prompts all men to do what they can to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate. 

This is the time for all men to act. It is no time for selfishness, no time for parleying, no time for argument as to what or how much you should do. Do, and do at once. Give as the gods have given unto you. There are homes that are stricken, mothers who are destitute, children who will be starving. This is not time to look sorrowful and say "God pity them." This is the time to give one dollar or more for their aid. Every man in the district can give one dollar; many men can give more.

My Little Guy

What an amazing few days. It's crazy to think I am a new Dad. That's right a Dad. My son, Quincy Forbes Edward Blackwood, was born December 16, 2011 at 1634hrs, 4lbs 13oz 19inch long. 35 weeks one month premature.

He's spending his first weeks in the NICU and I am told for a preemie baby he's is doing excellent. I am speechless every time I go into see him. Quincy has touched my heart and I can't wait for him to come home.

More pictures of him will follow and he will be an endless source of photo inspiration. My Quincy, the little fighter.