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"Rust in Peace," the old headstone proclaimed, in front
of the vehicle junkyard. Inside were the remains of cars and trucks,
in faded glory, slowly crumbling away. Some parts possibly still
useful. Junk to some, and a treasure trove to others. Wild roses
growing through the engine bays, willows and brambles swallowing
up some of the autos almost completely. Mouse and bird nests could
be found in the undisturbed areas, renewing life in the midst of
all the decay.
Dreams
Once a sparkling new possession, all the vehicles had an owner's
dreams, desires and a story to tell. It is the same way with old
buildings. Who lived there, how was their life, where did they go?
When did they build, how many kids, what did they farm, were they
successful?
I cannot pass an old vehicle or building, without wondering about
it's origins. The camera screams STOP everytime I pass these bits
of history, the buildings and autos beg PLEASE come and tell my
story. The old rust, stained barnwood framed by flowers, ancient
farm machinery in the colors of fall, snow topping the decaying
timbers of an old log building, a barely legible sign, swallows
under the old gables. There are so many possibilities.
Irresistible
For many camera buffs, old buildings and autos are irresistible.
The wide-angle panorama shot can show location, but if you really
want to know somebody or something you have to get intimate. Get
up close and personal, because less becomes more. By trying to capture
everything you capture nothing. Just as in a Robert Bateman painting,
sometimes you have to look closer to see the picture. (PHOTO)
Focus
Focus is of prime importance here. Do you want to show a small
part of the subject in focus and the background blurred, or use
a high f-stop with low shutter speed to try to have the most depth
of field. In any case, a tripod is mandatory for the sharpest pictures.
Many a good shot has been ruined with camera shake, especially if
you are doing enlargements.
Some of the new films available have incredible detail and are
virtually grainless. In fact, one article I read states some new
films have 50-million pixel capability, whereas the top digital
cameras are edging just over 5 million pixels.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
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Digital cameras
Digital's will keep improving and lowering in price
with more features, especially after you buy one! Digital has the
great advantage of immediacy and if you don't like the effect, take
another picture. The benefits of instant gratification, no film
to buy, and the ability with programs such as PhotoShop to manipulate
the outcome, will make the seduction of digital photography hard
to resist.
The eye
No matter which medium you use you have to acquire the photographer's
eye. View the subject from every available angle. Why is it that
some pictures just jump out and speak to you? Best lighting is usually
morning and evening, overcast days with no shadows can work pretty
well. If your camera has fill in flash don't forget to use it. Try
a shot from inside the car or building looking out. That can be
a very neat perspective.(PHOTO)
The background should not detract from the main subject. Concentrate
on the focus point and remove the background distractions. Is there
a power pole or power line or an object that will take away the
theme you are trying to portray? Is there an unwanted shadow showing
- yours, the tripod or a vehicle?
Some places you can almost feel the presence of the past, as if
a woman in a bonnet working in the garden, or an old character with
a scythe cutting grass were watching you. We appreciate the future
by learning from the past and capturing the past in film expands
our futures. And may we all rust in peace.
Fee Hikes
The rumors are true. We have heard there would be some price changes
in this coming year for parks camping and day use fees, hunting
and fishing licenses. On Tuesday January 28, 2003 new rates were
announced. Your fishing license will go from $30 up to $36, plus
tax of course. Hunting licenses have taken the biggest hike from
$21 up to $32, plus tax. None of us enjoys the rate hikes but it
has been a long time since there has been an increase. Hopefully,
there will be increased monies spent on the resource to justify
the rate hikes.
We have anglers and hunters coming from all over the globe to enjoy
what British Columbia has to offer. A slight increase will not deter
tourism, but we must be diligent to make sure this important resource
can be maintained and improved. If you think of the new fees as
a meal for two at a reasonable restaurant, or a movie for two, plus
popcorn and drink it's not too bad.
More on this next week.
More of Bob's photos on the Photo
page
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