Sawtooth

I call this Sawtooth, but that is not really an accurate name.  It is really just my description for this image.  I think this mountain is called Mt. Abraham, but I'm not certain.  I'll have to do a little more research to confirm this.  This is taken from basically the same spot as my "High Water" image, right by what is called the Belly of Abraham Lake.  

Unfortunately there are two spots of uneven development in the sky that sort of ruin this negative.  I was able to digitally spot them out in this scan, but I think the negative is likely unprintable in the darkroom.  I have another shot of it on another film, that I have not yet developed, so hopefully that one is better.

I shot this on October 6th 2022 with my Ebony view camera, a 400mm telephoto lens, and a #25 Red Filter.  That filter deepened the value of the sky, and also the shadow values in the shaded areas between the rocky teeth.  It also brightened the value of the autumn foliage in the foreground.  This was part of the recently processed batch of Ilford HP5 film developed in 510 Pyro.

High Water

This one is also from the recent batch of Ilford HP5+ 4" x 5", processed in 510 Pyro.  I shot this up at Abraham Lake on October 6th of 2022.  That was a good day of shooting as the winds were light and the lake was abnormally calm.  I got several other really good images that same day.

Abraham Lake is actually a reservoir and it is formed by the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River.  It is not far from our cottage out at Nordegg, and I visit it often.  It is famous in winter months for the Ice Bubbles that form on the lake, which generally remain highly visible, as the incessant winds keep the lake surface fairly free of snow.

By late summer the reservoir is filled to capacity and over the winter months and into the spring the water is slowly released.  By late spring the water level is at its lowest, and with the mountain runoff in early summer, the process is repeated.  In 2022 the water level rose to the highest that I can remember in recent years, and this shot is evidence of that.

I took this with my Ebony 4x5 view camera and a longish 250mm lens.  A #25 Red Filter was used to increase contrast, and cut through the distant haze.

Tim Horton's - Extra Large Print

This extra large print is the feature image and part of the installation going in at Tim Horton's in Drumheller.  This image was selected by the design team from all of the scans that I presented.  The print size is approx. 18" x 24" and the overall frame dimensions approx. 24" x 35".

This shot is an image of the Hoodoos with fresh snow.  I believe this dates back to the time before guard rails and viewing platforms were installed at the site... but I'm not sure.  In any event this image dates way back to November of 2011.  Unfortunately the design team selected this one as the feature image.  It is the only one in of all the scans that I sent to them, that was not taken with my large format camera.  I shot this on medium format roll film with my Hasselblad.

It stood up reasonably well to this high level of enlargement, but I had to raise my enlarger head right to the ceiling, and the largest image size I could get, with the enlarging lens that I have, was just under 24".  But it all worked out in the end, and looks pretty good...!

All of the images were printed in my darkroom over the past couple of weeks.  Mounting, matting and framing was wrapped up on March 22nd.

I quite enjoyed this project, but it was a lot of work.  I spent quite a bit of time going through my archives to locate scans that could be considered by the design team.  Then in July I brought a bunch of fossils home from the shop and photographed them with my studio lights.  In October I went down to East Coulee and took a bunch of shots of sculpts and models in the shop and in the gift shop.  Then all that film that I shot had to be developed.  More recently I spent almost the entire month of March preparing the prints.  I had a week off when I went out to Nordegg for a few days, but otherwise spent the rest of the month printing the images and then toning and washing them.  After that there was the flattening of the images, the mounting and matting, and assembly into the frames.  As much as I enjoyed the whole process I'm sort of glad now that it is all done, with the exception of delivery, and I can move on to other projects.

Tim Horton's - Square Prints

These two square prints are part of the installation going in at Tim Horton's in Drumheller.  These images were selected by the design team from all of the scans that I presented.  The print size is approx. 14" x 14" and the overall frame dimensions approx. 21" x 21"

The first is a shot of a sculpted dinosaur head in The Rock gift shop at East Coulee.  This was taken in October of 2022.  The name of this dinosaur is Dromeaosaurus.

The second is a shot of the Atlas Coal Mine in East Coulee.  This one was taken way back in June of 1999.

Both of these images were taken with my view camera on 4" x 5" sheet film.

All of the images were printed in my darkroom over the past couple of weeks.  Mounting, matting and framing was wrapped up on March 22nd.

Tim Horton's - Large Prints

These two large prints are part of the installation going in at Tim Horton's in Drumheller.  These images were selected by the design team from all of the scans that I presented.  The print size is approx. 14" x 17" and the overall frame dimensions approx. 19" x 24"

The first is a shot of a Albertosaurus Tooth.  This was taken way back in September of 1998.  The actual tooth is only about 2 inches tall.

The second is a shot of an Ammonite Fossil.  This one was taken in July of 2022.  The actual fossil is only about 3 inches in diameter.

All of these images were taken with my view camera on 4" x 5" sheet film.

All of the images were printed in my darkroom over the past couple of weeks.  Mounting, matting and framing was wrapped up on March 22nd.

Tim Horton's - Medium Prints.

These five medium-sized prints are part of the installation going in at Tim Horton's in Drumheller.  These images were selected by the design team from all of the scans that I presented.  The print size is approx. 10" x 13-1/2" and the overall frame dimensions approx. 15" x 20".

The first is a shot of the old Timber Bridge in East Coulee.  This was taken back in July of 2014.  Since that time the bridge deck has badly deteriorated, and fences have been erected to eliminate access.

The second is a shot of a sculpt of a Triceratops, in the shop at East Coulee.  This was taken in October of 2022.

The third is an overall view of the same badlands ranch as the small print of the bunkhouse.  This was taken in July of 2017.  As stated previously, this ranch is on private property, and we had permission to photograph there.

The fourth is a shot of some roadside rills not far from East Coulee.  This one was taken in October of 2010.

The last image is of a Cottonwood Tree down at the TL Bar Ranch, east of Trochu.  This ranch used to be open to public camping and we stayed there in our trailer many times.  It has since been closed to the public.  This shot was taken in September of 2010.

All of these images were taken with my view camera on 4" x 5" sheet film.

All of the images were printed in my darkroom over the past couple of weeks.  Mounting, matting and framing was wrapped up on March 22nd.

Tim Horton's - Small Prints

These three small prints are part of the installation going in at Tim Horton's in Drumheller.  These images were selected by the design team from all of the scans that I presented.  The print size is approx. 7" x 8" and the overall frame dimensions approx. 11" x 13"

The first is a shot of a maquette in the shop at East Coulee.  This was taken in October of 2022.  The name of this dinosaur is Hespronychus.

The second is a shot of an old Wagon in East Coulee, with the Tipple of the Atlas Coal Mine visible in the background.  This one was taken in August of 2020.

The third shot is of a bunkhouse at an abandoned ranch.  This building is on private property and we had permission from the landowner to go in and photograph it.  This one was taken in July of 2017.

All of these images were taken with my view camera on 4" x 5" sheet film.

All of the images were printed in my darkroom over the past couple of weeks.  Mounting, matting and framing was wrapped up on March 22nd.

Valves

This shot is also from the recent batch of 4" x 5" HP5+ developed in 510 Pyro.  This shot was taken in late October of 2022.  My friend Jon and I had gone out for a day trip, and came across this abandoned gas compressor site.  It was like they just turned off the gas and walked away, as everything in the building remained virtually as they left it, and untouched.  We shot here for a little while and I think this is probably my strongest shot of the day.

Submerged Tree

I quite like this detail shot.  It was part of the recently processed batch of HP5 film that I developed in 510 Pyro developer.  This shot is from the Fall Photo Weekend up at Jasper National Park, last October.  I shot this with my Ebony 4x5 view camera, and a 400mm lens.  I used a #25 Red Filter to deepen the value of the water, and to increase contrast.

This was shot at Horseshoe Lake, which is along the Icefields Parkway, not far from Athabasca Falls.  A very popular spot most of the time, but at this late point in the season there were only a handful of other people around.

Jasper Lake

I just processed a batch of Ilford HP5+ 4" x 5" sheet film in 510 Pyro Developer.  All 20 sheets in this batch were from the last couple of months of 2022.  This shot was taken on the Fall Photo Weekend in October, when the gang from the Monochrome Guild headed out to Jasper National Park.  

What looks like heavy clouds in the background is actually smoke, from a large forest fire that had been burning for some time, north of the townsite.  In fact at one point earlier in the season the town was without power, and the park was essentially closed.

I shot this with my Ebony 4x5 view camera and a 125mm lens.  A #22 Orange filter helped to lighten the foreground fallen leaves, and offered a little penetration through the background smoke.

Art Gallery of Alberta

On St. Patrick's Day Arturo and I delivered our prints to the Art Gallery of Alberta.  It was initially thought that Arturo would deliver the prints while I was away in Nordegg.  But there were some issues connecting with the right personnel from the Sales and Rental department, and so the delivery was delayed a little.  

We each included three prints from the "Apparitions" project, and all six of them were delivered on the afternoon of March 17th.

The contracts that we signed run for a year, after which they could be extended, or the work replaced with new pieces, or simply more work added.  We are just hoping that our work is well received and that someone chooses to rent or buy it.  The proceeds will be shared with the Art Gallery under a formula outlined in the contracts.  We really have no idea what to expect, but the fact that our work is accepted by and made available through such a prestigious gallery hopefully bodes well.

The associate from the Arts Rental and Sales department that we were working with was quite excited to get some photography for their inventory.  Many of the pieces that they have available are large paintings and of course these come with a higher price tag.  Large pieces are also limiting in that they are only suitable for display in larger spaces.  Both Arturo and I are excited and optimistic about this opportunity.

While we were at the Art Gallery, the hitch was stolen off my truck.  I was parked right in front of the Courthouse.  Apparently someone needed it more than I do.....

A Short Drive

On one of the last days that I was out at Nordegg, I went out for a drive with my camera.  I took a short drive up Swale Road.  There is an addictions center here... housed in the former young offenders jail.  I knew that there were some prayer flags in the trees along the road and thought that I might shoot them for potential consideration in the Apparitions project.  

I did that, and on the way there I also saw the three wild horses near Harlech.  I've started seeing these three on a regular basis in recent months.  They seem to have moved back into the area now that recent logging activities have been wrapped up.  They are very skittish, and although they are comfortable with passing traffic, they will not permit me enough time to set up my big camera.  I'll keep trying and perhaps one of these days it will work out.

Bathroom Vanity

The last day before I left Nordegg I started on the bathroom vanity.  I got the base built and set into place and I got all the plywood parts cut for the vanity.  I even managed to get the plastic laminate glued onto the floor panel and the intermediate shelf.  

When I return to Nordegg I will start painting all of these parts and then cut rabbets and dados so that I can begin assembling everything.  Once that vanity is done, the only cabinet work remaining will be to build a tall narrow pantry to go beside the fridge.  After that I just need to finish painting the interior doors and hang them.  At that point a thorough cleaning will be in order.  Sweep up and vacuum all the sawdust and remove some of the woodworking tools.  I can then begin installation of the flooring.

Slowly but surely it is all coming together and by later this year the place will be liveable...

Printing for Tim Hortons

On Thursday March 16th I continued printing for the Tim Horton's project in Drumheller.  I printed a total of seven negatives, but there is one that I'm not happy with, and will have to redo.  With the five that I printed before I left to Nordegg, this brings the count to 11 prints.  There are a total of 13 that need to be printed, so just two more to go.  One of those two is quite a large print, at approx. 18" x 24", so it will take a lot of space to set up and make this one.  That is why I have left it until last.  There is one other very small print that I need to do in conjunction with this big one.

Once these last two negatives are printed I will move on to mounting, matting and framing.  So far I remain on schedule for delivery by the end of the month.....

Work Continues

Towards the end of my week in Nordegg I got busy on the kitchen cabinets of the guest cottage.  I managed to get the cabinet doors put on all three sections of cabinet that I have built so far.  I got two of the three sections set into place.

I can't put the drawer fronts on yet, as I have not yet built the drawers.  That will be one of my next projects, when I head back out again.  Everything is really starting to come together.  That 1950's vibe is beginning to come through.  Once I get the drawers in, the checkerboard floor tiles installed, the retro range put into place, the the counter tops with the boomerang pattern and chrome edges installed, it will feel 75 years old..!

Bubblers

"Bubblers"....  that's what the locals out at Nordegg call the tourists that come out to Abraham Lake to see the Ice Bubbles.  On mild weekends there are hundreds of them out on the ice of the lake.  There are tour companies operating in the area that take the Bubblers out to see the best locations.  When there is a skiff of snow they sweep off patches of ice in advance of taking the Bubblers out....

I took a drive up to the lake when I was out out last week and did a little shooting with my big camera.  It was on Sunday the 12th, so it was moderately busy up at the lake.  I went out in the morning, and surprisingly it was one of those rare days that was dead calm.  The skies were clear and it was a beautiful day.  By early afternoon the clouds rolled in and the breeze picked up.  The hoards of Bubblers that were arriving to explore the lake missed the best part of the day, and by the time I left they were like flies on a cow flop.

While I was shooting a young couple showed up with a "professional" photographer.  They must have been taking engagement portraits or something as they were out on the ice in fancy clothes and dress shoes.  I always marvel at these digital shooters and had to scoff just a little at the so-called pro that they had hired.  She was shooting with a Canon SLR and a long telephoto lens.  But, everything was handheld and there was not a tripod to be seen.  And as I watched them I noticed that every shot was taken into the sun, with the subjects heavily backlit.  Thank goodness that PhotoShop can solve all these problems.  Alternatively if a little thought would have gone into it, she could have just taken better images in the first place, and not had to spend hours on the computer editing later.  

I guess that's why whenever I'm involved in a photoshoot, the feedback I get always praises my work and I am told that my shots turn out better than what the pros shoot....!  A little foresight, planning and understanding of light goes a long way...

Cabinet Building

For the first couple of days that I was out at Nordegg last week, I set to work in the guest cottage.  There was one really mild day early on, and I was able to set up my table saw outside and cut up a sheet of 1/2" MDF.  These particle board pieces will become the door panels and drawer fronts for the kitchen cabinets in the guest cottage.  

After I cut everything up, I put the table saw away and went to work inside the guest cottage.  It is getting rather crowded in there, and working is a challenge.  I have three sections of cabinet standing around, plus a temporary work table, plus an air compressor, and a chop saw, and some kitchen appliances.  Of course there are also lots of materials and supplies, and smaller hand tools.  Once some of these components get installed into proper position, it will become a little less crowded.

I used my router to round over all the edges of the door panels and drawer fronts.  Then I set to work finishing everything.  First there was a coat of primer and then paint.  I put two coats of paint on the backsides of everything, and three coats on the exposed faces.

Snowmobiles

I bought my Skidoo Tundra new in 2015.  For the first year or two I stored at my skylight shop.  Later, when we bought the property out at Nordegg, and built our cottage, I moved it out there.  I also still have my old 1979 Yamaha ET300 that I bought used back when I was a teen.  Recently I restored that one and had the engine and carburetor rebuilt, the seat reupholstered, and the skis replaced.

The Skidoo never saw a lot of use.  I took it out for a spin once near Battle Lake shortly after I bought it.  Then I took it out for an second spin out at the cottage.  In between all that both of the snow machines mostly remained parked at the cottage.  Some years we did not have a lot of snow, and when we did the temperature was bitterly cold.  Other years I was just too busy working on the cottage to get out riding.

On this most recent stay at the cottage I decided that both machines needed to get out for a rip.  We have quite a bit of snow this year, and I would guess there is about two feet this winter.  It melted somewhat during the warm spell in February, but then we got some fresh stuff later in the month.  That was combined with some winds, that whipped up some nice drifts.

The battery was dead on the Skidoo when I tried to start it earlier this winter.  I put a battery maintainer on it a while back and that has helped, but it doesn't seem to accept a a full charge so I think I will need to replace the battery.  But there is also a pullstart, so I'm never really stuck.

When I got it going this past week, there were only 9 miles on the Skidoo.  After getting it out on the trails a few times, it had about 27 miles on it by the time I put it away and headed back to the city.  I also got out for a couple of spins on the old Yamaha, but didn't take any snapshots of it this time.

It was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing a lot more trail riding.  It may be coming to an end for this season, as it is already mid March, and the snow likely won't last much longer.  I will have to see if there is enough left to get out for another spin, then next time I head out to the cottage.