Tuesday, September 27, 2011

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon Exhibit

After 49 long, arduous days of excruciating waiting, the 60 participants of the 3rd annual 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon were able to see the fruits of their labour for the first time along with their sidekicks, friends & family.

Those who brought along digital bodies may have less tension during their waits, for the rest, the anticipation to see how (and in some cases IF) their photos turned out is crushing.  Need I remind you, dear reader, that this is a FILM-based photo competition so the back of the camera only tells you at most, yes, you have 12 exposure 400ISO Kodak film inside - DO NOT OPEN!  No previews to be seen here!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon - play by play (Part 3/3)

If long drawn out reading isn't your thing, you'll want to just read my general overview of the 2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon rather than continue on here ;)

Start from the beginning  Play-by-play Part 1
 
Theme 9
The long walk back started to worry me as I might not make the 6pm surprise that we were all promised.  Darting up through the West End neighborhoods rather than staying on the increasingly crowded main thoroughfares got me back just in time and gave me an opportunity to see what the residential part of downtown looked like.  Maybe I was missing stellar opportunities back here.  It was certainly eye-opening as I don’t venture through that part of Vancouver much beyond the occasional foray for parking.  I never imagined apartment living in the downtown core to be my cup of tea, but strolling through the neighborhood makes you understand how it’s different from big cities like New York.
I digress.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon - play by play (Part 2/3)

If long drawn out reading isn't your thing, you'll want to just read my general overview of the 2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon rather than continue on here ;)

Start from the beginning  Play-by-play Part 1

Theme 5
I hadn’t taken a picture of Reliable yet and it was time for the next theme again: “My greatest wish”.  If nothing else, 12x12 tests your creative, interpretive abilities.  Or maybe that is just my personality to not settle for the obvious.  Maybe that’s my downfall, over complicating things.  Carry on Zach, carry on.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon - Play by play (Part 1/3)

If long drawn out reading isn't your thing, you'll want to just read my general overview of the 2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon rather than continue on here ;)


Preparation
Equipment-wise there wasn’t much to prepare, Canon AE-1 with 50mm prime – check, tripod – check.  These are borrowed from my dad who has had the camera for years.  He doesn’t have any other lenses and a very basic flash.  As I don’t do any film photography and didn’t have time to test the flash and its effects, I didn’t bring it along.
Arrived at 12x12 HQ (Urban Rush CafĂ©) at a comfortable 9-9:30, registered, got my film and goody bag and sat down to take care of the ever important loading of the precious film.  My precioussss…

Monday, August 8, 2011

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon


My first 12x12 experience was at the 2nd event in 2010.  Never having shot film seriously and attending the 2010 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon gave me a new appreciation and in 12 hours, made me a better photographer than I had ever been before.  It was challenging on both the mind and the body.  Thinking over 12 hours, “How can I visualize THAT???” then walking to find or make that picture you envision in your mind.  At the end you feel both relief and a sense of satisfaction, but there will always be that nagging feeling that I could’ve taken a slightly better picture for this theme or that theme… that is unfinished business and I was back this year to ‘finish’ that business.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

2011 Vancouver Photo Marathon

woot! I was able to get a ticket to attend the 2011 Vancouver Photo Marathon!!!

For those who don't know, in 2009, I read about a small group organizing a photo contest called the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon.  The point of the contest, as I understood it, was to bring photography back to its film roots and draw photographers out of the "shoot first, delete later" mentality that has been brought about by the explosion of digital cameras and the ensuing 'ease' or 'intent' of post-processing.  Digital memory makes it cheap to throw away pictures compared to the permanency of film.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Moving 'up' in the autocross world

Those that know me will know that I have been autocrossing for some time now.  My friends will know me as a "car guy", my autocross friends fully realize that I lack true "car guy" knowledge and experience.  I will be the first to admit that I'm not a grease monkey.  I understand the workings of a car but not enough to tweak or get really hands on at this point.

I've been racing mostly for fun due to not having a competitive car and honestly, not putting the effort to make the car competitive - you can't make a refrigerator fly.  Arguably I've been more competitive in the last 2 years due to picking up a co-drive with Fabrice Renaud who has a well prepared 1994 Mazda Miata he has generously offered me.

This year, I was fortunate enough to be offered a drive in a friend's Formula Ford that has competed regularly at National Tour events and even a US Nationals and is extremely competitive.  I'll save you the back story but the lead up is that I had a chance to drive this at the 2011 Packwood National Tour and had to decline.  Mike was running the car locally (which is rare) to get some seat time for my 'pinch hitter', and offered me a drive at the same time, how could I turn that down?

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Aileen & Scott's Wedding

June 18 - our good friends Scott & Aileen got married in a cozy civil ceremony at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.  Bride and Groom along with the bridal party were beautiful and at their finest.  The ceremony was held on a balcony overlooking the marina which made for a beautiful backdrop of the Yacht Club marina, English Bay and the North Shore mountains.  The weather was comfortably overcast, excellent lighting for photography ;) and opened up as the day progressed.

In addition to being a guest, I had a secondary mission which was to help Precious Pear Floral Designs (run by my good friend's wife Janice) photograph the flowers they made for Aileen & Scott.

This was my first attempt at photography with purpose outside of the 2010 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon (more on that later) and did my best shooting and in post-processing, of both which I will readily admit to generally being lazy at normally.

Well, I must say I impressed no one more than myself with the results and here is the gallery for you to see for yourself, constructive comments are welcome!

Aileen & Scott's Wedding Pictures

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

First Post

This is my first attempt to join the world of blogging and add another mundane voice and opinion to the interwebs!

Hope you enjoy this!