Looking Back to Look Ahead - Part 3

In this set, I see the need to take a selfie and explore the darkness of Vancouver Downtown. This all took place in 2014.

I'm not a fan of "selfies" but I do look to document myself. This usually involves finding reflective surfaces in which to take a photo of myself... all while telling a story or setting a scene...

Or just taking a selfie.

There are some areas where the lights are really nice in Downtown Vancouver. This one is by the Birks store.

When there is darkness, I'm attracted to the light. I'd say I'm kind of like a photographic moth but that sounds kind of weird.

Moon Party!!

In this image, I waited a few moments for the person to walk into the light before taking it. I wish I was a tad closer but timing was critical. 

Looking Back to Look Ahead - Part 2

Continuing on with this series... 

A moment between two. I think this was during a cloudy Fall day last year (2014).

I think I read somewhere that these pianos are back! Random pianos showed up in Vancouver and you could "tickle the ivory" as the saying goes.

Reflections and Shadows

I realize I spend quite a bit of time here. It's nice to get out for a while and just be with your thoughts... or camera.

Boyz II Men came into town and were playing at the PNE last year. It was quite a party.

Then the lights went down :)

Vancouver Spring

Most of the time, it rains during Vancouver's Spring season but this year we were quite blessed with some warm almost-summery sun.

Sunny Days

In October of last year, I bought a Leica camera to... well, I really wanted one partly. But the reason I wanted one was not simply because it's a fancy camera and is looked upon with favour (in most cases) by the photography community. It was because I wanted a tool that would further enhance the vision that I had for my approach to my work: Documentary photography.

It's taken me quite a while to get used to this camera and while I've learned a lot over the last few months, I've come to realize that the Leica camera is one that you have to kind of struggle with at first, learn to grow with and eventually make it a part of you. Some people may not jive with rangefinder cameras. Honestly, there are some days when I tire of the learning curve and put it down and give it a rest only to find myself wanting to learn more about it and to try to push myself and it to greater heights.

Documenting The Streets Of Vancouver

Whenever I am in Downtown Vancouver and walk along the streets and alleys, there are days when I'm a bit lazy and don't bother taking the camera out of the bag. However, on most other days, when I push myself over the hump and instill in myself this desire to create, I grab the camera out of the bag and document as much as I can. Suddenly, my attitude changes and I get into this "mode" of searching for light, composition and subjects.

As I type this and upload the images, I've been thinking to myself "why bother with these images?" To preserve. To document. To tell stories through photographs and preserve that moment in time, which will never happen again. 

Walking My Usual Route

I spend quite a bit of time by Canada Place in Downtown. With the summer season here, the place is bustling with activity as cruise ships bring people into the city. This area is kind of a tourist hub where you can visit the Convention Center, visit Canada Place and jump onto a hop-on hop-off bus to explore the city.

It's also a place where people in the Downtown core can go to relax and take in the sea-breeze. If I don't have a camera with me, I'm usually relaxing and taking in the fresh air and will usually grab some lunch. With camera in-hand, I go into documentary mode ... sometime with lunch still in my other hand!