Archive for the ‘photography’ Category

In the beginning of September I posted a note about the youth photo initiative that I’ll be running in conjunction with the Calgary board of education and the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary..

The first few weeks have gone very well, and we’ve managed to select approximately ten students to complete the for-credit program. During the last class we discussed some of the current events that students felt strongly about, and in the end the group agreed to focus on the community of Bowness here in Calgary, which is an incredibly diverse and (dare I say) unique community. Given said diversity, this will prove to be an interesting project as time goes on!

With the help of Jim at The Camera Store, we sent requests to several camera manufacturers to sponsor the program with equipment.   Unfortunately the requests were not met favorably and as a result the school will have to purchase the cameras outright.  I’d really like to give a plug to The Camera Store and particularly Jim for being so supportive of Boys and Girls Club programs. They’ve helped on a few projects already and their commitment to helping the community should not go unnoticed!

I’ve sent the students out with the following homework and next week (if all goes according to plan) we should begin to actually work with cameras..

• (Current Events) Bring in 2 articles (or pieces of writing)
  • Be prepared to talk about what they mean to you.
• (Observation)Find two outside objects and visit them on at least four occasions in one day: Morning, Mid-Day, Evening (sunset), Night
• Record your observations
  • Shadows
  • Colours
  • Texture
  • Contrast

Now I’ll have to get myself out to do some homework too; I must admit, it’s kinda fun to be back in school!

In response to a request for gallery content I’ll be assembling a couple of different photo series’ in the next month or two..  I welcome comments, suggestions or any other input.

1. Belly Buttons
   • After an interesting exercise at the Leadership Calgary opening retreat, I’d like to explore Belly Buttons, an anatomical feature that everybody on this earth shares. My intention is to explore the similarities and differences of said BB’s to highlight our common origins.
   • Please send me an email if you’d like your navel featured in this exhibit.
2. Garbage
   • I was asked to exhibit a series of photographs at a local cafe in November and in doing so, I’ve decided to capture some of what we throw away and the places the garbage inevitably ends up..   I’d like to use this to encourage people to consider the impact of their Christmas purchases this year, and in the future.
   • As with the belly-buttons, if you’d like to take part in this, please let me know..