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.

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.

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 Café) 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…

2011 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon

My first 12x12 experience was at the 2^nd 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.