And One Show I Missed

Vancouver is rich with world class photographers. On my blog list you'll notice Alex Waterhouse-Hayward. If you haven't explored his blog I would suggest you do so as soon as possible. He is not only an extraordinary photographer but also a gifted memoirist.  Visit his blog and discover for yourself.

I have mentioned Jeff Wall in other posts.  

Someone that I met briefly, in my other life as a recreation programmer in a downtown/east side long-term care facility, is another name on the list of world-class photographers. Lincoln Clarkes has been photographing Vancouver, especially the downtown east side and the people in it, for a long time. 

I got a chance to meet Mr. Clarkes when he came to our facility to ensure that his long-time friend, Richard (Dick)  Oulton, was properly situated. He also took the responsibility of making sure that Mr. Oulton's photos did not become lost and that they received the recognition they deserved. Last fall his efforts were rewarded when Presentation House included some of Dick Oulton's photos in 'Juliette & Friends' a show based on photos culled from local archives. They also co-published, along with Bywater Bros. Editions, a book of selected photographs entitled. "Lynn Valley #5  Meet Dick Oulton". 

I wasn't able to get up to Presentation House for the show but I did get to see a package that Mr. Clarkes (that's him above, under one of Dick Oulton's photos) dropped off at Central City Lodge, for the people who were lucky enough to spend the last couple of years of Dick Oulton's life with him. We appreciated it.

                                          

Mamiya C330

     During my Saturday walk on Main Street, which was mostly a trek to make sure my photos that were up at the Grind were not all knocked askew by reckless coffee drinkers, we stopped at the YMCA Thrift Store. Katherine found some hankies or tea towels, both of which she loves and collects, and I saw this camera. It is a Mamiya C330. There is something heartbreakingly beautiful about old cameras and I wanted it as soon as I saw it. If it was simply for sale I might have bought it right there, but it was part of an auction. The high bid at the time was $70. There were 5 days left in the auction. 

     I went back once before the end of the auction to study it as best I could. The mechanics seemed to be in order but I couldn't get the back open to see if there was any damage inside that wasn't obvious from the outside. Having lived from paycheck to paycheck all my adult life, while being at least partially responsible for 3 kids, I have learned to ignore the impulses of my spendthrift nature. And there are many things that are crying out for the few coins I have. But the idea of taking pictures with that camera was very tempting.

     I went back tonight to see if the price had risen. It was $120. I spoke to the man who had placed that bid. He was an artist who painted from photographs. I knew, after having done a little research, that the camera was suggested at around $150 and, if I stayed and bid, one of us, or someone else in the room, would probably get it at around that price. I didn't want to chance it, not knowing how much I might need to spend on repairs. I also didn't want to bump up the price for the artist by engaging in a bidding war. But it did firm my resolve to get a good medium format camera. It'll just take a little time. I did like that camera. 

Walk On Main Street

A photograph, any photograph, is a place where the eye, the imagination and science meet. I bow in gratitude to all the technicians who have contributed to this beautiful science. The winter sun, when it comes out, lays out long shadows like lines from a poem by Beaudalaire.

New Point & Shoot

 For those times when I don't have my SLR, but I see something I want to record, I bought a Panasonic DMC-FS20 at the local Lens & Shutter. It just happened to be the best camera available in my budget range. It was also small and has a reasonable pixel count. It doesn't shoot in raw but it has a big brother that does. 

Local Road

The sun arrived today. The fog, still scattered across small pockets of city, altered a local road. When I dream it is usually of landscapes, vaguely familiar, like a home from another life, or a strange composite of all the places I have ever been.

Forbes Headrick

This is my father-in-law, Forbes Headrick (at far right), among friends at his 80th birthday party last year. He was recently in a serious accident. All positive thoughts for his full and speedy recovery are welcomed and appreciated.

Art Of Compassion

Buddhism has had an influence in my life. At times it has played an important role. It is a religion that I feel very comfortable with. I also feel comfortable with Taoism, Christianity (as described by Christ), Sufism and (from what little I know outside of what is described in most newspapers) the teachings of Mohammed. Also, the more I learn about world religions, the more I believe that they are all spokes that radiate from the same hub. But my life has taken me closer to Buddhism than most of the others. I walked into the Art Of Compassion Gallery during my lunch break at work the other week. The owner, Michael, was a gracious host. He is not a Buddhist but loves the artwork of Tibet. His gallery is, apparently, the only supplier of traditional Tibetan Buddhist art in Canada. I've been wanting to plug his gallery and this is my chance to do so. The photo above is not traditional Tibetan art, of course, but one of my own photographs. Last night I was reading the latest issue of B&W magazine when I saw an add for Artbook Press and followed the link. In their site I read a page from a book by Dario Campanile describing his meeting with Salvador Dali. I, being a big fan of the surrealists, thought I ought to see the art of someone who had touched the hem of the great moustache. In the website I found this. If the link on "this" doesn't take you to a video, go back to the Dario Campanile link and, when you get to his site, click on the "Missing Peace" link (the one with the dove flying out of the newspaper).